Signing Day Notes

Posted Nov 9, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Nov 9, 2011 at 03:48 PM

CHAMBERLAIN

Softball player Bianka Bell became the third sister in her family to sign a Division I scholarship with a SEC program on Wednesday. Bell signed with Lousiana State University. Her eldest sister, Brittany, graduated from Riverview in 2007, played at Mississippi State while older Briana, who also played at Riverview, is a sophomore at Mississippi State.

“Its always been competition between them,” said Joe Bell, the father and coach of the three players. “Bianka always wanted to excel more than her sisters.”

- Nick Williams

WHARTON

Seniro wrestler Tyler Liberatore likes the warm weather. That’s part of the reason why he’s taking his talents to Arizona State next fall.

“It was one of the places I could go to match the weather I like,” he said.

Obviously, he’s going there to compete for NCAA championships.

“(Arizona State) can bring me to the next level and win multiple championships,” he said. 

Last season as a Brandon junior, Liberatore won the Class 3A 135-pound state title for his third career championship. He finished the 2010-11 campaign 50-0.
As a sophomore for the Eagles, he captured the 3A 130-pound title and earned his first title (Class 2A 125 pounds) as a Tampa Prep eighth-grader two seasons prior.

ALONSO

State championships have their benefits.

Last season, Nathan Hahn pitched in relief during Alonso’s 2011 state championship triumph against Deltona. He was the winning pitcher, but he’s not so sure it was the victory. It was what happened to get there.

Hahn, who entered during the fifth inning, gave up a grand slam, eventually settling down to lead the Ravens to their second title in three years.

“It wasn’t even that I won,” Hahn said laughing. “It was that I battled back.”

That resilience, in addition to his talent, landed him a scholarship to pitch for the University of South Florida. He and teammate Ryan Valdez (Florida State) signed their national letters-of-intent to play baseball.

Both admit their trips to those perspective schools were awe-inspiring.

“I went for my official visit and I kind of walked through (the facility) and I saw Buster Posey’s jersey and I kind of envision myself in the same spot,” Valdez said of his trip to Tallahassee. He won over the staff during a workout at the school in August.

During Hahn’s trip to USF, he was already won over by the coaching staff, but the new facilities pushed the favor even more on USF’s side.

“It’s overwhelming,” Hahn said. “You pretty much don’t have a choice to say no. The offer slaps you in the face.”

- Eddie Daniels

KING

There was very little decision to be made by King first baseman Keon Barnum.

When he sat down Wednesday morning inside the King High media center to sign his national letter-of-intent, the University of Miami had always been where he wanted to go.

“I’ve always dreamed of playing for Miami,” Barnum said. “I thought it was a great school to get a great experience and just get better. My dad and family have always been fans.”

He chose the Hurricanes over USF and Tennessee.

The fact it’s Miami and several hours away from home doesn’t bother King coach Jim Macaluso. From what he has seen over the years in relation to Barnum’s work ethic and priorities, he believes he’ll do just fine.

“He’s what I call that throwback,” Macaluso said. “His family, his education and his baseball. And that’s his life. You find kids nowadays … they want to do everything else, too. He’s a well-rounded kid. He hangs with the guys, he gets his stuff done and he has his priorities.”

Macaluso quickly aimed his index finger at Natarsha and Keith Barnum, Keon’s parents, as the reason for that ability to maintain focused on his goals.

Keith Barnum knew the day was coming when he would watch his son sign his name to a scholarship away from home.

“I think he wants to get away from home,” Keith Barnum said smiling. “He’s been around me for so long, I’ve been carrying him for so long, I think he’s ready to venture out and do his own thing, become his own man, make his own decisions. I think this is something he’s looked forward to for a while. We’re happy for him.”

- Eddie Daniels

ROBINSON

Though they were still recovering from Tuesday night’s heartbreaking 3-0 loss to Lakewood in the Class 5A region volleyball semifinals, Robinson athletics had a reason to smile Wednesday afternoon when senior Katie Hogan signed her letter-of-intent with Southern Methodist University. Tuesday marked the furthest the program had gone since 1978 and Hogan, who tranferred in from Shorecrest Prep before the school year, became the program’s first Division I player since 1978.

“To be able to come in my first year here and to have success in a program that hadn’t had that in a while was great,” said Hogan, who will be a defensive specialist at the next level.

Though she’s been at Robinson for a few months, Hogan has bonded with her teammates and coaches. She fought through tears as she read a thank you letter to those in attendance.

- Nick Williams