LAURINBURG — Scotland High School senior Niem Ratliffe will continue his hoops career at the collegiate level as he signed his letter of intent to play Division III basketball at Sandhills Community College.

The Scots sharp shooter wanted to stay close to home and felt like Sandhills was a good stepping stone for him.

“I felt like I had a better opportunity to play and it’s closer to home,” he said. “It’s also an opportunities for bigger college recruits to see me play.”

Sandhills Community College is part of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Sandhills plays in Region 10 along with Central Carolina, Davidson County, Johnston Community College, Virginia Western Community College and Wytheville.

The Flyers are coached by Mike Apple, who will be entering is seventh season this fall, and have had great success under his tutelage including a National Championship during their 2011-12 season. Since then the Flyers have averaged 24 wins per season.

For the 2017-18 season Sandhills finished 27-6 overall and 7-2 in conference play. The Flyers were the Region 10 tournament champions before they fell to Montgomery College, 85-59, in the NJCAA Division III District VII semi-finals on March 3.

Apple said he is excited to have Ratliffe join the Flyers because he can always use shooters.

“We feel like we’re getting a good one in Niem who will be able to contribute right away,” Apple said. “The thing Niem does so well is he shoots the ball, there is always room for a shooter in basketball regardless of what level you play. I think Niem was undefeated in Moore County this past year, we certainly hope he stays that way.”

Niem earned first team All-District 8 for a second consecutive year and is being considered for the All-State team, those rosters will be released next month. He also hit a landmark of scoring 1,000 career points this season.

The Scots leading scorer also earned all-conference and all-region for the third year in a row. Niem paced the Scots this season with 17.2 points per game. He also led the team with 2.9 steals per game and shot 84 percent from the free-throw line. Niem was the Scots leading three-point shooter as well making 56 from beyond the arc this season.

Niem plans to study physical therapy or nursing and pursue a career in one of those fields — traveling away from the area.

“I liked the programs, it seemed perfect for me,” he said.

Sandhills is 30 minutes from Laurinburg, which will give Niem’s family and Scotland teammates a chance to come watch him play for the Flyers.

“I’m going to miss playing for Scotland, it hasn’t kicked in yet but I’m for sure going to miss it,” he said.

Scotland head coach Matt Justin is certainly going to miss his leading scorer and floor general next season, but is proud of the athlete and young man Niem has become over the last three years.

“He had a few schools show interest, but Sandhills stuck out to him because coach Apple was persistent in pursuing him,” Justin said. “If Niem goes there, plays well and does good in his classes he could get a scholarship to a four-year college. When I arrived he was a sophomore, he’s been a three-year starter for me.”

Amber Hatten-Staley can be reached at 910-506-3170 or [email protected].

Amber Hatten-Staley | Laurinburg Exchange Fighting Scots senior Niem Ratliffe, center, signed his letter of intent to play basketball for Sandhills Community College in the fall. Ratliffe was joined by his family on Thursday for the signing.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_IMG_0024.jpgAmber Hatten-Staley | Laurinburg Exchange Fighting Scots senior Niem Ratliffe, center, signed his letter of intent to play basketball for Sandhills Community College in the fall. Ratliffe was joined by his family on Thursday for the signing.
Scots hoops star remains close to home

By Amber Hatten-Staley

Sports editor