2010 looks like another banner year

As we enter a new year, there are many things to keep an eye on in the local sports world. Take some time to follow up on a few sports stories of note in 2010.

//

Signing day

On Feb. 3, the nation's top high school football players will sign on the dotted line. The past couple of years, Columbia County has had a large number of football signees.

Of the county products who will get offers, I am interested to see if Grovetown running back Seth Hill and Evans back Jonathan Finch get a shot at the next level. Hill rushed for more than 3,000 yards during the past two seasons. Finch also is a career 3,000-yard back.

Play ball!

Baseball season is always fun in Columbia County. Most years there is a legitimate state title contender. This year I am interested in several storylines.

Can Greenbrier contend for a crown?

The Wolfpack might not have big names like Rich Poythress, Jeff Rowland, Brandon Cumpton or Nolan Belcher on the roster, but that does not mean the cupboard is bare. Second-year coach Chris Wilkins has four college signees, and at least one more player will sign for sure.

Of the five college-bound players, four will play at Division I programs. Shawn McCain (Winthrop), Ben Morgan (Georgia Southern), Chad Farmer (Appalachian State), and Sam Daniel (USC Aiken) signed in the November early signing period, and Blake Ross will ink a Division I deal, too.

Will Tevin Nelson have a breakout year?

Don't get me wrong, the talented Evans outfielder has already been pretty darn good for the pin-stripers.

First, Nelson earned top prospect honors back in the summer of 2006 at the Columbia County middle school all-star game. Then, he burst onto the high school scene as a freshman when he got some action in the state playoffs for Evans. The following year he was the county's only sophomore to be named First Team All-County after he hit.356 and swiped nine bases in 10 attempts for the Knights.

Last season, Nelson was solid for the Knights, but I have high expectations for this kid. I think he is capable of dominating games with his speed and ability in the outfield.

Following college baseball will be fun once again in 2010. I cannot wait to catch a few games in Atlanta and Columbia this season.

In Atlanta, Cumpton and Rowland will each play key roles for Georgia Tech. In Columbia, Belcher will try to build on a freshman campaign that saw him earn SEC All-Freshman Team honors for South Carolina.