Lewis County Legends: Biographies

[govu]

In honor of the excitment being generated by the LCHS faculty/student game, I thought that it would be nice to go back and recognize some of our favorite legends by giving all of the fans a personal history of each player. I will begin this thread with the very first Lewis County Legend Howard "The Bear" Spears. I will invite others who have historical background information about other Legends to add to this post. It all started back in 1970 when the Bear was a starting forward on Eugene Grinder's Panther squad. The Panthers paid a visit to state Powerhouse Columbia Central who had 6-9 All-American candidate Lee Fowler. Prior to the game Eugene put his arm around the Bear and said, "Bear we've got a chance to make history tonight if you can shut down their big horse Fowler." The Bear responded by holding Fowler to the lowest point total of his career while at the same time lighting up the scoreboard for the Panthers. As a result the Panthers were the only team to defeat the mighty Lions that season. At the end of his senior season before moving on to become the SEC Player of the Year, Fowler was asked by a reporter who was the toughest opponent he ever faced? Fowler said I can answer that in two words: "the Bear". From that point on the Bear left his mark on Panther Basketball History. Since that time the Panthers have produced a long line of outstanding Post players such as Donnie Ellison, the Gooch, Lee Burklow, Josh Keltner, Darren "Big Game" James, Kyle Clayburn, and currently Jeff Sparkman. For his many contributions to Panther Basketball History and for being the first Lewis County Legend, I would like to say this to the Bear: THANK YOU

[Knight]

I would like to reconize current legend ODB. Many fans ask how he got the nickname ODB, but to be honest court documents show Jerry Brown legally changed his name in the spring of '98 to ODB. It's now his legal name and no longer a nickname. ODB grew up playing ball in the small Arkansas town of Dirtyville(61 miles northeast of LittleRock). ODB told me he was never picked to play because he was always the smallest kid, he spent most of his time shooting an old soccer ball through a peach basket connected to a tree. But it was the soccer ball and peach basket that led ODB to being the deadly 3 point shooter he is today. ODB spent most of his life in Arkansas until 11 yrs ago he moved to a small town in Tennessee.(Hohenwald). He earned rookie of the year honors in his first season at Memorial Park. He played 5 more years before returning to Arkansas. While in Arkansas ODB fell in love, and forgot about the game. ODB spent 2 yrs with the Dirtyville Traveling Circus before realizing he was a ballplayer and not a lion tamer. ODB returned to Hohenwald and has been a huge factor for the Legends team. He currently is shooting 73% from behind the arc. ODB says he plans on playing a few more season with the Legends and then plans to buy out Taco Bell.

[Guest Scalper]

I would like to share the story of fan favorite ODB. It all started back in 1980. Jerry began hanging out at the local basketball courts on the mean streets of Hope, Arkansas. Jerry was always the last to be picked and when he was picked, the other players threatened him with bodily harm if he shot. Since he was not allowed to shoot, Jerry decided to work on his passing game and his defensive skills. One day while playing at the courts, Jerry caught the eye of local athletic star Tory James (now starting Safety for the Oakland Raiders). Tory picked Jerry on his team and was so impressed by Jerry's work ethic that he invited him to try-out for the Hope High School Bobcats Basketball team. Amazingly Jerry made the squad and led the team in steals and assists dishing the ball to the All-American Tory James. James went on to play major College football and later to the NFL. However, Tory and Jerry are still very close friends. Actually, just this past football pre-season when the Raiders were in Nashville to play the Titans. Tory made the short drive down to Columbia just so Jerry could make him some Chicken Quesidillas and they could reminisce about the good ole days. More recently Jerry has established himself as a dependable scoring threat and defensive player as a member of the Lewis County Legends. Just last season Jerry was voted by teammates and fans to be the winner of the coveted award "Most valuable Player Under Five foot". Jerry for your contributions to the Legends Basketball Association we say THANKS!

