How Maddy Newman will be remembered as Gatlinburg-Pittman basketball career ends

MURFREESBORO — Maddy Newman’s eyes remained red from the tears. 

The star senior had just watched her Gatlinburg-Pittman's girls basketball career conclude in the Class 2A state semifinals. 

“It's really disappointing,” Newman said. “I kind of feel like I wasn't creating for my team. So that's obviously really disappointing for me. So I just feel a lot of grief.”

The Lady Highlanders lost to Loretto 55-52 in overtime Thursday at Middle Tennessee State's Murphy Center. Newman, a two-time Miss Basketball finalist, had 15 points on 3-of-16 shooting along with seven rebounds and a steal for Gatlinburg-Pittman (36-4). Senior Leah Stinnett had 14 points, three rebounds and an assist.

Junior Ally Weathers finished with a game-high 33 points, 16 rebounds, three blocks and two steals for Loretto (29-4).

Gatlinburg-Pittman coach Katie Moore said that Newman, a Tennessee Tech signee, shouldn’t allow this letdown to overshadow the numerous triumphs. 

“I know Maddy is going to be very hard on herself because she didn't perform like she thought she wanted to tonight,” Moore said. “But she can't forget all of the other great times that she performed for us and came in clutch for us.”

Newman has led Gatlinburg-Pittman to the state tournament three times and the semifinal round twice in her career. Before she arrived, the program had only made the semifinals once and the tournament twice. Her 6-foot-1 frame has been a steadying force in the post.

“Maddy’s been huge for us, “ Moore said. “It's always nice to have a dominating post player on your team, especially when you're surrounded by great guards.”

Newman is also one of the most coachable players Moore she’s coached the team since 2010. 

“Her resiliency,” Moore said. “You can pretty much say anything to Maddy and she's always happy-go-lucky, saying ‘OK Coach, I got your next time’ kind of girl.

“I just really have enjoyed coaching because she's somebody you can kind of get on to. And nowadays that's hard to come by.”

Newman's positive spirit will be the lasting mark she leaves rather than the poor shooting percentage in her last game. 

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“I played with Maddy all my life, every moment with her is my favorite,” Stinnett said. 

Even after wiping fresh tears, Newman admits that the mark she and the other seniors have left is more meaningful. 

“Losing in the Final Four (stinks), but just knowing that we made history is really good,” Newman said. “I'm just proud that we were able to do what we did in our careers. And I think that we'll get a better chance to think about that once we kind of get a chance to catch our breath.”

Toyloy Brown III is a Knox News sports reporter. Email toyloy.brown@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter, @TJ3rd_.