SPORTSThursday, February 4, 2016 / b1

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17 T&D Region players sign

ANDRES WATERST&D Staff Writer

James Valdez headlined Orangeburg-Wilkinson’s 2015-2016 class as he an-nounced his commitment to North Carolina State Univer-sity on Wednesday morning.

Valdez, a longtime verbal

commitment to the Wolf-pack, was relieved to bring his recruitment to an end.

“It feels great to finally sign the letter of intent,” he said. “That’s what I was waiting on really. They got my attention early, then I started to look more into them.”

The three-star cornerback

recruit said the environment at N.C. State is what attracted him to the university.

“They made me feel like I was at home,” Valdez said. “I could relate (to the coaches) and then Sterling Lucas who was once at O-W is at N.C.

O-W’s Valdez goes to Wolfpack; 3 other Bruins sign with SCSU

ANDRES WATERS/T&D

From left, O-W’s James Valdez, Kordel Johnson, Theren Upitgrow and Cornelius Walker made their commitments on Wednesday morning at the school during National Signing Day.

CHRIS CLARKT&D Sports Editor

BAMBERG — A trio of Red Raiders from Bam-berg-Ehrhardt inked with college football programs on Wednesday.

Drew Wilson signed as

an offensive lineman with Georgia Southern, Gar-ris Schwarting signed as a slot receiver with Charles-to n So u t h e r n a n d K a h l Gagum signed as an out-side linebacker with North Greenville.

Both sides of the ball are

represented, with offensive line, wide receiver and out-side linebacker in the mix.

“For the most part, these guys were looking for some-thing rather close to home that fit them academically,

hree B-E Red Raiders sign with college programs

CHRIS CLARK/T&D

The Bamberg-Ehrhardt Red Raiders football team had three student-athletes sign on Wednesday to play college football. With B-E Coach Kevin Crosby, who is standing and addressing those in attendance at the signing ceremony, are, from left, Garris Schwarting (with parents Gene and Kathy Schwarting) who signed with Charleston Southern, Kahl Gagum (with parents Todd and Camille Fletcher) who signed with North Greenville, and Drew Wilson (with parents Rhonda and Timmy Wilson) who signed with Georgia Southern.

ANDRES WATERST&D Staff Writer

SANTEE — T&D Region Defensive Player of the Year Emmanuel Walker took the stage alongside three team-

mates as they announced col-legiate commitments dur-ing National Signing Day on Wednesday afternoon.

Walker, who committed to Wake Forest, said he chose the university because of

its consistency in recruiting him and the environment he found in touring the campus.

“They recruited me the hardest,” Walker said. “And

Lake Marion program sending four players to next level

ANDRES WATERS/T&D

Front, from left, Lake Marion’s Emmanuel Walker, Steven Drayton, Jabari Ellis and Omarshariff Grant pose for a picture with coaches Henry Howard, Chris Carter and Marshall Smith after announcing their commitments on National Signing Day.

CHRIS CLARKT&D Sports Editor

ST. MATTHEWS — It’s only fitting that on Wednes-day’s National Signing Day, when four Calhoun County football players signed with college programs, that one Saint decided to play in the

“Holy City” while three others opted for Methodist University.

Wide receiver Rashad Ri-ley signed with The Citadel in Charleston, while line-backer DaAmir Wilkins, wide receiver Johnathan Smith and defensive back Marquise Greene all signed

with Methodist in Fayette-ville, N.C.

Having posted an 11-1 sea-son, where they only lost in state playoffs, the Saints are only graduating a handful of starters. But CC Coach Bill Kimrey is pleased with the

Four Calhoun County Saints sign football scholarships

CHRIS CLARK/T&D

The Calhoun County Saints football program had four student-athletes sign national letters-of-intent on Wednesday to play college football. They are, from left, Rashad Riley to The Citadel, and Johnathan Smith, Marquise Greene and DaAmir Wilkins, all to Methodist University.

ANDRES WATERST&D Staff Writer

NEESES — Hunter-Ki-nard-Tyler star receiver Dar-ius Hammonds announced his commitment to South Carolina State as a preferred walk-on during National Signing Day on Wednes-day morning.

After helping lead the Tro-

jans to back-to-back Class A state championships in 2014 and 2015, Hammonds will be hanging up his H-K-T jer-sey and preparing to become a Bulldog.

“This is the worst part,” he said about his H-K-T ca-reer coming to an end. “Not being able to put the helmet and shoulder pads on again. I’m leaving a lot of brothers

out there.”Hammonds, who is listed

as an athlete, said he wants to play receiver at the next level and feels having the oppor-tunity to play with his former teammates while also being close to home pushed him to commit to S.C. State.

Upon his arrival at SCSU,

Hammonds staying close to home at SCSU ater two H-K-T titles

ANDRES WATERS/T&D

H-K-T’s Darius Hammonds poses with his parents and coaches after announcing his commitment to S.C. State. Bottom: Jennifer Tyler (mother), Darius Hammonds, Daryl Hammonds (father). Top: Crandall White, head coach Dedric Tisdale and Mark Dean.

ANDRES WATERST&D Staff Writer

ST. MATTHEWS — Fol-lowing in the footsteps of his father, Will Spiers an-nounced his plans to at-tend Clemson as a pre-fe r re d wa l k - o n p u n te r during National Signing Day on Wednesday.

After being contacted by Clemson coaches earlier in the season, Spiers made his decision in December and

told Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney of his choice over the phone during the team’s break between the ACC title game and the first game in the College Football Playoffs.

In his final season with the Cavaliers, Spiers led the team to a SCISA Class 2A state championship as he threw for 1,741 yards and 22 touchdowns. As a punter, he tallied 22 punts for an aver-age of 42 yards.

Spiers’ father, Bill Spiers,

was the starting punter for the Tigers in 1986. Bill Spi-ers’ 39.2-yards-per-punt average ranks 12th all-time at Clemson.

T h e e l d e r S p i e rs wa s named to the Clemson Ath-letic Hall of Fame in 1998.

Bill Spiers won the state title is his first year as head coach at Calhoun Academy.

� Contact the writer: awa-ters@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5532

Clemson getting punting legacy as Will Spiers signs with Tigers

LARRY HARDY/T&D

With his mother Laura at left and father Bill Spiers at right, Will Spiers signs Wednesday to play at Clemson. His Calhoun Academy teammates look on.

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