Highlander Terrence "TA" Alston heads to Mount Vernon this fall as the Highlander signed on to play for Brewton-Parker College’s men’s basketball team.
It was the second scholarship signed by a First Presbyterian Christian Academy Highlander. Last week Joey Bell marked the school’s first recipient.
Alston, who won the Highlanders’ leadership award for his role on the basketball squad, said he’s been looking forward to this day for quite some time.
"Ever since I picked up my first basketball I had a dream to sign on the dotted line and go to college and get my education so I’m very excited," he said. "I feel like I’m going to make a good impact to this team and this program. I’ve been practicing hard, working hard and the coaches taught me well. They taught me some things that I didn’t know and I’m just glad that I had the coaching staff I had.
"I thank God every day that I have the opportunity to go to college and get my education and play basketball at the next level.
Alston plans to study business management.
"It feels good and I think he got a little discouraged at one point because things were not happening quickly enough," Highlander basketball coach Darrell West said. "But God gives things to people who work hard and TA has worked real hard. He has the right grades and the right attitude and it finally happened for him."
BPC men’s basketball coach John D. Jones said Alston’s Christian upbringing and dedication will fit well at the private, Christian college’s program.
"He is a young man whose been extremely well coached and comes from a winning program which is what I look for," Jones said. "I think he has a lot of those intangibles already in place that may put him ahead of other guys and give him a little bit of a head start. If he comes in and works hard and proves himself, then the opportunity is definitely there."
Alston also plays for the Coastal Crew Rebels during the off season and Rebels head coach Ernie Walthour said it was exciting to see yet another Rebel earn a scholarship.
"Our focus from the start has always been academics," Walthour said. "And TA has again broken the barrier for us. The Rebels are definitely moving in the right direction. We already had three signings this year. And we aren’t done yet."
No one was more proud than Alston’s parents, Terrence Sr., and Evelyn.
"It means a lot and I know how hard he’s worked to accomplish this and I’m glad to see him accomplish one of his goals," Terrence Alston Sr. said. "But at the same time he understands the hard work is just beginning. That is one of his best traits. If he wants something, he is willing to work hard to get it and there is no doubt in my mind he is going to do what he needs to do to be successful at the next level."
"I’m proud," a teary eyed Evelyn Alston said. "First of all I’m blessed that God has seen fit for him to go to Brewton-Parker and to be really close to home. Ultimately education is what we wanted and for him to play at the next level, that is what he desired. I prayed and it’s occurring, everything is happening and coming into existence. I’m just elated right now. I’m thankful to God, thankful to the people who believed in him, supported him. He could not have done anything without the support of his friends, family and the school. This school was there for him."