Time-Out! With Jerome Bryant

A wave of excitement and pride washes over the community as we witness the next generation of local talent rise to greatness. From Shaw High School to Columbus High and every school in between, our student-athletes are leaving their mark on the world of sports. Join us as we celebrate their achievements and cheer them on as they embark on their collegiate journeys.

In a thrilling display of talent and determination, eight standout student-athletes from Shaw High School stepped up to the plate and officially committed to their respective colleges and universities on Wednesday afternoon. Representing five different sports, these young athletes have etched their names into the annals of Shaw High's storied athletic history.

Leading the charge are Matt Hill and Tim Hill, who are set to join Rockford University's football program. Joining them is Tylandis Scott, destined for Columbus State University's football club. Tiara Tucker will be taking her skills to Albany Tech for basketball, while Carson Calhoun has his sights set on Culver-Stockton College for track and field. John Roland Jr. rounds out the group, heading to Stillman College to play baseball.

Meanwhile, over at Columbus High, ten Blue Devils are making waves of their own. Corban Milano, Hayden Wills, Brock Gunderson, and Karson Baldwin are all set to tackle the gridiron at the collegiate level. Layla Albright will be representing in cross country and track at Columbus State, while Will Taylor is taking his talents to Alabama A&M for baseball. Sam Wampler, Jana Walrath, Aleeya Hudson, and Kayin Walker will be cheering on the sidelines at Georgia Tech, Tulane University, Piedmont University, and Mercer University, respectively.

Glenwood High School is also celebrating as Dallas Crow, Thet Morris, and Brayden Gooden take their football prowess to the next level, with Crow and Morris heading to CSU and Gooden to Point University. Kenton "Scoot" Peterson, Jr. from Crisp County High is gearing up to showcase his baseball skills at Stillman College, while Harris County High is sending off Pierce Profitt and Parker Clark for baseball, Ross Wilcoxon for football, Daniel Harkins for golf at ABAC, and Seth Coker for soccer at Oglethorpe University. Naomi Berk from Spencer High is set to hoop it up at East Georgia State College on a basketball scholarship, while Ayanni Jordan will be hitting the track and field at Clayton State.

As our local athletes make their mark on the collegiate stage, let's not forget the incredible achievements on the field. Seven state champions have emerged from our area over the past week, including Brookstone Boys Tennis, Carver High Boys 4x200 Meter Relay, Calvary Christian Co-ed Varsity Golf, Brookstone Girls Soccer, Glenwood Gators in Baseball, Carver's Xayden Hunt in the Boys 3A Long Jump, and Columbus High Boys Soccer.

It's a testament to the dedication, skill, and passion of these athletes, and we couldn't be prouder. Congratulations to all the signees and champions for their remarkable achievements!

Why this is important to the Black and Hispanic community: The achievements of these local student-athletes are a source of immense pride and inspiration for the Black and Hispanic communities. They demonstrate the power of hard work, the value of community support, and the potential for sports to serve as a gateway to broader educational and professional opportunities.