1971 Newton County

From 8-19-14

Our 1971 season was much anticipated as the Rams were moving into the highest classification in Georgia. Many "basketball experts" were predicting that this team was too short to compete with the taller teams in in the larger schools.

The schedule would obviously be the toughest that any Newton High team had ever played. The "sooth-sayers" said there was no way the Rams could maintain their 12-year average of 28 wins & only 3 losses, much less keep up their record of winning 8 Region Championships in 12 years! Spring practice proved that there was plenty of talent to go along with the three returning starters that we knew would be among the best in the state. Senior All-State Clay Summers, averaged 18 ppg as a junior, & 2 other "double-figure" starters were Sr. Stuart Clive, & Jr. Kevin Price. During spring practice we had many new talented players come out for the team. By the end of spring practice, there was one new player who had earned a starting spot! Donnie Freeman, though only 6', would be playing against much bigger guys than he, but very few would be able to match his quickness & jumping abilities. We became aware of a dilemma when Mrs. Summers came to me & wanted me to tell her son, Clay, that he could not play football. I thought it "foolhardy" for a senior, who had never played football, to risk all the scholarship offers, but I had never told a player that he could not play another sport! Her fears came to reality, as Clay suffered a broken leg in his first week in pads on the football team. Thankfully, he had plenty of time before our season started to recover from his injury, and be ready for basketball season! When our schedule was finalized, our fans were thrilled to see the names of the state powers on our schedule. It featured the always-tough Griffin Bears, Newnan, featuring a very talented team which included future NFL star, Drew Hill, LaGrange H.S.,a basketball power for years, R.E.Lee H.S., & several Atlanta schools including Price H.S.,(which had 2 players that later played in the NBA) & Washington H.S., one of the oldest and most successful Atlanta schools in state history. When the Newton fans saw the top-rated Panthers of Forest Park on the schedule, and realized the #1 player in Georgia, 6'9" Rocky Davis, would be coming to Covington to face the Rams, the excitement was almost like a little kid waiting for Christmas!