Erick O'Neal and Josh Speer sign with Talladega College

SYLACAUGA, Ala. - Sylacauga seniors Erick O'Neal and Josh Speer will continue their basketball careers together after signing letters of intent May 28 to play at Talladega College.

The pair become the second and third Sylacauga players to join Talladega College in the past two seasons, following former teammate Jordan Roberson.

O'Neal and Speer leave Sylacauga after helping guide the Aggies to back-to-back Class 5A state championship game appearances while compiling an unbeaten record on their home court over the past two seasons.

Speer capped his senior season by earning Most Valuable Player honors at the 2026 Area Tournament. He knocked down clutch free throws in the semifinal against Shelby County before coming through again in the championship game against Clay Central.

His biggest basket came in Sylacauga's Class 5A state semifinal against Guntersville. With 4:36 remaining, Speer scored to give the Aggies a 50-48 lead, and Sylacauga never trailed again on its way to a 59-50 victory.

Throughout his career, Speer developed a reputation for attacking the glass and finishing through contact, routinely coming away with rebounds in heavy traffic against taller opponents.

O'Neal played some of his best basketball during the Aggies' regional tournament run. He anchored Sylacauga's rebounding effort and emerged as one of the team's top defenders in Montgomery, helping fuel another trip to Birmingham.