Silverdale Baptist Academy's Laney Bone and Sequatchie County's Ella Edgmon have turned their dreams of playing big-time college athletics into a reality.
Bone - a 6-foot-1 wing/forward who averaged 21.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in her junior basketball season for the Lady Seahawks - recently gave her verbal pledge to the University of Buffalo, which plays in the Mid-American Conference.
"To commit to a Division I high caliber basketball program is very rewarding," said Bone of the Buffalo Bulls program which just two years ago went 24-10 and fell in the Sweet 16 to UConn, 84-72. "It is a dream come true and feels like all the hard work is paying off. I chose Buffalo because of the coaching system and the market for basketball. They made me feel like I was wanted."
A finalist for last season's Division II-A Miss Basketball award, she has led Silverdale to a record of 58-30 over the last three seasons and back-to-back district championships.
Sequatchie's Edgmon announced her commitment to Georgia Tech softball via Twitter on Monday evening.
The senior left-handed hitter and centerfielder helped the Lady Indians to a Final Four finish at the Class AA state tournament in 2019. In 40 games as a sophomore she batted .575 (77-of-134) to go with 25 doubles and 11 triples, 69 runs and 29 RBIs from the leadoff spot. Her four steals in a 7-0 state tournament win over Alcoa tied a state record.
Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ Sequatchie's Ella Edgmon (1) hits to first after slapping a hit agatinst Lexinton. The TSSAA Softball Tournament was held at the Starplex in Murfreesboro on May 21, 2019.Edgmon has successfully stolen 104-of-105 bases in two seasons, including all 55 attempts in 2019.
"I have always liked challenging myself at the highest level," Edgmon said. "As I got older I knew I wanted to play for a Power 5 program. I think Georgia Tech will have a chance to be a contender for years to come with the coaches and the players we will have.
"First I want to do everything I can to help my high school team win a state championship. I know I can improve and help even more. I am also looking forward to a final season with my sister (Addy)."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon