Area athletes sign National Letters of Intent

This week, several central Indiana prep athletes closed the books on the recruitment process as they solidified their collegiate futures by signing their National Letters of Intent. Surrounded by their coaches and families, those putting ink to paper include Covenant Christian's Andrew Smith, Park Tudor's Micah Johnson, Anderson's Nolan Earley, Indian Creek's Shelby Hullet and Hamilton Southeastern's Paige Smith and Courtney Osborn. Smith, a 6-foot-10, center signed to play NCAA Division I basketball for coach Brad Stevens' Butler Bulldogs. In his career, the senior has led or has been in the state's top-three in blocked shots, rebounds and field goal percentage. "Butler plays team basketball, and I believe that will bring out my best game," Smith commented on his decision to sign with the Bulldogs. "Butler basketball is the purest expression of this great game it he Hoosier state, and I'm honored to play for coach Stevens and the Butler Bulldogs." Blake Leyden, a soccer player at Covenant Christian, will also attend Butler and will continue his career with their men's program. Johnson signed with NCAA Division I Indiana University to play baseball next season. The Park Tudor second baseman was named first-team IHSBCA All-State as a sophomore. Earley, an IHSBCA All-State centerfielder last year, chose NCAA Division I South Alabama to pursue his baseball career. Earley finished his junior season with a .488 batting average and set an Anderson school-record with 47 RBIs. Hullett of Indian Creek will attend NCAA Division I Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis to play tennis next season. Paige Smith signed with NCAA Division II Grand Valley State University to continue her basketball career. In three prep seasons, Smith has amassed 642 points, 385 rebounds and 75 steals. The three-year letter winner and Junior All-State selection helped steer the Royals to a 63-10 record the last three seasons. She is also a four-year letter winner in volleyball and three-year letter winner in track and field. Osborn, a Junior All-State selection, signed with NCAA Division I Miami University (Ohio) to play basketball. In her career, the three-year letter winner has netted 876 points, 307 rebounds, 262 assists and 188 steals. In her tenure with the Royals, the team has won a sectional and regional title.