‘Player of The Year’ Off to Payne College
Ashton Bonner, a 2018 graduate of Jasper County High School, signed a full scholarship to play basketball at Payne College in Augusta.
Bonner has had an outstanding varsity basketball career that culminated with him being named the Georgia High School Association’s Region 8AA Player of the Year in January and had been named Player of the Game at least 12 times in his decorated high school basketball career since 2015.
During his junior season, he was named the JCHS Player of the Year and named to the 8AA All Region Team. The 130-pound 5’ 8” guard often led the Hurricane varsity squad in posting points on game nights. He reached the 1,000 point milestone of his high school career during the 2016-2017 season as a junior.
As a freshmen, he played 27 games, scored 162 points, made 32 rebounds, 30 assists, and 11 steals. As a sophomore, he played 32 games, scored 346 points, made 80 rebounds, 118 assists, and 55 steals. As a junior, he played 28 games, scored 575 points, made 90 rebounds, 104 assists, and 30 steals.
“I just wanna thank God for blessing me with the talent to play the great sport of basketball. I want to thank all my coaches—Coach P, Coach Josh, Keldrick, and my teammates for being hard on me on the court and making me work harder than I ever worked before, and helping me become a better person on and off the court,” said the college signee.
“I want to thank my teachers for being hard on me in the classrooms, making sure I kept my grades up. I also want to thank my family and friends for being so supportive my whole life especially my parents. I appreciate all the late night talks and long speeches my dad stills tell me today about being a better man and my mom for always telling me to put God first and the rest will fall in place.
Those attending the signing included brother Landon Bonner, father Carey Bonner, Ashton, mother Terri Robinson, sister Kerri Bonner (back row) Corde Ross, Kenny Moore, Principal Buddy Cain, Coach Josh Stone, Coach Chris Pennamon, and Supt. Mike Newton.