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If you are anything like me, sometimes you'll pick up a
newspaper and see an all-state listing and wonder, "what
in the world?"
I've seen players with great credentials get left off
for players who didn't deserve to be on such lists...in
all sports.
When you look at this week's list of all-state baseball
and softball players, selected by the Tennessee Sports
Writers Association, you will see perhaps the most
complete and balanced list anywhere in the country. It
has been suggested in many circles, in and outside the
journalism business, that the TSWA all-state list is
even more respected than the Associated Press's list.
This week, four Carroll Countians earned all-state
accolades in baseball or softball. There were many more,
which you will see listed in next week's paper. When you
see McKenzie's Brittany Carpenter, Huntingdon's Brian
Nellett Ashlee Porter and Courtney Henson highlighted on
the list, know that they do, indeed belong there.
No, I'm not suggesting that their honors are a fluke;
rather I'm saying that the process that brought them
there is a diligent one.
I can't go into all the discussion that went on in the
meeting; that dialogue is off the record, of course. But
know that when the meeting ended at 2:30 a.m. EDT, eight
credible all-state teams were picked.
The TSWA has long been a stickler for getting kids on
lists rather than leaving them off. It picks all-state
teams in all classes; the AP does not. I can tell you
that if more information was needed at 1:30 a.m. about a
particular player, someone was on a cell phone calling a
coach or a reporter that covers that particular player.
The all-state process is an intense one.
Be proud that this state has an organization that truly
cares about doing it right. Good players get left off
the list and this year was no different. But understand
a conscientious effort was made to see that everyone had
the very latest and most accurate information on every
player considered.
This is a list that I'm proud to have been a part of.
Congrats go to our quartet of all-staters.
* * *
Speaking of all-staters, kudos also go to Mallory
Brandon. She and her horse "Precious" recently won the
state barrel racing championship. Brandon, who has long
been known for her tenacity on the basketball floor, is
a well-decorated cowgirl as well.
She won a state championship two years ago and was last
year's top point rider in the district, earning her
another prestigious saddle.
Mallory will head to the youth world barrel racing show
later this month against 1,000 other riders and will be
performing locally at Huntingdon in August. Mallory has
enough points to qualify for the open world
championships in November at Augusta, Ga., but will be
pursuing her education at Tennessee-Martin and will not
make that trip.
* * *
It seems champions abound in these parts. McKenzie
sophomore-to-be Anna Trull is making the trek soon to
Orlando, Fla. to play in the AAU national basketball
championships with the Dyersburg Storm.
She's been one of the Storm's leading scorers and will
be competing against 38 other teams from 20 different
states. Randy Coffman, whom I covered when he was a
baseball player at UTM, then later a basketball coach at
Dyer County and Dyersburg, coaches the Storm. Coffman is
an intense coach whose desire to win is palpable. If
Trull and the Storm return with the national
championship hardware, don't be surprised...and you read
it here first.
* * *
More championship talk?
The McKenzie High School and McKenzie Middle School
trapshooting team will be heading to the national
championships in Vandalia, Ohio next week. These folks
have another shot at bringing back some hardware to
these parts of the woods.
But it isn't cheap. The Rebels sharpshooters can use
your help. If you would like to donate to the cause,
contact Lance Rider. Your help will be greatly
appreciated. If these marksmen (and women) can do well
at nationals, they'll qualify for worlds.
McKenzie is indeed on the map in four different states! |
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