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BREAKING: Charlemagne Gibbons departs Newton for Gainesville
Gibbons
Charlemagne Gibbons announced Tuesday morning that he is departing as head coach of the Newton Rams for the same post with the Gainesville Red Elephants. - photo by Phillip B. Hubbard

COVINGTON, Ga. — Charlemagne Gibbons is leaving his post as head coach of the Newton Rams’ basketball program to take the same position for the Gainesville Red Elephants. 

Though Gibbons confirmed the move to The Covington News Monday evening via text message, it was made official Tuesday morning. 

Gibbons shared the reasoning by his decision to make the transition. 

“I just think overall, the potential long term ceiling for my family, No. 1, is going to be higher than it was here,” Gibbons said. “They have some things in place there with Gainesville’s facilities and the commitment to athletics from a financial standpoint for my coaching staff and myself. And then just the long term vision they have to continue to grow their athletic programs over the next five to 10 years, I really like the vision that I saw.”

The news was first reported by Access WDUN and, according to their report, Gainesville athletic director Adam Lindsey sent a press release Tuesday morning. 

“We couldn’t be more excited to have (Charlemagne) Gibbons join us,” Lindsey said. “What his teams have accomplished in each of his coaching stops speaks to the coach he is, but when you look at how he’s been able to cultivate individual talent, that doesn’t happen unless you can build relationships, and that’s when you start to realize what a special human exists in that resume, too.”

The Rams’ concluded the 2022-23 season at 19-11 overall along with a 9-2 record in Region 4-AAAAAAA and finished as region runners up behind Grayson for the third straight season

Less than two weeks ago, the fourth-year head coach led the Rams one last time in the Elite Eight of the Class AAAAAAA playoffs that ended in a heartbreaking 58-56 overtime loss to Norcross

Nearly 365 days prior, Newton's season ended in the Final Four, losing to Norcross 75-72 on March 5, 2022 at Buford Arena. 

Newton advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the 2020-21 season before losing 87-59 to Pebblebrook on the road — a loss the Rams avenged this past season beating Pebblebrook by 22 points on Feb. 25 at home to advance to the Elite Eight. 

Across the past four seasons, Gibbons compiled a 76-36 record overall and went 8-4 in the postseason. Gibbons was also awarded the 2022 Region 4-AAAAAAA Coach of the Year. 

Not only did Gibbons coach the Rams against some Georgia powerhouses, such as Feb. 6's ESPNU broadcasted matchup against Wheeler, but he took them nationwide during his tenure. 

Just this past season, Newton traveled to face Duncanville High School in Texas and then against IMG Academy in the Hoop Hall Classic played in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Rams also won the City of Palms Tournament in Fort Myers, Florida after beating teams like Charlotte High School and Tampa Catholic — both based in Florida. 

That’s not to mention last season when the Rams claimed the 2022 Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic tournament championship in Westwego, Louisiana. 

Newton went 4-0 in that tournament beating John Curtis Christian (in Louisiana), St. Mary’s High School (in Arizona), Westminster Academy (in Florida) and downed Beaumont United out of Beaumont, Texas 67-54 in the title game. 

In addition to Gibbons’ team success on the hardwood, he has also coached some high profile athletes including 5-star, McDonald’s All-American, UCONN commit Stephon Castle. Additionally, 4-star prospect, McDonald’s All-American nominee and Indiana signee Jakai Newton helped headline this year's Newton squad that started the 2022-23 season nationally ranked.

Gibbons will take on a Gainesville Red Elephants squad that's seen a bit of turmoil at the program's helm over the last couple of seasons. Coach Chuck Graham was ousted after the 2021-22 season ended with a 5-18 finish, but was given his job back before the start of the 2022-23 campaign. Gainesville (14-11, 7-5 in Region 8-AAAAAA) ended this season with a 76-68 loss to Habersham Central in the first round of the Class AAAAAA playoffs. 

This story will update as we receive further information.

Publisher and Editor Gabriel Stovall contributed to this report. 



 

Stephon Castle commits to participate in NBA Dunk Contest
Castle was a former Newton Ram standout from 2019-23
NHS S16
Newton's Stephon Castle (2) throw down a dunk during the fourth quarter of the game against Pebblebrook. - photo by Anthony Banks | The Covington News

One of the four players participating in this year’s NBA Slam Dunk Contest will come from Newton County.

According to a report from ESPN Senior NBA insider Shams Charania, San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle has committed to compete in the 2024 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. The contest will take place on Saturday, Feb. 15 during NBA All Star Weekend in San Francisco. 

The event is expected to be televised on ESPN platforms, alongside the NBA Rising Stars exhibition game. While participants for that game have not been listed as of this writing, Castle may also be a candidate to play in that game as well.

This marks the latest in what has been a solid rookie campaign for the Newton County native.  With the Spurs, Castle currently averages 11.6 PPG along with a 40.4 field-goal percentage. 

Before his time on the Spurs, Castle was a standout guard for the Newton Rams from 2019-23. After graduating from Newton High, he attended the University of Connecticut (UConn) for one season where he won a national championship.

Castle was selected fourth overall by the Spurs during the 2024 NBA Draft and is considered to be a front-runner for NBA Rookie of the Year.