OC_ALUM_94

Very nice job on Obion Co. helmet and a "GREAT" job on all the helmets of the schools. It really gives us fans who don't get to see some of these teams play an idea of at least what their uniforms look like. Thanks again for a great job!

Do you have a Obion Co. Central helmet on file. If i'm not mistaken their helmets are blue, with red facemask and OC interlocking diagonally.

"GREAT HIRE" for Obion Central in Shawn Jackson. He has won at every school that he's coached at. I've personally watched his teams play while he was at Caruthersville, MO. and Hayti, MO. Those teams that was under his guidance displayed a very entertaining product. His offenses put up big numbers and showcase the very best players. During his years at Caruthersville his offenses was ranked in the top 5 in the state in almost every category. Putting points on the scoreboard was never the problem it was making sure the scoreboard had enough bulbs, lol. I believe that if the administration will show Coach Jackson the support that a head coach needs he could give that program the "spark" it has been missing over the past couple of seasons. Fans support those young men down in "REBEL COUNTRY" and lets get that program back to wear it should be. GO Rebels!

What a major accomplishment at this level. Coach Whitby has been a proven winner everywhere he's been. I'd definately say that he has officially reached the "legend" status. Congratulations to a great coach and great man on #800.

I believe one of the players on those Kenton teams was current Union City head ladies coach Jeff Chandler.

I know that this is kinda going away from the basketball team but i couldn't help but asking when did he accept the job at Dyersburg. Is it official or rumor? If official i think that is a big blow to the program. Things looked to be heading in the right direction for all sports teams and now a major bump in the road with possibly the departure of the head football coach. Now what is going on in Rebel Country? Now getting back to the basketball thread, good luck guys in the second half of the season and keep improving. Remember you must "Crawl before you can Walk" and with the wins and improvements that the team has made over the past few weeks, ya'll are at least taking your first "steps" towards success. Good Luck guys. GO REBELS!

It was just reported on a sports talk show in West Tennessee that USJ will have to return their state championship in baseball from last year. Sources say that officials at the school have turned themselves in to the TSSAA for paying tuition to athletes.

I hope that the "PIT" will get the proper sendoff(substate game), i believe that is the way the basketball gods would want it. There has been alot of personal memories of that basketball sanctuary that will long be remembered. So many great players, coaches, and etc have gone through there. I would love for people to maybe put a post up and give there version of the "ALL-PIT TEAM" include 5 players and one coach that have played on that floor. Not necessarily have to be a former or current Rebel player. It can be anyone from any team that has played in that gym against the Rebels that fans have enjoyed seeing. I'll give mine now..... 1. Cannon Whitby (a must) 2. Stanley Caldwell (UC) 3. Tony Delk (Haywood Co.) 4. Trey Pearson (SF) 5. Robin Cude (OC) Coach: Harry Ferguson (UC & Trenton Peabody) and Marty Sisco (Kenton & UC)........ Go Rebels! LONG LIVE "THE PIT"

To answer some questions from previous posts. This is the first year for Vashon to be in 5AAAAA, they indeed won the 4AAAA state title last year and this was the first and only meeting between Vashon and Poplar Bluff. To answer the question about a coach named Melvin Smith, to be honest with you i've never heard of him. I know that on some other topics on this website that his name has been rumored of taking over at OCCHS. I'm not saying that there isn't a man by that name but i hadn't ever heard of him. I haven't lived in the "Show Me" state long enough to get to know that many coaches, basically just local coaches.

You are absolutely right, Poplar Bluff did not come out of no where but they have been out of the national polls for a few weeks now. As of Tuesday, Poplar Bluff's All-American Tyler Hansbrough was the USA TODAY'S Player of the Week. Vashon had dropped 8 spots with the loss to finish at #9 in the nation. Poplar Bluff still didn't receive any other national recognition for the upset victory.

