Northside sends two student-athletes off on signing day

WARNER ROBINS — Two Eagles are set to fly the nest this summer.

Charles Myers introduced the two athletes in his “first and last signing day” as Athletic Director, as Mark Jones gets ready to lead Northside athletics.

Here’s who signed:

Nyla Spencer, Basketball — Forward, Brenau University

Spencer was introduced by Northside coach Tamica Sneed, who had a lot of good things to say about Spencer.

“Nyla handled her business in the classroom, now she has an opportunity to go play college basketball,” Sneed said. “Nyla plays very hard. That’s the number one reason I know why Nyla got a scholarship. She plays with a motor, she plays with energy…that means a lot to college coaches who are paying money for scholarships, they want you to play hard.”

Spencer averaged nine points per game, 10 rebounds per game, 1.8 deflections and two steals per game.

Jatniel Ardila, Soccer — Midfielder, Middle Georgia State University

Ardilla was introduced by Northside soccer coach Sid Littlefield, who knew about Ardila even before he came to Northside High School.

“I was the JV coach until about two years ago. Five years ago, people started whispering to me, ‘You just gotta wait. There’s this kid coming up, he’s an 8th grader, he’s gonna be incredible.’ And that was JJ Mullins (Ardila’s teammate),” Littlefield joked. “‘He’s also got this friend of his who is really good.’”

Ardila played one JV game for Littlefield, scored a goal, and has played varsity ever since.

This season Ardila has locked down the midfield. He’s scored 18 goals and dished out 10 assists in 16 games this season.

On behalf of the Houston Home Journal, congrats to these athletes!