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Severt, Clawson sign with Bryan
NAIA school takes a pair of South Caldwell, Post 29 players By Justin Parker, Sports editor Josh Severt and Shane Clawson have been teammates for a long time. By accepting scholarships and signing with Bryan College this month, the Caldwell County products committed to play alongside one another for a little longer. Bryan is a four-year, NAIA Division I Christian school in Dayton, Tenn., and the 2007 South Caldwell graduates will be utilized as both pitchers and outfielders. "I feel pretty good about it," Severt says. "I think it'll be a new experience for me. ...I'm going with one of my best friends." Clawson and Severt, key cogs on South Caldwell's 2007 4-A state title team, played this past school year at Surry Community College. Both are starters for Post 29 this summer. Severt is hitting .350 with two home runs and Clawson is hitting .333 with four homers. Both are 2-0 on the mound. They've known one another since they played on a USSSA team as 12 year-olds. "We've been there for each other ever since," Severt says. The two played separately in middle school as Clawson attended Granite Falls and Severt Hudson. Then they rejoined forces at South Caldwell and were starting outfielders on the Spartans' title team. They signed to play junior college ball at Surry and they jumped at the chance to play together at Bryan. "There were no ifs, ands or buts about it," Clawson says of the chance to play at a four-year school. Clawson says the two have developed a chemistry playing in the same outfield for a number of years. "Me and him know how to work together, know how to talk and know how to communicate," he says. Post 29 coach Gary Hamby says it's good to see local players move on to the next level. It's even better, he says, that they go together. "I'm totally thrilled and feel like it's a unique and special situation they're moving into," Hamby says. "It's special to see guys moving on together. I know they're excited about going over there as a package deal. I think it'll work in their favor." Another Caldwell native is a part of the Bryan program. Former 29er and West Caldwell product Jeremy Deal played at Bryan and is now an assistant coach. It's conceivable one more Caldwell resident could join the mix. The Lions are also recruiting 29er shortstop Gordy Hendrix, a recent West Caldwell graduate.
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