Shining at the Next Level: December 2-8, 2019

December 9, 2019, 1:54 pm | by Tim Hower

New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties produce a large number of athletes that continue their careers at the next level. Each week, this list will feature a number of area athletes who are finding success in the college ranks.

Check back for weekly updates each Monday.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

***Full list of area men’s basketball players in college***

Soph. G/F Josh Aldrich, USC Upstate (2018 New Hanover grad): Scored a season-high 12 points by going 3 of 4 from the field and 6 of 7 from the free throw line in 23 minutes of action during Tuesday’s 79-67 win over Eastern Kentucky.

Sr. C AJ Frye, N.C. Wesleyan (2016 Hoggard grad): Helped the Battling Bishops go 3-0 on the week by averaging 21 points and 5.7 rebounds. He went 6 of 12 from the field for 18 points and also added eight rebounds and six assists in the championship game of the Roger Taylor Invitational on Saturday.

Sr. F/C Mitch Layton, N.C. Wesleyan (2016 North Brunswick grad): Shot 65 percent from the field (13 of 20) and averaged 9.7 points and 9 rebounds in three home victories.

North Brunswick graduate Mitch Layton now plays basketball at N.C. Wesleyan. [N.C. Wesleyan Athletics]

Fr. G Chance Poole, Johnston CC (2019 Pender grad): Helped the Jaguars go 2-1 by averaging 5.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2 assists.

Soph. G Ramello Williams, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (2018 New Hanover grad): Scored eight points while adding four steals and two rebounds in a dominant 117-31 win on Thursday.

MEN’S SWIMMING

***Full list of area swimmers in college***

Fr. Trey Adkins, Towson (2019 Laney grad): Swam a leg on the victorious 200 freestyle relay team that finished in 1:30.99 and earned the Tigers 52 points on the opening day of the Bucknell Invitational. Adkins also scored points in the 50 freestyle (15th in 21.30), 200 freestyle (17th in 1:42.56) and 100 freestyle (20th in 46.83).

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

***Full list of area women’s basketball players in college***

R-Sr. G Jada Bacchus, Mount Olive (2015 Ashley grad): Went a perfect 9 of 9 from the field and finished with a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds in an 80-66 road victory over Erskine on Saturday.

Ashley graduate Jada Bacchus now plays basketball at Mount Olive. [Mount Olive Athletics]

Fr. G Blair Barefoot, Lenoir-Rhyne (2019 Hoggard grad): Finished with nine points, three steals and three assists in a season-high 25 minutes against Wingate on Tuesday.

Jr. G Ayonna Cotten, Mississippi Valley St. (2017 New Hanover grad): Drilled the game-winning 3-pointer as time expired to lift the Rattlers to a dramatic 71-70 victory over Florida A&M. Cotten finished with 13 points, three rebounds and thee assists. She has reached double figures in all seven games so far.

Soph. F Kapria Pressley, Brunswick CC (2014 New Hanover grad): Poured in a game-high 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds on Thursday in a 72-61 road loss at Louisburg. Pressley went 10 of 18 from the field.

WRESTLING

Jr. Jonathan Miller, UNC Pembroke (2015 Laney grad): The No. 5 ranked 141 pounder in Division II picked up a 6-1 decision on Saturday to help lead the Braves to a 33-6 victory over Belmont Abbey