Latta’s Eli Jones Named March “NETC” Male Student Athlete of the Month

Latta—Senior Eli Jones participates in three varsity sports at Latta High, but he most proud of his 111 tackles, as a linebacker with the Vikings football team this past season, that helped earn him a football scholarship to Methodist College in Fayetteville, N.C.

Jones earned “Region Player of the Year” honors in football. In basketball, his 3.1 steals a game helped earn him “Region Defensive Player of the Year” honors. In baseball, he is a speedy center fielder currently hitting at .353 with four RBI’s. Jones has been a very active student athlete at his high school since his sophomore year.

For all his hard work, Jones has been selected as the March “NETC” Male Student Athlete of the Month.   

This honor is bestowed through a partnership between the Northeastern Technical College and “The High School Sports Report” with the publication communicating with athletic directors at high schools in the counties of Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield, where NETC serves the needs of high school students seeking to earn dual credits in various subjects that can be transferred to colleges after a student’s high school graduation.

“On behalf of Latta High I would like to thank the “NETC” for honoring Eli Jones and Maddie Berry as their Student Athletes of the Month,” said Latta High athletic director Robbie Brown. “They are both outstanding student athletes who understand the importance of maintaining a balance between academics and athletics.”

Jones says he loves playing linebacker on the football team because he loves hitting people. “At the next level I want to become the best athlete I can be,” said Jones. “I will do whatever it takes to help my team win. It’s my goal to understand my job, and do my job. I feel like I am very coachable.”

In the class room, Jones maintains a 3.8 GPA on a 4.0 scale. “Academics are really important to me because my education will help set the standards for my life beyond sports,” said Jones. “A lot of kids struggle these days understanding the balance they need towards both academics and athletics. When I come home from games at night I get straight to my school work.

“I understand the need for time management and how important it is to put in the work, both in sports, and in the class room,” said Jones. “I take a lot of proud in being both a good athlete and a good student. You have to be willing to put in the time.”

  Many online courses offered through the “NETC” include: Spanish II, Anatomy & Physiology, Public Speaking, Biological Sciences II, English Composition I, Introduction Into Computers, Biological Sciences I, American History, Probably & Statistics, Micro Engineering, Human Growth & Development, American Govt., Music Appreciation, Phycology, including Art History.

Jone’s favorite online course is Phycology. He plans to major in nursing at Methodist College.