By By Matthew Nascone
Escambia County High School's Ashley Kidd and Ashanti Jones are following in the footsteps of Quartez James and Kenny Johnson. Kidd and Jones both signed scholarship papers Wednesday to play for Lurleen B. Wallace Community College next year.
They will be going together as James and Johnson both signed to play for Lawson State Community College following the 2005-06 basketball season.
"It was exciting to finally sign the paper," Kidd and Jones said simultaneously.
Kidd said the adventure that lies ahead for the duo should be an interesting one.
"I am looking forward to getting more exposure in the game at LBW," Kidd said. "And hopefully we can both move on to a bigger school after our two years there."
ECHS head coach Todd Reynolds said the transition should be smoother for the girls because they have each other to lean on.
"These two feed off each other and I know they will keep each other focused on whatever the task at hand is," Reynolds said. "It is the perfect thing for them to be going there together and they have skills that compensate each other."
The support of a family can help a student athlete succeed and Kidd has that support on the home front.
"I am just proud of what she has done great job in high school," said Gwen Kidd, Ashley's aunt. "I believe she will go all the way and there are no words to express how I am feeling. But that is my baby and I am so proud of her because she is a humble child and I know she will do great things."
And Jones is not lacking in the support department.
"Her mom and I are so proud of her and we are extremely confident she will succeed at the next level," said Jason Turner, Ashanti's stepfather. "And I know she will not only succeed on the court, but also in the classroom because she is such a smart kid."