Four Bengals Announce College Plans

BLYTHEWOOD  (Blythewood HS) —  Blythewood High School held its first scholarship signing ceremony of the school year on Wednesday to honor four student-athletes who have announced their plans to continue their athletic careers on the collegiate level.  The student athletes represented baseball, basketball, track and field, and volleyball.

Sharnae Alston, daughter of David and Kim Alston, announced her intention to continue her track career at the University of Louisville next year.  Alston, a sprinter for coach Matthew Owings at Blythewood, had an outstanding summer on the track, twice earning All-American honors at the US Track & Field Championships in California.  Alston won the national championship in the 200-meter run and was named an All-American in the 100-meter run.

A’zhia Carter, daughter of Gregory and Rachel Austin, announced her plans to continue her volleyball career at Newberry College next year.  Carter, an outside hitter for head coach Mary Hall at Blythewood, helped lead the Bengals to a Region V-5A Championship with an undefeated region record.  Carter has been an All-Region selection each of the last three seasons (2014-2016) and was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Hillcrest Tournament earlier this season.  Carter was named the Tournament MVP at the Carolina Forest Tournament in 2015.

Keith Matthews, son of Shawndell Matthews, has committed to continue his basketball career in Florida at Stetson University.  Matthews, a point guard and small forward for head coach Ezekiel Washington at Blythewood, chose Stetson over a host of schools.  Matthews was named to the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association and High School Sports Report’s All-State teams a year ago.  He was also an All-Region selection a year ago, averaging 10 points per game and four rebounds per game.

Aidan Massey, son of Scott and Kristy Massey, has accepted a scholarship offer to play baseball at The Citadel next year.  Massey, a first baseman the past two years at Blythewood High School for then head coach Barry Mizzell, will play his senior season for new head coach Banks Faulkner.  Massey earned both All-Region and All-State honors a year ago while posting a .479 batting average.  He is ranked as one of the best first basemen in South Carolina for the Class of 2017.