SPRINGDALE -- JP Brandon was unsure of his college plans until he was invited to Harding University for some late-night basketball action.
"I toured the campus and saw Midnight Madness and their fans were great," Brandon said. "I knew Harding was the place for me."
Brandon was one of three Springdale Har-Ber athletes who signed letters of intent Wednesday during the first day of the national signing period.
Volleyball player Emily Thompson signed with Oklahoma Baptist, and cross country runner Sammy Casey signed with Missouri Southern.
Brandon (6-foot-6, 200 pounds) is a three-year starter who'll begin his senior season Saturday when Har-Ber hosts Hot Springs at Wildcat Arena. He's expected to be a top producer for the Wildcats after averaging 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds as a junior.
"JP is one of the cornerstones of our program," Har-Ber boys basketball coach Scott Bowlin said. "He's started every game for me except for one. His progression has been really good, and it's been phenomenal since July. He's really matured and expanded his game to where I think he's going to be one of the top players in the state this year."
Thompson was a top hitter and senior leader for the Har-Ber girls, who finished 28-6-2 and reached the finals in Class 7A. She finished third on the team with 196 kills.
"Her senior year, Emily just blossomed," Har-Ber volleyball coach Shyrah Schisler said. "She will be successful at the college level because she knows what it takes to perform every day. She understands the commitment and discipline part."
Casey will continue his cross country career in college after he finished ninth in the Class 7A state cross country meet at Hot Springs with a time of 16 minutes, 35 seconds. Casey was named to the Class 7A All-State cross country team this fall for the second consecutive year.
Sports on 11/12/2015