Up from No. 72: Electrifying playmaker makes everyone around him better. Splits traps and is a dazzling passer. Looked for his offense more his senior season, a good shooter from beyond the arc and the mid-range. Implements a floater downhill. Averaged 16.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists.

Vonte’s leadership at the guard position is one of the primary reasons his Monroe Area High School team is currently 12-2 on the season and ranked 5th in the state, in Georgia’s Class 3A. In just the last two games, he’s scored 29 and 28 points, respectively. He is a combo guard whose athletic speed and athletic ability allows him to get to his spots and get to the rim with ease. He’s typically one of the faster and quicker players on the court and runs the floor well. As he continues to improve on defensive output, he’ll see his stock rise even higher.

Dazzling playmaker is one of the state’s best passers. Shifty downhill slasher has gotten better and better each season with expanding range on his jumper. Will have his highest scoring season of his career.

Monroe Area doesn’t get enough credit for their great basketball, turning out college-level players year after year. 4-year starter Vonte Newell Vonte Newell 6'0" | PG Monroe Area | 2024 State GA now holds the torch and they’ll be in good hands. Newell is one of the more elite passers I’ve seen come out of Georgia in recent years, excellent vision and accuracy with either hand. Around the rim, Newell is capable of some acrobatic finishes that really come in handy for a smaller guard like him. He can alter a game on the defensive end as well and that’s where his high motor shines. With Newell at the helm, Monroe Area could be a darkhorse contender in 3A.

Sharp playmaker sees the floor exceptionally well. Plays with great speed and wants to get downhill and set up teammates. Has developed into a quality shooter off the dribble. Can wreak havoc defensively.

Up from No. 88Crafty playmaker. Quick slicing his way to the rim, loves to drop off assists in tight spaces. Has a knack for rising to the occasion. Gets big stops on defense and will get to his jumper when he needs to, but prefers to be a pass-first point guard.

With their backs against the wall, trailing 47-40 midway through the fourth quarter following a 16-4 Hart County run, Monroe Area turned to Vonte Newell Vonte Newell 6'0" | PG Monroe Area | 2024 State GA to lead the Purple Hurricanes through adversity. Newell made all the plays late, sparking an 8-0 run to surge past the Bulldogs. It started with a three to end the run, making it 47-43. Newell then went coast-to-coast for a tough finish to make it a one possession game. Trailing by two with 41 seconds left, Newell created off the dribble from the top of the key, driving and kicking to Alan Jones for the go-ahead game-winning three in the corner. Vonte wasn’t done there. With Hart County threatening to take the lead back, Newell came away with a steal, using his athleticism to leap into the air, deflect the pass then haul down the ball with 22.5 seconds left. Vonte scored seven of his 11 points in the fourth quarter to go along with his 2 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Newell is a crafty playmaker that gets downhill and finds the open man. He puts terrific English on his layups, using his spin to convert difficult shots. On Friday his jumper was a major weapon, hitting three perimeter shots.

Vonte is a high energy point guard that provides effort on both ends. He’s a key cog in the press and is quick laterally when defending the ball. Newell has a knack for jumping into passing lanes and scoring in transition. He’s a pass-first playmaker that can drop off assists in traffic at the last second. Offensively, he likes to slash to the basket but does have an improving outside shot.

High-motor playmaker that slashes into the lane and looks to create for others. Plays at a quick tempo and is very disruptive on defense.

(Up from No. 88) A playmaking pass-first point guard, Vonte Newell Vonte Newell 6'0" | PG Monroe Area | 2024 State GA has jitterbug quickness on the floor. He is full of energy, chasing down steals in the full court press and igniting transition breaks with his floor vision. Newell has a knack for sucking in the defense and dropping off assists at the last second in traffic. When he looks for his offense, Newell is a creative slasher with an improving outside shot.