Ford signs with Nicholls State

All eyes were on Kyle Ford last Wednesday as the senior standout signed a letter of intent to play for Nicholls State University in Louisiana. The Division I team is a member of the Southland Conference. Pictured above with the 6'5 Whitehouse senior are (sitting) parents Paula and Gary Ford and (standing) sister Christine Ford, Coach Wally Dawkins and grandfather Jay Ford. Ford received All-District, All-Region and All-State honors this year.

Whitehouse's Kyle Ford has earned the chance to fulfill his dream of playing basketball for a Division I school. Last Wednesday, Ford signed a national letter of intent with Nicholls State University, a member of the Southland Conference.

The Colonels finished 10-21 overall and 5-11 in conference last season, playing notable nonconference road games against Florida State, California, LSU, North Carolina and UNLV.

"I really think I can fit into their style," Ford said. "They're real shooting-oriented. They shoot the basketball and create off the dribble."

Ford led East Texas shooters with 81 threepointers this year; the 6'5 wing earned first team All-District, second team All-East Texas, first team All-Region and All-State honors his senior year.

Photos/Suzanne Loudamy

Whitehouse head coach Wally Dawkins, who has seen his fair share of talent in 21 years as the helm of the Wildcats, has praised Ford as "the complete player."

Ford averaged 13 points and five rebounds per game this year as Whitehouse reached No. 3 in the state rankings and finished 29-2 after making its first trip to the regional tournament since becoming a Class 4A school.

Ford plans to major in sports science and wants to become a physical therapist. When he heads to Thibodaux, La., Ford will go in with 21 college hours as he excels off the court, as well.

Ford ranks fifth in a class of 312 at WHS and is a member of the National Honor Society and Who's Who Among American High School Students.