| Remember When —OC’s Whipple leads Lady Rebel romp, then wears crown | | Posted: Thursday, January 3, 2013 7:00 pm
| 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
Jan. 8 — It was a memorable night for Obion County Central’s Kim Whipple as she was crowned homecoming queen after earlier scoring 15 points and grabbing eight rebounds in the Lady Rebels’ 63-36 romp over Munford. Lisa Thompson added 13 points and Regina Eason had 10 as OC improved to 10-5. The Rebel boys made it truly a joyous occasion with a 74-55 victory in the nightcap for their ninth win. Jeff Riley was a dead-eye gunner with a game-best 29 points while Paul Brown chipped in with 13 markers.
Jan. 8 — Kenton blew out Sharon twice in prep hoops, 61-27 on the girls’ side and 81-56 in the boys’ nightcap. The Maidens were 13-5 after Robin Coble, Tammy Burress and Beth Smithson all scored in double figures to make up for the loss of leading point-maker Michelle Skinner, who was out after knee surgery. The Tribe moved over the .500 mark for the first time of the season with its seven wins and despite head coach Marty Sisco picking up a couple of technical fouls. Four starters — led by Anthony Cannon’s 23 points — scored in double figures for Kenton, while Jeff Chandler came off the bench to hit for 19. John Harris, Lenny Banks and Rod Russom all had 10 or more markers as well.
20 Years Ago
Jan. 6 — Neither Union City team was tested much by Ripley, the Tornado girls winning 51-34 and the Twister boys 90-59 for their respective ninth triumphs of the season. Trenessa Ware scored the game’s first eight points and finished with 14 while both Emily Gillett and Kelly Acree also played well for UC in Game 1. In the nightcap, Anthony Davis drained four 3-pointers and lit up the Tigers for 31 points while Rodney Bonds added 20 as Union City led by as many as 40 points.
Jan. 8 — Standout Union City quarterback Marcus Lewis added the crowning jewel to his legacy when he was named the Messenger’s Prep Player of the Year. Lewis, already tabbed an all-stater among his many honors as a two-way player for the Tornadoes, helped the Purple and Gold to its first ever unbeaten, untied regular season and 11-1 overall mark. Also receiving individual accolades at UC’s fall sports banquet were gridders Jonathan Robinson, Chris Wiggins, David Isbell, Clay Morgan, Matt Smith and Chris Morris. Golfers Billy Dowell and Tara Heath also were lauded after helping their respective squads to runnerup district finishes and a regional tournament berth.
10 Years Ago
Jan. 7 — The Ridgemont girls remained unbeaten after 14 games with a 49-25 triumph over South Fulton. Kayla Holloway posted a team-high 14 points, with Jana Roney chipping in with 12 and Molly Ledbetter nine. Trey Pruitt’s 18 markers and a dozen more by Steven Weaks could keep the Mustang boys from dropping the second game 45-42.
Jan. 8 — Two nights after retiring the jersey of Trey Pearson — its most decorated hoop player ever — South Fulton finally broke into the win column with a 64-42 triumph over Lake County. The Red Devils, who’d lost their first nine games, got 15 points apiece from Jacque Alexander and Adam Hicks and 10 from Adam Greer in breaking their futility streak. SF’s girls won too, 51-47. Tiffany Gordon led the Devilettes with 18 points, while Shelby Cawthon was good for 14.
5 Years Ago
Jan. 7 — Reigning Class 1A Mr. Basketball MJ Brown lived up to his billing by sinking a 24-footer with six seconds left to lift Union City to a thrilling 58-57 triumph at Lake County. Brown’s drama preserved the Tornadoes’ unbeaten record and handed LC just its third loss in 18 games. The senior guard ended with a game-high 22 points, while Andre Coby added 19. Four days later, Union City was ranked No. 1 in the first Associated Press state rankings of the season.
Jan. 8 — Five Union City football players and two from South Fulton were named to the All-Region team from 7A. Messenger Player of the Year Pat Polk highlighted the Tornado selections, while teammates Taylor Bruff, Brett White, Darrin Dickerson and Camron Sherwood were also included on the glitter unit. The Red Devils were represented by Corbin Hawks and Skylar Cherry.
1 Year Ago
Jan. 5 — Obion County Central product and Union City assistant coach Morgan Cruce has elected to tackle the task that is the Gibson County High School head football coaching position. The 26-year-old Cruce was to take over a program that had lost 33 straight games over a four-year period and had not had a winning record in 16 seasons. Cruce was one of the first people hired by Tornado head coach Darren Bowling when he took the UCHS job before the 2008 season and was a member of a staff that won the school’s only football state title in ’09.
Jan. 9 — The Union City boys knocked off reigning Class 1A state champion Lake County 63-60, handing the Falcons their first district loss in 11 months. Peyton Mosley had 16 points, while Jamie Hyde and Montre Lewis both chipped in with 11 for the Tornadoes, who improved to 10-6 overall. The Lady Twisters were not as fortunate despite leading by as many as nine points early, suffering a 54-38 loss. Amber Fair had 23 of UC’s point total. Published in The Messenger 1.3.13 | | | | |
