Exciting National Signing Day for Local Athletes in Oklahoma
Oklahoma City witnessed an impressive turnout for the first National Signing Day of the 2024-25 school year this Wednesday. While football players will have to wait until next month to officially sign, many athletes from different sports celebrated their commitments to various colleges.
Among the standout athletes was Keziah Lofton, a talented left-handed guard from Bethany, who made headlines by signing her National Letter of Intent with the University of Oklahoma. Lofton, a four-star prospect, has been a crucial player for Bethany, leading the girls’ basketball team to back-to-back Class 4A state titles. “It feels great,” Lofton said about her commitment to a school she has admired since childhood. “A lot of work put in for it, and I’m glad I get the opportunity to play for my dream school.” She averaged an impressive 18.8 points per game last season, despite dealing with a minor injury.
Notably, Lofton wasn’t alone in celebrating. Teammate Kayten Donley also signed with Oral Roberts University, highlighting the successful path of both athletes in the school’s basketball history.
Meanwhile, Cal Furnish, a guard from Crossings Christian, also made his commitment official to Oral Roberts. After an intense summer of hard work, he gained attention as a three-star recruit and was thrilled to join a program that aligns with his values. “Oral Roberts was a school I always had on my radar,” Furnish shared. He led his high school team to the Class 5A state semifinals, averaging 15.6 points, five assists, and two steals last season.
Then there was Janiyah Williams from Edmond Memorial, who signed with Oregon after accumulating over 30 Division I offers. Williams expressed her excitement about the process being through, saying, “I was just really more so excited and just ready to get the process over with.” She has big aspirations, with dreams of playing professional basketball in the WNBA.
Choctaw High School also had a significant day, celebrating a record-breaking 19 athletes signing with various colleges. Among them were baseball stars Cash Williams and Gaige Albright, who both committed to Division I programs. Williams is also Choctaw’s starting quarterback, leading the football team to an impressive 8-2 record this season.
Albright, after a stellar junior season, remarked, “I’ve worked all my life to say I’m going to play baseball at the next level. This is a big step toward my goal of making the big leagues someday.” Both players remain focused on achieving success in their current seasons, with aspirations of adding a state championship to their accomplishments.
Overall, it was a day filled with happiness, hard work, and dreams realized as young athletes took the next step in their careers, marking a significant milestone in Oklahoma’s athletic community.
