Ty Little, Laney and Hoggard class of 2023 athletes sign letter of intent
Laney's Ty Little wasn't sure if he would get the chance to play collegiate football. Despite turning in his best work in his junior and senior seasons, the quarterback didn't have any offers to play Division I football.
Speaking after signing his national letter of intent on February 1, Little was honest about his outlook during his final season on the gridiron for the Buccaneers.
"It's very fulfilling to see all my work pay off because a year ago, I didn't have anything," Little said. "About midway through this year, I was getting really depressed about it. I didn't think anything would happen."
That all changed when Little announced he would be committing to East Carolina University on January 16, marking one of the Wilmington area's most prolific college football signings in recent memory.
Little threw for more than 4,500 yards and 50 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Laney, establishing himself as the area's most efficient high school passer.
After a great visit today I’m excited to announce that I’ll be continuing my academic and football career at East Carolina University! Thank you @ECUCoachHouston @CoachDonnieK for giving me a chance! Can’t wait to work! @ECUPiratesFB pic.twitter.com/sdB7zAnhio
— Ty Little (@TyLittle16) January 16, 2023
Three more Laney football players and one baseball player also signed on Wednesday.
We'll keep this list running throughout the year. If we missed anyone on Wednesday, to let us know of a future ceremony or to send pictures from events, sending an email to sports reporter Michael Cuneo at Mcuneo@gannett.com.
Laney
Ty Little, football, East Carolina
Daren Brown, football, Hampden-Sydney
Jacob Johnson, football, Wingate
Myles Fennell, football, UNC Pembroke
Elliot Melind, baseball, Belmont Abbey
Hoggard
Aldair Serrato, football, St. Andrews
Andrew Stein, soccer, Marietta
Will Clancey, cross country, track and field, UNC Pembroke
Molly Parker, cross country, track and field, South Carolina
John Logan, golf, North Alabama
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November signings
The window for high school athletes in the Class of 2023 to begin committing to colleges and signing National Letters of Intent (for NCAA Division I and II schools) opened Wednesday for all sports except football.
A group of Wilmington-area seniors had signing and commitment ceremonies on Wednesday, the first of many between now and the end of the school year.
Ashley
Annalyse Askew, beach volleyball, Arizona State
MaKenna Carter, softball, Belmont Abbey
Mackenzie Farr, women’s soccer, Gardner-Webb
Kendall Marcucilli, men's lacrosse, Belmont Abbey
Griffin Pearce, softball, Salem College
Caden Pierce, men's soccer, Lees-McRae College
Ellie Zimmerman, women’s soccer, University of the Pacific
Hoggard
Anneleise Meyer, women's lacrosse, Lenoir-Rhyne
Ansley Howell, women's lacrosse, Washington College (Maryland)
Mia Frick, women's lacrosse, Wingate
Jordan Martin, softball, Sweet Briar College
Cayden Hollar, men's lacrosse, Hofstra
Anya Massey, women's basketball, Wingate
Laney Scoggins, women's basketball, Presbyterian College
New Hanover
Bromley Thornton, baseball, UNCW
Sean Smith, baseball, UNC Greensboro
Luke Nixon, baseball, NC State
Sloane Woolwine, beach volleyball, Florida Atlantic
Isabella Ellison, women's soccer, Richmond
Gabrielle Farrell, women's soccer, Virginia Tech
Congratulations to @ThorntonBromley @lukenix0n @smithsean_19, great ball players but even better humans. @UNCGBaseball @UNCWBaseball @NCStateBaseball got better today! pic.twitter.com/WLgCdboxR0
— Rimer (@Rimer24) November 9, 2022
Laney
Jackson Minneci, UNC Asheville soccer
Corina Vale, beach volleyball, Tennessee-Chattanooga
Cape Fear Academy
Elle Burnette, women's golf, UNC Greensboro
Coastal Christian
Maris Grant, volleyball, East Carolina
South Brunswick
Walker Jenkins, baseball, UNC
Topsail
Nick Booton, football, East Tennessee State
Cooper Cavanaugh, baseball, Davidson College
Darnell Gustus, football, St. Andrews
Zach Hobson, UNC Pembroke
Bryson Horney, East Tennessee State
Jack Lambert, football, Penn State
Desmond Lee, football, North Carolina Wesleyan
Shane Mabberley, football, Catawba
Jackson Moore, baseball, Louisburg
Preston Rich, football, Catawba
Grady Swinson, baseball, William Peace
Zoey Vincent, softball, University of Mount Olive
Trask
Isaac Tuner, baseball, UNC Asheville
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington-area Class of 2023 college athlete commitments list
