Meridian High’s Hedgemon signs with Tougaloo

Published 5:31 pm Monday, February 2, 2026

Meridian High School’s BaLeigh Hedgemon signed Friday to continue her basketball career at Tougaloo College after graduation. Photo by Thomas Howard

The Meridian High School Lady Wildcats basketball team celebrated one of their own Friday as BaLeigh Hedgemon signed to continue her athletic career at Tougaloo College after graduation. A force for the Wildcats on the court, Hedgemon leads her team in three-pointers with 23 so far.

Friday’s signing marked the culmination of a years-long basketball journey that began in seventh grade, Hedgemon said, and it took a lot of hard work to reach this point.

“It feels great. It’s a lot of hard work that you have to get this far in life, this far in basketball, so it’s kind of all about discipline and staying loyal to the game,” she said.

Hedgemon said her dream has always been to play college basketball and attend a Historically Black College and University. Tougaloo, she said, allows her to fulfill both of those dreams while staying close to home.

In addition to her work on the court, Hedgemon plans to major in business and go into real estate.

Lady Wildcats basketball coach Tre Collins said he has been coaching Hedgemon since her days at Magnolia Middle School and has been able to see her development as a player from the beginning.

“When our journey started then, I didn’t know that God was going to have it in store for us to be able to be player, coach one day, with that special relationship,” he said. “I’m so thankful to God for it. I’m thankful for the Hedgemons, and I’m thankful for the opportunity for her to further her athletic and more importantly, her academic career at Tougaloo College.”

Collins said Tougaloo holds a special place for him as it is also the school where he scored the first points of his college basketball career while playing for William Carey University.

Hedgemon said she wants to thank everyone who helped and encouraged her, including her coaches, family, school administrators, teammates and more. It’s that support that made Friday’s signing possible, she said.

“Thanks for everyone coming out today, and I will forever cherish your sacrifice to be here,” she said. “Number 24 out.”