Stories from Sunday, January 4, 2015

Although the Forrest Rockets (5-11) put up a good fight, they were unable to come away with a victory on Monday afternoon, as they dropped a 73-66 decision to the Giles County Bobcats at the Richland Christmas Classic. Giles County (4-5) led by as many as 15 points in the second quarter before taking a 43-33 advantage into halftime, but the Rockets rallied to slice the deficit to 66-64 midway through the fourth period.

Here are the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State football teams. A special thanks to Stephen Hargis with the Chattanooga Times Free Press for chairing the teams, and to every member who nominated players.

On Saturday, the Marshall County Tigerettes were unable to overcome a sluggish first half performance against Franklin, as the Lady Rebels defeated MCHS 50-43 in the opening round of the Overton Christmas Tournament. Franklin (5-8) appeared to be headed for a relatively easy victory early on after racing out to a 31-14 lead through the first two quarters of play.

The Marshall County Wrestling Club racked up four championships, three runners up and one third place showing at the Nolensville AAU wrestling tournament last Saturday. First Place wrestlers were; James Hery, Lucas Hery, Jake McDaniel and Shaun David. Runners up were; Jamie McDaniel, Jackson Hery and Clayson Jones.

All three Marshall County swim teams showed signs of improvement during a meet at the Lewisburg Recreation Center on Dec. 18, as seven local swimmers set personal bests in 10 different events. The Forrest Lady Rockets turned in a solid performance in the pool and won three of the 11 girls' events. Senior Alyssa Elliot, who has already qualified for the upcoming Region Swim Meet in three different events, led Forrest by winning the 200 meter individual medley with a personal best time of 3:02.33 before placing second in the 50 meter freestyle.

Despite the return of senior forward Jamie Crowell, who missed the last six games due to a sports hernia, the Cornersville Bulldogs (0-8) were no match for Tullahoma on Monday afternoon, as the Wildcats thumped CHS 72-48 at the Richland Christmas Classic. Tullahoma (2-12) broke the game open early and built a 36-20 lead in the first half before outscoring the Bulldogs 36-28 over the final two quarters to cruise to the 24-point win.

The Cornersville Lady Bulldogs (4-7) defeated Fayetteville for the sixth time in seven meetings when they drubbed the Lady Tigers 68-54 on Monday morning at the Richland Christmas Classic. Fayetteville (3-8) had split the season series with CHS last year, but the Lady Bulldogs had a relatively easy time with the Lady Tigers on Monday, as they built a 38-24 lead in the first half before forging a 51-29 lead late in the third quarter en route to claiming the 14-point victory.

The Marshall County Tigers (7-5) recorded another impressive non-conference win on Saturday afternoon when they defeated the Franklin Rebels 67-48 at the Overton Christmas Tournament. Marshall County controlled the game from the start and built a 36-23 lead in the first half before opening up a 45-28 advantage midway through the third quarter.