DAPHNE, Ala. - Nine Daphne High student-athletes were recognized for their accomplishment of making collegiate plans to play sports at the next level today. Surrounded by family, friends, …
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DAPHNE, Ala. - Nine Daphne High student-athletes were recognized for their accomplishment of making collegiate plans to play sports at the next level today. Surrounded by family, friends, teammates, coaches, Mayor LeJeune, Principal Comer, and the Daphne High administration and staff, the athletes signed their letters of intent to officially accept athletic scholarships offered to them by the following colleges/universities.
Audrey Hillis is a devoted member of the Lady Trojans Softball Team and is signing with Coastal Alabama Community College in Monroeville. Audrey is an exceptional student-athlete who is a member of the A/B Honor Roll and has received the Academic Award three years in a row. Her head coach, Christopher Reeves, spoke highly of Audrey and her dedication.
“I have been honored to coach Audrey the past two years.,” Reeves said. “She is a strong player who has endured and overcome obstacles to get to today. She has remained true to getting better and has continued to show her love and commitment to the sport. We are extremely proud of her and look forward to her senior season before she heads to the next level at Coastal.”
*Career Stats: .311 Batting Average, 6 Homeruns, 115 Games Played, .980 Fielding Percentage, and .326 On-Base Percentage.
Diamond Edwards is signing with Coastal Alabama Community College. She has been a four-year member of the Lady Trojans Basketball Team. She received the 2019 and 2020 All County Awards and has been named the Max Preps Player of the Game 5 times in the current 2020-21 season. Diamond is a member of the A/B Honor Roll and a proud member of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). “I consider Diamond to be the cream of the crop. She bounced back from an ACL injury to lead our team through the difficulties of this season. She is going to go to Coastal Alabama and give them her all as well and we are excited to watch and support her”, states Daphne Head Basketball Coach Kimyatta Perry 2020-21 Stats: 12 points per game, 3 steals per game, 5 rebounds per game, and 2 assists per game.
Jeremiah “Jeh” Holmes is a member of the Trojans football, track, and basketball teams and will be attending LaGrange College. Jeh is a three-year letterman in each sport and received the 2020 All County Award (Second Team Offense).
“Jeh is a studious and committed student-athlete that is on the A/B Honor Roll and spends his free time serving the community as a member of the DHS Community Service Initiative,” said Daphne Offensive Coordinator Zach Golson and described Holmes as, “The leader of the wide receivers. He is the player that coaches want in the locker room and in the huddle. He was behind a lot of great receivers, but he bided his time and honed his craft. When his time came, he was ready and was a breakout talent for us on offense this year and he will only continue to improve at LaGrange.”
*2020 Season Stats: 28 catches, 45 targets, 530 yards, 18.9 yards per catch, and 2 TDs.
Devery Smith is a defensive lineman signing with Dodge City Community College. Devery had an impressive senior year. He was named a 2020 All State Honorable Mention, 2020 Coastal second-team Defense Awardee, and to the 2020 All County first-team defense. Smoth is a proud member of the DHS Community Service Initiative and a part of the A/B Honor Roll at Daphne High.
“We saw the greatness in Devery early on and pushed him extremely hard,” said Daphne High Head Football Coach Kenny King. “There were times when he didn’t like me or his D-Line Coach but now, it’s all love because he understands that we only wanted him to dig deep and excel. And that’s what he did this year. Playing with a cast the majority of the season, Devery was a monster on the line and he is going to do really well at Dodge City. The sky is the limit for him,” King added.
*2020 Season Stats: 61 tackles, 35 assists, 19 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 7 QB pressures, 4 big hits, 3 caused fumbles, and 3 recovered fumbles.
