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From left, T.J. Waller, Moses McDowell and Omarion Pinckney.
Three of Daleville High’s most talented athletes signed scholarships on Friday to continue their academic and playing careers on the next level.
Omarion Pinckney signed for football at Alabama State University, Moses McDowell for basketball and Alabama A&M and T.J. Waller for track and field at Talladega College.
Pinckney, who was a star quarterback for the Warhawks, rushed for 1,613 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior and threw for 879 yards with six TDs. He’s projected to be a defensive back at Alabama State.
“Out of all the schools that wanted me, I felt like I got the most love from there,” Pinckney said of the college located in Montgomery. “It’s HBCU and I want to get up there and learn more about my history.
“I have a couple of friends going up there, so I’m excited to go ball out with them.”
While Pinckney said he’s likely to be a safety for the Hornets, he’s open to wherever needed on the field.
“Whenever I get up there, I just know I’m an athlete, so I can play any position they put me at.”
Omarion Pinckney signed with Alabama State on Friday.
Pinckney believes leadership is among his best attributes.
“Being able to keep the team together and just have that X factor knowing whenever I get in my zone, it’s real hard to stop me.”
Pinckney is thankful for those who helped him reach this level.
“Everybody I’ve ever played with on the high school team here … all my coaches, parents, my siblings … there are really more people than I can name,” Pinckney said. “It means a lot and just means all this work I put in over the past four years is paying off. But I know this is just the beginning, so I’ve got to keep working.”
McDowell is a 6-foot-4 guard/forward who averaged a Wiregrass best 23.9 points per game this past season, along with averaging 11 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and 1.4 steals per game. He also hit 83.7 percent from the free throw line.
McDowell now aims to improve his game at Alabama A&M, which is located in Huntsville.
“I always wanted to find somewhere (college-wise) where I could feel like I belonged,” McDowell said of his choice. “So one day, I just decided to go visit the place, and I could just tell by stepping one foot on campus that it was the place for me.
Moses McDowell signed with Alabama A&M on Friday.
“When I finally met coach (Otis) Hughley for the first time and the way he guided his leadership onto his players, I really realized he can get me to the place I want to get to and go to the next level.”
McDowell doesn’t expect instant stardom on the college level.
“To be honest, really I’m not expecting to do much my freshman year,” McDowell said. “I just want to be doing everything my coach tells me to do. Whatever he needs me to do is the player I’ll become.”
McDowell relies heavily on his Christian faith and is also appreciative of those that have helped him achieve this goal of signing.
“Jesus has really been the head of my life in everything,” McDowell said. “And Mrs. (Diana, counselor) Virgil and my coach (Tim Waller). I knew if I just worked hard and stayed dedicated to my craft and just kept studying hard and be in the books that one day eventually it was going to pay off.
“And my family has been a good support system. They’re really been a deep help in my life, just to keep moving forward and staying humble and staying grounded.
“It’s really a day of new beginnings. A lot of people didn’t think I was going to make it this far because we didn’t have such a great season. But the great thing about it, is you can be from somewhere but you can make it out.”
T.J. Waller signed with Talladega College on Friday.
Waller is coming off a third-place finish in the shot put during the AHSAA Outdoor Track and Field State Championships in Gulf Shores last weekend.
He’s very familiar with Talladega College, where both his parents attended.
“I’m already used to the whole college life in Talladega,” Waller said. “I’ve been going there for the past couple of years just to scout the scene and do campus tours.”
Waller didn’t consider track and field being in his future until his sophomore year at Daleville.
“I didn’t know I was going to be that good at it until my 10th grade year when I made it to state,” Waller said. “But I kept pushing myself more trying to get that first, second or third place. This year was my last year, so I kept pushing and I got more training and it got me to reach my goal of getting in the top three in the state.”
Waller was asked what the signing day meant for him.
“It’s more like a blessing to actually sign so I can leave my mark where I actually did something at the school,” Waller said.
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From left, T.J. Waller, Moses McDowell and Omarion Pinckney.
Omarion Pinckney signed with Alabama State on Friday.
Moses McDowell signed with Alabama A&M on Friday.
T.J. Waller signed with Talladega College on Friday.
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