| Remember When —UC products Etheridge, Robinson on Super Bowl stage | | Posted: Thursday, January 24, 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. 26 — The sixth-ranked (Class 1A) South Fulton boys survived a 44-point barrage by Anthony Cannon to edge Kenton 72-70. Ken Tolbert led the Red Devils with 28 markers, but it was the play of Harold Hutcherson (12 points) off the bench that proved to be the difference for SF, which improved to 18-4. Cannon’s 10-footer that would’ve sent the game into overtime rolled around the rim and fell off at the buzzer. In the girls’ game, Tammy Burress’ 20 points helped the Maidens win for the 18th time in 22 outings, 52-36.
Jan. 26 — All five Obion Central starters scored in double figures — led by Jeff Riley’s 21 — as the Rebel boys knocked off Westview 82-71. Paul Brown and Kenny Barr each had 16 for OC, which improved to 13-6 overall and 10-3 in District 13AA play.
20 Years Ago
Jan. 28 — Timmy Britt made a game-winning five-footer with six seconds to play to cap a furious second-half comeback and help UT Martin to a thrilling 90-89 victory over Southeast Missouri. The ex-South Fulton High School standout finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds as the Pacers rallied from a 17-point deficit in the second half to the triumph.
Jan. 28 — Union City High School standout quarterback Marcus Lewis picked Vanderbilt over Tennessee as his college choice. Lewis, an All-State defensive back as well, led the Tornadoes to its first unbeaten, untied regular season in school history his senior year. The Messenger Player of the Year and West Tennessee Player of the Year, Lewis visited both the Commodores and UT before making his decision, and canceled a trip to Georgia Tech.
10 Years Ago
Jan. 24 — Hillcrest swept the Obion County School System Middle School Tournament championships, spoiling the unbeaten record of the Ridgemont girls, 34-25, then holding off the upstart Lake Road boys, 40-35. Addy Greer had 12 points and Audrey Gilliam 10 for H’crest, which dealt the Ridgemont girls their first loss after 16 victories. The Cougar boys won Game 2 behind 12 markers apiece from Jacob Fulbright and Ty Bacon.
Jan. 29 — Obion Central and Union City split in the latest installment of the longtime basketball rivalry. The Lady Rebels beat UC for the 21st straight time and held a commanding 77-13 advantage in all-time meetings after a 67-42 blowout. Kirstin Hayes led four Central players in double figures with 14 points, while Erica Payne topped the Lady Tornadoes with 11. The Union City boys won a highly-competitive 67-64 decision to close the difference between the two rivals to 50-44 in the long-running series. Bradley McFall had 21 points and Antawn Coby 19 for the Twisters, while Brent Simpson scored 18 and Jontez Dennis put up 14 for Obion Central.
5 Years Ago
Jan. 28 — The state basketball rankings held true in the matchups of Obion Central and Union City. The third-ranked Central girls continued their mastery over Union City — winning for the 31st time in the last 32 meetings with a 65-30 triumph. The Reedy sisters (Gentry, 18 points, Aubrey 15) led the Lady Rebels to their 19th win in 21 games. The next day, Central ascended to No. 1 in the Associated Press poll, sharing the top Class 2A spot with McMinn Central. The top-ranked UC boys remained the state’s lone unbeaten team in any classification with an 81-56 thumping of Obion Central. UC was 24-0 after MJ Brown scored 19 points and Nik Brooks pitched in 15. Nick Gilliam tallied 14 and Matt Harner 12 for the Rebels.
Jan. 30 — Union City High School products Donnie Etheridge and Jonathan Robinson were set to be a part of the sports world’s biggest stage when their respective employers faced off in the Super Bowl. Etheridge was a scout for the New York Giants, while Robinson held the same role for the New England Patriots. Both played football and graduated from UCHS before furthering their respective educations and professional careers. Etheridge was hired by and worked for General Manager Jerry Reese, a Lake County native who starred for the Falcons and UT Martin before becoming just the second African-American GM in NFL history.
1 Year Ago
Jan. 25 — The place where he spent a large portion of his 40-year stint as a Union City School System educator — the middle school gym — was renamed the Dan Boykin Gymnasium in a surprise announcement by UC Director of Schools Gary Houston and school board chairman Glenda Caudle. Boykin, who coached the UCMS boys for 26 seasons and was also a teacher and administrator at the school, was surprised by the honor and a proclamation that was read between games between Union City and Humboldt — the latter coached by his brother, Thomas.
Jan. 26 — Ex-Obion County Central girls’ basketball star Jana Roney was named the TranSouth Athletic Conference Player of the Week. The 5-10 senior forward for Bethel College averaged 23.3 points and 12 rebounds for the Lady Wildcats over a three-game stretch. Roney was a two-time All-Stater and a Class 2A Miss Basketball finalist while prepping at OCCHS. Published in The Messenger 1.24.13 | | | | |
