Bowens shines at combine

Garner linebacker Reggie Bowens' football recruitment will probably intensify after his performance in a recent Shrine Bowl Combine.

The 6-foot-2, 214-pound Bowens ran 40 yards in 4.41 seconds, one of the top times in the country by a linebacker, during a workout at Greene Central.

Last season, Bowens helped Garner to the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4-A state semifinals, primarily as a defensive player. He may see some work this fall on offense.

He already holds offers from South Carolina, North Carolina, Clemson and East Carolina.

South Carolina signed Garner senior defensive back Chris Culliver in February.

Bowens and Tony Morgan (6-0, 210) are expected to be Garner's defensive leaders in the fall.

"They were both very impressive," said Jim Bob Bryant, the coach at Greene Central and head of the Shrine Bowl combines, which are workouts for potential players for the Shrine Bowl Game of the Carolinas.

The last combine was held last Saturday at Greene Central. Bryant was impressed with the overall talent in the state this year.

The most impressive player might have been Wakefield receiver T.J. Graham, Bryant said, noting, "His speed is unbelievable."

One player who emerged during the combines was Greene Central quarterback William Brown (6-3, 201).

Brown played wide receiver last season, but is getting national inquiries after his combine performances, including a 4.42 40 time.

Tennessee, North Carolina, East Carolina and N.C. State have invited Brown to their camps.

HILLSIDE OFFERS: Durham Hillside runner Gary Douglass (6-1, 172) has offers from Tulsa, California, East Carolina and N.C. State. Douglas ran for 1,800 yards on a 10-3 football team in 2006.

At Hillside, Douglass may share carries with junior transfer Desmond Scott, who rushed for 1,300 yards as a sophomore at Southern Durham. Scott received college scholarship offers from N.C. State, North Carolina and Clemson before his sophomore season.

NFL DRAFT: Seven North Carolina high school products were selected in last week's NFL draft, including former Northern Durham defensive backs A.J. Davis (N.C. State) and Josh Gattis (Wake Forest), Southeast Raleigh offensive lineman Leroy Harris and East Duplin lineman Greg Peterson (N.C. Central).

By comparison, California had 36 players taken, Florida 27 and Texas 26.

JAGUAR TO PEMBROKE: Illya Hunt, a 1,000-point high school basketball scorer at Athens Drive, has signed with UNC-Pembroke.

Hunt led the Jaguars with 5.6 assists per game and averaged 3.7 steals and 8.3 points per game. She had 1,123 points, 430 assists and more than 500 steals.

"I am happy Illya has earned the opportunity to play on the next level," said Athens coach Chris Danehower.

"She has consistently displayed the ability to make plays and compete at an elite level."

The 5-6 point guard helped Athens to a 28-3 record during the 2006-07 season.

GOLFER TO ASU: East Chapel Hill's Keri Dice has signed with Appalachian State to play women's golf.

Dice was two-time team MVP at East Chapel Hill and had a 76 scoring average.