Miami-Dade County's top athletes began the next step in their careers Wednesday as the early signing period for non-football athletes began.

Among the most recognizeable was Palmetto boys' basketball guard Tim Hardaway Jr., who signed his letter of intent with the University of Michigan. Hardaway, a 6-5 forward, averaged 23.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game last season to help the Panthers advance to the regional playoffs.

Another Palmetto senior, Michael Saco, signed with LSU. Saco is preparing for the state swimming and diving championship in Orlando this week where he has a chance to win two individual gold medals and help lead the Panthers to what could be Dade's first swimming team title by a public school in 42 years.

Florida Christian's three-sport star Evelyn Morgado will become the second member of her family to sign with a major college Thursday when she signs a softball scholarship with Florida State University. Morgado, who also stars on the volleyball court and has played basketball for the Patriots, is the sister Tennessee ace pitcher Bryan Morgado, also a Florida Christian alumna.

Ransom Everglades' Madeline Rosenthal, The Miami Herald's Class 4A-1A Female Athlete of the year, is signing with the University of Southern California.

Also for Ransom, tennis star Jaime Yapp-Shing will sign with Pennsylvania.

Gulliver's Sara Buchholz, one of the most dominant softball pitchers in the state the past three seasons, is signing with North Carolina. Buchholz is a three-time Miami Herald Softball Class 4A-1A Pitcher of the Year. Buchholz's teammate Brittany Garabedian, an All-Dade infielder, is signing with Florida Gulf Coast.

Gulliver also had three tennis standouts signing -- Sarah McLean (FIU), Raleigh Smith (Northwestern) and Ross Nigro (Louisville).

MORE SIGNINGS

The University of Miami and FIU signed several top baseball stars.

Florida Christian left-handed pitchers Bryan Radziewski and A.J. Salcines are each signing with the Hurricanes, as is Columbus pitcher Javier Salas, who was instrumental to the Explorers' run to the Class 6A final last season.

FIU will sign Columbus pitcher Andres Perez-Lobo, and shortstop Jesse Pintado, who transferred from South Miami.

Columbus baseball coach Joe Weber will look around his infield this season and see college signees at every position. In addition to Pintado, catcher Nick Collazo will sign with North Carolina-Asheville, first baseman Lawrence Pardo will sign with Appalachian State, first baseman Chris Gutierrez will sign with Texas-Pan American, second baseman Manny Alvarez will sign with Campbell, and third baseman Tyler Filiben will sign with Samford.

Florida Christian will have four more Division I signees, and along with Radziewski and Salcines, seven overall. Shortstop Antonio Alvarez is signing with N.C. State, infielder Yoandry Galan and catcher Michael Miranda will sign with Manhattan College. Outfielder Eric Serra, a transfer from Braddock, will sign with Elon, outfielder Nathaniel Galliford will sign with Anderson College, a Division-II school in South Carolina.

Monsignor Pace will have seven players sign early, highlighted by four that will go to St. Thomas University. Catcher Oscar Romero, pitchers Frank Bradham and Raymond Chirino and outfielder Steven Rodriguez will sign with the Bobcats. Outfielder Ozney Guillen will sign with South Florida, infielder Adrian English will sign with Barry and pitcher Chris Garcia will sign with Coker College in South Carolina.

Pace also has basketball guard Tiffany Charles signing with Winthrop Thursday.

THURSDAY'S SCHEDULE

FOOTBALL

Killian vs. Columbus (FIU), 7 Hialeah vs. North Miami (N. Miami), 7 Palmetto vs. Miami High (Curtis), 7 Coral Reef vs. Sunset (Tropical), 7 Goleman vs. Hialeah Gardens (Traz), 7 Reagan vs. Westland Hialeah (Traz), 4 Belen vs. Davie University (Nova), 7 CROSS-COUNTRY

Region 4-4A at Larry and Penny Thompson Park -- Girls: 3:30; Boys: 4:15. BOYS' SOCCER

South Dade at Palmetto, 3:30

Westland Hialeah at Central, 5:30

Key West vs. Mater Academy (Earhart), 5

Ronald Reagan at Columbus, 3:45

Hialeah at Coral Park, 4

Braddock at Ferguson, 3:30

Monsignor Pace at Florida Christian, 7

Miami Springs at Goleman, 4

Hebrew Academy at Greater Miami Acad., 4

Coral Reef at Homestead, 3:30

Mourning vs. Terra (Indian Hammocks Park), 3:30

Norland at Jackson, 4

North Miami Beach vs. Varela (Kendall Soccer), 6

P. Trinity vs. Mater Lakes (Lakes Optimist), 6

Gulliver Prep at North Broward Prep, 5

Miami Beach vs. American (PSN), 3:30

La Salle at Ransom Everglades, 7

GIRLS' SOCCER

Westland Hialeah at Central, 3:30

Key West at Archbishop Carroll, 3

Key West vs. Mater Academy (Earhart), 3

Doral Academy at Carrollton, 4

Hialeah at Coral Park, 2

Monsignor Pace at Florida Christian, 5

Miami Springs at Goleman, 2

Norland at Jackson, 2

Archbishop McCarthy vs. Lourdes (Kendall Soccer), 4

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