Heritage High School softball star Carmen Gayler finalized her college plans Wednesday by signing with the University of Tennessee at Martin during a ceremony at Heritage.
Gayler, a three-year starter for the three-time GHSA Class AAAA state champions, led the team in every offensive category except batting average and stolen bases this past season. She finished with a .458 average, seven home runs, 16 doubles, 58 RBIs and 41 runs scored. She struck out only eight times while walking 21 times and finished with a .544 on-base average to go with an .841 slugging percentage.
The all-state first team honoree, who chose UT-Martin in large part due to the school’s highly rated agriculture program, batted .429 with seven homers and 46 RBIs as a junior after hitting .446 as a sophomore.
BASKETBALL
East Hamilton boys 72, Bradley Central 65: Class AAA’s sixth-ranked Hurricanes erased a two-point deficit at the end of three quarters, scoring 24 in the final period of Tuesday’s road win. Marcus Long led with 20 points, while Cade Pendleton added 18 – giving him 38 in the past two games – and Darwin Randolph scored 17.
Compiled by Lindsey Young and Patrick MacCoon. Contact Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter @youngsports22. Contact MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.