Evans senior signs to play at East Georgia College

There are countless stories told about high school students who saw themselves one day becoming a collegiate or professional athlete.

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Then there's Tony Davis.

The soon-to-be Evans High graduate and three-year starter for the Knights admits his story doesn't start that way.

"I'm just shocked," Davis said. "I just couldn't see myself, as a little boy, going to play college basketball. But it's here now, and it's a great opportunity."

On Wednesday, Davis signed a letter of intent to play basketball at East Georgia College, a junior college in Swainsboro. He will receive a full academic scholarship.

Bobcats coach Neil Bailey said Davis fits into the model of what his program is seeking.

"We're recruiting solid kids first, and he is a solid kid," Bailey said. "He's serious about getting his education. And those are the two things that are prerequisites for us."

Davis becomes a part of East Georgia's first recruiting class. Last season, the Bobcats played a limited schedule and used only walk-on players. Still, they won nine of their final 10 games, with the only loss coming against a top-10 opponent. This season, East Georgia will play a full schedule and be eligible for postseason tournaments.

With such a new program, Davis has the opportunity to help the team make a name for itself as part of the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association.

"I think that's one of the things that made his decision," said Evans coach Kevin Kenny. "It's a brand-new program, and he'll be able to make his mark, both as a player and as a student."

Davis, the 2009-10 Columbia County News-Times Boys Player of the Year, was the starting center for the Knights this past season. At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, he had to overcome size disadvantages with aggressiveness on the boards. He averaged 16 points per game and more than eight rebounds per game, as the Knights went 21-9 and advanced to the Sweet 16 in the state playoffs.

Bailey has plans to use Davis not as a center, but as what he calls a big wing in his dribble-drive motion offensive system. On defense, Davis "can guard a 2, 3 or 4," Bailey said, showing Davis' versatility.

"He has the kind of game that will translate well to the college game," Bailey said. "He doesn't mind playing physical. He has skills to play on the perimeter. But (he) can also go inside and post up if they try to guard him with a smaller guy."

Davis drew interest from several Division I schools, including Georgia Southern, Mercer and Kennesaw State.

He said attending East Georgia will give him a chance to improve his academic standing in hopes of moving on to a Division I school.