Sports and Outdoors

A beautiful spring day turned in to a pleasant Monday evening for an intra-county rivalry to be played out on Cornersville High School’s softball field as the Marshall County Tigerettes, fresh off a trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama for the Gulf Shores Classic III Softball Tournament, rolled in to take on the Lady Bulldogs. The Tigerettes, who had beaten the Lady Dawgs 11-8 on March 22, completed the season series sweep with an 8-5 victory.

In the first of the home and away District 12-AA series, the Forrest Rockets (8-2, 2-1) held the home field versus intra-county rival Marshall County (3-4, 0-3) via a 9-5 comeback win over the Tigers at Chapel Hill Monday night. Forrest had two big innings as they scored four runs in the third inning and five in the fifth to secure their fourth win in a row. “Baseball is an emotional game, we were emotional, they were emotional and I couldn’t be more proud of these guys,” Forrest coach Andy Burkett said. “Cannon Cervantes battled through a foot injury the last three innings he pitched and we were absolutely not taking him out of the game and we knew he was going to get the job done.”

The Forrest Rockets (7-2, 1-1) picked up their third win in a row Friday night at Chapel Hill, coming back for an 8-7 win over the Page Patriots. “I think one of the big trademarks of our team is that we got great team chemistry, but on top of that team chemistry, we play fantastic defense as well,” Forrest coach Andy Burkett said. “Our guys got behind our pitchers today, they hit it, but we were able to make the plays to win the ballgame.” The two squads have played 15 times since 2003 with the Rockets leading the series 9-6.

On a sun splashed early Spring Monday evening, the Cornersville Lady Bulldogs welcomed the Cannon County Lionettes for a non-district softball game. The Lady Bulldogs hitters blistered the Lionettes for 13 hits and 11 runs and got solid pitching from Carmen Ward for a four-inning 11-0 shutout win...

After a 4-1 District 12-AA loss to Giles County at home on Monday, Forrest senior Max Kirby made his first start of the season on the mound on Tuesday versus the Bobcats at the fabled Sam Davis Park in Pulaski where he turned in his best performance of his varsity career, wheeling and dealing his way to a complete game victory as the Rockets won going away, 11-4. “Monday night was a tough game for us…that kid Jake Cardin, the lefty on the mound, he is going to be something special, he is just a sophomore and he had some good stuff and kept us off balance all night,” Forrest coach Andy Burkett said. “Even later in that game I thought we squaring balls up a little bit, but were weren’t finding the holes, so it was really nice to see our guys come out today and swing aggressively against some pretty good pitching.”

The Nolensville Knights inherited a King’s treasure when sophomore ace lefty Ethan McElvain transferred from Summit. On Monday night at Joe George Field in Lewisburg, the Vanderbilt commit showed why Nolensville is now the favorite to win District 12-AA as he tossed a complete game one-hitter, striking out 18 out of the 24 Tigers’ batters he faced in an 8-0 win...

The three-time state champion Forrest Lady Rockets took on the 2005 state champion Marshall Tigerettes in a District 12-AA, intra-county showdown Friday night at Reese Hambrick Field in Lewisburg. “We haven’t been able to do this in a year, so any time you get to go play a team in your county, it’s a big game, there is just a lot on it,” Forrest coach Shelby Lightfoot said...

Class of 2020 will be inducted on July 17, 2021 The Hall of Fame induction ceremony that was planned for Saturday, April 17, has been postponed one final time. The Class of 2020 will now be inducted on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The induction ceremony is set to begin at 11:00 a.m. CST...

The Forrest Lady Rockets continued their early season hot streak, blasting the Community Viqueens 10-0 in six innings Tuesday night at the Field of Dreams in Chapel Hill in the District 12-AA opener. “I thought Unionville came out and looked solid on the mound and hitting wise, it looks like a big improvement, so kudos to them,” Forrest coach Shelby Lightfoot said. “We were a little slow getting the bats going, we were kind of sporadic here and there, so our post-game talk was being a little bit more consistent through the whole game.”

After opening the season with a pair of home wins over Lewis County and Columbia Central, the Marshall County Tigers finished up the three-game home stand versus 3A Ravenwood Monday night at Joe George Field in Lewisburg. It was a topsy turvy contest as the Tigers fell behind early, caught up, and fell behind again before sending the game to extra innings where they lost 5-4 on a mix up on a pop fly in the infield in the top of the ninth inning.

On a cool, but pleasant Monday evening an inter-county rivalry was played out on Reese Hambrick Field in Lewisburg between the Cornersville Lady Bulldogs and the Marshall County High School Tigerettes. The Bulldogs, paced by shortstop Alicia Pope’s two home runs, broke out early then weathered a seven-run fifth inning by the Tigerettes before fighting back with a six-run sixth to make it a two-run game, only to fall 11-8 in a fine high school softball game.

