A pair of Salem High School girls basketball players, and two football standouts, announced their collegiate choices Friday afternoon in front of friends, family and coaches, inking their National Letters of Intent.
The Lady Seminoles Jennifer Tindi signed her National Letter of Intent with Georgia Perimeter College, while guard Taylor King pledged her next four years to Tennessee’s Lane College.
On the gridiron, the Seminoles’ Cameron Johnson will continue his playing career with Birmingham-Southern College, while Kentrell Lodge will join the Wilmington College football program in Ohio.
Salem girls basketball coach Rochone Dilligard said that the hard work and discipline Tindi and King have put into the program has paid off.
“I’m very excited and proud of them,” Dilligard said. “This is what all of those hours in the gym over the summer add up to. Not only that, they have taken care of what they need to do academically to reach this point.
“I hope that they take away a lot from their time here,” she said. “Especially in regard to the friendships and bonds they’ve made here. We talk about it all the time – this is the last time you’ll be assembled in this group. They’ve made and developed life-long friendships and I hope they’re able to sustain those.
Salem football coach John Starr believes that
“We’re excited for them and it’s a testament of their hard work,” Starr said. “Much of what these guys have earned is based on their academics. They’ve been able to perform on the field and in the classroom and today they are being rewarded for it. I’m really proud of them.
“One thing that we stress in our program from day one is developing a work ethic,” he said. “Everything is going to be a lot better if you work hard. They’ve taken on that challenge and have displayed it throughout their high school careers.”
Dilligard, Tindi, King and the Lady Seminoles’ basketball program went 25-4 overall during the 2013-2014 season, reaching the third round of the Class AAAAA state basketball tournament.
The Seminoles’ football program went 3-7 in 2013, picking up wins over Wesleyan, Winder-Barrow and Apalachee.
