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Rawls signs with CSU
Rawls signing
Bryan County High School standout Olonna Rawls, front row center, signed with Columbus State on June 18 after a stellar career at BCHS. Photo provided.

Bryan County High School girls’ basketball coach Mario Mincey has seen some talented players in his time in Pembroke.

Olonna Rawls is up there with the best of them.

“I could write a book about this girl,” Mincey said during a June 18 ceremony livestreamed from the BCHS media center before Rawls signed to play at Columbus State University.

“I first saw her at one of our summer camps as a rising 6th grader and knew she had some great potential,” Mincey said.

“Olonna has great work ethic in the classroom and on the court. Columbus State is getting one of the best players to ever play at BCHS and one of the best in the state of Georgia.” A four-year starter, Rawls helped lead the Lady Redskins to a 96-21 record, three region titles and four trips to the state tournament. Along the way she scored 2,270 career points, racked up two region Player of the Year awards and was a three-time All State selection by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Despite her ability to put the ball in the basket, coaches and teammates said Rawls was more than a scorer, and was described as unflappable, humble and “willing to do whatever it took for us to win a ballgame.”

Rawls said she was thankful for the opportunity and for her family.

“I love all y’all to death,” she said. “I’m just grateful. I’m truly blessed.”

Rawls is the fifth Lady Redskin to sign a basketball scholarship in the last four years.

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