All of the National Signing Day news in The Herald’s coverage area, in one spot
Maurilio Saddoud and Isaiah Reid’s athletic and academic achievements wouldn’t fit on one piece of paper. The South Pointe seniors’ accomplishments each got their own piece of paper during Wednesday’s National Signing Day ceremony at the school, the first signing day of the 2018-19 school year.
Reid committed to play soccer at Clemson as a sophomore, and Wednesday he finally signed his national letter of intent. Saddoud picked Davidson’s swim program over Towson, St. Peter’s, Maryland-Baltimore County and Denison (Ohio). When he finished his signature and pulled the pen up off the paper, relief was the instant emotion.
“The social atmosphere was something I believe was unparalleled in any other college I visited,” said Saddoud, who will essentially have his college tuition paid for between various academic and athletic scholarships. “They have a very successful program, they’re top in their conference.”
So, about those accomplishments.
Reid is a top-150 recruit nationally, according to Top Drawer Soccer, and heading to the ACC should tell even the non-soccer fan that he’s no joke. A speedy left-footed outside back or wing, Reid has played against the highest level of competition the country can offer the last few years. He’s been a regular for the Charlotte Soccer Academy team (he’s never played for South Pointe, but goes to school there), and trained overseas with the academies at Premier League champs Manchester City and Dutch powerhouse, Ajax.
“It feels great to finally sign the paper, something I’ve prepared two years for now,” said Reid. “I feel ready for the ACC. It’s gonna be a good test for me this preseason, in June, make sure I get in there, get my head down and start grinding.”
Reid looked good in orange. A Clemson flag has hung in his room at home since elementary school, even though his parents went to N.C. State and North Carolina. He’s also a stud student, ranking in the top-10 of his class academically and claiming National Honor Society and Beta Club membership.
Likewise for Saddoud. He’s got an unweighted 3.8 GPA, essentially high A’s in almost every class. He plans to major in economics and maybe minor in physics or applied mathematics. For Saddoud, there was a natural attraction to Davidson’s academic rigor.
“That’s really something I can appreciate because college sets me up for the next 40 years,” he said. “I don’t want to go to some institution where I’m just flying through. I definitely want to be pushed academically and athletically.”
Saddoud is the best swimmer in South Pointe’s history, according to coach Adam Rainey. Saddoud owns the school record in nine of 11 boys’ events and was named both All-State and Region 3-4A swimmer of the year each of the last two seasons. He won the 2017 breaststroke state championship and will likely compete in that event in college.
- Bret McCormick
Fort Mill holds a busy signing day ceremony on Nov. 15
With its first signing day of the academic year, nine Fort Mill student athletes committed to play college sports across the south next season. Fort Mill had three soccer players, two swimmers, two baseball players, a softball player and a lacrosse player all make their commitments recently.
“It is always awesome to watch these athletes reach their goal,” said Fort Mill athletic director Dwayne Hartsoe.
Of the two swimmers signing – Erynn Black and Sara Greene – both are highly decorated and are two of the most accomplished swimmers to ever come through the school. Black is going to the University of South Carolina and Greene is going to the University of Richmond. Black is a five-time state champion, with three of those coming in the backstroke, and Greene is a two-time state champion, with her titles coming in relay events.
“I have been fortunate to have Erynn and Sara,” said Fort Mill head swim coach Cindy Van Buskirk. “I have seen their bright future since they were in the eighth grade. I wish them the best.”
Baseball also had two signees in the first signing period of the year. Carson Jones will be going to Francis Marion University and Connor Manco will be going to UNC-Charlotte to continue their careers. Jones has played travel ball since he was 10-years-old for the OnDeck O’s and played sparingly during his junior year with a handful of starts in the outfield. He is expected to have a bigger role this coming spring for Fort Mill. Manco batted .333 with two home runs and 15 RBIs during his junior year for Fort Mill. Both have been key players for the Jackets’ baseball program, said head coach Travis Collier.
“They have worked extremely hard and deserve all the accolades they have received,” Collier said. “They have made our program better.”
In girls’ soccer, Annika Ford will be attending The Citadel and Katie Phillips will be going to East Tennessee State. Ford is a two-time All-Region player and All-Area player. She also plays club soccer for the Carolina Rapids at the Elite Clubs National level. Phillips is a two-time state champion in club soccer for both South and North Carolina and a two-year member of the Rapids as well.
In boys’ soccer, Diego Williams will be going to the Virginia Military Institute. He is a three-year starter for Fort Mill and also plays for the Charlotte Soccer Academy at the national and premier level.
In lacrosse, Jack McGuire will be going to Mercer University to play the sport he has been playing since he was nine-years old. He is a four-year starter for Fort Mill and a two-time captain. He is a former All-State player and was also named as a US High School All-American. He currently sits tied for fifth in all time points in the varsity program heading into his senior season.
Payton Lemire will be heading to the College of Charleston to play softball next year. Lemire has played for Fort Mill since she was in the seventh grade and has been named to the All-Region team five times and is also an All-State selection. Over the past three seasons for Fort Mill, she has hit .460 with 21 home runs and while pitching over the same time period her ERA is 1.90.
- Mac Banks
Six sign from Clover
Six standout athletes from the Clover Blue Eagles inked scholarships to play at the next level next season at a ceremony at the school’s media center Wednesday afternoon.
