Turner County High School’s DeAndre Pierce is a pillar of the Rebels’ basketball program. Though he only stands at 5’10”, which would be considered small by many basketball enthusiasts, his determination and talent have helped him pave his way into the hearts of Ashburn’s faithful fans.
“I just love learning,” DeAndre says. “There’s always something new that you can add to your game every day. It’s always changing, and you have to change with it.”
A four-year letterman for the Rebels, DeAndre’s talents extend far beyond the hardwood. He also suited all four years of high school as a wide receiver, punter, and kicker for the varsity football team, and in the spring, he played in the outfield for the varsity baseball team during his freshman and sophomore years.
In the classroom, he is equally, if not more, impressive. His outstanding grades have already garnered the proper attention. Not only has DeAndre been accepted to Mercer University (Macon, Ga.), he was also offered an academic scholarship. He is also currently weighing the possibility of joining the Armed Forces after graduation; his first choice is the Army, of which his father is a veteran.
“If I do decide to go to Mercer, I would like to either study math, business management, or electrical engineering,” he says. “I haven’t decided what I am going to do yet, because I would like to play basketball in college if given the opportunity. I haven’t gotten any athletic offers yet, though.”
On the court, DeAndre suits up at either the guard or forward position. His preferred position is small forward, and he prides himself on his defense. He credits his love of defense to a very special inspiration.
“People say my sister was all about defense,” he says. “Are you familiar with the term ‘beast’? They say that was her. She was really aggressive defensively.”
DeAndre’s older sister, Ronalda, was an outstanding center during her time at Turner County High. After graduating in 2003 as the all-time leading scorer in TCHS history and Class AA Player of the Year, the 6’5” star would go on to start as a true freshman at Florida State University. Her talent on the court was highly noticed; she was even projected to go to the WNBA after her time as a Seminole.
Sadly, she passed away on June 8, 2004 due to a ruptured aorta that was believed to have been possibly brought on by Marfan’s Syndrome, a rare and undiagnosed genetic disorder. The pain of her loss was felt by many; most of all, the Pierce family.
“She’s the reason I got into the game,” DeAndre says. “We were close; she took me under her wing. I was pretty young when she passed, but I do remember seeing her on the court, and that’s what made me want to play.”
Although his memory of his sister may not be as strong as everyone else’s, according to DeAndre, the Ashburn community constantly reminds him of just how special Ronalda was, both on and off the court.
“I hear it all the time,” DeAndre says with a laugh. “On the court, they say she was unforgettable. They say she was a really smart player. As a person, they tell me she was a really generous person, and she was very respectful and intelligent. It makes me proud to hear things like that.”
In his final season, DeAndre wants to leave a lasting legacy in Turner County. He credits his love for Ashburn and the Turner County community to all of the support that the school and its teams have received over the years. He says that he wants to be remembered as a hard worker. He says that he wants to be remembered as a player that came along and was able to be “great”. But most of all, he wants to be remembered as a link in the chain that bonds the Pierce family.
“People around here will always remember my sister,” he says. “When I graduate, I want people to remember that what she meant to this city, this community…she meant even more to me. I’ll never forget how important she was to everyone here.”
South Georgia / January 2016
DeAndre Pierce
Turner County High School
Ashburn, Ga.
DeAndre Pierce: Turner County Senior Plays in Tribute
By James Washington
Photography by Marque Milla Reese
