Italy’s Cole Hopkins signs basketball commitment to Mary Hardin-Baylor

Image: It was a proud day for the Hopkins family and Gladiator Nation as supporters gathered inside Italy Coliseum to witness Italy High School senior, Cole Hopkins signing his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders. Pictured with Cole are father Brad Hopkins, grandfather Lawrence Maricle, grandmother Sandra Maricle, brother Jacob Hopkins, mother Cassandra Hopkins and sister Megan Hopkins.

It was a proud day for the Hopkins family and Gladiator Nation as supporters gathered inside Italy Coliseum to witness Italy High School senior, Cole Hopkins signing his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders. Pictured with Cole are father Brad Hopkins, grandfather Lawrence Maricle, grandmother Sandra Maricle, brother Jacob Hopkins, mother Cassandra Hopkins and sister Megan Hopkins. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole Hopkins displays the cake decorated to celebrate his signing to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders (UMHB) in Belton, Texas. Cole was joined by a slew of supporters as the senior put the final icing on the cake to wrap up a tremendous career at Italy High School.

Cole Hopkins displays the cake decorated to celebrate his signing to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders (UMHB) in Belton, Texas. Cole was joined by a slew of supporters as the senior put the final icing on the cake to wrap up a tremendous career at Italy High School. (Barry Byers)

Image: IHS Teacher Vivian Moreland and schoolmates Taylor Turner, Monserrat Figueroa, Meagan Hooker and Alyssa Richards are ready to serve those attending Cole’s signing.

IHS Teacher Vivian Moreland and schoolmates Taylor Turner, Monserrat Figueroa, Meagan Hooker and Alyssa Richards are ready to serve those attending Cole’s signing. (Barry Byers)

Image: Joining Cole Hopkins during signing his commitment to play college basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders are (Back row): Italy AD/HFC Hank Hollywood; basketball coaches Brian Coffman, Josh Ward and Larry Mayberry; brother Jacob Hopkins and father Brad Hopkins. (Front row): Grandmother Sandra Maricle, mother Cassandra Hopkins, Cole Hopkins, sister Megan Hopkins, and grandfather Lawrence Maricle.

Joining Cole Hopkins during signing his commitment to play college basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders are (Back row): Italy AD/HFC Hank Hollywood; basketball coaches Brian Coffman, Josh Ward and Larry Mayberry; brother Jacob Hopkins and father Brad Hopkins. (Front row): Grandmother Sandra Maricle, mother Cassandra Hopkins, Cole Hopkins, sister Megan Hopkins, and grandfather Lawrence Maricle. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole Hopkins with his Italy High School basketball coaches Brian Coffman and Larry Mayberry, Sr., as the talented senior prepares to sign his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders.

Cole Hopkins with his Italy High School basketball coaches Brian Coffman and Larry Mayberry, Sr., as the talented senior prepares to sign his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole Hopkins with his pee-wee basketball coach, Mark Jacinto, as Cole’s prepares to sign his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders.

Cole Hopkins with his pee-wee basketball coach, Mark Jacinto, as Cole’s prepares to sign his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Proud father Brad Hopkins supports his son, Cole Hopkins, as Cole prepares to sign his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders.

Proud father Brad Hopkins supports his son, Cole Hopkins, as Cole prepares to sign his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders.

Image: Cole Hopkins with his super-proud mother, Cassandra Hopkins, during Cole’s signing of his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders.

Cole Hopkins with his super-proud mother, Cassandra Hopkins, during Cole’s signing of his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole Hopkins with his older brother, Jacob Hopkins, during Cole’s signing of his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders.

Cole Hopkins with his older brother, Jacob Hopkins, during Cole’s signing of his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders.

Image: Cole Hopkins with his older sister, Megan Hopkins, during Cole’s signing of his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders. Megan currently attends Navarro College.

Cole Hopkins with his older sister, Megan Hopkins, during Cole’s signing of his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders. Megan currently attends Navarro College. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole Hopkins is joined by his grandparents, Lawrence and Sandra Maricle, during his commitment signing to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to play basketball for the Crusaders.

