Remember When —Davies is Lions’ MVP; Cude is Bluff’s all-time top scorer

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
Dec. 31 — Union City’s boys’ basketball team was denied back-to-back championships in the Lions Club Christmas Tournament in Martin after Trenton rallied for a 67-59 victory in the Class 2A title game. Tourney Most Valuable Player Bobby Davies had 17 points as did teammate Aaron Dearmitt for the Golden Tornadoes in the championship matchup loss vs. Peabody and Jerry Slayton joined Davies on the all-tournament team. The Tornadoes avenged an earlier loss to Gibson County in the semis and ended the first half of their season with a 6-5 mark.
Dec. 31 — The Obion Jr. High girls won the title of their own invitational tournament, beating Bogota 31-23 in overtime. Terri Smith scored 13 points and Jeanette Mahoney pitched in 11 for the Lady Indians. The Obion boys were denied the same status when they were beaten by Bogota 54-35 in the boys’ championship game. Fritz Fuzzell scored 14 points for the Tribe.
20 Years Ago
Dec. 28 — Marcus Lewis added to his already-bulging scrapbook when he was named West Tennessee Player of the Year. The Union City High School quarterback had already been named a first-team All-State defensive back by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association and was a Class 2A Mr. Football Back of the Year finalist. Lewis was joined on the All-West Tennessee first team by fellow Twister David Isbell (center) with linebacker Matt Smith earning second team accolades.
Dec. 30 — Three players from Hillcrest — Ty Jenkins, Brandy Ervin and Brock McClanahan — made the all-tournament team when the Cougars won the Gleason Jr. High Invitational. Hillcrest was 19-0 after winning three times in the tournament and claiming the championship.
Dec. 31 — Obion Central sharpshooter Robin Cude set a new tournament scoring record in Poplar Bluff (Mo.) Showdown Tournament by scoring 95 points in four games. Cude, who hit for 45 in the semis and 33 more in a consolation round, replaced University of Missouri standout Anthony Peeler in the tournament record books. The Rebels (12-2) did suffer their first two losses of the season in the tourney after winning two games.
10 Years Ago
Dec. 30 — The Obion County Central girls won the championship of the Marshall County Holiday Classic, beating the host team for the second time in less than a month. A 69-66 victory over the Lady Marshals was made even more impressive in that it came immediately after a 49-37 semifinal triumph over Henry County and capped a four-wins-in-three-days stretch for the Lady Rebels. Tourney MVP Lynette Staggs poured in a career high 30 points that included a 10-for-10 effort from the foul line in the title game. Staggs was one of two OC selections on the all-tournament team, the other being Kirstin Hayes, who had 17 points in the finals.
5 Years Ago
Dec. 28 — Kelly Spivey was named the new head football coach at South Fulton High School, replacing Gwin Wood, who had resigned under pressure following consecutive 1-9 campaigns to conclude a 19-year tenure at the Red Devil helm. The 36-year-old Spivey had been the defensive coordinator at Lewis County for the past eight seasons and four times had LC in the Top 3 state-wide in fewest points allowed. It was to be his first head coaching job. Spivey was the first hire of new county-wide athletics director Robert Powell and was picked from a pool of 30 candidates.
Dec. 31 — Union City closed the first half of its prep hoop season with a perfect 16-0 record after winning the championship of the prestigious 21st annual Poplar Bluff Shootout. A 64-59 victory over Harrelson (Ga.) in the title tilt was actually anti-climactic after Pat Polk’s three-quarter court heave at the buzzer gave the Tornadoes a thrilling 92-90 triumph over Raytown (Mo.) in the tournament semifinal round. MJ Brown scored 39 points in the semifinals and 25 more in the championship game to finish with 92 points in three games in the tournament. Nic Brooks and Brown were named to the all-tourney team, representing the unbeaten Golden Tornadoes.
1 Year Ago
Dec. 31 — The South Fulton girls rebounded from an opening round loss to claim two victories in the 47th annual Martin Lions Club Christmas Tournament for a fifth-place finish. The Red Devilettes beat Gleason 39-29 to win the consolation bracket. Taleeah Cross scored 11 points to pace SF.
Jan. 2 — Obion County Central finished 3-1 in the Naples (Fla.) Daily News Holiday Shootout to close out 2011 with a 15-1 record. The Lady Rebels had a better record than 11 entries in the 16-team field, but finished in ninth place after a first-round loss that represented their first setback of the season. Macy Wright and Brandi Goodman were both selected to the all-tournament team.

Published in The Messenger 12.27.12