Terrell Academy’s Conor Walsh signs with Berry

DAWSON — Terrell Academy guard Conor Walsh signed a letter-of-intent Friday to continue his basketball career at Berry College.

According to Terrell Academy boys coach Robert Bryant, Walsh may be the first male basketball player from the school to sign a college letter-of-intent.

“I’m 99.9% sure,” Bryant said.

In addition to Berry, Walsh was also being recruited by Emory and Oxford but in the end, he decided on Berry.

“When I went to visit the campus last Wednesday, I pretty much just fell in love with the campus,” Walsh said. “I talked with the coach and he gave me a tour of the campus. He told me how this team could be something in a few years. They’re all young and with me coming in and a couple of other recruits, we could really build something here and be great.”

Walsh had a stellar career for the Eagles, earning Player of the Year honors this year for GISA Class AAA. Walsh also earned the same honors in Class AA last year when Terrell Academy was at that level.

Walsh finished his high school career with 1,433 points and was all-state both his junior and senior seasons. He also was a member of the GISA all-star team. Walsh credited Bryant for coming in and turning around the program and for helping him grow as a player.

“It’s been great,” Walsh said. “Our ninth-grade year was tough and we weren’t very good. We actually had a different coach. Once Coach Bryant came my 10th-grade year, the team got better. It’s been a blast all four years. I’ve loved getting closer to the team, getting closer to the coach and everybody helping me out. It’s been great.”