Cole Hopkins is joined by his grandparents, Lawrence and Sandra Maricle, during his commitment signing to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to play basketball for the Crusaders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole Hopkins is joined by his fellow senior boy student-athletes who are supporting Cole as he signs his commitment letter to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to play basketball for the Crusaders. (Back row): Paul Harris, Hayden Woods, Reid Jacinto, Zackery Boykin, Chase Hamilton, Ryheem Walker and Adrian Reed. (Front row): Blake Vega, Caden Jacinto, Cole Hopkins, Marvin Cox and Jalarnce Lewis.

Cole Hopkins is joined by his fellow senior boy student-athletes who are supporting Cole as he signs his commitment letter to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to play basketball for the Crusaders. (Back row): Paul Harris, Hayden Woods, Reid Jacinto, Zackery Boykin, Chase Hamilton, Ryheem Walker and Adrian Reed. (Front row): Blake Vega, Caden Jacinto, Cole Hopkins, Marvin Cox and Jalarnce Lewis. (Barry Byers)

Image: During his signing party to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Cole Hopkins is joined by Italy Gladiator Basketball teammates and coaches. (Back row): Head coach Brian Coffman, Darol Mayberry, assistant coach Larry Mayberry, Sr., Cody Boyd, Kevin Roldan, Zain Byers, John Escamilla, Tyler Anderson, Mason Womack, Levi McBride and assistant coach Josh Ward. (Front row): Reid Jacinto, Caden Jacinto, Cole Hopkins, Marvin Cox and Ryheem Walker.

During his signing party to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Cole Hopkins is joined by Italy Gladiator Basketball teammates and coaches. (Back row): Head coach Brian Coffman, Darol Mayberry, assistant coach Larry Mayberry, Sr., Cody Boyd, Kevin Roldan, Zain Byers, John Escamilla, Tyler Anderson, Mason Womack, Levi McBride and assistant coach Josh Ward. (Front row): Reid Jacinto, Caden Jacinto, Cole Hopkins, Marvin Cox and Ryheem Walker. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole Hopkins, is joined by his fellow senior student-athletes who are proudly supporting Cole as he signs his commitment letter to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to play basketball for the Crusaders. (Back row): Zackery Boykin, Katie Byers, Adrian Reed, Paul Harris and Alyssa Richards. (Middle row): Hayden Woods, Blake Vega, Morgan Martinez, Chase Hamilton, Jalarnce Lewis, Meagan hooker and Morgan Cockerham. (Front row): Reid Jacinto, Caden Jacinto, Cole Hopkins, Marvin Cox and Ryheem Walker.

Cole Hopkins, is joined by his fellow senior student-athletes who are proudly supporting Cole as he signs his commitment letter to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to play basketball for the Crusaders. (Back row): Zackery Boykin, Katie Byers, Adrian Reed, Paul Harris and Alyssa Richards. (Middle row): Hayden Woods, Blake Vega, Morgan Martinez, Chase Hamilton, Jalarnce Lewis, Meagan hooker and Morgan Cockerham. (Front row): Reid Jacinto, Caden Jacinto, Cole Hopkins, Marvin Cox and Ryheem Walker. (Barry Byers)

Image: The moment of truth: After the intensity of the signing party subsided and while guests were mingling, Cole Hopkins makes it official as he signs his letter of commitment to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor as close friends and teammates, John Byers and Zain Byers, seem in awe of the moment.

The moment of truth: After the intensity of the signing party subsided and while guests were mingling, Cole Hopkins makes it official as he signs his letter of commitment to play basketball for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor as close friends and teammates, John Byers and Zain Byers, seem in awe of the moment.

Image: Cole’s biggest fan, Hannah Washington, is proud as he makes the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor his choice to play collegiate basketball.

Cole’s biggest fan, Hannah Washington, is proud as he makes the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor his choice to play collegiate basketball.

Image: Italy Gladiator senior, Cole Hopkins, being interviewed by Billy Wessels of Waxahachie Daily Light Sports, during Hopkins’ signing party as he selects the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders to play collegiate basketball. Hopkins, received a full scholarship to attend UMBH.

Italy Gladiator senior, Cole Hopkins, being interviewed by Billy Wessels of Waxahachie Daily Light Sports, during Hopkins’ signing party as he selects the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders to play collegiate basketball. Hopkins, received a full scholarship to attend UMBH. (Barry Byers)

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