Sports and Outdoors

Danika Hopkins and all the great Tigerettes’ defenders from yesteryear would have been proud Thursday night. It is never easy going in to the Dottie Kelso Memorial Gymnasium for a postseason game because the Marshall County Tigerettes are going to put their “Gloves” on, making it extremely difficult to score.

After sending a record 10 wrestlers to the state tournament and capturing three state titles last year, Forrest continued to rock as seven out of the ten grapplers that qualified for last weekend’s Region 3A/AA Tournament at East Ridge in Chattanooga finished in the top four to advance to the 2020 TSSAA State Wrestling Championships at the Williamson County Agricultural Exposition Park in Franklin.

Marshall County’s Aaron Foster rejuvenated some history for the Tigers on Saturday when the junior grappler took fourth place in the 152-pound weight class at the Region 3/A-AA Wrestling Tournament at East Ridge High School in Chattanooga to qualify for this weekend’s TSSAA Wrestling State Tournament at the Williamson County Agricultural Exposition Arena in Franklin.

The sixth-seeded Forrest Rockets wound their way down Highway 31-A through Lewisburg and Cornersville down into Bobcat territory to for a do-or-die game with three-seeded Giles County on Tuesday night in first round action of the District 12-AA Tournament. Despite having been swept by the Bobcats in the two regular season games, Forrest built an eight-point halftime lead Giles County could not overcome and the Rockets lived to see another day with a 59-51 victory.

When the second round of the District 12-AA Tournament moves to Lewisburg on Friday, the host Tigers will not be playing after losing 47-41 to Murfreesboro Central Magnet School (MCM) in Tuesday night’s first round contest at Lewisburg. MCM faces top-seeded Community in the first semifinal on Friday night while Forrest, coming off an upset win at Giles County, takes on second-seeded Nolensville in the nightcap.

The third-seeded Forrest Lady Rockets opened up District 12-AA Tournament play Monday night at Chapel Hill and made short work of Murfreesboro Central Magnet School (MCM), blowing out the Lady Tigers 57-16. With the win, Forrest (20-8) reached the 20-win mark for the first time in three years and sixth in Jeremy Jean’s 12-year career as the Lady Rockets’ head coach. “That is something I always look for every year hoping to get to,” Jean said. “This year, we got it now so we can look forward to number twenty-one and keep getting better.”

The Marshall County Tigerettes came in to Thursday night’s intra-county rivalry battle at Forrest with second place and a first-round tournament bye secured, but the Lady Rockets needed a win to host a first round game and they got it, coming away with a 45-32 victory. “We have been in playoff tournament mode since two weeks ago because we got behind the eight-ball and had to win every game we played,” Forrest coach Jeremy Jean said. “Every time you step on the court you want to win.”

The Marshall County Tigers came in to Thursday night’s intra-county rivalry game against Forrest with one thing on their minds, revenge from an earlier season loss to the Rockets at Lewisburg. And they got it via close 56-52 win as senior Canelius Turner burned the nets for a game-high 33 points, including two 3-pointers and an ultra-stellar 15-for-17 performance from the free throw line.

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 17, total points based on 10 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 10th-place vote:...

Thirty student-athletes to be recognized for their performances during the regular season The Mr. and Miss Basketball awards will be presented to the top girls and boys in five classifications of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association on the floor of Murphy Center on the campus of MTSU on Tuesday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m. The finalists for the awards are listed below.

Believe it or not, high school softball practice started this week and Cornersville’s Robin Oberlander has a lot to look forward to this year and beyond as the senior third and first baseman begins her final season as a Lady Bulldog before continuing her softball and scholastic career at Jackson State Community College. “As child I always looked up to the older girls in high school or college ball, following them along in their time as a players and couldn’t wait to be in their shoes,” Oberlander said. “And now I am.”

Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Chair Phillip Fulmer and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell recently announced that sports veteran Brad Willis has been named as the Chief Advancement & Operations Officer of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Willis is a Lewisburg native and the son of Phil Willis and the late Janice Willis.

It’s been a long season for first-year head coach Martha Jane McMasters and the Lady Bulldogs, mired in last place in the District 8-A standings, but on Friday versus Eagleville they showed the grit and determination that bodes well for the future. “I was proud of our girls in the first half,” McMasters said. “In the second half they changed their defense to a 2-2-1 and we could not get past it, we run the 2-2-1 and we still couldn’t get past it.”

