Meridian High’s Sydney Coleman laughs after signing a national letter-of-intent with Jackson State during a ceremony Friday at the R.D. Harris building.

    The Meridian High basketball team achieved yet another impressive feat on Friday morning, with a third player from the 2010-11 squad signing to play Division I. Sydney Coleman became the third Wildcat this year to do so — joining Rodney Hood (Mississippi State) and Devin Cherry (Cornell) — as he put his name on the dotted line of a national letter-of-intent to continue his playing career at Jackson State University in the library of the R.D. Harris building on the MHS campus.

    “It’s a tremendous feeling and a great day,” said MHS coach Randy Bolden. “I think it speaks volumes about our community, our parents, our program and about the kids and the hard work they put in on the basketball court and in the classroom.

    “It’s just a big day for the whole city of Meridian.”

    Coleman, a 6-foot-6 forward, helped lead the Wildcats to their first state title since 1978 and a national ranking of 28. Coleman was Meridian’s biggest inside defensive presence throughout the year, showing spectacular shot-blocking ability.

    “Syd is a tremendous shot-blocker,” said Bolden after the team’s title-clinching game. “He’s was our inside force all year and we fed off him defensively.”

    Added fellow teammate and Mississippi State signee Rodney hood of Sydney after the 6A title game: “He’s big. He is the highest jumper in the state, hands down.”

    Coleman had been mulling over offers from Florida A&M and SE Louisiana, before finally settling on the JSU coach Tevester Anderson’s Tigers.

    “It’s close to home and has a great atmosphere,” replied Coleman when asked of why he chose the Tigers. “I really like what I saw when I went up there and visited. They have a great coaching staff. I think they can do a good job of helping me improve.

    “It feels great to get to play D-I basketball. It’s always been my dream.”

    While the prospects of the future are exciting to Coleman, he knows he is leaving great teammates and memories behind.

    “We’ve been together for four years,” added Coleman. “It’s gonna be bittersweet.”