Lamar High athletes sign to play for colleges
FRONT ROW (left to right): Louigene Hodges, grandmother; Kenny Hodges, grandfather; Chad Walton, father; Anthony Walton; Pamela Walton, mother; Kendall Walton, brother; Delores Hodges, grandmother. BACK ROW (left to right): Chad Wilkes, LHS football coach, Dr. Marlon Thomas, principal; Carlos Burgess, athletic director. PHOTO BY GLENDA ATKINSON.
Anthony Walton, a senior at Lamar High School, signed a letter of intent to play football with Coastal Carolina University. PHOTO BY GLENDA ATKINSON
Heidi Anderson, Lamar High School senior, signed to play softball with Florence-Darlington Technical College. PHOTO BY GLENDA ATKINSON
FRONT ROW (left to right): Johnny Moore, grandfather; Linda Moore, grandmother; Tripp Anderson, father; Heidi Anderson; Melanie Anderson, mother; Heylan Anderson, sister; and Heywood Anderson, brother. BACK ROW (left to right): Chris Weaver, LHS softball coach; Dr. Marlon Thomas, principal; Carlos Burgess, athletic director. PHOTO BY GLENDA ATKINSON
Two Lamar High School athletes last week signed to play for area colleges during ceremonies at the high school. Anthony Walton signed to play football with Coastal Carolina University and Heidi Anderson signed to play softball with Florence-Darlington Technical College. Walton said he has been playing football for eight years. He most recently has been playing left tackle. Walton says, “I believe that I fit well with the offensive scheme and the beliefs of (CCU).” Asked what he will carry from high school to college, he said, “My skills in football and what my coaches have taught me over the years.” He has been named regional player of the year, helped win a 2017 state championship and was a Shrine Bowl selection. The son of Pamela and Chad Walton, he said he received offers from the U.S. Naval Academy, Howard University, Wofford College, Georgia State and Charleston Southern. His hobbies include fishing and video games. Lamar football Coach Chad Wilkes said, “Anthony is a fantastic athlete and more importantly, a great kid. He has played an important role in the success of the Lamar High football program. I am extremely proud of all he has accomplished.” Anderson, daughter of Melanie and Tripp Anderson, said she has been playing softball for nearly 12 years. She plays pitcher, second, short and outfield; she also cheers and plays basketball. Anderson says she chose FDTC because “I want to play softball close to home.” She says she especially values “learning how to pitch” among the things she has learned playing softball, and says she will take with her “the memories of playing with my friends and everything I have learned.” She received offers from Coker University and Francis Marion University. As a softball player, she has received offensive awards, defense awards and All-Region. Her hobbies include cheering and “hanging out with friends and family.” Coach Chris Weaver says, “She will thrive at FDTC.”
