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
Feb. 7 — The Obion girls and Kenton boys were crowned champions in the Obion County School System Jr. High Tournament. Teri Smith scored 20 of the Lady Indians’ 29 markers in a one-point victory over Kenton. Lori Warren tallied 10 points for Kenton. Shane Sisco had 14 points and Thomas White 10 in the Warriors’ 40-33 triumph over Troy. Robby Orsborne (11) and David Spaulding (10) were the Trojans’ top point producers.
Feb. 10 — On the same National Signing Day that teammate Aaron Dearmitt made his intentions to attend Murray State official, Union City’s Phillip Mathis inked with UT Martin. Mathis, a defensive end on the 8-3 Tornado squad his senior season, was third on the UC tackle chart and recorded 10 sacks and four forced fumbles.
20 Years Ago
Feb. 10 — South Fulton avenged a pair of earlier losses to Twin-Cities rival Fulton City, beating the Lady Bulldogs 53-36 and then the FC boys 76-67. With leading scorer Mikki McLeary lost for the season with a broken hand, Bridgette Taylor stepped up for the Devilettes with 19 points. Brian James poured in 26 points, Brad Walker tallied 18 and Chris Scott contributed 17 to the Red Devils’ winning cause that improved their record to 18-7.
Feb. 12 — Former UT Martin head football coach Bob Carroll was elected to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Carroll, who was presently serving at the university’s vice chancellor of alumni affairs, led UTM to an unbeaten season in 1958 and was the head coach when the program went 10-1 and won the 1967 Tangerine Bowl. His teams produced nine All-Americans and 16 professional football signees.
10 Years Ago
Feb. 11 — Union City rallied from 10 points down to force overtime, then made 11-of-12 free throws in the extra session to edge Henry County 61-56. The victory completed a season sweep for the Tornadoes over the Class 3A Patriots after UC had opened its season with a thrilling triumph vs. HC. Antawn Coby made 7-of-8 charities in the OT, while freshman guard Marquis Weddle scored a game-high 15 points. Elijah Young and Deandre Burney were good for 10 points each in the win.
Feb. 12 — Second-ranked Obion County Central fell short in its upset bid of No. 1 Gibson County, dropping a 78-61 showdown when the Lady Pioneers pulled away in the fourth quarter. Central (24-4) got 20 points from Jenna Roney and another 17 from Jill Konkol, but couldn’t catch up to a GC squad that improved to 24-1. The Rebel boys did win vs. the Pioneers, 71-63, as D.J. Gammons fired in 26 points and Brent Simpson scored 18.
5 Years Ago
Feb. 7 — For the second time in as many meetings with Lake County, MJ Brown saved Union City from its first loss — hitting a trio of 3-pointers in a 17-2 fourth-quarter flurry that lifted the No. 1 and unbeaten Tornadoes to a 63-60 triumph vs. fourth-ranked LC. Brown, who earlier beat the Falcons with a trey in the final seconds, finished the rematch with a game-high 25 points. Lavan Mosley added to the victorious cause with 14 points.
Feb. 12 — Both Gentry Reedy and Nick Gilliam became members of the Obion County Central 1,000-Point Club. Reedy got in on the last of her five 3-pointers against Crockett County, while Gilliam eclipsed the century mark for his career against Dyersburg the night before. They were honored prior to the OC teams’ play in the district tournament.
1 Year Ago
Feb. 10 — A 3-pointer late in the first period vs. Dresden put Union City High School sophomore Amber Fair over 1,000 points in her Lady Tornado hoop career. Fair had 19 points in all in UC’s regular season finale that ended up a 52-39 victory.
Feb. 13 — The No. 1-ranked Obion County Central girls saw their 46-game District 13AA regular season winning streak that dated back to December of 2009 end with a 61-59 loss to Covington in the Lady Rebels’ final pre-tournament game. OC was hampered greatly by absence of leading scorer and rebounder Brandi Goodman, who missed the contest with a strained quad. Goodman was averaging 18 points and 16 rebounds. Paige Hicks tallied 19 markers to pace the Central girls, who nonetheless were to enter the 13AA Tournament with a sterling 26-2 record as the event’s top seed.

Published in The Messenger 2.7.13