Three signed to play soccer, while two will compete in baseball and one will move on to play two sports at the college level.
Grace Sain, Selah Gaylor, and Janae Massey, all members of the Blue Eagles outstanding girls’ soccer team, will play that sport in college. Seth Querze and Jake Hylinski will play baseball, and James Linn will run cross country and play lacrosse.
“They are an outstanding group”, said Clover Athletic Director Bailey Jackson. “I watched them grow up, set goals, work hard in the classroom and on the athletic field, and enjoy success in both areas. Getting a chance to play at the next level does not surprise me at all.”
Grace Sain will play at Queens University in Charlotte. She is a central defender for the Blue Eagles, and this spring will mark her fourth season on varsity. She plans to major in nursing.
“I chose Queens because of the beautiful campus,” said Sain. “It is close enough to allow my family to come watch me play, and I really liked the coaches there as well as the academic program.”
Gaylor will play at Charlotte. She is a forward on the Clover team, and this spring will be her fourth season of varsity competition. She is going to major in physical therapy.
“I went to soccer camp there one year, and that got me interested”, said Gaylor. “I really liked the program and the coaches. The campus is beautiful, and I liked their physical therapy program.”
Massey will play at Winthrop next season. She is an outside defender for Clover, and this season will be her fourth at the varsity level. She plans to major in biology and go from there to medical school.
“I wanted to play at a Division I school,” said Massey. “It is a beautiful campus and close to home and I like that. I also liked the academic program and how it will prepare me for medical school.”
Hylinski will enroll at Florence-Darlington Tech. He is a pitcher and first baseman on the Blue Eagles baseball team, and this spring he will play his fourth campaign on varsity. He plans to major in management.
“I really liked the campus atmosphere,” said Hylinski. “They have an excellent baseball program, which will prepare me for my final two years, which I hope will be at Carolina or Winthrop. I really like the management program there, too.”
Querze will play at USC Lancaster. He is a catcher and outfielder at Clover, and this spring will mark his fourth season on the varsity. He will major in criminology.
“I really like the coaches there,” said Querze. “They have a great baseball program, which will prepare me for my final two years, which I hope will be at Carolina. I have always been interested in criminology, and they have a excellent program there.”
Linn will play at Lander and compete in two sports. He plays long stick defender in lacrosse at Clover, and this spring will be his fourth season on varsity. He also ran cross country on varsity for four seasons. He will major in secondary education and minor in history.
“I liked the campus there very much,” said Linn. “It is close to home so my family can watch me play,” said Linn. “Another attraction is the fact that Lander is starting lacrosse next year, and I will be in on the ground floor. I also really liked the academic program there.”
- Sam Copeland
Indian Land softball star signs with USC Upstate
Indian Land senior Peyton Darnell inked a scholarship with USC Upstate on Wednesday. Darnell is a three-year starter for the Warriors, earning All-Region honors all three seasons and All-State the last two. She hit .638 last season with 13 home runs and 53 RBI, and 21 doubles.
“I’m so blessed to be able to continue my academic and athletic career playing Division 1 softball,” said Darnell. “I want to thank all the coaches who have helped and pushed me to get here, my family who has supported me through the ups and the downs, my teammates who have been through it all with me and most importantly my parents who have sacrificed a lot, driven countless hours to get me to recruiting camps and tournaments and provided me with everything I’ve ever needed to be successful in this sport. I can’t wait for the next four years at USC Upstate.”
Northwestern duo sign
Two student-athletes signed NLIs Wednesday morning at Northwestern. Baseball player Ryan Brown is headed to Newberry, while girls’ soccer player Abigail Jordan signed with USC Lancaster.
11 Nation Ford Falcons make it official
Eleven Nation Ford Falcons signed national letters of intent on Wednesday.
Two basketball players, Amiah Lindsay and Khydarius Smith, were in the group. Lindsay, a standout shot-blocker, signed with the South Carolina State women’s program, while Smith, a very similar player to Lindsay, a pogo stick-type player that dunks on opponents’ heads, will play for USC Upstate. Smith and the Falcons’ boys’ basketball team are ranked second in the state in the 5A preseason poll.
Three lacrosse players are also off to college. Girls’ lax standout Kelsey Gleason is headed to Liberty, and her brother, Finn, is also going to Liberty to play for the men’s team. John Weiss signed with Division II Lander.
Makayla Garner will play women’s college soccer at Carson Newman, while Ryan Kite will play men’s soccer at North Greenville.
And four Falcon baseball players -- Tyler Causey, Bradley Bott, Mitch Kyzer and Jeffery Maidhof -- will continue playing in college. Kyzer is headed to Anderson University and Maidhof to Queens, up in Charlotte where former Major Leaguer Jack McDowell is the coach. Bott will play at UNC Greensboro and Causey signed with the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Three York Cougars signed NLIs and cut cake at the school’s media center Wednesday.
Nick Clayton committed to Clemson’s baseball program almost two years ago and he signed on Wednesday.
And girls’ soccer players Aubrey Mowrey and Haylee Myrup ensured their careers will continue in college, though in somewhat opposite circumstances. Mowrey, a goal-scoring machine for the Cougars the last few years, is headed to USC Beaufort, while Myrup, the team’s keeper, will play at the opposite end of South Carolina, for USC Upstate.
This story was originally published November 14, 2018 at 12:20 PM.