Local athletes take part in National Signing Day

The Bishop England athletic program is the best in the state for Class AAA schools. One reason is the outstanding coaches and another is the facilities the school offers.

Oh, and it doesn’t hurt to have some great athletes.

That was never more evident than last Thursday’s National Signing Day Ceremony, which was held at the school.

The Bishops had two big-time recruits sign national letters of intent. Pitcher Geoffrey Gilbert, arguably the top senior in the state for 2019, signed with Clemson while swimmer Addie Laurencelle signed with the University of California at Berkeley.

But that wasn’t all. Golfer Kennedy Carroll signed with University of North Carolina-Charlotte while tennis standout Eleanor Campbell will stay close to home with her matriculation to the College of Charleston. Ava Ward will play lacrosse for Presbyterian College and Aiden Richter will compete in cross country and track for The Citadel.

Lacrosse standout Harris Hubbard inked with Furman and Gilbert’s baseball teammate Chris Dengler signed with Old Dominion.

Gilbert, a 6-2 lefty pitcher, just might be the crown jewel of Clemson’s recruiting class, which should be in the top 20 classes in the country depending on how many signees enroll or sign professional contracts.

Gilbert has had a key role on the Bishops baseball team that has won two straight state titles heading into the spring.

Clemson coach Monte Lee is getting more than a baseball player. He’s getting a great young citizen. Gilbert volunteers for the Charleston Miracle League, a community-supported baseball league for children and adults with mental and physical challenges. He also helps out at the Ronald McDonald House and volunteers at the Carolina Basset Hound Rescue. He is an alter server at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church as well.

He’s just as impressive on the mound as he won the Gatorade state player of the year award as a junior after posting a 10-0 record with a 0.20 ERA last spring to lead the Bishops to a 31-2 record and the state title.

He allowed only two earned runs in 66 1/3 innings, striking out 93 while walking only 26.

Gilbert didn’t hold back on the excitement quotient on National Signing Day.

“In all honesty, this was a dream come true, to sign with such a great Division I program,” Gilbert said. “I’ve worked hard, but I won’t stop. I will continue to work. I won’t stop ‘til I get to the Major Leagues.

Gilbert knows the expectations will be great as he and Dengler are the headliners for coach Mike Darnell’s team.

“I love when the pressure’s on,” he said. “I love pitching in the big games. The team will lean on me a little more. But I will make sure it’s just not me. The freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors all have to handle pressure and get the job done.”

Hanahan had three athletes sign in a ceremony at the school.

Softball player Ashlynn Cribb signed with Charleston Southern University while baseball players Jonathan Barham and Charles Toman will matriculate to Coker College and Florence-Darlington Tech, respectively.

Two other Daniel Island residents also signed to play at the next level. Colin Reich, who plays lacrosse for Oceanside Collegiate Academy, signed with St. Joseph’s while soccer player Grace Powell of Pinewood Prep signed to play for the College of Charleston.