Shining at the Next Level: November 4-10, 2019
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.
FOOTBALL
***Full list of area football players in college***
Sr. QB Burke Estes, Randolph-Macon (2016 New Hanover grad): Completed 12 of 16 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown and also had a rushing score in a 28-21 loss to unbeaten Bridgewater.
R-Sr. DE Alex Highsmith, Charlotte (2015 Ashley grad): In Saturday’s 28-21 comeback victory over UTEP, Highsmith had four tackles, including a sack that brought his season total to 8.5. He is tied for 12th in the nation in sacks.
R-Jr. LB Jordan Howard, UNC Pembroke (2016 North Brunswick grad): For the second straight game, Howard led the team with tackles. He finished with seven and also had a fumble recovery in Saturday’s 14-point loss.
Soph. QB Josh Jones, UNC Pembroke (2018 Hoggard grad): Had a huge game in a 45-31 loss at No. 7 Lenoir-Rhyne, completing 34 of 46 passes for a career-high 382 yards and two touchdowns. Jones also had seven carries for 23 yards and a touchdown.
R-Sr. FB Daniel McRainey, Wingate (2015 West Brunswick grad): Starting fullback helped the Bulldogs average 6.1 yards per rush (37 carries for 244 yards) in a 35-28 home victory over Newberry on Saturday.
Fr. LB DeVaughn Shepard, Methodist (2019 Laney grad): Made a career-high nine tackles to help the Monarchs pick up a 37-33 home win over LaGrange on Saturday.
Jr. DL Taye Vereen, UNC Pembroke (2017 West Brunswick grad): Finished with five tackles on Saturday in a loss at No. 7 Lenoir-Rhyne.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
***Full list of area men’s basketball players in college***
Soph. G/F Josh Aldrich, USC Upstate (2018 New Hanover grad): In Saturday’s 103-62 win over Truett-McConnell, Aldrich went 4 of 7 from the field for 11 points and six rebounds.
Fr. G Chance Poole, Johnston CC (2019 Pender grad): Finished with his first four collegiate points and added two rebounds and two assists to lead the Jaguars to a season-opening win over Dabney S. Lancaster.
Laney graduate Sherod Sidbury now plays basketball at Brunswick Community College. [Tim Hower/Coastal Preps]
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
***Full list of area men’s cross country runners in college***
Jr. Ben Schmidt, Montreat (2017 Hoggard grad): Finished sixth at the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championship by completing the 8K course in 25:39.32. Montreat finished second as a team.
MEN’S SWIMMING
***Full list of area swimmers in college***
Fr. Finn Howard, Queens (2019 Hoggard grad): Swam the opening leg on the victorious 200 medley relay that finished with a time of 1:31.50 during Friday’s meet against Virginia Tech.
VOLLEYBALL
***Full list of area volleyball players in college***
Fr. S Julianna Askew, North Florida (2019 Ashley grad): Dished out 137 assists and added 26 digs, seven kills, four aces and three blocks in 12 sets over three matches. Askew had double-doubles against Bethune-Cookman (54 assists and 11 digs) and Liberty (33 digs and 10 assists).
Coastal Christian grad Carson Fuller now plays volleyball at Coker. [Tim Hower/Coastal Preps]
Soph. OH/RS Sarah Shropshire, Averett (2018 Laney grad): Helped Averett go 2-1 on the week by finishing with 22 kills and 10 digs in 12 sets.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
***Full list of area women’s basketball players in college***
Fr. G Blair Barefoot, Lenoir-Rhyne (2019 Hoggard grad): Scored eight points and dished out a pair of assists in 17 minutes in her collegiate debut at Lander on Friday.
Fr. F Hannah Brigham, St. Andrews (2019 New Hanover grad): In her collegiate debut, Brigham got the start and scored six points in 22 minutes to help the Knight earn a 95-57 victory over Regent.
Jr. G Ayonna Cotten, Mississippi Valley St. (2017 New Hanover grad): Shot 47 percent from the field (8 of 17) and averaged 12 points in road games at Mississippi and North Alabama.
R-Fr. G Jenson Edwards, High Point (2018 Laney grad): Started and played 34 minutes in her first collegiate game at Duke on Tuesday. Edwards finished with six points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Soph. G Azariah Fields, Mount Olive (2018 New Hanover grad): Poured in a game-high 24 points while adding seven rebounds, four assists and four steals in Saturday’s season-opening 62-57 victory over Coker.
Fr. C Jackalyn Ingram, Brunswick CC (2019 New Hanover grad): Scored her first three collegiate points to help the Dolphins open the season with a 61-33 victory over Mount Olive JV on Tuesday.
Fr. G Ratavia Merritt, Brunswick CC (2019 Pender grad): In her first collegiate game, Merritt went 5 of 13 from the field for 11 points. She also added six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
***Full list of area women’s soccer players in college***
Soph. MF/D Kiley Barr, Francis Marion (2018 Hoggard grad): Headed home the game’s lone goal off a corner kick in the 70th minute to help the Patriots hand Belmont Abbey their first conference loss of the season on Tuesday.
WRESTLING
Jr. Jonathan Miller, UNC Pembroke (2015 Laney grad): Won the Pembroke Classic title at 141 pounds with a 6-3 decision in the finals. Miller went 4-0 with three decisions and a major decision.
Jr. Kevin Saravia, Life (2017 Laney grad): Finished third at 125 pounds at the Pembroke Classic after going 5-1 with two pins, two decisions and a tech fall. His only loss came to the eventual champion.
