Georgetown High’s Future Stars Head to College Sports

The Bulldogs’ senior class, led by coach Jordan Portee, had a standout year even though they fell short of the state title. They reached a peak ranking of fifth in the Class 3A poll, showing strong performance on the court. What truly set this group apart was that every starting player is moving on to play at the collegiate level, a first for the school. On April 22, the seniors celebrated with a scholarship signing ceremony held right on campus. The basketball lineup—Jamari Cohen, Ahmir Mickel, Ean Mitchell, Austin Nesbit and Trenton Parker—joined their teammates from soccer (Candance Swinton) and football (D’ante Washington). Coach Portee, who guided the team to a 17‑8 record in his third season, emphasized that seeing his players advance is the ultimate reward. He believes this success builds a lasting culture for future teams. Nesbit, the team’s top scorer with 15. 3 points per game, will play at Pensacola State College in Florida and hopes to move up to a Division I program. He praised the junior college’s track record of sending athletes to higher levels and highlighted a top recruit, Deven Bates, as motivation.The seniors share a long history, having played together since fourth grade. Their chemistry on the court was evident, and many credit their early bond for their recent achievements. Nesbit, who maintains a 4. 2 GPA, noted that the group takes pride in leaving a lasting mark on Georgetown’s program. Mitchell, averaging 9. 0 points and leading in assists, will attend Columbia International University. Mickel, who averaged 7. 2 points and topped rebounds, along with Cohen, will stay teammates at Morris College in Sumter. Parker chose football over basketball and plans to play as a running back or wide receiver at Maryville College in Tennessee. He reflected on his early love for football while enjoying the shared experience with teammates from elementary school. Washington, a two‑way lineman, will join Allegheny College in Pennsylvania for football. Swinton, who also excelled in volleyball, will play soccer at Salem College in Winston‑Salem. Together, these athletes represent Georgetown High’s commitment to nurturing talent and guiding students toward higher education and athletic careers.