Calhoun pair sign college baseball scholarships

Mott Hyde and Jordan Poole have been playing baseball together since they were 10, so it was appropriate Wednesday that the Calhoun High School baseball stars secured their college futures during a joint ceremony at the school.

The only surprise is that the two sluggers will not be playing together following their senior seasons. Hyde, the Times Free Press reigning North Georgia Player of the Year, signed scholarship papers to attend Georgia Tech, while Poole, a two-time all-star, signed his papers with Ole Miss.

Poole has hit a combined 32 homers and driven in 87 runs the past two years playing primarily first base for the Jackets. He has played the outfield in summer ball play in the prestigious East Cobb League and may play there at Ole Miss.

"I may play there my freshman year and then move to first, but it doesn't matter, I just want to play anywhere I can help," said Poole, who has a 4.0 GPA at Calhoun. "Ole Miss has a solid program and they usually go to a regional each year. They also average 6-to-7,000 fans a game, which leads the SEC. It's just a small college town with a big program."

Hyde, who was offered by Georgia Tech following his sophomore season, led the Jackets with 20 homers and 52 RBIs this past season while also playing a strong shortstop. He is the latest in a long line of Calhoun stars at Georgia Tech, including Jacob and Whitt Robbins.

The Calhoun duo were part of a busy day in northwest Georgia on the national non-football early signing day. Others who also signed or are planning to this week:

* Christy Robinson, Northwest Whitfield. The 6-foot-4 Lady Bruins' post player signed papers to continuer her career with Samford University in Birmingham. She will be a three-year starter for Margaret Stockburger's highly-ranked team and comes off a season in which she averaged 8.5 points, five rebounds and three blocks.

"When she gets to Samford and concentrates on one sport, she will take a big step forward," Stockburger said of Robinson, who is also an all-star in volleyball. "She already runs the floor well and her shot has really improved. She can consistently hit from eight feet and she's working on her 3-point shot. She's improved every year I've had her."

* Jasmain Carey, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe. The Lady Warriors' two-time all-star post player will sign basketball scholarship papers today to attend Georgia State College and University in Milledgeville. Carey helped lead LFO to the Class AAA championship game with averages of 13.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.8 steals. First-year coach Dewayne Watkins expects even more from his returning all-state player.

"I think they're getting a steal," said Watkins, a Lady Warriors' assistant last year. "To me, she's a Division I player, but she visited there and really liked it, so she didn't want to wait on other offers. I'll be surprised this year if she doesn't average 20 points and 20 rebounds."

* Katie Vaughn, Northwest Whitfield. The Lady Bruins' starting second baseman on the Class AAAA third-place team signed to continue her career at Bryan College. One of the team's few seniors, she was most valuable for her strong defense.

"She was the glue that held our team together," coach Shane Ramsey said. "She'll only get better in college."

* Jessie Forrester, Caitlyn Lance and Haley Lawson, Ridgeland. The Lady Panthers' teammates will sign Friday with Division II softball program Carson-Newman College.

Forrester ended her senior season with 18 wins, a 0.25 ERA and 200 strikeouts while also batting .324. Lance converted to catcher midway through the season and flashed solid defensive skills to go along with a team-best .526 average. Lawson, a strong-armed shortstop, batted .368 with a pair of home runs.