Hephzibah star makes jump to the next level

He could retire or chase another title. One of the reasons he decided to come back after that splendid 2005 season: Aarika Judge.

"She's an awesome player and a better person," Lofton said.

Judge took a big step toward the next phase of her -- and Lofton's -- life by signing a letter of intent to play Division-I basketball at Central Florida. She was one of two area basketball signings on the day, joining former Laney star Harold Doby.

Judge has been one of the top area guards since she debuted on varsity as a freshman. Her sister Jasmine was a star for Hephzibah and now plays at Lander.

"Jas and Aarika are grounded in good family relations, that's what makes it so special," Lofton said. "It's been so great being with that child, a wonderful thing."

Judge, who is 5-foot-8, took an official visit to Central Florida the weekend of Oct. 16, missing Hephzibah's homecoming football game. She noticed the togetherness of the team.

"Everybody was always together," she said of a Central Florida team that won 17 games last year and played in the NCAA Tournament.

DOBY A PANTHER: Doby hasn't played high school basketball around here in more than 18 months, but you couldn't tell that from the crowd that gathered inside Laney's library to watch him sign his letter of intent to play basketball at Georgia State.

Doby smiled often in front of family, friends and former teammates as he made good on a promise to himself more than a year ago: he would go to Oldsmar Christian High School near Tampa, Fla., and improve his grades enough to play college basketball.

Doby, the Co-Region 3-AA Player of the Year in 2008, insisted on having a signing party in Augusta.

"I just wanted to show where I came from, and that I'll never forget that," he said.

Said Laney coach Justin Durham, "He could have been another statistic. But he did what he had to do to continue his dream of playing Division-I basketball."

CROWDED TURNOUT: Four Greenbrier baseball players signed their letters of intent on Thursday: shortstop Ben Morgan (Georgia Southern), lefty pitcher Chad Farmer (Appalachian State), catcher Shawn McCain (Western Carolina) and senior Sam Daniel (USC Aiken).

Each of the four who signed had the similar thoughts when looking ahead to their senior seasons.

"We are going to win state, that's my way of looking at it," Morgan said. "I would be very disappointed if we got second in state."

HUNT TO ALABAMA: Wolfpack softball standout Kaila Hunt was finally able to sign her letter of intent to play for the University of Alabama.

Hunt, who was a four-year starter at Greenbrier and All-State selection, committed to the Crimson Tide as a sophomore.

"It's a relief to get it finalized," Hunt said. "I've had to wait a long time."

Staff writer Stephen Fastenau contributed to this story.

Reach Matt Middleton at (706) 823-3425 or matt.middleton@augustachronicle.com.