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Record number of county athletes sign with colleges

Published Tuesday, February 07, 2012 9:34 AM

By Dan Brown
Berkeley Independent

A record 35 student athletes from throughout Berkeley County inked national letters of intent last week on National Signing Day, ranging from football, soccer and baseball to the first-ever equestrian scholarship earned by a native South Carolinian at the University of South Carolina.

BCSD athletes received athletic scholarship offerings totaling more than $5.6 million.  

“We’re extremely proud of our athletes, and of our athletic leadership, which is exemplified in the wonderful talent they develop,” said Charlie Davis, Berkeley County School District’s Athletic Director.  “We look forward to hearing exciting things about these athletes during their college careers.

“This really is one of my most favorite days of the year. The results of a lot of people working very hard to be here where you are today. The number of student athletes signing athletic scholarships is by far the highest total we’ve ever seen at Berkeley County, and that number could go higher still with a number of spring sport athletes choosing their schools in the coming weeks.”

Davis added that seeing these student-athletes take the next step in their development is a sight he is proud to celebrate: “A lot of people play down sports and athletics in their school and community, but I make no apologies for the recognition we give our athletes.”

Coaches from the district’s high schools introduced their athletes and offered highlights of their careers last week at the district office.

Timberland, the Class AA District I state champions in football sent seven student athletes across the state, six in football. Berkeley sent five across the stage, including Savanna Southard who signed the school’s first athletic scholarship in the sport of equestrian with the University of South Carolina. She became the first native South Carolinian to accomplish such a feat.

“Horse riding at South Carolina is a fast-growing sport and Savanna will be on the ground floor of its development at South Carolina,” said BHS athletic direct Jeff Cruce.

This year’s athletic scholarship recipients include:

• Hanahan High School

Sam Bezy: Baseball – Anderson College

Joey Bisognani: Baseball – Anderson College

Christopher Brown: Football – University of Notre Dame

Kyle Dyson: Baseball – Charleston Southern University

Bret Hines: Baseball – The Citadel

Skylar Hunter: Baseball – The Citadel

• Timberland

Daquan Lucas: Football – Miami University of Ohio

Lee Mayes: Football – Newberry College

Bobby McNeil: Football – Newberry College

James Middleton: Football – UNC Charlotte

Darryl Palmer: Basketball – South Carolina State University

Classe Thompson: Football – North Greenville University

Mike Wilson: Football – South Carolina State University

• Berkeley

Whitney Dodson: Volleyball – Spartanburg Methodist College

Dominique Hooks: Soccer – University of South Carolina Salkehatchie

Patricia Roberts: Soccer – University of South Carolina Beaufort

Savanna Southard: Equestrian – University of South Carolina

Hunter Shepherd: Football – The Citadel

• Cane Bay

Quinton Cable: Baseball – Spartanburg Methodist College

Erin Cook: Softball – University of South Carolina Salkehatchie

Tierra Fischler: Softball – University of South Carolina Salkehatchie

Ja’Carl Safford: Track – University of South Carolina Beaufort

Zachary Wimmer: Baseball – The Citadel

• Goose Creek

N’Dea Bryant: Basketball – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Terry Burrell: Football – Clemson University

Zachery Lavery: Baseball – The Citadel

Jaquan Marsh: Football – Brevard College

Raemond Robinson: Basketball – The Citadel

Virgil Smalls: Football – South Carolina State University

• Stratford

Eric Dickerson: Football – South Carolina State University

Brandon Gourdine: Track – University of South Carolina Beaufort

Domonique Harris: Track – University of South Carolina Beaufort

Brandon Hester: Baseball – University of South Carolina

Matthew Shuler: Track – University of South Carolina Beaufort

Brandon Young: Football – Greenville Technical College

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