Whitwell High School standouts Cole Tucker and Blake Chance signed scholarship papers this week to continue their basketball careers at Tennessee Temple University.
Tucker was a two-time Times Free Press all-area player and averaged 23.8 points and 18 rebounds a game this past season, and he leaves the Tigers with 1,864 career points. Chance played point guard and averaged 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals a game.
"Since I had the opportunity to see Cole play and spend time with him," Temple coach Randy Lee said, "I knew that I wanted him to be a part of our program and be a key cog in our future success. He will be able to step in and immediately contribute for us on both ends of the court.
"Blake is an underrated guard who has a ton of intangibles in his physical and mental makeup. I look forward to watching him come in, challenge others and continue to mature into a collegiate point guard."
Whitwell coach said Tucker "has been one of the most dedicated players to our program. I have no doubt that he will be a valuable asset to Temple. And Blake has always risen above the level of competition that he has faced. He has been an explosive player for us."
Hughes to Temple
Temple volleyball coach Amy Bordean signed Central's Whitney Hughes on Thursday.
"We love her hard work and we are looking for depth," Bordean said, "and Whitney can play all around the court. We're a building program, and we need that."
The 5-foot-5 Hughes developed immensely in her one season under former Lee University star Bojana Hyatt as Central's coach, Hyatt said.
"She is very hard-working and determined, and she listens real well," Hyatt said. "She really has improved so much."
Hughes said she loved the God-based "atmosphere" at Temple, "and I love the volleyball team and coaches."
CCS's Jones signs
Four-year Chattanooga Christian basketball starter and all-district player Chelsea Jones signed Wednesday with Cleveland State. She averaged 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds for her Lady Chargers career but had ACL tears the last two years; she played her senior season with one of them and averaged seven points and three rebounds.
"Chelsea was a captain of the 2011 team," CCS coach Pam Hindman said. "She is a leader and a very hard worker. Coach [Dan] Lumpkin is getting a quality basketball player and student. CCS will miss her leadership and efforts on the court."