Bevy of area standouts make college intentions official

At a time when the constant progression of technology allows everything to come easily, there remain some time-honored acts that cannot be replaced.

Among them for high school student-athletes is the opportunity to sign their names to a National Letter of Intent (NLI), making one’s verbal commitment to a college firm.

One by one the past several days, this act has been repeated locally, state and nationwide to hoots and hollers, laughter and tears. Nonetheless, it is a day few if any in attendance will forget.

“It’s very memorable, you’ll look back on your high school days and you’ll have all these memories,” said Carolina Forest hoops standout Duane Moss. “And you’re going to remember the day all of you were all out of class, and you were just sitting there watching [everyone] sign papers to play at the next level.”

Moss signed his letter of intent to play at Youngstown State on Monday. He was one of three area prep basketball standouts to sign NLIs at Division I schools, joining Socastee’s Jason Cudd (South Carolina) and Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach’s Bryce Schneider (Richmond).

For Schneider, the matching of him with Richmond was one “made in heaven.”

“I loved everything – the coaches, the atmosphere, how family-oriented it is, how they do their stuff,” he said. “I committed before my junior year. … It just felt like the best place from the start.”

Lifelong friends Carolina Forest baseball players Christian Maggio and Caleb Vaught shared in the moment, signing on to Charleston Southern together. The opportunity to spend the next four years with a good friend was not lost on either of them.

“Since I was little I wanted to play Division I baseball,” Vaught said. “And its awesome to come true with (Maggio). We’ve been playing together since we were 10, so it is awesome.”

Maggio added: “It’s a great opportunity, and I cannot wait to get down and start going. The campus, it’s a small campus and it’s great. Everything is right there, and it’s easy.”

Aynor softball standouts Taylor Charlton and Morgan Richardson also opted to have their ceremonies at the same time. Charlton is headed to Winthrop, while Richardson signed on to play at Coker College.

“Talked to Coach Travis (McCall) at Coker, he was looking for a kid that could hit from the left side, could bunt the ball, slap the ball. Looking for an infielder and an outfielder… Morgan fits that bill,” said Aynor softball coach Tony Mills. “… With Taylor, talked to coach Kendall Fuller at Winthrop, they were looking for a kid that can play on the corners, a kid that can catch and they really like her bat a lot.

“We’re looking forward to both of these young ladies getting out there and competing to get on the field. It’s not a dream anymore.”

Three area gymnasts also signed letters of intent. Lowcountry Prep’s Carolina Warren signed with Brown, and Stacie Harrison and Sara Watson of Little River’s Gymnastics & More signed with Western Michigan and N.C. State, respectively.

St. James lacrosse standout Sarah Bryson signed a letter of intent to attend Coker, while North Myrtle Beach native Madison McCall signed with Tulane.

Socastee distance runner Keahi Mendoza is also expected to put his name on the dotted line on Wednesday.

This story was originally published November 15, 2016 at 7:10 PM with the headline "Bevy of area standouts make college intentions official."