| Weddle, others arrested in past | By: By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor
| Posted: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 4:31 pm
| Marquis Weddle and two other UT Martin men’s basketball players who were essentially dismissed from the team on Monday reportedly all have been involved in incidents with law enforcement officials in recent months.
Terrance Coleman and Zach Jones, both of whom were also released from the Skyhawk program Monday by head coach Jason James, were listed in Weakley County court records, along with Weddle.
Weddle, the Union City prep star and Class A Mr. Basketball who played three seasons at UTM and was No. 6 on the school’s all-time scoring list, was arraigned on a vandalism charge in Weakley County General Sessions Court on Monday, according to a representative from the Circuit Court office in Dresden.
The alleged incident reportedly occurred May 18, and a June 16 hearing date has been set.
James — contacted Monday night after meeting with Weddle and members of his family earlier in the day to officially make his decision known — claimed he “had no idea” of the allegation against the now former Skyhawk Weddle.
Coleman, who was one of five Skyhawks to play in all 29 games a year ago when the team posted a 4-25 record and last-place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference, pleaded guilty to second offense DUI, driving on a suspended license and a charge of simple possession in April.
He averaged 4.5 points and 2.9 rebounds per game after coming to UT Martin from Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Jones, a Memphis native, had a simple possession charge dismissed in February, according to court records.
There was also an underage drinking allegation on his record from 2009.
He played in 24 games last season, but missed five due to disciplinary reasons — including the final two conference games of the season.
He averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game last season for the UT Martin men’s team.
James did say he was aware of Jones’ troubles and admitted they were “significant” in his decision to dismiss the player for the Skyhawk basketball program.
The coach went on to claim he was under the assumption that Jones’ troubles were with UTM campus police and that he was on the way to making restitution for his wrongdoings.
Sports editor Mike Hutchens can be contacted by e-mail at mhutch@ucmessenger.com. | | | | |