Ninth-ranked Eagleville beat Cornersville 58-44 Friday night to complete the regular series sweep and balloon their winning streak to 22 games over the Bulldogs, dating back to 2001. “They always have solid teams,” Cornersville coach Peyton Newton said. “I think you'll start seeing us compete against teams like them soon. Our hard work will pay off.”

The regular season is winding down in District 12-AA and the Murfreesboro Central Magnet Lady Tigers travelled to Lewisburg to face the Marshall County Tigerettes Tuesday night at the Dottie Kelso Memorial Gymnasium. The Tigerettes defeated the Lady Tigers on January 24 and MCHS completed the sweep with a 40-28 victory. The Tigerettes used accurate 3-point shooting, converting nine long bomb, plus two the old-fashion way on a field goal and a free throw.

Murfreesboro Central Magnet School (MCM) and Marshall County met up at Lewisburg for the battle of the Tigers in the second game of Tuesday night’s District 12-AA doubleheader. It was just a good old-fashion high school basketball game featuring great plays, fierce competition, and clutch shooting as the Tigers of MCHS came away with a 45-44 victory.

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 10, total points based on 10 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 10th-place vote:

Anonymous donors recently came forward to supply the medals to the winners of the two coveted low medalist spots in the Gary Wells Cup intra-county golf match between Marshall County, Forrest, and Cornersville. The Wells Cup match, which began in 2012, honors longtime Marshall County Tiger golf coach Gary Wells, who coached the team for a 30-year period from 1979-2009 and guided the Tigers to 19 district titles (16 consecutive), plus back-to-back TSSAA state championships in 1997 and 1998, and a runnerup finish in 1999, all at the Old Fort Golf Corse in Murfreesboro.

Forrest senior Jesmarie Negron wrestled her way to a second consecutive appearance in the state tournament with a fourth-place finish at the West Region Tournament last weekend at Nolensville. The 2020 Class A-AA Wrestling Championship is on February 21 and 22 at the Williamson County Expo Center in Franklin.

The Forrest Lady Rockets continued their late season surge Tuesday night at Chapel Hill with a 62-33 blowout win over District 12-AA foe Community. “Tonight we came out focused on our defensive assignments and we didn’t let them get any open three’s,” Forrest coach Jeremy Jean said. “We pressured their guards so they couldn’t feed the post, so we played a really good game from top to bottom.”

The sixth-ranked Community Vikings marched into Chapel Hill Tuesday night and ran over the Rockets via a 79-47 District 12-AA win. Community (24-1, 7-0) has won 11 games in a row and its only loss was a 69-66 setback to Ardmore, Alabama in the Richland Christmas Tournament. “Community is a really good team, a veteran team,” Forrest coach Corey Bishop said. “All five starters have been starting for the past three years.” “They took their lumps as sophomores and freshmen, but they are now starting to see some good results this year.”

The Lady Bobcats invaded Dottie Kelso Memorial Gymnasium on Tuesday night to take on the Marshall County High School Tigerettes in a key District 12-AA matchup. The Tigerettes, with Karlye Wiser blistering the nets for six 3-pointers, kept the Lady Bobcats at arm’s length and sent Giles County home on the losing end of a 50-42 score.

The second game of Tuesday night’s twin bill saw the Giles County Bobcats taking on the Marshall County Tigers in a crucial District 12-AA matchup for both teams. The Tigers fell behind early, but kept fighting and scrapping to tie it up in the fourth quarter before Giles County’s J.C. Brown poured in 15 points in the final stanza and the Bobcats came away with a 65-62 win. “We got down early and had to fight back, but we just couldn’t close the deal,” MCHS coach Lavon King said. “They hit their free throws and that’s what you’ve got to do to win.”

The Forrest Lady Rockets captured their third win in a row Friday night at Chapel Hill as they easily handled Murfreesboro Central Magnet School (MCM) 67-31. “They were focused on a little bit of payback from the last time we played them (49-40L),” Forrest coach Jeremy Jean said. “Last time over there we shot the ball really bad.” Junior standout Carissa Curtis continued her stellar campaign with a game-high 25 points and five 3-pointers, plus a perfect 4-for-4 effort from the free throw line.

The Rockets entertained Murfreesboro Central Magnet School (MCM) Friday night for the 100-year celebration of Chapel Hill boys basketball and after going to the locker room tied at the half, Forrest wilted in the second half and lost 70-41. “I didn't do a good job of having the guys focused coming out of halftime on the offensive or defensive end,” Forrest coach Corey Bishop said. “It is something personally I need to do a better job of, especially with only a few games remaining before tournament time.”

