Nick Coles will be taking his all-state baseball abilities to Louisburg Junior College next year.

Coles, a standout athlete at Union Pines, signed a financial aid/athletic scholarship package to attend the school where he will continue his baseball career.

A three-time all-conference baseball selection while at Union Pines, he capped off his high school career by being named to the 2-A all-state squad at the completion of the 1999 season.

While at Union Pines, Coles played on the Region 4 baseball team in the all-state games after his sophomore and junior years. The team earned a bronze medal both years.

"Louisburg is a nationally known program on the junior college level," Union Pines coach Scott Absher said. "They have a reputation of players leaving there and signing with a four-year school.

"If you’re good enough to play there, you’re good enough to keep playing at a four-year school."

Coles was plenty good enough at Union Pines where he spent most of his time, except his junior year, behind the plate. The sturdy backstop batted over .500 his senior year, with 10 home runs and 42 RBI.

His junior season, coming off a knee injury he suffered during football season, Coles played right field where he was also an all-conference selection.

Coles indicated that his preference was to catch in college, but if not catching then he didn’t mind playing the outfield.

A four-year letterman in baseball, Coles was named the most valuable player on the team both his junior and senior year. In his sophomore campaign, he was named the best defensive player on the squad.

He also lettered three years in football, earning all-conference recognition his senior year.

"Nick was a pleasure to coach," Absher said. "He’s a well-respected young man who knows how to treat people and he’ll do well."

Coles said that he hopes to teach physical education in the future and coach.