Phillip Jordan is a dual sport athlete earning letters in football and track. He received the 2020 All County second-team Defense award and is currently shining in indoor track competition. Off the field, Phillip is an earnest student and has warranted a spot on the A/B Honor Roll. Daphne Head Coach Kenny King said of Phillip, “Phillip is extremely talented. He has played every single position for us on the football field with the exception of being a lineman. He was very capable at each position but this year he found his home as a member of the defensive backfield. Birmingham-Southern is getting a humble, dedicated, and deserving student-athlete that is going to make the best of this opportunity and do great things.”
*2020 Season Stats: 33 solo tackles, 45 assisted tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 big hit, 1 caused fumble, 4 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and 1 TD.
Ricky Hankins is a middle linebacker that will be continuing his career at Louisiana College. Ricky was a dual sport athlete earning letters in football and bowling. He received the 2020 All County First-Feam Defense Award, was named Team Captain by his teammates, and was a member of the DHS Leadership Council. In the classroom, Ricky was an extraordinary student earning a 4.0 GPA, A/B Honor Roll status and a 28 on his ACT. In addition, he was a member of the DHS Community Service Initiative, National Honor Society, and is a peer helper. Daphne Head Coach Kenny King said of Ricky, “He is the true embodiment of a linebacker. He was the leader of our defense and our team. He is the model student-athlete that we want all of our players to exemplify but he is also a bang-bang hitter on the field that knocks people out. Louisiana College is getting a guy that loves the contact of football and leads by example.”
*2020 Season Stats: 15 solo tackles, 30 assisted tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 QB sacks, and 1 caused fumble.
Brooks Buehler is a 2-year football letterman that will be attending Delta State University. He is an offensive lineman that received the 2020 All County second- team Offense award and was named a 2020 Team Captain. Off the field, Buehler did well in the classroom as an A/B Honor Roll student and committed himself to charitable endeavors as a part of the DHS Community Service Initiative. Daphne Offensive Line Coach Matthew Wells spoke highly of Buehler, “Brooks was the anchor of our offensive line. He made the goal to play at the college level and he committed himself to achieving his goal during his senior year. There were games throughout the season where he was hurt but he stayed in and he dominated. He put his team first, he stuck it out, and he achieved his goal. I am very proud of him and he will be missed but he’s going to do just fine at Delta State, and we are excited to watch him live his dream.”
*2020 Season Stats: 520 plays, 386 plus plays, 3 penalties, 2 sacks allowed, 3 nasty blocks, and 21 knockdowns.
Veontai Williams is a running back that signed with Mississippi College. During his time at Daphne. High, he was a four-year member of the Trojan football and track team. He excelled at both sports but during his senior year, he became a breakout football star earning All County (1st Team Offense), All Coastal (Honorable Mention), and Player of the Week accolades. He is also a member of the A/B Honor Roll and DHS Community Service Initiative.
“It has been my first time coaching a member of my family and it was something that meant a lot to me,” coach King said. “I think we both enjoyed it when he finally listened to the coaching staff and moved from wide receiver to running back and never looked back. He has worked hard to reach this point of playing at the next level and I couldn’t be prouder of him or happier to watch him play at the next level,” King added.
*2020 Season Stats: 93 rush attempts, 779 rush yards, 8.4 yards per rush, 9 rushing TDs, 10 catches, 12 targets, 8.1 yards per catch, and 2 passing TDs.
Travis Crum is a wide receiver and is signing with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He received his letter in three sports (football, basketball, and track) during his time as a Trojan. Travis is a great basketball player and track athlete, but he is phenomenal on the football field. As a senior, he was honored with the
2020 All County first-team Offense and 2020 All Coastal Honorable Mention awards. As a member of the DHS Community Service Initiative and A/B Honor Roll, Travis was capable off the field as well.
“Mississippi Gulf Coast is getting an extraordinary offensive weapon that is willing to do the work to get better,” Coach King said. “Travis willingly played on the JV team his junior year to improve his skills and to get faster. Many players aren’t willing to do this, and Travis is a true testament to work ethic breeding results. “
*2020 Season Stats: 30 catches, 58 targets, 646 yards, 21.5 yards per catch, and 10 TDs.