Things around the "SHOW ME" state seem to be alot brighter today. It still seems like a dream to see a local team from this area to defeat a team the caliber as Vashon. As i posted last night that it was definately an instant "classic", everyone in the state started the talk about this matchup matchup last year after both teams won their respective state championships (Vashon-4A & Poplar Bluff-5A everyone thought that Vashon couldn't be stopped. They played a style of ball that many teams may try to play but most don't have much success at it. This game reminded me alot of another major upset that happened several years ago in Nashville at Vanderbilt's Memorial Gymnasium. Rebel Fans you all should know where i'm heading with this. David vs. Goliath, the very talented and state ranked Knoxville Austin-East and a little school from Troy whom most people couldn't even pronounce. That's right, the 1986 state championship game in which the Rebels played a style of ball that gave the Roadrunners fits all night and took them out of their game plan and ultimately gave the Rebels their first state title. I definately don't won't to step on any toes with my remarks or thoughts but i'm just trying to describe the feeling that the fans from Poplar Bluff is feeling. I agree with a post from earlier in the topic in saying that Tennessee has some of the best hidden talent anywhere. When most people talk about college talent from the state they talk about the major cities Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. But in my opinion and its just an opinion, those cities do have good talent but the the best hidden talent is in all points in between. Take a look at the teams from small towns who are going to state this season. Being born and raised in West Tennessee i respect the great teams that i grew up watching and playing against as i got to the high school level in baseball. I'll say this once and i'll tell anyone this West Tennessee fans should be very proud of the schools, coaches and athletes that they have. Be proud, Be very proud ! GO REBELS!

According to the tv station that was carrying the game, they reported that Vashon had played at least 8 teams that was in the top 25. I understand that upsets happen but this has to be a major upset. Alot of people have heard of Oak Hill Academy who has made a strong presence in national polls for years was nearly upset back in 1994 by my very own OC Rebels. Matter a fact OC led for most of the game until the final minutes and lost by 5 pts. They had stopped off in Jackson that year on their way back from winning a major tournament in Las Vegas. Point being you don't get national recognition by playing just local teams or the pleasure of being ranked #1 by a national newspaper such as USA TODAY. Anyone will tell you that Vashon was a team that no one has been able to stop for the last two seasons. But as they say all good things must come to an end and their 60 game winning streak fell to the waist side. Those kids from Poplar Bluff will never forget not only winning the state title but probably the most of all remembering that they beat the Nation's best team to win it.

Many people may be asking why an Obion County Central Alum would be reporting on a high school game in Missouri. Well to answer that question is that i've now relocated to the "Show Me" state and i enjoy keeping with local teams here in Missouri but also keeping track of the teams that are close to my heart and that is the OCCHS REBELS. As i watched this game tonight i thought of how close a few teams from West Tennessee came to beating Poplar Bluff this season. State Bound Bolivar Tigers for instance came and eyelash from defeating the Mules this season. Another team that had great success this season was the 13AA champion Union City Golden Tornadoes who lost by a few points to the Mules in Poplar Bluff's on Showdown Tourney on the Mule's homecourt. West Tennessee has many talented teams that played extremely well against the team that blowed out the USA TODAY'S #1 ranked team by 16 points. I know that this may not be the proper place to post results like this one but i thought that many fans from West Tennessee teams that had played Poplar Bluff this season would like to hear about. Good Luck to all the West Tennessee teams who are headed to the state tourney from an OCCHS ALUM and the "SHOW ME" state. I 'd love to hear comments on this national high school upset.

Tonight was probably the biggest upset in high schoo basketball as the nation's top ranked team Vashon High School of St. Louis put their 60 game winning streak on the line against the defending 5A state champs the Mules from Poplar Bluff. The game will go down as a classic but the score would indicate differently. Poplar Bluff 72 Vashon 56 Vashon was making their 24 straight trip to the state tourney, they was going after the school's 1st national championship, 11th state title, and their 5 in the last 6 years. It was a great game to watch if you like basketball, Poplar Bluff was led by All-American 6'9 Tyler Hansbrough who has signed to play for Roy Williams at North Carolina nest season. This kid stood out from start to finish, he was a man on a mission. He finished with 29 points (10-11 from the line) and around 18 rebounds. This kid put on a great show and will definately see alot of playing time next year in Tar Heel country. Poplar Bluff finished the season 27-4 and state champs for the second straight year. Vashon finished the season 29-1 and with the loss snaps the nation's longest winning streak at 60 games.