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Eleanor Roosevelt High School girls' basketball coach Rod Hairston holds in high regard each of the four Class 4A state championships that his program has won.

But a recent accomplishment by the Raiders five starters for the upcoming season means more to Hairston.

Last week, seniors Olivia Applewhite, Ahjah Hall, Elashier Hall, Nickia Gibbs and Alexis Malloy all signed national letters of intent to play with NCAA Division I programs.

Applewhite signed with Dayton University, Ahjah Hall with Duquesne, Elashier Hall with Syracuse, Gibbs with St. Francis (Pa.) and Malloy with the Air Force Academy.

Hairston called the signings one of the proudest moments of his coaching career.

"That is the ultimate individual goal for the kids," Hairston said. "When they come in as ninth graders, I ask them what are [their] goals? Most of the kids say to be able to earn an athletic scholarship to go on to the next level of basketball."

The Roosevelt girls' basketball program has won more games in the past four seasons (95) than any other public school girls' program in the state.

Hairston added he thinks more people should stop and take notice when county athletes move on to play in college.

"I think there needs to be a bigger fuss for accomplishments like this," he said. "I feel that the success of athletes is taken for granted, but what these young ladies and young men do is extraordinary."

Elsewhere

on the dotted line

Bowie High girls' basketball senior forward Robin Keke recently announced her plans to sign with Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn.

Charles H. Flowers High girls' basketball forward Keyona Bryant has committed to play for St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, N.C.

Bryant is a two-time Gazette-Star All County First Team selection. Bryant's Flowers teammate, senior forward Nikia Gorham has committed to play for North Carolina A&T.

Elizabeth Seton High senior guard Katelyn Marshall will continue her basketball career with Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Joining Marshall at IUP will be Riverdale Baptist senior forward Jasmine Brown.

Two DeMatha seniors recently made their college plans to continue their baseball careers. Stags' senior shortstop Chris Cook signed to play at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., while outfielder Daniel Dragos signed with Temple University in Philadelphia. Both Cook and Dragos were named to the Gazette-Star All-County Second Team last season.

E-mail Terron Hampton at thampton@gazette.net.