Two Warriors choose a home for the 2025 season

DAMASCUS, Ga. (WALB) - It’s been quite the past six months for Southwest Georgia Academy senior Ella Ashley. A softball state championship, a thousand points on the hardwood and today signing on the dotted line to take her talents to the next level.

Ashley will continue her athletic and academic career a Georgia Military College. She’s no stranger to getting it done on the court and the diamond, and although her time at SGA might be coming to an end, her experience with the program is unmatched, something the senior is grateful for.

”It means a lot because I’ve worked so hard and as a little kid I always wanted to play college ball and I’m really excited and I’m just really proud of myself. Ever since I was a kid I could never have imagined my senior year going this good so far it’s been incredible. I couldn’t be happier with my time here like I’m just not ready to leave,” said Ashley.

Ashley doesn’t have to leave campus just yet and the accomplishments might not be over. The Lady Warriors Basketball team is 14-2 and primed to make a deep playoff run. The 2024-2025 season could be the perfect final chapter to her athletic career in Damascus.

Fellow senior Sawyer Franklin is also headed to the next level. Franklin choosing Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College as his destination of choice. A dream Franklin didn’t even realize he wanted, but now the hard work paying off and he’s grateful for all those who supported along the way.

”I didn’t really know until a couple of years ago that’s what I really wanted to do but I’m thankful to have the opportunity to go play. It really wouldn’t be any fun without any of the fans there so I mean we just love having them come to all the games and watch us play,” said Franklin.

Both student athletes also shared a similar mindset with their selection of school.

Franklin saying, ”well I was looking for somewhere close to home and all my visits that I went on it was the place that felt the most like home.”

Ashley added, “there a lot like home, there more like how we do things here at SGA. There like a small town it just really reminds me a lot of home.”

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