MINT HILL, NC – During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s good to confirm some deserving athletes are getting the recognition they deserve. At Independence High School, we learned from Athletic Director Elijah Ashley the following athletes have signed Letters of Intent to participate in competitive college sports.

The athletes are Braylyn Milton (basketball, University of Cincinnati), Jessica Timmons (basketball, North Carolina State University), Brandon Moser (baseball, North Carolina Central University), Wilson Lohrer (baseball, Southeastern Community College), and Mallory Shaver, (softball, University of South Carolina Aiken).

Braylyn Milton is the most highly recruited homegrown athlete in this group of fine young student-athletes. Over her three-year career, the 6’0″ guard has averaged 18.2 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.4 steals per game.  She has scored a total of 1,286 points and still has her senior season to be played starting in January 2021.

Milton is rated as a top prospect in the state of North Carolina; she is a three-time selection to Southwestern 4A All-Conference team and is an all All-Tournament selection, a three-time North Carolina District 9 honoree, and a 2020 Charlotte Observer All-Defensive Team Award Winner.

Jessica Timmons, a guard who is a transfer from North Mecklenburg High School, is ranked No. 45 overall and No.18 for her position reported by ESPN. She is only one of four 2021 five-star prospects in North Carolina. She has averaged 24.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.9 steals per game in her junior season.

The backcourt of Milton and Timmons will be a fantastic combination this upcoming girls basketball season. Also, with Averie DiBenedetto returning, a scrappy and always hustling guard, the team is loaded at this position. Timmons is a great replacement for Trinity Thompson who averaged 15.2 points per game in her senior season.

Brandon Moser, who will be heading to North Carolina Central University after his final season at Independence was selected as an Atlantic Region Honorable Mention and is a Pre-season 2021 Underclass All-American candidate in the region. In 2019 the reliable third basemen who handles the hot corner for the Patriots had a batting average of .455, OPS 1.357, and an OBP .538.

Mallory Shaver will be entering her senior season as a very consistent performer for the Lady Patriots softball team. In 2019 she hit at a .479 pace, had 34 hits, 25 RBIs, and scored 29 runs with 2 HRs. In the shortened 2020 season, she had a batting average of .467, OBP .556, with 7 RBIs and a HR in just four games played due to the pandemic. She is expected to pick up right where she left off in 2021.

Wilson Moser has played two years, his freshman and sophomore years, on the Junior Varsity team at Independence with some solid baseball statistics. The outfielder who stands at 6’2″ and 185 pounds bats and throws from the left side with a sweet swing. His junior year, when he earned a starting position for the Patriots, was shortened due to the pandemic . He ended up batting .1000 after just one game. He has played Showcase baseball for the Charlotte Megastars and carries a 4.0 GPA. Hopefully, 2021 will be a breakout season where he can showcase his abilities for college recruiters.