Caledonia’s recent basketball history is marginally successful at best.
The Confederates are just a year removed from a 7-18 season. But in the time since, head coach Gary Griffin has built a winner.
Caledonia finished last season 23-8 and reached the second round of the state playoffs.
Monday, one of Griffin’s top talents inked his way to the collegiate basketball ranks.
Surrounded by friends and family, senior Romeo Sanders signed with East Mississippi Community College to continue his educational and basketball career.
“It feels great,” Sanders said. “It took a long time. I’ve been thinking about this my whole life and it’s finally here.”
A three-tiered scorer, Sanders felt his presence on the offensive end in 2019. He averaged 20 points, five rebounds and three steals per game.
“EMCC is getting a player, like I said, that is determined,” Griffin said. “He loves the game. You don’t have to call him to tell him to come in and practice, work on his game ’cause he’s going to do that on his own.”
Griffin sees Sanders’ commitment as a stepping-stone for a steadily improving program.
“It means a lot, it being my second year and having a player go to the next level,” he said. “Romeo is a dedicated kid and I’m happy to see him be able to move on and play college basketball.”
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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