B-HP lineman Ashley commits to Coastal Carolina

By Keith Farner

Monday, January 11, 2010

Belton-Honea Path senior offensive lineman Matthew Ashley verbally committed to Coastal Carolina on Friday. The Shrine Bowler chose Coastal over Marshall, Gardner-Webb, Liberty and North Greenville.

“They really hunted him down,” B-HP coach Wayne Green said of Coastal. “I think he was one of their top priorities at any position.”

The two other prominent B-HP seniors, all-purpose standouts Nino Woolridge and Jacob Tavernier, haven’t chosen a school yet.

Woolridge is choosing between Gardner-Webb, Catawba, Carson Newman, and Coastal. Tavernier hasn’t received an offer yet, Green said.

“A lot of the football people are afraid he wants to do baseball, which I think he does,” Green said.

Because Woolridge and Tavernier have played at least three positions each, that versatility has led to tough decisions for college coaches, and high school coaches choosing all-star teams.