The Cornersville Bulldogs, after being blanked 10-0 Monday night at Moore County, hosted the Raiders in Cornersville on a cold and windy Tuesday evening in a District 4-A contest. The Raiders once again proved to be loaded with firepower as they pounded the Bulldogs 15-0 in a five-inning, mercy rule win to complete the regular season sweep...

The waiting is the hardest part. After a year on the shelf due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the defending Class 2A state champion Forrest Lady Rockets finally got to play some ball, hosting 3A Oakland in a chilly season opener at the Field of Dreams in Chapel Hill Thursday night. “I was just as nervous as they were, you know just that excitement and anticipation,” Forrest coach Shelby Lightfoot said. “It feels good, we are a brand new team, it’s not a team that we had, it’s not a team that I have coached a lot, so trying to get to see where they are going to go and see what this team looks like is different, but we are excited.”

It was a long time coming. The last time the Forrest Rockets played a baseball game was on March 12, 2020 when they beat Summertown 4-3 before the remainder of last season was shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It may have been also been a bit of deja vu for Forrest junior ace hurler Kain Moses, whose last trip to the mound came against Cascade in the season opener last year when he turned in a strong four innings of work to pick up a win...

Marshall County High School Tiger senior standout wide receiver Ak’y Howard is going to continue his football career as a Saint after signing a Letter of Intent with Thomas More University in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. An All-Region 4/4A selection at wide receiver, Howard finished his senior year with 472 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 13.1 yards per catch. Howard had 962 career receiving yards (14.6 per catch) and seven touchdowns...

Marshall County High School senior standout Zack Sheppard is going to keep on running as he recently signed a Letter of Intent with Martin Methodist College in Pulaski to join the cross county squad. Sheppard is the first ever college cross country signee from MCHS...

A Monday afternoon rainout at Santa Fe meant the Cornersville Bulldogs hosted the Santa Fe Wildcats in the season debut for both teams on a sunny afternoon on Cornersville’s showroom baseball field. The Bulldogs, perhaps showing some first game jitters, committed two errors in the top of the first and the Wildcats took advantage as Cornersville dropped its home opener, 5-2.

The LMS Tigers travelled to Chapel Hill Friday night for the first of two intra-county rivalry contests this season and it was the Rockets who came out on top 7-3. FMS only had four hits in the game and got some first inning help by the Tigers, who spotted FMS four unearned runs without a base hit...

The LMS Tigerettes hosted the FMS Lady Rockets in an intra-county battle Monday night at Reese Hambrick Field in Lewisburg and it was the home team that prevailed 10-5 behind some hot hitting and solid work in the circle. LMS starting pitcher Abby Leverette picked up the win, tossing 5.2 innings and surrendering one earned run on five hits while striking out six and walking six Forrest batters.

After a 5-1 setback on Monday night at Spring Hill, the LMS Tigers hosted the Generals on Tuesday at the Jonathan D. Hollingsworth Memorial Babe Ruth Field in Lewisburg and they turned the tables with an identical 5-1 win to salvage the split. The Tigers got a huge effort on the mound from southpaw Eli Cross, who wheeled and dealed his way to a complete game two-hitter, giving up one unearned run while striking out six and walking one Spring Hill batter.

The Cornersville Middle School Lady Bulldogs travelled down Highway 31A to Pulaski Tuesday afternoon for an early season game against traditional foe Bridgeforth. The Lady Bulldogs took an early lead then fought off two rallies by the Lady Bobcats in the sixth and seventh innings to secure a 13-8 victory. The Lady Bulldogs started fast as Hanna Moore led off the game with a base hit to center field.

The Community Middle School Vikings came calling on the host Cornersville Middle School Bulldogs for an early season game at the Bulldogs’ immaculately, groomed field on Monday afternoon. Behind some gritty pitching from Colyn Schillig, the Bulldogs were all even with the Vikings until a big seventh inning push by the Community boys netted the Vikings their first victory of the year, 10-5.

After a big road win at Fairview on Saturday night, the Marshall County Tigers went back on the road again to Unionville on Tuesday night for a Region 6-AA Tournament semifinals clash with the Vikings. There was much on the line in the season rubber match with a win over the Vikings securing Marshall County’s first appearance in a region title game in five years and a berth in the state sectional round...

The TSSAA Class A/AA State Wrestling Championships on Wednesday at the Chattanooga Convention Center was a one-day event this season due to the Covid-19 restrictions. There were six county wrestlers at the event as Forrest sent senior Noah Hill, freshman Seth McCoy and juniors Braiden Vanderploeg and Asa Nance while seniors Aaron Foster and Colton Haun qualified from Marshall County High School. Hill, the defending Class A/AA defending champion, swept through the tough 182-pound bracket for the second season in row to finish his senior campaign with a 31-0 record.