Friday night’s second game pitted the MCHS Tigers against the number-seven ranked and once-beaten Community Vikings in a key District 12-AA matchup. The Tigers, despite trailing by only five points at the end of the first quarter could not keep up with the twin oaks of 6’7’’ Kobe Pride and 6’8” Corde Lane, who along with their hot shooting guards rolled to a lopsided 101-47 win. “We’ve lost two in a row, but hopefully we find a way to play as a complete team tomorrow (Saturday) night against Franklin County,” MCHS coach LaVon King said. “I felt we had a good game plan against them (Community) and we played well for the first quarter.”

The Marshall County Tigerettes hit the road Friday night to Unionville to face the Community Viqueens, hoping to get back on the winning track after suffering their first District 12-AA loss to Nolensville. The Tigerettes fell victim to a second half surge by the Viqueens, who used a pressure defense and some timely shooting by Zoey Dixon to edge MCHS 38-33. The Tigerettes only had three players in the scoring column with Dionna Crutcher scoring 19 points, Kelsey Keiler had eight, and Karlye Wiser had two 3-pointers for six points.

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 3, total points based on 10 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 10th-place vote:...

This Sunday, nearly 100 million worldwide viewers will tune in for Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida in a classic matchup between two storied NFL franchises as the five-time Super Bowl champions San Francisco 49’ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs, who captured their only title 50 years ago in Super Bowl IV...

PLAY HERE! Complete entry and mail or deliver to: Marshall County Tribune Drop them off at 111 W. Commerce St. or mail them to P.O. box 2667 Lewisburg, TN 37091, Postmarked by Tues., Feb. 4th Name _ Address _ Phone _ E-mail _ (Email address is for Tribune use only and will not be sold or given to a third party)...

The Cornersville Lady Bulldogs hit the road to Lynchburg to take on a District 8-A foe Moore County Raiderettes Friday night. Moore County had to fend off the Lady Bulldogs, who came from 12 points back at the end of the third quarter to close to within three points before clutch free throw shooting from point guard Charlotte Ray enabled the Raiderettes to ease by Cornersville, 49-39.

Friday night’s nightcap at Lynchburg featured a District 8-A matchup between the Cornersville Bulldogs and the Moore County Raiders. Moore County’s Brayden Cashion poured in 21 points to lead all scorers in the contest and the Raiders survived a second half surge by the Bulldogs to pull out a 57-47 victory. “I have got to find a way to get us a win, we haven’t been in those situations where we have to protect the lead and we’ll have to watch film and see how to,” Cornersville coach Peyton Newton said. “It was a good total team effort.” Eli Welch made his presence known in the opening stanza as he scored 11 points and blocked or altered several shots to keep the Bulldogs close.

The Forrest Lady Rockets travelled to Nolensville Friday night and took a beating as the experienced and talented Lady Knights took an easy 70-49 win. “They (Nolensville) are a really good team,” Forrest coach Jeremy Jean said. “They have good size, good shooters, and a good post presence.” Nolensville’s had four players in double figures, led by two-time District 12-AA regular season MVP Grace Baird with 21 points, all coming from three-point land. Zoe Piller scored 17, Parker Leftwich had 15, Caymin Ladd 11 with three 3-pointers, and Sydney Mickulin rounded out the Lady Knights in the scoring column with six points.

After an 11-point loss at Nolensville on Friday night, the Forrest Rockets bounced back on Saturday at Chapel Hill, picking up their third win of the season with a 61-51 triumph over Lawrence County. “It's great to be able to show the guys that we are improving,” Forrest coach Corey Bishop said. “The first time we played Lawrence County we lost 70-35, now we take a win by ten.”

The number-eight ranked Nolensville Lady Knights invaded the Dottie Kelso Memorial Gymnasium for a showdown for first place in District 12-AA with the Marshall County Tigerettes in Tuesday’s first game of a doubleheader. Both squads came into the contest with identical 4-0 district records and they proceeded to put on a defensive show with Nolensville coming away with a 37-27 victory and sole possession of first place.

The finale of Tuesday night’s double header pitted the Nolensville Knights versus the Marshall County Tigers in an important District 12-AA matchup at Lewisburg. The Tigers, looking to move into a second place tie with the Knights in the district, could not overcome some cold shooting and fell 55-33.

