Long County High School Basketball standout Jimmy Bacon signed with Georgia Perimeter College Wednesday, making him the second Blue Tide senior to get a "full-ride" scholarship this year.

"I never thought I would be here. I’m real happy and this is a special day," Bacon said.

No one was more proud than his mother Brenda Lewis.

"I always push my kids to do their best," she said. "He’s the first out of nine to go to college. I’m so proud, my heart’s beating a mile a minute."

Another person at the ceremony who influenced Bacon was the Rev. William Miller.

"He’s like one of my sons," Miller said. "I’ve known him since he was a little boy. Seeing him do well and achieve this is what keeps me going, makes working with the kids worthwhile."

Bacon who was the co-player of the year for 2009 in the 2-AA Region, has been a starter for the Blue Tide since he was a freshman, and played on the 16-U St. James Coastal Crew Rebels team.

Blue Tide coach Deshon Brock said, "In my five years coaching at Long County, Jimmy is the best all-round player I have had. He can shoot, he can go to the post, play defense, rebound, he can do it all. His all-round game is as good as anybody’s."

Rebels coach Ernie Walthour said, "He worked very hard at Long County and in our program. He brought major exposure to our program and we appreciate him for that.

"It’s a win/win for him and Georgia Perimeter."

Both Brock and Walthour said they expect Bacon to move up to a Division 1 school after completing two years at GPC.

GPC coach Alfred Barney said, "Jimmy is very athletic and a program changer, but more than that he’s a good kid. That’s the biggest reason we wanted him."

Bacon’s new coach also said that he expects much out of his future player, "He’s an impact player. He will help us take our program to the next level where we want it to go."

Georgia Perimeter is in DeKalb County. Its basketball team had a record of 19-13 this year and in 2007 won the Georgia Junior College Association, Region XVII Championship.