[govu]

I would like to share some of the history of Jonah Keltner. Jonah and Josh were recently voted by the fans as the best 1-2 punch in the Legends Basketball Association. It all started in the early 1990's in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee. Jonah lived 15 miles from town so he had to ride his bicycle all the way to Mt. Pleasant to play at the courts either at "Macedonia" or "Mink Slide". The courts in Mt. Pleasant can be a tough place for a small red-headed boy from the country. Despite much heckling and abuse from the Town boyz, Jonah was determined to improve his game. Finally at 12 years old Jonah made the Mt. Pleasant Middle School team coached by the Great Dewitt Whittaker and the Legendary Mike "Bud" West. Jonah led the Tigers to the county Championship where they were the only team in Maury County to defeat the mighty Whitthorne Tigers. After his 8th grade year, his family purchase a ranch/estate in Western Lewis County. Jonah earned a place on the Panther Basketball squad. He became a four year letterman and started every game his Junior and Senior season helping the Panthers earn their first winning record in over 10 years. Since that time Jonah has completed his Bachelors Degree and continues to be one of the most feared and respected members of the Legends Basketball Association.

[MeanJeanJr]

I heard yesterday that the LBA (Legends Basketball Association) has lost a year long battle in the court systems and must change there logo to the LBE(Legends Basketball Entertainment). It seems the the official LBA(Ladies Badmitton Association) took the Legends to court early last year on charges that they stole there logo. Yesterday Judge Townsend ruled in favor of the Ladies and forced the Legends into changing the name or suffer severe consequences. Late yesterday afternoon LBE commissioner Howard "theBear" Spears announced that the once LBA has been changed to the LBE. When asked why he didn't appeal the decision, Bear said because I'm just ready to play ball. However LBE Legend ODB thinks it is because Bear's wife is president of the LBA. Great posts GOVU, I can't wait to see the bio on other legends!

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Few stories are told that can touch one's heart the same way this next story does. Bobby "The American Dream" Young had to come into the world in 1971 under the harshest of circumstances. He was the youngest of nine children growing up in a small Hohenwald ghetto. His family sometimes went without food or heat, and the lack of bed space forced some of the kids to sleep on the floor. Bobby's father left the family when he was 3 years old, leaving Bobby's mother to raise the children.

 

Ms. Young, whose courage inspired a 1989 television documentary, did her best to shield her children from the drugs, violence, and crime that plagued the neighborhood. According to the Lewis County Herald, one night, when thugs came looking for Bobby, his mother got out her sawed-off shotgun and warned them, "There's only one gang here, and I lead it. Get off my porch or I'll blow you off it!" Another night, when Bobby got home late, she grounded him for the entire summer.

 

Howard Spears, then the Lewis County Middle School coach who tried to recruit Young, remembered, "You talk about abject poverty, human failing, suffering-they had all that in Bobby's neighborhood. You'd go in there and here was this young guy who's got this big smile. He was unbelievably optimistic for someone who had gone through all the misfortune that has occurred in his family. He was very focused."

 

Young overcame these setbacks to become one of the most spectacular basketball players in LCHS history. Despite playing in the shadow of Donnie Ellison, he is one of only 5 players in school history to score 1,000 points, which he did in less than three full seasons. After a brilliant high school career he reportedly played ball at Michigan State before suffering a career threatening ACL tear his sophmore year.

 

After leaving MSU, he returned to Hohenwald and began dominating the local ball courts in his patented American Flag Daisy Duke boxer shorts. He was recently named one of the top 15 Court Players of All Time and is still a threat when he finds time to play. When Bobby is not enjoying an ice cold beverage at Kelsey's, he is on the road driving commercially. THANK YOU, Bobby Young, for all you have done.

[Historian]

I find the story of Mr.Young inspiring and admirable. I remember watching Bobby play in high school, he was an amazing athlete with a jump shot matched by none other. Please keep the stories coming. I love reading them and it helps me learn about these great Legends!

