The state of Mississippi is taking notice of the collection of athletic talent in Marion County. Nine players from the four area schools will be competing at various events that are sure to be littered with the eyes of college scouts.
West Marion graduate Shelby Terrell is the headliner and will play in the 3A/4A Crossroads Diamond Club D.M. Howie All-Star game Saturday as a member of the South team. The Pearl River Community College signee joins an 18-man roster, and the only other participant from Marion County is Trojans head coach Derrick Jerkins. The game will be at 1 p.m. at William Carey University.
Columbia High School rising sophomore Jaheim Oatis, who has drawn national attention on the football field, has been selected to participate in the Mississippi Top 100 Basketball Showcase at St. Andrew’s Episcopal in Ridgeland June 22. East Marion rising juniors Vashon Sims and Caleb Rawls were also chosen to participate after leading the Eagles to their first state championship in March. The event is invitation only.
The State Games of Mississippi are also around the corner, and five baseball players from three schools will represent the county on the District 7 squad. West Marion’s Jayden Duncan, Columbia Academy’s Tate Duncan and Patrick Gill and Columbia’s Aiden Singley and Landon Sanders were chosen after trying out May 28 at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Eighteen players and two alternates were selected from each of the eight districts.
Play begins June 10 and concludes June 14 with each team guaranteed to play at least two games. All games are at Meridian Community College.
Pictured Above: East Marion's Caleb Rawls sinks a jumper in the playoffs. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
