Today is a big day for seniors who are expecting to play college sports around the nation.

Nov. 13 is the first day of the NCAA early signing period for just about every sport except football.

Here in our area, we have at least four players who are planning to sign their national letters of intent today.

Beginning at Hartselle, Brett Blackwood, a.k.a. the Money Man according to head coach William Booth, is planning to sign with the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Blackwood had an outstanding junior season to help the Tigers win their eighth state championship in baseball. He set the state record for most hits in a single season and also is in the state record books for several categories.

At Brewer, it’s going to be a busy day. Riley Northway, Cheyenne McLemore and Savana Flack are all signing scholarships during a combined signing ceremony.

Northway committed to play D-1 women’s basketball at Lipscomb University. She has been a stellar athlete during her career at Brewer. She has helped the Lady Patriots to the Final Four in each of her first three seasons, including a State Championship in 2012.

Flack is going to play basketball at NAIA Faulkner University. McLemore is also planning to play D-2 volleyball at Shorter University.

Flack and McLemore have been key components to Brewer’s success over the last three basketball seasons and their four volleyball seasons.

It’s probably one of the best and deepest senior classes that Brewer has ever had in girls sports. They will be missed when they graduate this spring.

At Danville, Kheala Roberts signed a volleyball scholarship with Wallace State Community College last Wednesday.

Roberts was a transfer from Lawrence County, but she made an immediate impact on the floor. She’s a 6-1 middle hitter and was responsible for more than one-fourth of the points scored by the Lady Hawks this season.

That’s only the beginning of the scholarship signings this year. I’m sure we’re going to see more of them in the spring during the regular signing period.

Over the last few years, it’s amazing how many great athletes we’ve had come through our schools in Morgan County.

The athletes here work hard and are rewarded with scholarships.

Congratulations to all of you

Brent Maze is the managing editor of the Hartselle Enquirer.