Columbus High basketball players headed to Alabama, Kentucky in SEC

They are close friends and have been teammates since they were in middle school. Over the next few years, Tatyana Wyatt and Ariyah Copeland will be trying to whip each other as rivals.

Each of the Columbus High School basketball players signed a letter of intent with a Southeastern Conference school Tuesday.

Wyatt will play for the University of Kentucky, a school she chose over suitors such as Vanderbilt and Georgetown.

Copeland will wear the crimson of the University of Alabama. Other schools showing interest included Miami and Western Kentucky.

“I can’t wait,” Wyatt said of future games playing against Copeland.

About those battles, Copeland remarked, “it will really be fun.”

Both girls, who first became teammates at Arnold Middle School, said they were glad to get the recruiting process out of the way so they can get to work leading the Blue Devils to a state title. The team went 26-5 last season and coach Joe Cherrone said it is currently ranked No. 1 in Class 4A.

The two players are both 6-foot-3 and play a lot under the basket.

“They are both very physical players,” Cherrone said. “They respect each other’s game and enjoy playing together. Two girls going from Columbus High to Division I is impressive.”

He feels they are among the best players in the state and said both play with a lot of confidence.

Cherrone called Wyatt a “great leader.”

Copeland has had two ACL surgeries and this will be only her second year to get much playing time.

“It is remarkable what she had done. She is a hard worker and has great integrity,” Cherrone said.

Last season, Wyatt averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds per game. Copeland averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Talking about recruiting, Wyatt said the atmosphere at Kentucky was “cool” and she really liked the coaches.

Of her visit to Alabama, Copeland said the coaches made her feel comfortable.

“I was looking for a school that really needed me,” Copeland said.

This story was originally published November 15, 2016 at 4:41 PM with the headline "Columbus High basketball players headed to Alabama, Kentucky in SEC."