Newton South cafeteria fills with fans as Valkyries face Dream in Game 6

Newton South High School turned its cafeteria into a viewing area on Thursday to watch Game 6 of the WNBA Finals. The Golden State Valkyries, featuring alumna Veronica Burton, played against the Atlanta Dream. The school community gathered to support a former student competing on a major professional stage.

Students viewed the event as a chance to connect with a former classmate who now plays in the league's championship series. Ruby Solomon, a basketball player at the school, described the moment as a source of motivation for her own athletic career. "It's so cool to see someone come out of Newton South and be so big now," Solomon said. "She's such an inspiration to especially me as a basketball player."

Kelsie Harris, another basketball player who has met Burton several times, noted the significance of watching her succeed after attending the same school. "I've met her a few times, and to see her in that position is really cool and to know that she went here and played here," Harris said.

Jesus Rodriguez, the school's basketball coach, has known and coached Burton for more than a decade. He described his reaction to her current success as a mix of pride and surprise. "I'm just a fan, even when she was in high school and college," Rodriguez said. "It's just like, wow, I can't believe I coached somebody like that. It's awesome."

Rodriguez attributed Burton's rise to consistent effort during her high school years. He recalled opening the gym at 5:30 a.m. so Burton and her father could arrive for 6:00 a.m. shooting sessions. "She just worked hard," Rodriguez said. "I used to be here at 5:30 in the morning so I could open the gym for her and her dad so she could shoot at 6 o'clock in the morning every day."

The Valkyries lost the Thursday matchup to the Atlanta Dream. The teams are scheduled to play Game 7 of the series at 8 p.m. on Saturday.