Jim Fair
Brandon Southern signed to play baseball at Toccoa College.
Jim Fair
Blue Ridge High School baseball signees Elijah Henderson, left, and Brandon Southern chat while listening to Head Baseball Coach Travis Henson introduce them.
Jim Fair
Brandon Southern has a family photo on signing day with father, Scott, mother, Amy, and sister, Taylor.
Wednesday was the official signing day for athletes. Southern participated in a signing ceremony with teammate Elijah Henderson in the gymnasium with teammates, cheerleaders, senior classmates and his family.
Southern and teammate Elijah Henderson signed Wednesday.
Southern still has his senior season to play.
“I picked Toccoa to get a great education and have the opportunity to play there as a freshman,” Southern said.
“Brandon’s an impressive talent and outstanding competitor,” Head Baseball Coach Travis Henson said. “He loves the game and works extremely hard.”
Southern has caught 29 runners attempting to steal and has 10 pickoffs in the last two seasons. “He’s among the most talented defensive position players in the upstate,” Henson said.
Southern batted .500 last year with 35 hits in 70 at bats, scored 19 runs, had 24 runs batted in and had eight doubles and a triple.
“He stepped up so much offensively his junior senior season,” Henson said. “We’re really looking forward to another incredible season.”
Southern was All-Region and an All-State selection last year.
“We are extremely proud of these two (Henderson and Southern) young men,” Henson said. “They are signing today in a commitment to these respective universities, however, they have been committed to improving daily.
“I have no doubt both Elijah and Brandon will enjoy continued success and will be great competitors at the collegiate level,” Henson said. “Each of these student-athletes are great representatives of their families, their teammates, Blue Ridge High School, and the Blue Ridge Community.”