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Remember When? State-bound Rebs make loud crowd proud at substate

Remember When? State-bound Rebs make loud crowd proud at substate
Remember when takes a look back at the local stories from the files of The Messenger that took place 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 years ago.
30 Years Ago
March 11 — The Union City boys were on their way to Murfreesboro. The Twisters clinched a berth in the Class 2A State Tournament with their 57-47 besting of Giles County in the substate portion of the postseason. Ronald Ward poured in a team-best 24 points for UC, while Rodney Alexander totaled 14 and Tony Brown offered 10 for the victors.
March 12 — South Fulton football standout Jimmy Fishel signed a letter of intent with the University of Akron. Fishel passed for 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior at SF. All totaled, he hit 50 percent of his 256 tosses. On special teams, Fishel averaged 39.5 yards per punt and booted seven field goals for the Red Devils.
20 Years Ago
March 12 — With about 2,300 Obion Central fans hanging from every nook and cranny at the Troy gym, the Rebels prevailed by a 80-74 count over Memphis Fairley in a Class 3A substate game. Denver Whitby led the Rebels with 24 points, while Matt Barnett contributed 16 during the triumph. Shannon Huff and Shane Depriest each had 14 markers for OC. Some Central fans lined up at 12:30 p.m. to gain admission into the evening contest.
March 12 — Both the Union City and South Fulton boys fell in the substate round of the postseason. The Twisters fell 70-56 at Memphis Kingsbury in a 2A game, while the Devils were dropped 63-55 in single-A to Denmark West. In UC’s defeat, Stanley Caldwell and Rodney Bonds both had 13 points. South Fulton was paced by Anthony Hutch (17 points) and Stephen Frisby (16 tallies) during the defeat.
March 15 — The Obion Central girls fell by a 71-50 margin to Cheatham County in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A State Tournament. Rhonda Harris had a Lady Rebel-high 14 points, while Maria Barber totaled 10. OC was down 16-8 after one quarter and 38-21 with two periods complete.
10 Years Ago
March 14 — Union City had its way with triple-A entry Henry County in a season-opening tennis match. The Lady Twisters swept HC 7-0, while their male counterparts prevailed by a 6-1 margin. Individually, Lindsey Thomas, Elizabeth Mooney, Elizabeth Hudson, Marcy Springfield and Ashley Reaves all claimed triumphs for Union City. In doubles play, Thomas and Springfield teamed for a victory as did Mooney and Hudson. On the boys’ side, Ross Clark, Keith Harrelson, Bruce Brown and Lance Farmer all were winners in singles action. Clark and Brown teamed for a hard-fought 9-8 (11-9 tiebreaker) win, while Harrelson partnered with Nathan Pruitt for a doubles victory on the local tennis court.
March 15 — South Fulton forced 26 turnovers and easily advanced to the Class A State Tournament semifinal round with a 75-57 romp over Eagleville. Red Devil center Chris Jennings offered a career high 25 points and pulled down 10 rebounds — eight on the offensive end. Mr. Basketball finalist Trey Pearson was a rebound short of a double-double with 22 tallies and nine boards. SF’s B.J. Gordon also hit in twin figures with 16 markers.
5 Years Ago
March 13 — Ridgemont’s softball program was off to a good start. The Lady Mustang team — in its first season of existence — defeated Lake Road 9-0 and routed Black Oak 8-1. Emily Taylor, who claimed both mound triumphs, struck out a grand total of 18 during the two games. Against Lake Road, Taylor Gallimore had two hits and drove in a pair. During the triumph over BO, Brooke Ferrell tripled.
March 16 — Union City routed Cloudland 77-40 in the quarterfinals of the Class A State Tournament. The Twisters, who scored the game’s first 12 points, led 20-5 after one quarter, 46-17 at halftime and 61-23 with three periods complete. Xavier Robinson finished with a team-high 17 points for Union City. Marquis Weddle and MJ Brown totaled 12 and 11 tallies, respectively.
1 Year Ago
March 15 — Obion Central standout and University of Texas signee Chassidy Fussell became the school’s first-ever Miss Basketball winner. Fussell was named the Class 2A Miss Basketball moments after Gibson County defended its state championship and defeated McMinn Central 63-60. GC standout Heather Butler, a UT Martin signee, was also nominated for the award. Fussell averaged 26.2 points and 11.1 rebounds per game during her senior campaign at Obion Central. Additionally, UTM signees Beth Hawn (Class 1A) and Taylor Hall (Class 3A) also were awarded Miss Basketball trophies.
March 16 — Emily Taylor’s arm helped Obion Central to get a leg up on Union City. The Lady Rebels won a season-opening pitcher’s duel 1-0. Taylor struck out a total of 10 hitters and allowed just three hits. UC’s Karly Hollis was the toughluck losing hurler. Hollis allowed just seven hits and struck out three. The lone run of the contest came in the third inning when Kayla Bramlett singled to chase Liesel Grossner across the pay station.