Harlem High athlete signs dual scholarship
Brandy Braswell wears her heart on her sleeve, in more ways than one.
The Harlem High School senior has forged a reputation as a fiery competitor, and she's not afraid to be vocal on the softball field or the soccer pitch.
Winning, however, is what Braswell is all about. She proudly wears her Harlem letterman's jacket, its sleeves adorned with two region title patches for softball and a third for soccer.
"There's room for one more," Braswell said of her plans to earn another championship with the Lady Dogs this soccer season.
The drive for excellence explains why Wes Brown made a six-hour drive to watch a five-minute ceremony last week at Harlem.
Brown, the softball coach at South Georgia College, was among a group of coaches and friends gathered Thursday to watch Braswell sign a letter-of-intent to attend South Georgia on an athletic scholarship this fall.
The junior college in Douglas is getting a package deal - Braswell signed a dual scholarship to play both soccer and softball for the Tigers.
"They were going to give me a half-scholarship for both sports, and I'm going to get the HOPE too, so that works out very well," Braswell said.
Braswell was a four-year starter in softball at Harlem, and sharpened her skills by playing travel ball with the Dominators.
The slick-fielding third-baseman always expected to compete at the college level in softball, but her development as a midfielder in soccer caught her by surprise.
"I can't even remember who talked me into trying out for soccer as a freshman," she said. "I just went out for the team. I can't believe I'll be playing soccer in college."
Speed and aggressive play have helped Braswell excel in two sports at Harlem, but she realizes the next level will provide the ultimate test.
"It is intimidating because I hear all these stories about how these college girls are huge, and I'm kind of small," Braswell said. "I'll be nervous, but I'll get used to it and pull through."
Harlem softball coach Melissa Chase expects Braswell to handle the transition.
"It's a big step going from high school to college, but she's got what it takes," Chase said. "I don't foresee her having any problems because her work ethic is excellent. Brandy is determined, focused, and she works for what she wants."
Braswell has set her sights on one day playing at a four-year college, but first she is taking dead aim on the next two years as a two-sport standout at South Georgia.
"I'll try to be a starter for both teams," she said. "That would be a good goal right there."