Clay Durham

Henry County High School senior Clay Durham (seated, center) announced he is accepting a scholarship to play tennis and attend Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson. Pictured during Friday’s signing ceremony at HCHS are (front row, from left) Leigh Anne, Clay and Steve Durham; (second row) Freed-Hardeman’s Stark Davis and HCHS tennis coach Ed Gettys.

Henry County High School senior tennis player Clay Durham will be packing his tennis racket up this fall when he attends Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson.

The son of Leigh Anne and Steve Durham of Paris, Durham accepted a scholarship to play tennis for the Lions during a ceremony Friday at HCHS. He plans to study biology in college.

Durham was the Patriots’ No. 1 singles seed this season and helped the Pats win the District 10-AAA Tournament team championship this season. He teamed with Holden Beauregard to turn in a second-place finish in the district  doubles competition.

“Tennis has showed me the value of hard work, dedication and the rewards of it,” said Durham. “I am looking forward to competing on the collegiate level and representing Freed-Hardeman.”

He said he had many people to thank, including all his instructors, teammates and practice partners. He specifically thanked HCHS tennis coach Ed Gettys, Raymond Sims and former HCHS coach J.F. Kirk.

“I also want to thank my parents for encouraging me to play tennis and pushing me to be the best I can be,” said Durham.

He is the second HCHS tennis player to sign with a college program this spring after Lexi Daniels signed with Bethel University earlier this month.

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