[fadeaway]

One of the most famous Court Legends of all time is Herman "Creature" Grimes. He made his first visit to Memorial Park in the Spring of 1987 as a skinny short kid with no game. However he possessed two talents that hardly anyone then or anyone from that time on has matched: great hustle and the ability to call "Next". Creature was ahead of his time in the "Next" department, outcalling everyone until 1994 when David "Indo" Williams arrived on the scenes. In 1998 Creature called his final "Next" game and retired to work full time at Maury Regional Hospital.

 

Among his many accomplishments include the Courts "Next" record at 3,392; the Courts total fouls record at 4,567; his infamous flagrant foul on Terry "Gooch" Shipp on a breakaway dunk which sent Shipp into the old Genesco building dislocating his shoulder; and his role in one of the top five greatest plays in Courts history where Drew Robinson bounced the ball off the ground and off the backboard and jumped over Creature for the reverse slam. THANK YOU Creature for all you've done. May your legacy live on forever.

[fadeaway]

Other than Keltner, another famous Jonah made the Courts his home for many years and is undoubtedly a Legend in his own right.

 

"Jumpin" Jonah Russell was born and raised in Northern Hohenwald's housing projects, one of Tennessee's most ravaged ghettos. Despite all the trouble surrounding him, Russell used his deftness with a basketball to steer clear of the drugs and violence that claimed many of his contemporaries. Fate, fortitude, and inspiration from unlikely places helped him persevere to become the pride of his family.

 

Russell, who was nicknamed after his father, "Jumpin" Jerry Russell grew up in a two-bedroom apartment and was the youngest of two children. At age 10 Russell effectively became head of the household when "Jumpin" Jerry abandoned his wife and their children. Living in an environment that destroyed many close to him, Russell easily could have succumbed to the temptations of the street.

 

"It's interesting," Jonah told the Lewis County Herald in 1996, "how guys who are into drugs are always looking to get other guys involved, as if they want company when they go under. Me? I was always into basketball."

 

But basketball hardly seemed the natural course for the young Russell. True, he had decent height. But he was a skinny, painfully shy kid who lacked confidence on the court. He failed to make the basketball team his freshman and sophmore year at LCHS and nearly dropped out of school.

Fortunately for Russell, and for all those who enjoyed his splendid Courts career, a man named Terry Shipp, then a community sports director and Courts Legend, entered the scene. Shipp agreed to tutor and mentor the youngster (for a small fee) and soon he made the team his junior year and by his senior season he had led the Panthers to the District Championship under legendary coach, Howard Spears.

 

Russell continued playing at the Courts after high school and began improving each year. During his Courts career Russell was not flamboyant, just effective. A 6-7 post player, he was a formidable offensive force who was at his best when posting up a defender with his back to the basket, then spinning right or left to shake free for a lightning-quick baby hook shot. When duty called in 1997, Russell bravely enlisted in the Navy SEALS where he proudly served his country in Rowanda, Bosnia, and Yugoslavia. Russell was dishonorable discharged however in 1999 after he was framed by a jealous roommate.

 

After returning home Russell never regained the dedication or desire to play basketball at the Courts that he once had. He now works for a large construction company in Hohenwald and rarely plays the game. Russell still holds the Courts record for most walks in a season (104); most fights at Memorial Park in a lifetime (6); most verbal assaults in a season (76); and is the only player who has ever attempted to throw a skateboard through an opposing players windshield.

 

Not a man to forget his roots, Russell continues to be a presence in the troubled neighborhoods of Hohenwald, helping to run community programs and homeless shelters and counseling kids on the street. THANK YOU, "Jumpin" Jonah, for all you did for Lewis County Basketball.

