Stories from Wednesday, February 5, 2014

After committing to the University of Tennessee last May, Marshall County High School senior kicker Aaron Medley officially became a UT football player on Wednesday morning when he signed a letter of intent in the MCHS auditorium to play for the Volunteers. "I think after 250 something days it feels good to make it official and have everything come to an end. I'm starting a new chapter in my life," said Medley.

Marshall County High School senior lineman Jay Murphy followed his older brother Michael into the college football ranks on Wednesday morning when he signed a letter of intent in the MCHS auditorium to play at the University of Tennessee-Martin. Murphy had originally committed to Tennessee State University last April and was being recruited by the Tigers as center, but the recruiting process took a late twist for the Marshall County standout when UT-Martin managed to sway him towards their program during an official visit 10 days ago.

The Marshall County Tigers took care of business Friday night at Dottie Kelso Memorial Gymnasium in Lewisburg, downing Spring Hill 69-48 to hold on to second place in the District 11-AA standings. MCHS turned in a balanced offensive attack in the contest with four players recording double figures in the scoring column with Chris Walker and Malek Sain leading the way with 18 points apiece, while Jay Howard pitched in with 14 points and D'Andre Brown netted a baker's dozen.

The Forrest Lady Rockets jump started Senior Night activities Monday in Chapel Hill with a 62-28 win over intra-county rival Cornersville. "We started the game pretty good tonight, but we had a lull there for a little bit, but that had a lot to do with them, they made us play slow," said Forrest head coach Jeremy Jean. "The girls played through it and fought hard and wanted to win tonight."

Cornersville guard Brooke Holt had an enjoyable Senior Night, as she and her Lady Bulldog teammates wrapped up District play by thrashing Hampshire 62-25 at home on Friday to complete the season sweep of the Lady Hawks. CHS (14-9, 10-2 District) dominated from start to finish and built a 32-11 lead in the first half before outscoring Hampshire 30-14 over the final two quarters to cruise to their 19th straight win over the Lady Hawks.

For the first time in three years. the Lewisburg Middle School Tigers did not end the season by hoisting up a championship trophy, as they lost 52-40 to Macon County Junior High in the Class AAA finals of the James C. Haile Invitational Tournament on Saturday night at Middle Tennessee Christian School. The Tigers (11-7) kept within striking distance of Macon County (16-1) in the first half and trailed just 22-17 at the break.

On Thursday night, the Cornersville Bulldogs (7-15) conquered what had traditionally been a house of horrors for them when they traveled to Lynchburg and defeated the Moore County Raiders 65-59. Cornersville had not won in Lynchburg since 2003, but the Bulldogs did not seemed concerned about past history on Thursday and built a 30-25 lead in the first half. CHS then opened up some breathing room in the second half and led by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter en route to claiming their second straight victory.

The Forrest Rockets gave up an opening basket to Cornersville before taking the lead for good in a 53-42 Senior Night win over the Bulldogs in Chapel Hill on Monday. "We played pretty good, the first half especially defensively and we came in with a mindset to defend well tonight and the first half we did that," said Forrest head coach Wes Hobbs. "But we got a little lazy on defense in the second half, got beat off the dribble some, but I have to give Cornersville some credit, their boys played hard and gave a lot of effort and we had to match that."

The Tigerettes needed a win over Spring Hill to solidify third place in the District 11-AA standings, but an anemic second half led to a 45-37 defeat and a season sweep by the Lady Raiders. "At the beginning we looked really well and did all the things we prepared for," said MCHS head coach Jerrie Henry. "After they went into a press and trapped at the midcourt line, we went into a shuffle."

Having already beaten Santa Fe and Moore County earlier in the week, the Cornersville Bulldogs continued their late season surge on Friday when they thrashed District foe Hampshire 59-38 on Senior Night to record their fourth straight win over the Hawks. After defeating Hampshire 87-81 in overtime in their previous encounter on Jan. 13, the Bulldogs (8-15, 5-7 District) would need no late game heroics on Friday, as they forged a 28-16 lead in the first half before opening up a 28-point cushion late in the fourth quarter en route to registering their third straight win.

Although the Cornersville Lady Bulldogs (13-9) showed signs of improvement on Thursday night, they were unable bring home a victory, as CHS dropped a 46-36 decision to a solid Moore County Raiderette squad in Lynchburg. The Raiderettes (17-10) held a 30-17 lead early in the third quarter before the Lady Bulldogs rallied to slice the deficit to 35-29 with 7:40 left in the fourth period. Moore County, though, was able to keep Cornersville at arm's length down the stretch and outscored CHS 11-7 the rest of the way to pull away for the 10-point victory.

Mable Massey, 83, of Chapel Hill, died Thursday evening, Jan. 30, 2014. Mrs. Massey was born in Illinois and was a lifelong homemaker. She was a member of Chapel Hill Community Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn Smith. Mrs. ...

Rosie Nell Spivey Crawford, 88, of Lewisburg, died Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, in NHC Lewisburg. Mrs. Crawford was a native of Giles County, near the Lynnville area. She was the daughter of the late Harvey and Nannie Ruth Helmick Spivey. She was a seamstress with Crawford Upholstery for several years and was a member of the Church of Christ...

About 10:25 a.m. Jan. 31, Lewisburg Police Officer Charles Brannan responded to the Emergency Room at Marshall Medical Center, where he met a 37-year-old man who was being treated for cuts on his left hand, left arm, left side of his chest, and right side of his face. ...

By Jessica Moore Staff Writer Two longtime law enforcement officers have just been transferred to new positions. Bob Johnson, who held the position of Detective Captain, has now become the Chief Deputy of the Marshall County Sheriff's Department. Jimmy Oliver, previously Detective Oliver, has now become Major Jimmy Oliver...

By Karen Hall Editor A jury deliberated for more than four hours before finding Marcus T. Cox Jr., 21, guilty after a drug trial last week. There were seven charges against Cox. He was found guilty of possession of less than 0.5 gram of cocaine with intent to sell it; guilty of possession of more than 12 ounces of marijuana with intent to sell and deliver it; guilty of simple possession of a Schedule III drug (Lortab); guilty of possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia (digital scales); and guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to go armed during the commission of a dangerous felony.. ...

By Karen Hall Editor Principal Cheryl Ewing was justifiably proud of her school when the largest ever Junior Beta Club induction service was held Friday at Cornersville Elementary. To qualify for Junior Beta Club, students need a 93 average for their fifth grade year, and a 93 average for the first half of the sixth grade year...