On several occassions throughout the school year, friends, families, teammates and coaches all gathered in the Richmond Senior library in order to celebrate the athletes who are moving on to the next level.
From last November’s early signings up until C.J. McDaniel’s recent commitment, a total of 15 Raiders signed their letters of intent to play sports in college. Four of them will be competing at a Division I program.
WHAT HAPPENED
Three baseball players and two softball players took advantage of the early signing period prior to their respective senior campaigns. Chase Haywood, NaLee Jacobs, Myles Rohleder, McKenzie Ward and Jack Webb all put the pen to paper back in November.
Haywood — a two-time all-SEC selection — will be playing college baseball at UNC-Charlotte, Rohleder at Wingate University and Webb is scheduled to suit up for USC Sumter. They all were members of the 2016 team that won the conference’s regular-season title.
Jacobs and Ward were the two senior pitchers for the Lady Raiders softball team who just wrapped up one of its best seasons in program history. Jacobs, who earned 12 wins in the circle and hit three homers this past season, will play at Salem College. Ward, who struck out 109 batters in her final year, signed to play at William Peace University.
Summer Moore became Sandhills Community College’s first-ever cross country signee with her signature prior to Christmas Break. Moore, who was selected to the all-conference team all four years under head coach Reggie Miller, will spend two years in Pinehurst before looking to transfer elsewhere.
On the first of February, five Raiders joined thousands across the country on National Signing Day. Carl Isaac, Steven Jones, Antoine Shaw and Leon Zeigler were the four football players who saw their dreams come true that Wednesday. Cassie McFayden, who played soccer, sat in between her classmates at the table.
Isaac will attend North Carolina Central this fall, Shaw signed up to play tight end at UNC-Charlotte, Jones hopes to make defensive plays at Appalachian State and Zeigler signed with Catawba. They all were members of the 2016 football team that finished 9-4 and made it to the second round of the state playoffs.
McFayden chose Lees-McRae College right before scoring a team-high 30 goals during her senior campaign. She would help the Lady Raiders reach the conference tournament championship game for the first time in more than a decade.
Robert David signed his letter of intent to North Carolina Wesleyan in April. The recent graduate helped Richmond’s football team earn a combined 20-7 record in his final two years and said he chose Wesleyan due to the coaching staff’s interest in helping him develop into a better player and person.
McDaniel signed with Pfeiffer University late last month. The future Falcon was one of three captains on this year’s basketball team that led the nation in scoring. McDaniel, who scored at least 20 points on five occasions, averaged a third-best 12.6 points per game, made 37 three-pointers and shot 65 percent from the foul line.
Both Josh Griffith and Chandler Johnson will play baseball at Sandhills Community College next spring. Griffith, a pitcher, won three games this past season and earned 32 strikeouts. Johnson, a catcher, was named All-SEC after 15 hits, 7 RBIs and a team-high 137 put outs in 23 games played.
WHAT WAS SAID
“Since the first day I walked on campus on my unofficial visit, I just loved it. I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully I can get some early playing time and earn a spot.” — Chase Haywood
“The players on the team, they just made me feel at home. That’s what really made me commit. All the other schools didn’t make me feel like I was home. That’s why I made my decision so late.” — Steven Jones
“It’s just the home-like feeling I get every time I go. When I first stepped out of my car, I knew that’s where I wanted to be.” — Cassie McFayden
WHAT’S NEXT
Each signee will head off to their respective colleges and look to make the most out of an opportunity most high-school athletes don’t have. Some are expected to see playing time right away, others will have to earn their stripes in a situation where they are now one of the youngest on the team.
As for what they’re leaving behind in Rockingham, each program excelled because of their willingness to go the extra mile for the sake of the team. Now the baseball, basketball, cross country, football and soccer coaches are looking for the players who will step up and follow the blueprint of those that came before them.
Reach sports editor Leon Hargrove Jr. at 910-817-2673 and follow the sports section on Twitter @RCDailySports.