Middle Georgia high school athletes sign letters of intent

The Houston County influence in Tennessee for the near future began two months ago when Warner Robins football standout Marquez Callaway signed with Tennessee.

He watched a basketball teammate and a football teammate cast their lots with Georgia's neighbor to the north on Wednesday.

Demons' basketball standout Donovan Brown signed with Columbia State Community College in Columbia, Tennessee, between Nashville and Memphis, where former Baldwin standout Marquise WIlliams was a sophomore last season and averaged 13.5 points and 13.5 rebounds for the 20-8 Chargers.

Fullback/linebacker Connor Johnston signed with Tusculum, near Johnson City, Tennessee.

The Division II Pioneers went 4-7 last year. Middle Georgians Cole Waddell of Tattnall Square is set to return.

Two players from Veterans' GHSA Class AAAA state runner-up girls basketball team signed, point guard Kya Cochran with Georgia Southwestern of the Peach Belt Conference and wing Anna Nicholson with Chicago, a Division III school that finished 16-9 last year, ending the season with a win over No. 9 Washington (Missouri).

Macon County's Marquel Wiggins will stay in Middle Georgia. The 6-foot-5 forward who averaged 24.3 points and 13 rebounds signed with Georgia College.

Stratford's David Haithcock signed to play football at Berry, while basketball standout James Mitchell made it official that he'll play at Covenant College near Chattanooga.

Baldwin's girls will have some rebuilding in 2016-17 without Bria Reeves and Tykeaisa Williams. The duo is headed to Southern Union Community College in Wadley, Alabama, after helping Baldwin to a 22-8 record.

Mount de Sales girls track and field athlete Brendon Coats will be signing with Limestone College on Wednesday.

On Thursday, two FPD tennis players will sign at a 9:50 a.m. ceremony in the gym. Michael Durham is headed to Auburn while Miller Durham will sign with Kennesaw State.

Jones County softball standout Kaylee Skinner will sign on Friday with Emmanuel, a Division II team in Franklin Springs that is currently 25-18.

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 9:31 PM with the headline "Middle Georgia high school athletes sign letters of intent ."