Hamilton County's Manny Aldama, Monique Bryant and Fabian Reid will continue their athletic careers in college. 

JASPER — Three student-athletes from Hamilton County High School signed letters-of-intent in front of a packed crowd inside the HCHS gymnasium Wednesday.

Defensive tackle Fabian Reid signed to play football with Division II Shorter University of Rome, Georgia. Guard Monique Bryant signed to play basketball with Florida State College of Jacksonville, and midfielder Manny Aldama signed to play soccer with Truett McConnell University in Cleveland, Georgia.

Reid, who played four years of varsity football, led the Trojans in tackles his senior season and was named to the Class 1A All-State second team.

He spoke about the pride of playing for Hamilton County and being able to sign in front of hundreds of people from the community. 

“Having the respect from where I’m from — it’s like you’re a leader in your city. Everybody depends on you,” Reid said. “This is every kid’s dream to come out in front of the school and sign in front of the crowd.”

The 6-foot-2-inch, 265-pound DT was part of the 2014 HCHS team that advanced to the state championship. Reid played his final two seasons under current HCHS head coach Seth Stebbins.

“I can count the number of times on one hand that Fay missed anything,” Stebbins said. “He was consistent, grinds in practice. He does everything. And not just on Friday nights. That’s why he’s going on to play in college.”

Bryant, like Reid, was a fixture on varsity teams. She joined the HCHS varsity basketball squad as an eighth grader and played for coach Gregory Taylor all five years.

Taylor addressed the crowd before Bryant signed, praising her for overcoming extremely difficult moments in her life, including the loss of her mother.  

“All the people I’ve lost in the past few years — particularly my mother and my auntie — I just think about how I have to make them proud to keep playing because I know they would want me to continue,” Bryant said. 

Bryant said the support she received helped her achieve her goal of playing college basketball.  

“My coaches, my godparents and my uncle really supported me,” she said. “As I got older, I understood how hard it is to get a spot at the next level. I made sure I worked hard to get there.”

Aldama — a versatile player who saw action at goalie, midfield, defense and forward — is the first HCHS student-athlete to get a soccer scholarship.

Trojans soccer coach Horacio Perez first saw Aldama play in seventh grade. Perez has seen Aldama succeed in both high school and travel soccer.

“Manny has played for UFA (United Futbol Academy) in Georgia. He made the prestigious travel team associated with Atlanta United. To see Manny get this opportunity is a big thing for our school and his family,” Perez said. 

“I love Hamilton and my team and I’m thankful I’m the first one to sign,” Aldama said. “It’s amazing to have this experience.”