Williams, Williford sign

Published 4:06 pm Friday, May 15, 2009

Point guard Marquis Williams and forward Antroine Williford of the Bainbridge High School Bearcats signed basketball scholarships Tuesday with the Jeff Davis Community College Warhawks of Brewton, Ala.

Looking on as the two signed in the BHS media center were their parents, coaches, family and friends.

At Williams’ side as he signed were his mother, Cindy Williams, and his uncle, Maurice Williams.

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Also looking on as Williams signed were Bearcats head coach Rickey McCullough, Bearcats coach Kelvin Cochran and Lee Thomas, who coached him and Williford on his Bainbridge Dynasty Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball team.

At Williford’s side as he signed were his mother, Michelle Williford, and his father, Larry Daniels.

Also looking on as Williford signed were his uncle and aunt, Benjamin and Valerie Lewis; his sisters, Destini Dawkins and Domanique Daniels; his stepmother, Kateshia Daniels, and coaches McCullough, Cochran and Thomas.

Jeff Davis head coach Allen Gainer, in Bainbridge to witness the signings, said he is looking forward to Williams and Williford getting significant playing time as freshmen.

“I knew coach McCullough when he coached at Chipley, Fla., High School, and I know how successful he has been and how fundamentally sound his players are,” Gainer said. “Antroine and Maurice are both great kids who we feel can contribute right away.

McCullough added, “We wouldn’t have gone as far as we did this season without the strong play of Maurice and Antroine.”

Thomas described Williams as being as tough as nails on the court.

“Marquis is a hard worker who knows how to lead a team,” his AAU coach said.

“Antroine is a hard worker as well. He is a great defender and strong shot blocker and rebounder.”

Williams, who averaged 11.9 points, 5.9 assists and 2.6 steals a game, was named first team All Region 1AAAA by the Region coaches.

Williford, a second team All Region 1AAAA selection by the Region coaches, averaged 10.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.1 blocked shots a game.