Thursday was a memorable day in the future and present college careers for a pair of Chronicle Country basketball standout shooting guards. 
Gray Collegiate Academy's Chase McDuffie made his college college, while Lexington graduate Olivia Thompson was awarded with a significant prize by the University of South Carolina women's basketball team.

CHASE MCDUFFIE
The 6-5 shooting guard has played an integral role in the War Eagles' current run of 3 consecutive Class 2A titles.
Last year, he averaged a career-best 9.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals a game. In the state championship win over Whale Branch, McDuffie had a game-high 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
As he prepares for the upcoming season and an opportunity to join the likes of Alshon Jeffrey of Calhoun County and, most recently, Myles Tate and P.J. Hall of Dorman, as a 4-time state champion, McDuffie has made his college choice. 
I've made my decision and I'm 111 percent committed to North Carolina A&T," McDuffie tweeted. "Gooo Aggies."
"First of all, I just want to thank the man up above and my parents," McDuffie tweeted. "They played a huge role into making me into this successful young black man, without them none of this would be possible.
"Secondly, I want to thank my high school coaches and my aau coaches for believing in me and giving me great opportunities. I want to also thank my trainers who helped me deleveop my game all through the years."
McDuffie also credited how the Greensboro, NC school made he and his family feel more than welcomed with their positive approach. He joins an Aggies' program which is moving from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference into the Big South next year.
He's also playing for new head coach Will Jones, a member of South Carolina State's 2002-03 MEAC championship team and last NCAA participant.
"Coach Jones, he kept telling me he wanted someone from South Carolina and it's going to be fun working with him."

OLIVIA THOMPSON
The all-time scoring leader in Lexington High School history and Class 5A Player of the Year achieved a lifelong dream when she walked on to the Gamecocks.
Her 1st year proved more than memorable as she played in 22 games and averaged 1.7 points for the nation's number 1 team. The highlight of Thompson's season came in her debut when she scored 10 points less than a minute against Alabama State.
On Wednesday, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley rewarded Thompson for her hard work and perversance. In a Twitter video, Thompson was presented a card with a special message.
"On this day, Aug. 10, 2020, you can officially say I have a full scholarship," she read to the cheers of teammates. 
"I’ve been dreaming for this moment since I was young. Today I can say that I have a full scholarship at the Univerisry of South Carolina.  I’m so thankful for my teammates, coaches and family. I’m forever grateful." 
"Daddy O (Thompson's nickname), you know you've worked extremely hard," Staley said. "This scholarship isn't just for your hard work. That's part of it. The way you've engrained yourself in our program. You do the little things and they mean a whole lot. So congratulations. You deserve it. You earned it."