Darling inks with Wallace State
Priceville High School senior Presley Darling signs a letter of intent to play basketball for Wallace State Community College. Seated with her, from left, are her head coach, Catrina Mason, and her father, Richard Darling. Standing, from left are WSCC assistant coach Ron Burdette, PHS assistant coach Terrie Nelson and WSCC head coach Larry Slater. | Clif Knight
Presley Darling, a four-year starter for Priceville High School’s girls basketball team, signed a letter of intent to play basketball for Wallace State Community College on Friday.
A signing ceremony and reception was held in the school library with her coaches, teammates, her father Richard Darling and WSCC head girls basketball coach Larry Slater and assistant coach Ron Burdette in attendance.
Darling was recruited as a post player and will enroll at the college next fall, according to Slater. She will join her former teammate, Melissa Johnson, who recently completed her freshman year.
The 5-foot, 10 ½-inch Darling led the Lady Bulldogs in both scoring and rebounding as a senior. She averaged 15.2 points and 13 rebounds per game and shot 59 percent from the field. She also recorded 16 double-doubles out of the team’s 32 games.
“Playing basketball at the college level is something I’ve thought about a lot since the ninth grade,” Darling said. “I’m excited about having the opportunity to play at Wallace State. It’s close to home and I’ve been around coach Slater and coach Burdette a lot as a high school player.
“I’m signing my life away, but I feel I’m ready to step up to the next level,” Darling added.
Slater agreed with his new post player.
“We anticipate her coming in and being productive right away,” He stated. “She’s a tall, strong girl. There’s no finesse about her. She commands a strong presence in the low post ands that’s going to help us on the boards.”
“This is a fun time for me,” said Lady Bulldog’s head coach Catrina Mason. “Anytime we have a player who moves up to the next level, it gives our program a shot in the arm. It shows our younger players that they have something to strive for.
“Presley is very deserving of a college scholarship,” Mason added. “She gives 100 percent every time she’s on the court no matter if it’s a practice or a game. She has been a big contributor for us throughout her career. We’re going to miss her but we’re very proud of her and wish her the very best in the future.”
