Prep signings: Woodville basketball and Johnson football standouts sign with colleges

Woodville-Tompkins basketball coach Lenny Williams is all about building relationships with his players -- and he values loyalty as he works to prepare his athletes to play at the next level.

The look of pride on Williams' face was evident on Wednesday as two more of his players signed to play college ball. Star guard Alfonzo Ross signed to play on the new team starting at the University of South Carolina at Beaufort, while Wes Walker signed with Maryville College, a Division III program in Nashville, Tennessee.

In six years leading the Wolverine program, Williams has had nine players sign to play at the college level.

Ross was a star for the Wolverines, who reached the Class 2A Final Four his junior year and made the Elite Eight in Class A Division I this season. He averaged 24.8 points per game, including a career-high 42 points, and was named the Region 3-A Division I Player of the Year.

Walker, a 6-foot-7 senior, was a strong post presence for the Wolverines. He was an honorable mention All-Region pick this season.

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"These two have been cornerstones of our program for the last four years," said Williams, who has been coaching the team for the last six years. "We don't have a feeder program, so they came right in getting big varsity minutes. And that experience is why we've been so successful. They have been so dedicated to our program since the start and have been through all the ups and downs. They helped us win region titles and reach the Elite Eight and the Final Four, and helped open the new gym at our school.

"But what has made them marketable to colleges is they have done well in school too, they are student athletes."

Ross said Williams has been a big influence.

"He runs practices like a college coach and has helped me become the best I can be," Ross said. "Now I'm ready to play at the next level."

Walker said he plans to major in nursing, and that Maryville was the perfect fit for him.

"Coach Williams coaches us at a high level, and he's helped me become a strong person on and off the court," Walker said.

Johnson sends nine football players to next level

Johnson held a signing ceremony Wednesday with nine players moving on to play college football.

Defensive back Jayden Jones will be staying close to home as he signed to play at Savannah State. He had a pair of interceptions and 26 tackles this year. Coach Kenderrick Bonner, who recently stepped down and will be replaced by Steven Smith, said Jones was an impact player.

"Jayden is unique because of his intelligence and high football IQ," Bonner said. "He would get us all lined up in the secondary, and he will hit you -- he's a striker. He's going to bring that style of play to SSU."

Johnson's Malon Petty, a two-way lineman who also served as the Atom Smasher punter and place kicker, is headed to Mercer University as a preferred walk on. Petty is a 4.0 student who said he loved his experience playing at Johnson and is excited to continue on at the college level.

Cameron Montgomery, Johnson's starting center, is known for his strong work ethic -- and he'll be taking that determination to the next level after signing with Reinhardt University.

Six other players will continue on as teammates at the junior college level playing at Gordon State University.

Mi'Karee Stafford, a middle linebacker who became a team captain as a junior, averaged 7.1 tackles per game and "gave a lot of blood" to the program, Bonner said. Coaches raved about his leadership, and he went out for basketball and became a key player for the squad defensively this season.

Amarion Scott, a standout running back who rushed for 765 yards and six touchdowns this season for the Atom Smashers (5-5) is known for his rugged style and ability to run between the tackles.

E'Bine Griffin was a solid cornerback for the Atom Smashers who never let up once he earned his spot as a starter.

Safety Jamori Taylor was another who impressed late in his prep career -- going from a player in the rotation as a junior to one who rarely left the field as a senior. Ronald Smith was a standout at strong safety with a pair of sacks and 35 tackles this season -- Bonner said he has a great combination of speed strength and heart.

Anthony Cooper was another who was always on the field as a safety, receiver and return man. Bonner described him as a rattlesnake with his aggressive style and said he was the heart of the team with his passion for the game.

Islands has two sign with colleges

Islands had a pair of student athletes sign last week as volleyball player Aislinn Lanigan signed with Suffolk University and football player Domonique Watson-Davis signed with Albright College.

Lanigan became one of the top setters in the Coastal Empire during her time with the Sharks, and helped lead the team to back-to-back region titles. She reached the 1,000 assist milestone early in her senior season, becoming the first player in Shark history to do so.

She closed out her senior season with the school record in career assists.

She is set to continue playing at Suffolk University, a Division III program in Boston.

Watson-Davis is a lineman/linebacker who showed his potential in the six games he played as a senior for the Sharks. Coach DeShawn Printup said Albright College, a Division III program in Pennsylvania, is the perfect fit for Watson-Davis, who could have an impact right away.

SVA's Farris signs with Brewton-Parker

Anna Farris is a three-year letter winner with the St. Vincent's soccer team and she recently signed to continue her playing career at Brewton-Parker College.

The senior midfielder is respected by teammates and coaches. SVA Coach Katie Knight praised her at the signing ceremony.

"Anna is sometimes that overlooked athlete as she is quiet and just gets the job done," Knight said. "She does whatever is asked without complaint.  She has worked tremendously hard to make this goal of playing in college happen.  She hasn’t let any of the challenges presented to her in school, soccer, or life, get in the way of stopping her from her dream.  She’s a tough cookie, and I know I speak for all of the coaches that she can do anything in life she puts her mind to."

SCD duo signs

A pair of Savannah Country Day female athletes recently put pen to paper as they signed with colleges in their respective sports.

Senior basketball player Kat Johnson signed with Oglethorpe University, while her classmate, swimmer Yenna Park, signed with the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Johnson earned first-team All-Region honors for the second year in a row this season as she averaged a double-double with points and rebounds. The 6-foot-4 forward has a strong game in the post and is also an excellent mid-range shooter.

Park was an All-Greater Savannah first-team selection in swimming this year after she finished second in the 100 breaststroke in the Class A-3A State Meet with a time of 1:06.39 and was fourth in the 100 free in 53.74.

Richmond Hill swimmer Gray signs

Aiden Gray, a senior swimmer from Richmond Hill High who has been training with the GCAT Swim Club under Coach Bill Forester for a decade, signed to swim at Washington and Lee University in a ceremony at the GCAT Swim Center Thursday.

Gray closed out his prep career with a strong performance in the Class 7A meet. He took sixth in the 200-yard freestyle (1:42.37) and was eighth in the 100 free (47.16).

"I've been coaching Aiden as long as I can remember," Forrester said. "And he's a great guy -- the kind of swimmer who is always going to give you the best of his ability. He goes all out in practice every day, and his results show that work has paid off. We're very excited about him going off to college."

Gray, who has a 4.51 GPA, said the strong academic reputation drew him to Washington and Lee, a Division III program in Virginia. He said Forrester has been a big influence.

"I wouldn't be where I am today without Coach Forrester," Gray said. "He's always holding me to the highest standard, and he's always there to support me in swimming and in life."

Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Woodville's Alfonzo Ross among Savannah athletes signing with colleges