White, Williams and Arline sign NLI to Brescia

WARNER ROBINS, Ga -ouston County High School has become an athletic powerhouse, because of its culture for preparing athletes for the collegiate level. The incarnation of National Signing Day officially began in the winter of 1982 after a mandate of a universal date for college signings. Since the early eighties, National Signing Day has been covered on the first Tuesday or Wednesday of February. The world has changed since the early eighties, and so has the way high school athletes sign their national letters of intent. Throughout the day on Tuesday, Houston County athletes sat surrounded by family, friends, coaches and teammates, donning caps and T-shirts representing their chosen institution of higher learning.

As the sports editor of the Houston Home Journal, I conducted a real-time story of the HOCO athletes that participated in the latest signing day with six athletes from “Bear Down” country signing their National Letters of Intent on Tuesday morning. Some Houston County athletes are headed to the most highly recommended athletic programs in the country.

This 2022 senior class consists of players like Marquia White, Blaydin Alaniz and Alexis Williams. Every year, signing day represents the annual celebration of young men and women signing a commitment to perform at the highest of levels. How big of a deal are these commitments? Major television networks like ESPN, ESPNU, HBCU Game-Day and others dedicate hours of coverage to teenagers signing their letters of intent. HOCO had six athletes who participated in the National Latest Signing Period.

Aubrianna Hunley, Anna Brown, Blaydin Alaniz, McKenzie Arline, Marquia White and Alexis Williams were the six athletes who signed national letters of intent on Tuesday morning. Aubrianna Hunley signed with Piedmont College, and Anna Brown signed with Point University. Houston County Athlete Blaydin Alaniz signed his national letter of intent to become a member of the Gordon State baseball team.

Coach Daniell Johnson led the Houston County Lady Bears basketball team to a 21-5 record in their 2021-2022 campaign. Along with a region title, this senior class led the rebirth of Houston women’s basketball.

Brescia University was around the Houston County area recruiting some talent from this Lady Bears roster. McKenzie Arline, Marquia White and Alexis Williams signed their national letters of intent to remain teammates at the collegiate level. Brescia University is a four-year institution in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Seniors Alexis Williams, Marquia White and McKenzie Arline were selected to all-region teams in 2022. Alexis Williams and Marquia White were also named 2nd team all-region 1-6A. Jordyn Johnson and McKenzie Arline were named to the region 1-6A All-Region first team. Johnson was also named region 1-6A women’s co-player of the year, while Coach Daniell Johnson was awarded Coach of the Year honors. Jordyn Johnson is an unsigned senior who will sign a national letter of intent in the near future.

Houston County has become a recruiting trail for colleges and universities Houston’s Lady Bears are the source of these recruits. Former Lady Bear Skylar Bailey is currently at the University Of Central Arkansas. Coach Daniell Johnson has created a program of excellence in Houston County.

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