BOGUE CHITTO — R.L. “Bob” Calhoun Gymnasium was the site of aTuesday basketball scholarship signing ceremony. Bogue Chittosenior standouts Kimberlee Thomas and Shasta Porter officiallysigned scholarship papers to play for the Copiah-Lincoln CommunityCollege Lady Wolves.

Thomas and Porter are both outstanding athletes who haveexcelled in academics, too. They are honor roll students, flirtingwith a 4.0 GPA.

Thomas, a 5-foot-9 power forward, averaged 15.9 points, 12.3rebounds, and 3.6 steals per game for Coach Christi Terrell’s Lady’Cats, sparking them to the Class 1A state playoffs. They advancedto the South Mississippi quarterfinals.

“I’m real excited about going to Co-Lin,” said Thomas. “Co-Linhas an excellent team and they went a long way. I’m ready to be apart of it.”

Thomas is a straight-A student and sports a 3.92 GPA. She is thedaughter of Victoria Thomas Richardson. Her godparents, Barbara andDaniel Turner Sr., were present for the signing.

Co-Lin coach Gwyn Young’s Lady Wolves won the NJCAA Region 23Tournament and advanced to the Nationals in Salina, Kan., wherethey finished sixth. He loses five starters to graduation.

“I like Kim’s athletic ability,” said Young. “She plays hard andshe’s aggressive. Those are both pluses in our league.

“I’m confident Kim will become a good player for us,” Youngcontinued. “She handles the ball well. She has the strength topower inside and score. She rebounds well, too.”

Thomas said she was considering a career in physicaltherapy.

“This is a great opportunity for Kim,” said Coach Terrell. “Iknow she will work hard for Coach Young. I’m confident she willexcel in the future.”

Porter, a slender 6-1 post player, averaged 13.3 points and 8rebounds per game for the Lady ‘Cats. She is the daughter of WillieAlered Porter.

“I hope Co-Lin will be a great experience for me,” said Porter.”I can’t wait to play for Coach Young. I know he will make me abetter player.”

Porter said she planned to pursue a career in nursing at Co-Lin.She plans to share a dormitory room with Thomas.

Terrell said Porter has a bright future at Co-Lin. ‘”Shasta is agood athlete. She has a good attitude and works hard. Co-Lin is agood move for her. She’s a good student, too.”

Porter also was recruited by two South Division communitycollege rivals, Southwest and Gulf Coast.

“Shasta has good size and athletic ability,” said Young. “Shehas improved a lot over the course of the year. She has a lot ofpotential to get better.”

Recently signed by Young were two Hazlehurst standouts in 5-9forward April Mitchell and 5-6 guard Tiarra Wilbert. Also signed toscholarships were 5-10 forward Mercedes Williams of Hinds AHS and5-11 center Shirika Ward of Forest Hill.

Young said he probably will sign three out-of-state players.Co-Lin’s Louisiana players, point guard Nikki Williams of WhiteCastle, center Erica Trahan of Baton Rouge and forward WhitneyScott of Hahnville are graduating this spring. Starting guard HannaPorter of Brandon and and starting forward Dominique Whitfield ofCrystal Springs also graduate from the 30-5 squad.