Stories from Wednesday, January 28, 2015

It was a long time coming for the Forrest wrestling team, who won the school's first region dual championship in about as exciting fashion as possible Thursday night in Chapel Hill, capturing the Region 7 title on a tiebreaker 77-72 over Page. "This is a team game and this is something that has been a goal for us the last three years and this group finally got it done," said Forrest coach Kyle Stacey...

Forrest senior Briar Mays took a different route than most in search of her dream to play college softball, honing her skills in a spring league in Georgia the past three years for the Jack City travel ball team, and it paid off when she signed a Letter of Intent to become a student athlete at Roane State Community College in Harriman.

After having their six-game winning streak snapped by Christ Presbyterian Academy three days earlier, the Marshall County Tigers began a new one on Friday when they thrashed archrival Giles County 65-39 to complete the sweep of the season series. The Tigers (14-7, 5-1 District) never trailed in the contest and held a 24-18 lead at the break before blowing the game open in the second half by outscoring the Bobcats 41-21 over the final two quarters to coast to their third straight win over Giles County (5-12, 1-6 District).

A superior defensive effort can go a long way to sparking a struggling offense and that is what happened Friday night in Chapel Hill as the Forrest Rockets picked up a relatively easy 61-44 win over Community. "We just wanted to play our game, stay on them defensively and don't let them get any free baskets and that was a big part of this win," said Forrest's Korbin Brown, who came off the bench to score 11 points in the contest.

A major turnaround doesn't seem to be in the cards for the Forrest Lady Rockets, who turned in a solid first half effort at home Friday night, only to see it slip away in a 62-49 loss to the Community Viqueens. "The way we played the first half was very good, we did a lot of the things we were wanting to do," said Forrest coach Jeremy Jean. "The biggest difference in the first half and the second was we turned the ball over more and we let them get physical with us."

Despite a hot shooting night from junior point guard Kiya Morris, the Marshall County Tigerettes (5-15, 1-5 District) lost to Giles County for the fourth straight time on Friday when they dropped a 61-47 decision to the Lady Bobcats in Pulaski. Giles County (14-5, 6-1 District) had whipped MCHS 48-23 in their previous encounter on Jan. 6, but the Tigerettes turned in a more determined effort in Friday's contest and trailed just 28-27 early in the third quarter.

Both Lewisburg Middle School basketball teams were eliminated from the James C. Haile Tournament in the quarterfinals last week. The Tigerettes were defeated 26-7 by Macon County Junior High on Thursday night before the Tigers (10-5) dropped a hard fought 48-44 decision to the Cornerstone Yellow Jackets on Friday evening at Middle Tennessee Christian School.

The Cornersville Bulldogs didn't have enough horses to hang with the Loretto Mustangs on Thursday night, as they were drubbed 81-32 by the District 12-A leader on the road. Led by their imposing front line, the Mustangs (13-5) overwhelmed Cornersville (1-15) in the paint and raced out to a 39-20 lead in the first half before outscoring the Bulldogs 42-12 over the final two quarters to coast to the 49-point victory.

Loretto defeated the Cornersville Lady Bulldogs for the eighth straight time on Thursday night when they pulled away late for a 57-40 victory at home. The Lady Mustangs (10-9) had beaten CHS 53-34 earlier in the season, but the Lady Bulldogs (6-13) were nipping at Loretto's heels for much of Thursday's contest and trailed just 39-38 late in the third quarter.

The Cornersville Lady Bulldogs kept their hopes alive for hosting a first round District tournament game by defeating third place Mt. Pleasant 56-45 at home on Friday night to earn a split in the season series with the Lady Tigers. Mt. Pleasant evened the score in the boys' game, as the Tigers (13-7, 8-2 District) defeated the Bulldogs 67-40 to tighten their grip on second place in the District standings.

Delano Rutledge, 79, of Nashville, died Jan. 23, 2015. Mr. Rutledge was a native of Giles County, and he was the son of the late Otis Lee and Missy Smith Rutledge. He was a retired tow truck driver for A-1 Transportation. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Smith Rutledge, Franklin Rutledge and J.B. Rutledge; and four sisters, Ruth Thompson, Milded Tate, Evelyn Parks, and Barbara Joyce Oliver...

Bobby "Pee Wee" Tankersley, 68, of Lewisburg, died Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, at his residence. Mr. Tankersley was a native of Marshall County. He was a son of the late Vance Tucker and Luna Jewel Brashears Tankersley. Pee Wee was a general contractor, working in construction for many years...

Celebration of Life services for Don Corwin, 64, of Aledo, Ill., formerly of Marshall County, were Monday, Jan. 26, at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Military Honors were provided by the Mercer County VFW. Memorials may be made to the Don Corwin Memorial Fund in care of Speer Funeral Home, PO Box 27, Aledo, IL 61231...

Charles Wayburn Wheeler, 72 of Lewisburg, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2015 at his residence. Mr. Wheeler was a native of Marshall County, Tenn. and son of the late Robert Mack and Sarah Frances Powell Wheeler. Wayburn was retired from Lewisburg Auto, Industrial, and Welding as an Industrial Salesman. After retirement he was employed by Lyons Chevrolet Company as a driver. He was a member of the Church of Christ...

Wilma Beatrice Rogers, 92, of Lewisburg, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2015 in Maury Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Rogers was a native of Marshall County and daughter of the late Eddie and Pearl Isley Rodgers. She was retired from the Durango Boot Company and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lewisburg...

Mr. Jack Gevedon, 86, of the Verona Community, formerly of the Palmetto Community of Marshall County, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2015 in Lewisburg, Tenn. Gevedon was born in Ky. and was a son of the late Greenbrier and Pearlie Ison Gevedon. He was retired from Heil-Quaker Corp. ...

James T. Chapman Jr., 85, of Petersburg, passed away on Thursday evening, Jan. 22, 2015, at Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia. Mr. Chapman was a native of Lewisburg, the son of the late Jim T. Chapman, and Dora Adell (Bill) Chapman. He was a graduate of Marshall County High School, Class of 1949. He served his country during the Korean Conflict. He was retired from International Comfort Product with 45 years of service. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Lewisburg...

Paul Daniel "Gecko/Bosco/Tree" Coakley, 34, of Lewisburg, passed joyfully into the arms of the Lord on Jan. 20, 2015, at Vanderbilt Hospital after a short battle with cancer. Born Feb. 9, 1980, to Joe and Kathy Coakley, he was the second of eight children. ...

Thefts and vandalism reported Just after 2 a.m. Jan. 23, an alarm went off at Metro Door on Industrial Drive. When police arrived, they found someone entered by making a hole in the metal wall of the building. Once inside, they pried open three vending machines and took the change (about $50). ...

By Karen Hall Editor County commissioners denied Rogers Group's request to re-zone 95 acres they own near Chapel Hill in order to extend their rock-quarrying operations. The vote Monday came after a 30-minute public hearing when at least 10 people who live in the area voiced their concern. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously gave a favorable recommendation to the Rogers Group request, but none of the affected residents attended their meeting, reported Zoning Director Don Nelson...

By Ivory Riner Staff Writer Members of the 2015 Gattis Leadership group got a taste of Marshall County as they spent Thursday afternoon and evening learning about historical buildings around Lewisburg's square, touring the Dixie Theatre, and painting with local artist Tina Lilly...

By Karen Hall Editor Lewisburg Jewelry, 564 E. Commerce St., remained closed as the Tribune went to press Tuesday. A car crashed into the store's front wall Monday morning, starting an electrical fire and causing structural damage as well. "We will re-open," said owner Tony Kirby. "It's a little bit of a mess here right now...