The Forrest Lady Rockets, whose season has been one of early disappointment that turned to late season success, traveled to Nolensville to take on the Lady Knights in the District 12AA title game. Nolensville used the strength of their huge post player Zoe Piller (daughter of former Tennessee Titans offensive guard Zach Piller) and the savvy play of guard Caymin Ladd (daughter of District 12-AA Coach of the Year Chris Ladd) to take a 47-33 win and claim their third consecutive district tournament title. “They (Nolensville) are a good team,” Forrest coach Corey Bishop said. “Coach Ladd did some things that we had to think about on defense, but we were able to handle it toward the end of the second quarter.”

After having stubbed their toe against Nolensville in the regular season finale loss that prevented them from clinching sole possession of first place in the district, followed by a District 12-AA semifinal loss to Murfreesboro Central Magnet School at Dottie Kelso Memorial Gym, the Marshall County Tigers were left to host a consolation game against the Forrest Rockets, who were coming off a win against Nolensville...

After a second place finish in the District 12-AA Tournament, the Forrest Lady Rockets hosted its first region game in eight years as they took on the District 11-AA Tournament third place Fairview Yellow Jackets Friday night at Chapel Hill. Things did go as planned as the Yellow Jackets came out in a swarm and never got off as they easily beat the Lady Rockets 48-36.

The Marshall County Tigers travelled to Fairview Saturday night for an opening round Region 6-AA Tournament contest that continued a long-standing rivalry that goes back decades as district foes and postseason opponents. The regular season District 12-AA champion Tigers stumbled in their first game of the district tournament, but they game out running and gunning on Saturday as they jumped out to a huge lead that propelled MCHS to a 60-53 win over the Yellow Jackets.

District 12-AA Tournament Boys First Round Monday, February 22 At Nolensville Forrest 55, Nolensville 49 At Murfreesboro Central Magnet Murfreesboro Central Magnet 76, Giles County 73 Semifinals Tuesday, February 23 At Community Community 77 vs. Forrest 48...

Forrest senior Laura Mealer put on a show at Unionville in Tuesday night’s District 12-AA semifinal, pouring in a career-high 31 points to lead the Lady Rockets to a 49-41 win and a meeting at Nolensville tonight for the district championship. “A team goal we established at the beginning of the year was to play for a district championship,” Forrest coach Corey Bishop said. “This is the first that has happened since the 2013-2014 season, so to have a chance to be in this game is huge for the program.”

After stunning Nolensville 55-49 in Monday night’s District 12-AA opening round contest, the Forrest Rockets had to get back up and face the tough task of travelling to Unionville to take on the number-two seed Vikings. After a close first quarter, Community turned it on and rolled to an easy 77-48 win over the Rockets. “I thought we had a solid first quarter, but then you could tell that our legs started to get a little tired in the second quarter and for the rest of the game,” Forrest coach Corey Bishop said. “We need to have a solid practice on Wednesday and be ready for our game on Thursday.”

The Marshall County Tigers were looking to advance to the District 12-AA Tournament title game as they hosted their namesakes from Murfreesboro Central Magnet School (MCM) on a pleasant Tuesday evening after a week of Artic weather had postponed action in the tournament...

The losing streak is over for Forrest. The Rockets’ last win came on November 23, 2020 and they had lost 16 games in a row coming into Monday night’s District 12-AA Tournament opener at Nolensville where they turned in their best game of the season, knocking the Knights out of the postseason with a convincing 55-49 win...

After losing their last two regular season games by a combined five points, the Forrest Lady Rockets bounced back with a nail-biting 39-33 win over the Marshall County Tigerettes in the first round of the District 12-AA Tournament Monday night at Chapel Hill...

District 8-A Tournament Schedules Girls Monday, February 22 (5) Fayetteville at (4) Cascade, 5:30 p.m. (6) Cornersville at (3) Moore County, 7 p.m. Tuesday, February, 23 Fayetteville/Cascade winner at (1) Huntland, 7 p.m. Cornersville/Moore County winner at (2) Eagleville, 7 p.m...

District 12-AA Tournament Schedules Girls Monday, February 22 (6) Marshall County at (3) Forrest, 5 p.m. (5) Giles County at (4) Murfreesboro Central Magnet, 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 23 Giles County/Murfreesboro Central Magnet winner at (1) Nolensville, 6 p.m...

The Associated Press' Top 10 teams in each of Tennessee's three Division I non-financial aid classifications and in the combined Division II financial aid classification as selected by Tennessee AP-member sportswriters and broadcasters. With first-place votes in parentheses, records through February 15, total points based on 10 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 10th-place vote:...

