Six Killeen ISD student-athletes celebrated their next steps toward collegiate life in front of large, enthusiastic and picture-happy crowds Wednesday at Chaparral, Ellison and Shoemaker high schools.
Lady Bobcats Chazlyn Dettor and Mikayla Gray, Eagles Ahziel “JoJo” McIver and Chanelle Cancel, and Grey Wolves JoePhillip Guzman and Damian Montanez were the guests of honor, inking college commitments as the initial national signing period opened across the country.
Point-scoring post Dettor is headed to UT-Rio Grande Valley to play basketball, and Gray studied and spiked her way into a chance to attend Ivy League institution Cornell in New York where she’ll continue her volleyball career.
All-State guard McIver’s next stop after his high school days is the Rocky Mountain State and the basketball court at Colorado State University, while Cancel will take her well-rounded volleyball skills to Angelo State University.
Standout baseball teammates Guzman and Montanez, integral parts in Shoemaker’s resurgence, are staying in state and on the diamond next fall when they embark for San Jacinto College and UT-San Antonio, respectively.
“Just seeing all the hard work over the years pay off in this way is definitely an amazing feeling,” McIver said.
And dozens upon dozens of family and friends most certainly enjoyed sharing in all the feels Wednesday.
Motivational messages that highlighted the importance of hard work, determination and commitment –– along with individual morsels of flair and festivity –– filled the three KISD gyms during the ceremonies.
And no matter the location, the athletes were commended for their leadership, attention to detail in and out of the class room, upholding responsibilities as role models, and recognized for the indelible marks they’ve made on their programs, from school records to service.
Led into the Chaparral gym by the school’s drumline and cheerleaders, Dettor, whose scored more than 1,000 points and corralled around 500 rebounds for the Lady Bobcats and Gray, whose stacked stat sheet includes 529 kills, 116 aces, 777 digs, 785 assists and 117 blocks, were welcomed by a large group of classmates and took their seats next to their parents.
After a warm introduction by coaches Jennifer Graham (basketball) and Sarah Neal (volleyball), Dettor and Gray addressed the audience and thanked God first, then their families, teammates and coaches for the support, They also spoke about what went into them fulfilling a goal.
“It takes a lot of hard work, and it’s very exciting knowing that this is something really hard to accomplish and I’ve accomplished it,” Dettor said. “So many people supported me and it was a great feeling to have them here.”
Indeed, the split-second moment of signing their names is the culmination of long days, weeks, months and years.
“It just felt like a relief after the past three, four years when I started my original recruiting process,” Gray said after doling out cupcakes to friends. “It finally feels like I can relax.”
Cornell, of course, will keep her busy.
“The overwhelming support of all my teammates, my friends, my family, my community in Killeen, it’s going to be a hard goodbye when I go to New York. I love them,” said Gray, who led the Lady Bobcats this season to their first district championship and three playoffs wins.
McIver added his name to a long line of not just Ellison basketball players but players from Killeen and Harker Heights to set forth into the college ranks. He said Colorado State checked all his boxes.
“The staff, I felt a great connection with them. I believe in the plans that they said they have for me,” said McIver, who’s helped the Eagles reach consecutive Class 5A state finals. “That, and seeing where I was going to fit in with the program moving forward with the opportunity to get better and reach the next level.”
Cancel’s guest list Wednesday was no doubt next level, and the setter made sure she gave them props.
“To have everybody backing me up is really the best feeling ever. It wouldn’t mean anything without them,” said Cancel, who accumulated more than 2,700 assists in her career, in which she and the Lady Eagles extended the program’s playoff-appearance streak to 12.
Montanez and Guzman became Shoemaker’s first Division I baseball signees, head coach Russell Johns announced, and the two Grey Wolves who’ve been friends since they were 8 years old hope their next strides load up a reacquaintance in the big leagues someday.
For now, they are thankful for what lies ahead next fall.
“I couldn’t wait for this,” Guzman said. “This is a really big goal. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my dad and family. I thank God.”
Guzman and Montanez own two program single-season records apiece. Guzman has the most triples and stolen bases while Montanez has the top spots in home runs and doubles.
“(Guzman) being so good, made me better. It pushed me. I couldn’t ask for anyone better to share this with,” Montanez said. “The day I got the offer and committed, I wasn’t happy for myself, I was happy for my family. I was able to make them proud and do what I told them I would do from the beginning."
Harker Heights had two athletes –– Kaylee Humble (East Texas A&M, soccer) and Arianna Jennings (McNeese State, basketball) –– sign Wednesday, and will hold its ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 20.
More photos of Wednesday's signing day ceremonies can be found on KISD Communications' Flickr page here.
