Calhoun’s Josie Montgomery off to Concord
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MT. ZION -- Most student-athletes go to college to play one sport.
That's not going to be the case for Calhoun County senior Josie Montgomery, who earlier this month inked with Concord University to play both basketball and golf.
It was a package the first team Class A all-state hoopster couldn't pass up. Between her scholarship money from roundball and the rest coming from the links, she's all but got a full ride to compete for the Mountain Lions.
"I did have some other schools in mind,. However, I was pretty set on going to Concord," admitted Montgomery, who carries a 4.2-plus GPA, will have more than 30 credit hours via the Glenville State College dual enrollment program, is the treasurer for student council and is also a member of both the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta.
"Both (sports) were incorporated into one (signing). The assistant basketball coach Tesla (Southcott) is actually the head golf coach for the girls. That's kind of how it worked out."
Montgomery not only helped the Red Devils reach the state tournament for the first time in school history as a junior, but this past fall she was a member of the first Calhoun County golf team to ever advance to state. The Red Devils also won their state quarterfinal game versus River View.
"During COVID, 2020, I went to an unofficial visit there and then we kind of just stayed in touch with them whenever I could," said the planned future physical therapist. "They had a camp earlier this year and after that they had told me we're going to give you a full ride.
"Not technically a full ride, but I'll have everything paid but the $50 dorm fee and your books. He (coach Kenny Osborne) gave me until Thanksgiving. When I went to the unofficial visit it was to tour the campus and play some basketball."
The Red Devil will be joining fellow Ohio Valley Dragons teammate Abbie Smith of Warren High School in Athens.
"I know Riley Fitzwater. However, she's graduating," Montgomery said of the Concord pivot. "I know her pretty well. I have played against a few other girls on high school basketball teams against each other and now we will be teammates."
Montgomery said she likely has played her last games for the Dragons.
"I'll get into the Concord workouts that they have out for me and start playing golf a lot," she said. "Getting faster and stronger. I'm not playing against 16 and 18 year olds anymore. I'll be playing against 20 or 21 year olds who are going to be a lot stronger than me. I definitely need to hit the weight room and pick up some speed-wise.
"Hopefully, that helps a lot. That should improve my game making me stronger and faster on the court. I can always improve my shooting percentage, my ballhandling and stronger takes to the basket definitely need to be improved. Definitely a lot of room for improvement in my game."
When it comes to golf, the Red Devil said she's only been playing for three years.
"It's definitely going to be a lot different. It's going to be a little challenging to keep both, working two sports while juggling college," Montgomery added. "I'm super excited to like start a new chapter, but I'm really kind of devastated this is like my last high school year all around.
"Kind of like nervous of how fast time is actually going by. It just seems like it was the first day of school. I think I'll be able to handle playing two sports and doing college classes. I think I'll be fine. I don't have to take a heavy load my freshman semester and that will help me out."
Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com