[govu]

It is time to make notice of one of the Lewis County's most recognizable Basketball Legends Richard Duvall III. As just a baby Richard was abandoned by his parents and left in the care of his elderly grandmother. Richard grew up in the crime plaqued housing developments of Swan Avenue in Hohenwald's notorious East Side neighborhood. Through his school years Richard was subjected to years of both verbal and physical abuse by his classmates and peers. This all came to cease when Richard befriended another future Basketball and Baseball Legend Larry "Rodjo" Rodgers. Rodgers saw some potential in Richard's game and made hime his apprentice. Richard began hanging out at the courts with Roy and through the years evolved into a tenacious perimeter defender and three point shooter. In 1992, Richard earned a spot on the Panthers JV squad and led the team in three-point shooting percentage. Fans will remember Richard for his career highlight game at Page High School when Richard put on a three-point shooting clinic drawing even a huge applause from the Page crowd. After the game in which Richard hit a three at the Buzzer to win, fans from both sides rushed the floor to celebrate. Many fans even asked Richard for his autograph including Page Basketball Superstar Orlando Branch who still has Richard's autograph on the wall at his home in East Nashville. In the fall of 1994, Kissel Bros. Rides and Shows brought their company to Hohenwald for the South Central Area Fair. Richard met and fell in love with Sonya "The Jungle Lady" and joined the Kissel company. After two good years of marriage, the relationship came to an abrupt halt on a cold night in Michigan. Depressed from loosing the love of his life, Richard made his way back to Hohenwald to resume his career in inventory at Kelsey's and Crowell's.Richard was also employed by the Lewis County Herald as a Sports Authority. Richard again began spending time at the courts in 2000 and renewed his friendship with Rodjo. Another highlight of his playing days included the day Richard and Rodjo defeated Adam Melton and Michael Creasy in 2 on 2 at LCMS. Fans will remmember that this was the day Richard perfected his patented defensive move known as the "Piggyback" foul that he used throughout the game to frustrate the sharpshooting Creasy. After a series of violent fights erupted at the courts between Richard and Little Jerry, Richard decided to retire from the game of Basketball. Not long after his retirement, Richard accepted a position on the LCMS Basketball staff to serve as recruiting coordinator and bus driver. Richard was truly dedicated to his work with the basketball team as was evidenced by his outstanding attendance at games and practices. By season's end Richard had helped lead the Raiders to a winning record. His name was even being mentioned for other area coaching vacancies. This all came to a devastating end when Richard was betrayed by his lifetime best friend Rodjo which caused Richard to lose his coaching position. Despite the highs and lows throughout his career. I would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU Richard Duvall for your contributions to Lewis County Basketball.

[MrHonesty]

You guys are so fun to read. You should all be writers for ESPN or Sports Illustrated if you aren't already!

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This next biography is of the legendary Brian "Black Superman" Tibbs. He received this nickname from his longtime friend and teammate, Junior Tubbs, after doing a 360 dunk off an alley-oop thrown off the ground in between games at the City Championship Tournament.

 

Tibbs grew up in a humble environment in South Central Hohenwald. He was the son of local entrepreneur and Courts Hall of Famer, Charlie "Hustle" Tibbs and was practicaly raised at the Courts. As a youth Tibbs began to show signs of a superstar in the making, when at the tender age of 12 he led his team to 12 straight wins in one day.

 

A major setback came when Tibbs entered high school and fell for Trina Love, who was in the LCHS marching band. Tibbs decided that in order to spend more time with Love he'd join the band as well and not play basketball, much to the dismay of Panther Coach "Big Al" Ellison. Tibbs immediately put as much dedication into the band as he had the Courts when he was younger and soon became the Captain and a world class tuba player as well.

 

After graduation Tibbs began playing more and more at the Courts and soon became one of the biggest scoring threats in Courts history. Known for his quick hands, explosive jumpshot, and incredible ups, Tibbs was the total package. However toward the end of his career, Tibbs was known more as a fraudulent scorekeeper than great baller.

 

Tibbs now lives in his childhood home which is only 2 minutes away from the Courts, yet rarely spends time there. He opened a business in 1994 (RAW CUTZ) which he sold in 1999 for $2 million to Roy Dee Weaks, who immediately turned the music shop into a gym. Tibbs is still living off that money and hopes to one day build a recreational center for at-risk youth who lives in the Lewis County community.