Nick West, who helped the LaGrange Academy Warriors make three consecutive trips to the GISA state semifinals, will carry his considerable talent to the collegiate level next season.

West, who recently graduated from LaGrange Academy, has signed with Alabama A&M, and he’ll be a freshman on the team for the 2012-2013 season.

“We’re thrilled to death for Nick,” said West’s high-school coach, Matt Dalrymple, who is now at Southwest Georgia Academy. “He’s excited. It’s been a long process for him, trying to figure out where he’s going to go.

“A lot of people were interested in him. Alabama A&M, they’ve been on him constantly. I think he’ll do great there.”

The 6-foot-9 West had a terrific senior season, averaging nearly 20 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocked shots per game.

Dalrymple said West improved greatly during his years at LaGrange Academy on the way to becoming a dominant post player.

“Watching him the last four years, each year, his improvement is unbelievable,” Dalrymple said. “He’s a hard worker. Whatever you ask him, he’s going to say yes sir. That’s a blessing, too. There won’t be any problems outside of the gym.”

As good as West is now, Dalrymple thinks he will become even better in college, especially when he begins participating in the strength program at Alabama A&M.

“Give him three years of putting on weight gain and all that kind of stuff, and he’ll be a hoss,” Dalrymple said.