Newton County Academy had two more tennis players sign to play at the next level.
NCA’s Madison Busby and Anna Turner signed to play at Southwest Mississippi Community College on Monday in a ceremony at the school.
NCA has now had three players sign this season. Anna Moore previously signed with East Central.
“They have put the work in and got offered before all of this coronavirus happened,” NCA coach Pete Mazzella said. “I told the team that this is why you can’t take anything for granted. Those three players didn’t have to rely on having a great senior year to be able to play at the next level.”
Mazzella said Busby’s resilience finally paid off for her.
“She started with us late and didn’t start until her 10th grade year,” Mazzella said. “She has as good of an attitude as any player I have had. She has always worked hard. She has had a lot of things not go her way. I think this is a kind of testament that if you work hard, good things can come from it.”
Mazzella said Busby and Turner went down for a tryout before spring break and were offered scholarships the same day.
“They saw the potential in her and Anna both,” Mazzella said. “They went down there and tried out with the coach and the local pro, and they offered them that day. They got their shoe sizes and uniform sizes that day.”
Mazzella said Turner had a strong junior year.
“Anna started playing her ninth grade year, and she is another that is a hard worker,” Mazzella said. “Softball kept her from practicing as much as I would have liked her to. She earned a starting spot her junior year and played mixed doubles for us. She really took off after winning that spot. She has turned into a backboard kind of player. She’s a fighter on the court and has a great attitude.”
