A message from Coach Newton

I would like to thank the Nantahala Boys basketball team for their dedication and hard work this year. These boys have worked long hours to achieve the titles of Little Smoky Mountain Conference & Tournament Champions. Throughout the season, there were many factors that could have hindered their achievements. The injuries and sickness alone where more than I have ever seen as a coach. However, these boys never let those setbacks become a factor this season. When one of their comrades fell, there was another ball player able to take their place and achieve victory. The whole community is proud of these boys. I received phone calls all through the week, people bragging and living vicariously through these boy’s achievements.

            The season was long and the practice was tough (especially coming down here on Saturdays), but these boys have one goal and one goal only: “Be the team that everyone remembers”.  They played with pride and with dedication. There hasn’t been a team like this in a long time. There are different eras of time people remember, I have talked about those eras myself and now I am part of one. I believe these boys will be successful next year and they will be remembered. People will be talking about their performance to their kids.

            If the boy’s memories ever start to fade, all they have to do is come and look in the trophy case and see that hard work does pay off, dreams can come true and goals are attainable. Twenty years from now, most of these boys will meet back up at their reunion, all with different lives and paths. Some will have kids and wives; some may be living their dream, but they will have one thing in common: Their high school glory days. They will all be talking about their high school games and their achievements.

Coach Newton