High school signing roundup

Maggie O’Hara and Claire Edwards made history at River Bluff High School Wednesday.

They became the first female River Bluff athletes to sign with Division I schools. O’Hara’s headed to Michigan for gymnastics and Edwards will play volleyball at South Carolina.

O’Hara will graduate high school in three years and enroll at Michigan next fall. She drives to Charlotte five to six days a week to train at Southeastern Gymnastics. She placed second in bars and seventh in 2015 Junior Olympic Nationals and was state and regional champion in North Carolina.

“Their academics are incredible and their gymnastics team is nationally ranked,” O’Hara said of Michigan. “I am really excited to go there.”

Edwards began her high school career at Cardinal Newman but transferred to River Bluff before her junior year. She was part of the Gators’ back-to-back region championship teams and Lower State final squad in 2014.

Edwards, a middle hitter, is a two-time all-region selection and was picked to play in the North-South All-Star volleyball match. She plans to graduate in December and enroll at USC in January.

“I’m honored to play at the next level,” Edwards said. “I am just excited to compete in college after all the years I put into it.”

Dutch Fork’s Shook a Gamecock

Dutch Fork outfielder/pitcher T.J. Shook signed his letter of intent to play baseball at South Carolina. Shook committed to USC in July and didn’t take any other visits.

“I know I made the right decision because I haven’t second thoughts,” Shook said. “I never thought this day would happen. It is very satisfying knowing the hard work paid off.”

Shook, whose fastball tops out at between 88-90 mph, isn’t sure whether he will be used as an outfielder or pitcher for the Gamecocks. The 6-foot-4, 190-pounder went 5-1 with a 1.29 ERA last season and also hit .457. He was the Region 4-4A Player of the Year and an all-state selection.

Shook had a home run in last month’s Border Battle, which is made up of the top baseball prospects in North and South Carolina.

Five Spring Valley athletes sign

Class 4A girls basketball Player of the Year Christian Hithe was among five signees at Spring Valley on Wednesday.

Hithe, a three-star recruit, signed with Central Florida and averaged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists last season in helping the Vikings to the state title.

“Christian Hithe is one of the most intense competitors that I have coached. She will bring a lot to Central Florida,” Spring Valley girls basketball coach Anne Long said. “Her versatility in shooting the 3, driving to the basket, and rebounding ability makes for a talented two or three guard at the next level.”

Joining Hithe was teammate Shantay Taylor, who signed to play basketball at Temple, softball players Breanna and Sabrina Martinez (Queens) and cross country runner Jacob Maldonado (Coker).

Taylor averaged 9.1 points and 8.2 rebounds and was an all-region selection.

“Shantay Taylor has a huge upside,” Long said. “She continues to get physically stronger in the post and on the boards. At 6-foot-3, if she keeps improving on facing the basket, she will be an immediate impact at Temple.”

Williford signs with George Mason

Lower Richland girls basketball player Dejah Williford signed to play at George Mason.

Williford was an all-region selection last year and helped the Diamond Hornets reach the Class 3A title game. The forward averaged 5.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and one block a game last season.

Keenan hoops duo sign with D-I schools

Keenan basketball players Le’on Hill and Day-Shay Stewart signed letters of intent with Division I schools.

Hill signed to play with North Carolina A&T, and Stewart is headed to South Carolina State. Hill, 6-2, averaged 6.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 blocks last season for the Keenan girls.

Blythewood’s Harley, Moninghoff sign

Blythewood’s Lauren Harley signed a letter of intent to play basketball at UNC Charlotte, and Matthew Moninghoff signed to play golf at Coker.

Harley’s a two-time all-region selection and two-time team MVP.

Moninghoff picked up wins at the Golden Bear and Easley Invitationals.

This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 8:51 PM.