Photo: Seated from left are signees Connor Shurden (Hinds CC), Ayers Mathis (Meridian CC), and Drew Groscost (Jones College). They were joined by (standing from left) athletic director Rusty Cagle, golf coach Adam Payne, and principal Kris Perkins. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
Three members of the Lewisburg High School golf team Thursday morning signed to college golf next season on the Mississippi junior college circuit.
Drew Groscost, the number one-rated senior in the state of Mississippi with a stroke average for the year of 73.3 for 18 holes, signed to play at Jones College next year. Connor Shurden and Ayers Mathis, both of whom earned medalist honors at tournaments this season, also signed for state community colleges. Shurden will play at Hinds Community College and Mathis will join the Meridian Community College roster.
“These three young men have worked really hard over the last several years,” said golf coach Adam Payne. “They were always a great representative of their family, their team and our school. I’m sure they’ll make their schools come back here and recruit other players from this area because of their character.”
Payne said he expects the three will move into a higher level of college golf once their two years in junior college are finished.
“I don’t think this will be their last landing spot,” Payne said. “I think they will go another two years somewhere else.”
Payne was especially high on the character of all three seniors.
“You can always replace players but it’s hard to replace players that have great attitudes, who work hard and show up wanting to push each other,” the Lewisburg coach said. “Not only did they push themselves but they pushed their teammates and that will be hard to replace.”
Lewisburg finished in fifth place in the 7A state golf meet this fall, 47 shots behind state team champion Madison Central.
SPORTS ETC.: Kiersten McGarrity of two-time state volleyball (5A and 6A) champion Lake Cormorant Thursday signed to play next season at Northeast Mississippi Community College.
So proud of Kiersten McGarrity who signed with Northeast Community College today! Your hard work and dedication has payed off! Can’t wait to watch you play next season! pic.twitter.com/vEMQK5f24z
— Lake Cormorant High Volleyball (@LCHSladygatorvb) November 30, 2023
Northpoint Christian School soccer player Eli Bailey has committed to Delta State for soccer next season