On a cold Friday night in Lewisburg, the recently crowned District 12-AA champion Nolensville Lady Knights visited Dottie Kelso Memorial Gymnasium in the regular season finale. Despite the cold outside, the Tigerettes and Lady Knights heated up the gym in a defensive struggle that saw MCHS fall just short as Nolensville used a strong fourth quarter to eke out a 38-31 victory...

The Marshall County Tigers hosted the Nolensville Knights in Friday night’s regular season finale, looking to clinch the District 12-AA regular season title, but were stymied by turnovers as they fell to the Knights 50-42. “It was one of those games where I thought neither team got comfortable,” MCHS coach Lavon King said. “I thought it was an ugly game, we turned the ball over way too much.” With Community’s (17-7, 8-2) win over Murfreesboro Central Magnet, the two teams tied and Marshall County (14-6, 8-2) won a coin toss on Saturday and will be the number-one seed and await the winner of the four/five first-round game between Central Magnet (10-10, 5-5) and Giles County (3-12, 3-7).

The Forrest Rockets and Marshall County Tigers had a very successful Region 3A/AA Tournament at Eagleville on Friday and Saturday with Noah Hill, Asa Nance, Seth McCoy, and Braiden Vanderploeg qualifying from Chapel Hill for the state tournament next week in Chattanooga, while Aaron Foster and Colton Haun qualified for the Tigers. “I’m proud of all my wrestlers that have qualified and all of my wrestlers that made it through this year, it has been wild and whacky season because of Covid and I’m tired and I’m ready for the season to be over and I know all the kids are too,” Forrest coach Jason “Shooter” Hill said. “We have a couple of more practices and one more week and will go down to Chattanooga and see what happens.”

Inclement weather across the state poses extreme travel conditions February 15, 2021 A significant portion of our state has been impacted by snow and ice making travel extremely hazardous and, in some cases, impossible. As a result, the tournament has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 24th - Friday, February 26th at the Chattanooga Convention Center...

The Forrest Rockets, mired in a 16-game losing streak, hosted Giles County for senior night in Chapel Hill on Friday and went toe-to-toe with the Bobcats, trailing by just four points late in the fourth quarter before falling 65-56. “The guys battled hard all throughout the game,” Forrest coach Corey Bishop said. “We just need to be more consistent for the entirety of each game and I believe if we do that then we will be fine.”...

The Forrest Lady Rockets came in to Friday’s senior night tilt versus Giles County needing a win and a Community loss versus Murfreesboro Central Magnet School to clinch second place in the District 12-AA standings and earn a first round bye in this week’s district tournament...

The Region 3A/AA Wrestling Tournament at Eagleville has a new format this season as full brackets will be completed all the way through the championship matches and will be split into two days, beginning on Friday at 11:30 a.m. Friday’s session begins with the 126-pound weight class flowed by 132, 138, 152, 160, 195, and 285. The first local wrestler to take the mat will be Forrest junior Asa Nance (6-4), who will wrestle Moore County senior Dustin Thomas (5-2) in the 126-pound weight class.

Thirty student-athletes to be recognized for their performances during the 2020-21 regular season February 10, 2021 The Mr. and Miss Basketball Awards will be presented next month to the top girls and boys in five classifications of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association prior to the championship game awards presentation for each class, respectively...

Lady Rocket senior first baseman Katelyn Helmick epitomizes the resiliency and the never give up and never give in mantra of Forrest softball as she has had to sit on the sidelines for much of her high school career due to injuries. That attitude of determination and what she has shown on the field was enough for Motlow State Community College, who recently signed Helmick to a Letter of Intent to play softball next season for the Lady Bucks. “I’m really excited,” Helmick said. “I’m just hoping all my hard work in rehabbing will pay off in a great way.”

The Marshall County Tigers, winners of 10 of their last 11 games and sitting atop the District 12-AA standings, traveled to the ‘Boro to take on Murfreesboro Central Magnet School, completing Tuesday night’s doubleheader. The Tigers began the game with their athleticism on display and ended the game with that same intensity as they turned back Central Magnet 52-46...

The Marshall County Tigerettes traveled up to the den at Murfreesboro Central Magnet School for a District 12-AA game Tuesday night. The Tigerettes and their loyal fan base, whose season has been one not to anyone’s liking, used a huge second half to come from behind to defeat the Lady Tigers 47-46 on junior Israel Hurt’s bank shot with 9.2 seconds left in the game...

The Forrest Lady Rockets had a chance to tie for first place in the District 12-AA standings when they travelled to Nolensville Tuesday night, a place where they have never won. The Lady Rockets went toe-to-toe with the defending back-to-back district champion Lady Knights the entire contest until a couple of late turnovers cost them a 39-35 defeat...