Forrest 48, Marshall County 18 Thursday, January 28 At Forrest 182 Pounds-Noah Hill (Forrest) over Bailey Johnson (Marshall Co.), (Fall 1:23). 195-Jose Ogara (Marshall Co.), Forfeit. 220-Double Forfeit. 285-John Martin (Marshall Co.), Forfeit. 106-Layne Bowman (Forrest) over Christian Peete (Marshall Co.), (Fall 1:32)...

Tuesday, January 29, 2020 At Forrest Giles County 12 14 8 14 0-48 Forrest 15 14 9 10 7-55 Giles County (48): Hanna Hill 19, Teondra Williams 11, Ari Howard 8, Angel Howard 5, Bri Brown 5. Three-Point Goals (4): Hill 2, Angel Howard, Brown. Free Throws (10-for-15): Ari Howard 6-for-7, Brown 2-for-4, Williams 1-for-3, Hill 1-for-1...

Giles County 11 7 26 12 14-70 Forrest 13 7 17 19 11-67 Giles County (70): JC Brown 18, Dakorbian Bellefant 14, Zy-Chaun Yarbrough 13, Devin Johnson 11, Jake Cardin 8, Jack Harper 3, Gavin Busby 3. Three-point Goals (6): Brown 2, Cardin 2, Harper, Johnson...

The 2020 TSSAA Hall of Fame inductees have been selected. Nine new members will be inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame at the annual luncheon at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Murfreesboro on Saturday, April 18, 2020. Three administrators, four coaches, one official, and one contributor will be inducted that day to join others in the annual gathering of those selected since the process began in 1982.

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 January 27, total points based on 10 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 10th-place vote:...

Athletes, coaches and officials whose careers were cut short by dying in plane and helicopter crashes: Oct. 18, 1925 — Marvin Goodwin, Cincinnati Reds pitcher, in Houston. March 31, 1931 — Knute Rockne, Notre Dame football coach, in Kansas. Nov. 8, 1948 — Czechoslovak national ice hockey team, five members including IIHF Hall of Famer Ladislav Trojak, in the English Channel...

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kobe Bryant inspired a generation of basketball players worldwide with sublime skills and an unquenchable competitive fire. He earned Los Angeles' eternal adoration during his two decades as the fierce soul of the beloved Lakers, and he was respected by basketball fans from every place with a hoop and a dream, including his native Philadelphia and in Italy, his other childhood home...

So much for not doing well in dual meets. The Forrest Rockets faced a 24-0 deficit every time they took the mat, giving up as many as five weight classes due to forfeits in the early season, but they overcame the shortfall in each of the least three contests to post a 3-0 record for the week. “That’s three in a row,” said a smiling Forrest coach Jason “Shooter” Hill. “It helps getting people back and being able to move and bump weight classes where we only give up three instead of five.”

The Forrest Rockets sent 10 grapplers to the TSSAA State Tournament last season and came away with three state titles and one runner-up spot. Forrest is a little short-handed this season and probably won’t win many dual meets because of open weight classes, but watch out for the Rockets in the individuals as witnessed by a solid showing in the Region 3A/AA Super Scramble at Nolensville High School on Saturday...

In the second game of Thursday night’s Homecoming doubleheader, the Santa Fe Wildcats finished off the regular season series with a 69-58 win at Cornersville. The Bulldogs lost 64-43 at Santa Fe on December 20, 2019. The Wildcats were led by three players in double figures with Andy Slaughter leading the way with 19 points, Jeremy Dotson added 17, and Colton Steward tossed in 11...

The Fayetteville Lady Tigers made the trek to face the Cornersville Lady Bulldogs for a District 8-A contest on Friday night. The Lady Bulldogs, coming off a win against Santa Fe on Homecoming night, carried a three-point lead into halftime, but could not maintain the advantage as a second half surge by Fayetteville and cold shooting by Cornersville allowed the Lady Tigers to come away with a 46-36 victory...

The number-five ranked Fayetteville Tigers invaded Cornersville Friday night to face the Bulldogs in a District 8-A battle. The Bulldogs stayed close as they trailed by three points, but fell victim to hot 3-point shooting and accurate free throws in the second half as the Tigers rolled to a 60-29 victory...

The Lady Bulldogs welcomed the Santa Fe Lady Wildcats to Cornersville on Thursday night to celebrate 2020 Homecoming for the home end of the two-game regular season series. The Lady Bulldogs, who had suffered a 50-40 loss at Santa Fe on December 20, gained a split of the series and in the process broke an eight-game losing streak with a 39-36 win.

The Associated Press’ Top 10 High School Basketball Polls 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 January 20, total points based on 10 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 10th-place vote:...