By CINDY CROSBY
cindyc4@yahoo.com
Colleton County High School Cougar Basketball standout Stephan Gadson signed to continue his academic and athletic career at the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie last week. The Indians participate in NJCAA Division I in Region X.
“My drive to be a great basketball player influenced me to choose Salk because I knew it was a good fit,” said Gadson. “Salk has put good players into great schools, and I just know I am next. I feel like I can play a big role in the game. I have never been the player to back down from competition. I have enough confidence to say I feel like my game will translate well at the next level — maybe more than in high school.
“Salk is also a good fit for me academically with smaller classes,” said Gadson. “I won’t make the same mistake twice. I know what I have to do to make my dreams come true — and it is going to get done.”
Gadson credits his former coaches with helping him develop throughout the years. “I learned a lot from each coach I had, but I would say Coach Mullins taught me the ropes, like the little things I was missing. I was already a good player, but I was just missing the little things and he tried to push that out of me every game, every practice, every play. Coach Matthew Bennett helped me tremendously and assisted with the recruiting process.
“I also want to thank God, my family, and everyone who helped me on the road to college,” said Gadson. “I just want to say that I’m not close to being finished yet, and I feel I have a lot left to accomplish.
“I want to do great things at Salk, then be able to transfer to a Division I school. It is one of my biggest dreams to be a UNC Tarheel,” said Gadson.
