West’s Newsome claims top girls’ player honor again

During those four years, Newsome also led West to four straight regular season IMAC titles, four District 2-AAA Tournament championship game appearances (winning the last three), four Region 1-AAA Tournament championship game appearances (winning three), four Sectional victories and a State semifinal appearance as a sophomore.

Newsome led West in scoring each of her four years, scoring more than 2,000 points in the process, and was named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class AAA All-State Team during her junior and senior campaigns. West was 122-18 in games in which Newsome played, winning 52 of their 56 Inter Mountain Conference games along the way.

In simple terms, what Newsome did in her high school career was nothing short of phenomenal. And after being named the Citizen Tribune All-Lakeway Area Girls Basketball Player of the Year last season, she has repeated the feat this year by earning the honors for the second straight season.

“I’m incredibly honored to receive this honor for the second straight year,” Newsome said. “It really is an awesome feeling to be recognized like this, but I wouldn’t be in this position without the help of my coaches and my teammates. They all helped me be a better player, and I’m very thankful to all of them for everything they have done to make me and our team better.”

Newsome was a terror for opponents in the postseason this year, putting together solid performances in the District 2-AAA Tournament championship game as well as a huge run from the Region 1-AAA Tournament opener through the sectional game, helping lead the team back to Murfreesboro.

“Those last few games were a culmination of hard work, both for myself and the team,” Newsome said. “I was playing well, and so was Blayre (Shultz), Caroline (Harville) and Macey (Hefner), so the other teams couldn’t key on me or her all the time. It really made us a better team with how well they played, and I was able to have some good games during that stretch.”

Newsome pointed out getting to four straight state tournaments was an accomplishment she is very proud of, but it was the last one that meant the most to her.

“It’s amazing to know I’m part of the first class to make the state tournament all four years here at West, and that’s something I know Blayke (Shultz), Abby (McKinnish) and I are very proud of,” Newsome said. “This last one meant the most though, especially after Blayke and Abby got hurt, because a lot of people counted us out then. But we worked hard and came together and rallied to get back to where we wanted to be. That’s something I will never forget. That last trip, just making it to the state tournament, was emotional and a very happy moment for all of us.”

Newsome, who was also a standout soccer player for four years for the Lady Trojans, just recently made her college decision as well, signing with Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate in a private signing at her home earlier in the week following graduation. She will join a Lady Railsplitters program that was ranked in the top 10 nationally last season and advanced to the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen.