Biloxi trio signs to next level in baseball and women’s soccer

BILOXI, Miss. (WXXV) — Three Biloxi high school student-athletes across two different sports have signed to continue their athletic and academic careers at the next level.

Evan Porter, Avery Lofton and Claire Byars each put pen to paper on Wednesday afternoon, surrounded by family, friends, teammates and coaches.

Porter will continue his baseball career as a pitcher at East Central Community College. He’s been a key part of the Indians’ success on the diamond over the past few years and has a big senior season in front of him.

“I just really liked the community there,” Porter explained when reflecting on his college decision. “The coaches treated me so well and I just really want to be part of what they had built in the past.”

Lofton is a standout forward on the pitch, and now, she’s officially signed to Holmes Community College. The former WXXV Student Athlete of the Week has already netted more than 10 goals and has over 15 assists this season.

“I chose Holmes because immediately when I met Wesley for the first time — the head coach, Wesley Noble — I fell in love with the program,” Lofton explained. “You can see where he wants to take it and how he treats the girls on the team. It’s a really impactful community, and meeting the girls on the team and past players… it just really felt like home.”

Byars will be keeping her soccer skills closer to home. The midfielder has nine goals so far, and she’ll be heading to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College after graduation.

“Honestly, I just felt the coach and the atmosphere was just really nice, and it felt like a home,” Byars explained. “So I just, I knew… I just felt like home.”