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Kyle Lovern

Sports Editor

NAUGATUCK – Tug Valley’s Austin Brewer and Mikey Newsome have played basketball together since they were 5-years old.

Now the two seniors have decided to attend the same college and continue their exploits on the hardwood.

Both signed letters of intent to attend the University of Charleston in a ceremony held in the school auditorium on Tuesday afternoon.

The two all-state performers helped lead the Panthers to back-to-back state championships the past two seasons. One in Class AA and this past March in Class A.

Brewer was the Williamson Daily News Player of the Year. He and Newsome are both 2-time first team members of that squad.

Tug Valley Coach Garland “Rabbit” Thompson said this about his two star players signing to play college basketball.

“I’m happy for the moms and dads – it takes a financial burden off of them,” Thompson said. “They are good kids and this has been their lifelong dream for them. I pray they stay with it for four years and get their education, regardless of what they do in basketball.”

The parents of both student athletes were in attendance at the special ceremony.

Both players got interest from several schools including the University of Pikeville, West Liberty, Rio Grande and others.

Brewer had a walk-on opportunity with Marshall, but in the end decided to play for the Golden Eagles.

“I’m excited to go up there and I hope I can start right away,” Brewer said. “I want to win another championship.”

“We have always played well together and we’re good friends,” Brewer said of his backcourt mate Newsome. “It’s close to home and I’ll be up there with my friend. We really liked the campus.”

“I’m tickled to death and I’m looking forward to it,” Newsome said. “The college is close to home and I liked our visit up there. We’ll have the chance to play right away and our family and friends can come and watch us play.”

“Of all of the people I’ve ever played with, I would rather have Austin by my side more than anyone else.”

The two will be roommates at UC.

Newsome and Brewer were donning their UC Golden Eagle shirts and can’t wait to get their college careers started.