Boys' Basketball: Funeral services/fund raiser set for Murphy freshman

Funeral services for DeShawn Newton, a freshman at L.A. Murphy and the team's starting point guard last season, are scheduled for Saturday in Mt. Pleasant, Tex. A car wash fundraiser to help his family will be held the same day at Bourbon Street Fish on Prairie Avenue in Inglewood.

Newton, who would have turned 15 on May 10, collapsed Saturday during an Amateur Athletic Union boys' basketball tournament game in Grand Prairie, Tex. and was later pronounced dead at Arlington Medical Center. Autopsy results are pending.

Newton, who lived in Inglewood, averaged 6.2 points and 6.7 assists for the Nobles last season. His assist average was third in state among freshmen, according to MaxPreps.com.

DeShawn's father, Duane Newton, who played for Cleveland High in Reseda and Alcorn State, said his son will be buried in his favorite North Carolina uniform.

"That's where he wanted to sign,'' Duane said. "He was on his way to doing big things.''

-- Dan Arritt

-- Image from  www.basehead.org

Comments

[Ryan Leake]

DeShawn was one of my best friends before he moved to california. I was always at his house, or he was always at mine. But no matter what where we were at, we are playing basketball. Because of him, im on varsity my freshman year also. Thanks bro. Heres a poem i wrote for him.

BALLIN
thats what its all about,
hearing people scream and shout,
3 pointers, lay ups and even fouls too,
thats what ballin meant to you.
Its not about the money, forturn or fame,
but about teammates, friends and the love of the game.
Deshawn you will be missed more then you know.
and when its my time, thats the way i wanna go...ballin.

[temjae singleton]

Thiz Deshawns close friend temjae singleton. I luved my bro deshawn man, deshawn waz my nigga, I miss my bro so much. I played basketball with deshawn for a while, nd we had bonded 2gether, we became very close friendz, and 2 see my bro pass away @ thiz age iz hard. Deshawn waz a great basketball player and he had a great future ahead of him. Ima miiss my dude deshawn. I hope he watches over me nd tha rest of the daniel murphy basketball team, jeffrey, ryan, james, ricky, patrick, bryan, leonel, taj, richard, eworth, I luv all yall and deshawn plz watch over all of us, tell my nigga tupac I said wsup lol

[Thornton Family]

To the Newton Family, Our DEEPEST SYMPATHY to your whole family!

My son Matthew played basketball with DeShawn and was also a freshman. He has taken DeShawn death extremely hard so I know how your family is feeling. My sister lives in Plano so we were trying to send him to the funeral, but unfortunately, we were unable too.

He plans on acknowledging DeShawn by having his name, picture, etc. put on a pair of tennis shoes and playing in them.

My son along with the other boys at Daniel Murphy High have not had closure from DeShawn’s passing. Myself along with a few of the parents that I have spoken too, were wondering if you could possibly have a memorial service in Los Angeles for the boys and faculty to be able to say their final good-byes to DeShawn? And also if your family could bring some obituaries to the school and make sure that at least the freshman class and the basketball team(s) get a copy we would greatly appreciate that as well.

Again, our condolences to your family.

R.I.P. DeShawn! Matthew loved, respected and looked up too you! He said you always had his back and helped him with his skills. He really misses you.

Love to all,

The Thornton Family

[Williams Family]

I was at the game when this untimely tragedy happened. My son Jaloni was DeShawns teamate with Impact Basketball. Being in the gym and watching the struggle to save DeShawns life is something I'll never forget. To see him on the court competing and then seconds later lying there motionless was the hardest thing both my son and I have ever endured. DeShawn was a special kid with a big smile and a very promising future. As we search for answers as to why such a precious life was taken. We'd like to send our deepest condolences to the Newton Family and let them know that they're in our prayers. May God give them the strength to move forward.

-R.I.P. DeShawn, and on behalf of Jaloni and the rest of your team. You can be sure that whenever they suit up and play, it's for you man.

[Joe & Christine Soto]

In regards to the passing of DeShawn Newton, a freshman at L.A. Murphy, our condolonces go out to the Newton Family. There are no words that can be said to make your pain go away. Our son Joseph played with DeShawn for Impact Basketball and was with him at the tournament this past weekend. Even though they only played together for a short time they became really good friends. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. As my son Joseph said, "DeShawn will always be the sixth man on the court."