Local athletes take part in early signing period
Four local student-athletes put pen to paper Wednesday during the early signing period.
Two current Corner High School baseball players and a former Yellow Jacket pitcher made their college choices official yesterday. Seniors Sam Knowlton and Ethan Creel signed their national letters of intent in front of a crowd in the school’s cafeteria.
Knowlton, a right-handed pitcher, inked with Mississippi State, honoring a verbal commitment he made as a sophomore. Creel, who was recently invited to play in the Under Armour All-America Pre-Season Baseball Tournament in Mesa, AZ., signed his National Letter of Intent with Birmingham Southern College. Both he and Knowlton will be seniors on this season’s Corner baseball team.
Also returning to the diamond this spring is Cooper Norris, who committed to Miles College on Wednesday, and Colby Drummond, who is verbally committed to Central Alabama Community College.
2016 Corner graduate Jackson Tavel is entering his sophomore season at Wallace State Community College, and joined a group of five Lions to sign Division I scholarships Wednesday. The hard-throwing left-hander inked with Jacksonville State University.
“I’m thankful I get the opportunity to play at Jacksonville State, and I’m excited to be a part of this Wallace State team,” said Tavel. “I’ve never been a part of a team that’s as close as these guys are. It’s truly a big family.”
The lone softball signee was Mortimer Jordan senior Morgan Maze. Last year as a junior, Maze was one of 36 players to earn an invite to play in the North-South All-Star Softball Game in Montgomery. After signing with Samford, the shortstop will join her older sister Shelby on the Bulldog’s roster next season.
Erik Harris is the Sports Editor of The North Jefferson News. Email him at njnsports@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jeharris2.