Seven Vidalia High School Athletes signed Letters of Intent to carry on their athletic careers on Tuesday in the Vidalia High School Auditorium. “We are so excited for these young men and women who have made a commitment to play at the next level,” said Vidalia Athletic director and Boys Basketball Coach Tommy Dalley. “This shows not only a strong commitment to athletics but also a strong commitment to academics and hard work in the classroom, without they would not be here,” said Dalley. 

Nahvie Berry, the 2023 Region and State Champion in the 110m Hurdles, will be taking his talents to Brewton Parker College in Mt. Vernon, where he will run for an up-and-coming track program. Berry also runs the 300m hurdles, in which he finished 2nd in the Region and 7th in the State Meet in 2023. 

Alexis Head is a multi-sport athlete, but she will be taking her cheer talents to Milledgeville, where she will cheer for the Bobcats of Georgia College & State University. Head, who also plays soccer and has participated in E-Sports, has been part of the Vidalia High School Competition Cheer Team and the Game Day Cheer Team, where she has helped Vidalia to three State Championships in the event. A Coaches Award winner in both Sideline and Competition Cheer, Head will pursue a degree in Exercise Science while at GCSU.

Vidalia Basketball standout Cori Mincey averaged 16.5ppg and scored over 1000 points in his four-year career while playing for Head Coach Tommy Dalley. Mincey’s “high-flying” dunks and blocked shots made him a fan favorite and also piqued the interest of East Georgia State College, whom Mincey signed with. The 1st Team GACA All-State and All-Region 3AA player shot 41.5% from the floor, which includes a 3-point shot percentage of 35.4%. Mincey scored 1000 points in his career despite playing in just 2 games his freshman year. 

Vidalia Baseball player Carson Ricks will join Mincey in Swainsboro, where he will continue his baseball career with the Bobcats. The 3AA All-Region Team member hit .283 his senior year with a .382 on-base percentage while stealing 10 bases to lead the team. Ricks was also very good at putting the bat on the ball, as he struck out only six times in 103 at-bats.

Vidalia Golfer Andre Velazquez will take his talents to Brewton Parker to play golf for the Barons. The four-year member of the Indian team qualified for the State Tournament all four years and won the Area Championship during two of those years while posting a scoring average of 78 over his career.

Deserae Lumley is the third member of the Vidalia senior class to commit to Brewton Parker. The Senior Defender for the Lady Indians was a four-year starter and was named to the Region 3AA First Team, as well as being a two-time All-Coastal All-Star. 

Mars Hill University in North Carolina will get the talents of Conner Higgs, who will play soccer for the Mountain Lions. Higgs, who served as captain his senior year, contributed to twelve shutouts, scored eleven goals, and added eight assists in his four-year career. (Courtesy of Vidalia Athletics)