FORT MILL -- This time there were only three, but Fort Mill High School has been sending student-athletes off to college by the bunches this year.
Thursday morning, Tiayonna Blackmon signed a scholarship to run cross country and track at North Carolina State, Chalmers Rogers to play basketball at Spartanburg's USC Upstate and Drew Nethery to play football at Charleston Southern.
Blackmon, the sister of former Northwestern standout runner Angelina Blackmon, also had offers from Clemson, Alabama and Hampton. By going to N.C. State, she'll have a year to run with her sister, who has another because she did a redshirt.
"I've been around the program, so I know what it's like," said Blackmon, the daughter of Thomas and Angela Blackmon. "They've been talking to me since Angelina signed with them.
"It's exciting and will be fun, especially with my sister there. I expected to get a scholarship, but I've been fortunate to have had coaches, including my dad, who pushed me to do my best."
Blackmon holds school records in the 800 and 1,600 and ran on the school's record-setting 4x800 and 4x400 relay teams. She has a 3.6 GPA and plans to major in veterinary medicine.
Rogers helped lead Fort Mill to the Class AAAA state championship as a junior and the Yellow Jackets were 60-16 the last three seasons. In Rogers, the Spartans gain a 6-foot-7 big man to complement 7-2 center Nick Schneiders.
The team is coached by former Wake Forest player Eddie Payne and plays in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Rogers also had offers from Erskine, Anderson and Southern Wesleyan.
"Coach Paine saw me at an AAU tournament this spring in Houston and told me I could come play for him," said Rogers, the son of Bobby and Laurie Rogers. "He said I would probably play forward and would get a lot of playing time my freshman year. It's great to get the chance to play Division I basketball."
Rogers averaged 16.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and one blocked shot per game this season.
"We went 23-0 then lost our last two games," Rogers said. "It was tough not going back to the championship. Winning it will always be one of my best memories."
Rogers, who has a 3.83 GPA, plans to major in engineering or math.
Nethery was a member of a talented defensive secondary and did his part with 43 tackles, 13 pass breakups and three interceptions. He also heard from Wake Forest, but was told he could walk on and go from there.
"I visited the Charleston Southern and met the coaches," said Nethery, the son of Rob and Melissa Nethery. "I saw right away that it was the best fit. This is a good chance for me because it's been tough around here the last three seasons. We've had a new coach every year and had to adjust to a new system every time.
"Going to Charleston Southern is good because I know I have a guaranteed spot on the team. I'll start at the bottom and work my way up, but I'm confident I'll play a lot by my sophomore season."
Nethery, a 3.75 student, plans to major in pre-med, education or athletic training.
