West Lauderdale High School senior basketball standout Mallory Wooldridge, center front, and former West Lauderdale baseball standout and current East Central Community College pitcher Mason Wooldridge, left front, both signed Friday morning with Blue Mountain College to continue their respective careers. They were joined by, front row, sister Maggie Wooldridge; back row, grandmother Sue McDonald, Lady Knights basketball coach Matt Lum, grandfather Richard McDonald, grandmother Margie Wooldridge, Blue Mountain Athletic Director Lavon Driskell, mother Kristy Wooldridge and father Jeremy Wooldridge.

COLLINSVILLE — Mallory Wooldridge had an idea.

After the West Lauderdale High School senior decided she would continue her basketball career at Blue Mountain College, she checked to see if her older brother, Mason, would follow her. The former Knights starting pitcher, who is currently in his sophomore season at at East Central Community College, would ultimately go along with the plan, as the two signed letters of intent for Blue Mountain Friday morning.

“I talked to Mason, and he said he didn’t know what he was doing (after East Central), and I said, ‘Mason, you should come play at Blue Mountain,’ and he decided to come with me,” Mallory Wooldridge said.

Mason Wooldridge said he liked the fact Blue Mountain was a Christian school and felt it fit him the best. It also helps to have his sister there with him, he added.

“It’s pretty important knowing someone can help me out with my homework and stuff,” Mason Wooldridge said. “We get along pretty well.”

Mallory Wooldridge leaves West Lauderdale as one of its top scoring threats, having averaged 10 points a game this past season. She said she will play either the two or three at Blue Mountain and is grateful for the chance to continue with basketball.

“I love basketball; it’s my favorite sport,” Mallory Wooldridge said. “It’s not just an individual sport — it’s like having five fingers on your hand. Five fingers make a fist, and if you play like a fist, you’re unstoppable, but if you have that one person who isn’t there, you can’t play.”

West Lauderdale girls basketball coach Matt Lum said Blue Mountain wasn’t just getting an excellent player.

“More importantly, she’s an excellent kid,” Lum said. “She’s probably one of the better pure shooters in the state. She’s a very good passer, has very good knowledge of the game and has good fundamentals.”

Getting to see one of his players fulfill a goal is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a coach, Lum added.

“It’s always good to see your kids reach their goals and get an opportunity to get their education paid for,” Lum said. “To get an education and continue doing what you love, you couldn’t ask for more for your kids.”

Like her older brother, Mallory Wooldridge was drawn toward the Christian school aspect of Blue Mountain.

“It’s smaller and has the right values that I need,” Mallory Wooldridge said. “I prayed about it, and God led me toward Blue Mountain.”

Thought it’s several hours away from home, Mallory Wooldridge said she doesn’t mind the distance from her parents.

“I kind of like it,” she said. “I don’t really like to be at home much. It’s not too far — it’s just the right distance.”

Mallory and Mason Wooldridge are the children of Kristy and Jeremy Wooldridge.