October 9, 2009
Newton makes her decision
The old precept that size matters has been overutilized to the point of now it’s residing in ye olde adage graveyard, worked to its welcome demise. Besides, it’s often a situation that heart truly matters in the world of sports because effort and attitude, though unquantifiable, are contagious and effective. See a teammate hustling to the nth degree and an infectious spirit takes hold. Valley Christian’s AJ Newton hits the chart at just 5-foot-2, but her Richter scale-like impact on the basketball court has landed her a scholarship with a local college.
Newton is a blur on the court
Newton was the leading scorer in the West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL) as a freshman and a Mercury News All-County first team selection two years running -- soon to be three. Valley Christian (VC) went 22-7 overall last season, 8-4 in league play and won two of the three games played against powerful rival Archbishop Mitty last season. The Warrior program has risen to become a power built around the foundation established by Newton’s contributions and certainly those of her teammates.
San Jose State University (SJSU) took notice, extended a scholarship offer and it was a done deal.
Steve Cotton is the new girls basketball coach at VC, having moved over from coaching the boys for a number of years. He’s familiar with Newton and describes her thusly: "AJ is a very capable shooter with very good ballhandling skills. She can break down defenses, get into the paint and cause defensive rotations. A.J. possesses great instincts and applies a lot of ball pressure defensively. She plays aggressively on both sides of the ball."
Concluding his summary, Cotton added, "Let me tell you, with her work ethic she is going to have her way."
When Newton’s latest selection to the Mercury News all star squad was announced, here is how she was portrayed: "...Newton was the motor behind another successful season for the Warriors, who advanced to the CCS Division III semifinals. She averaged 12.5 points, 4.7 assists, three steals and three rebounds per game. She helped the Warriors win two of three games against Mitty. Newton is an impact player on both sides of the floor, utilizing her quickness to make steals on defense and to break down opposing defenses off the dribble. The All-WCAL selection is also an effective free throw shooter, converting 76.5 percent from the line."
Newton offered some interesting reasons for her collegiate choice, one being local pride. She said, "I really liked Pam [DeCosta, the SJSU coach] and I really couldn’t see myself playing for another city."
She is also really close to her sibling. "I couldn’t leave my brother so now he and my family have a chance to see me play," Newton said.
So how did Newton come to develop her ballhandling prowess? "Beginning around the 6th grade, I began dribbling with tennis balls," she explained, "then later on I worked on dribbling two balls at the same time."
Cotton sees his protégé as possessing excellent potential: "AJ has an innate quality for exceeding her size and stature which makes her attractive to college coaches."
Mark Anger, the coach of Newton’s East Bay Xplostion club basketball team, offered this: "AJ makes the players around her better. She will surprise a lot of people and really be a factor."
Newton specifically wanted to thank her two high school coaches, Cotton and Richard Harris, as well as Anger, of her East Bay Xplosion club team, and Oscar Jimenez from the Mission Recreation Center, plus her family for all their support.
Such a player is certainly a great ‘get’ for SJSU but there are other goals for Newton to achieve first, such as a senior season culminating in "playing in the D-4 state title game."
Thinking big and playing big -- that’s AJ Newton.