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Crockett Students Get Outstanding Results at FFA State Convention
Ron Barry

By Ron Barry

Many people from around the Southeast go to Gatlinburg to enjoy the mountains or spend a day at Dollywood. Even more go there to pick up some unique arts and crafts.

Crockett County High School’s FFA students went there this week – to pick up some hardware.

At the annual FFA State Convention in the East Tennessee resort town, Cavalier students were awarded prize after prize as winners were announced in several competition categories of both teams and individuals. Included in their impressive haul were state championships for the units competing in Parliamentary Procedure and in Agricultural Sales.

Reece Wilson and Bailey Ann Whitby were named state champions in the Social Science Division 6 for their Agriscience Fair Project entitled “Neighbor Joe or the Sto?,” in which they surveyed the public’s opinion on buying store-bought eggs vs. farm-fresh eggs.

Wess Lewis was declared state champion in his proficiency of Agricultural Services and Kay Klonowski won the state title in her proficiency of Forest Management and Products. Hudson Freeman was selected as state winner in his proficiency of Agricultural Sales – Placement. All these winners will move on to represent Tennessee at the National Convention.

“I am headed home from the state convention with a full heart,” said FFA advisor Haley Williams. “This week is what most ag teachers dream of having at the convention. I am so proud of each and every one of these great students. Our students set big goals a few years ago and watching them accomplish those is truly a blessing. I know I am biased, but I have some of the best students who go above and beyond to make our chapter grow and flourish.”

In addition to the state champions, several Crockett individuals and teams recorded runner-up finishes.

The Agricultural Issues team – composed of Tatiana Garduno, Addision Mitchell, Jack Fancey, Makenna Cole, Kaylen Park, Lily Smith, and Klonowski – placed second in a category in which students have to investigate a variety of current local, state, national, and international issues facing agriculture and then demonstrate an adequate understanding of the principles and fundamentals of ag issue analysis.

Fancey and Becca Butler were state runners-up for their Agriscience Fair Project in Food Products and Processing Systems Division 6, entitled “Does the Breed of Sheep Affect the Nutrients of Their Meat?” They traveled to Mississippi State University to analyze Shropshire, Tunis, and White Dorper lamb meat.

Jessie Hooks was named state runner-up in Animal Systems Division 3 of Agriscience Fair with her project, “Why Does Blood Clotting Signify Pregnancy in Animals?”

The Parliamentary Procedure team that claimed the state championship is composed of Fancey, Smith, Whitby, Mitchell, Jiorgia Elmore, and Katie Jane Crook. They are evaluated on their ability to conduct an orderly and efficient meeting using parliamentary procedure and are judged on their knowledge of parliamentary law and their ability to present logical, realistic, and convincing debate and motions. Olivia Lock was the Crockett coach for this team.

“I have been beyond blessed to be a part of a program with the best co-teachers and even better students,” Lock said. “Each and every one of these kids give us their all every day. I can’t help but smile. This convention has reminded me of why I put 110% into what I love. These kids, these co-teachers, and this chapter have been some of the most rewarding experiences I have been able to be a part of, and for that I will forever be grateful.”

Williams coached the state champion Agricultural Sales team, made up of Klonowski, Butler, Addi Beth Work, and Alexis Morales. In the competition, they were selling six hybrids of Pioneer corn and six varieties of Pioneer soybeans, and then had to complete a handwritten test, a team sale activity, and an individual sale.

Williams wanted to especially thank the parents of the students who entered the competitions.

“We took a group of 43 students to compete at the state level,” Williams said. “Many think we are crazy, but all week we received compliments on how well-mannered they were and what a great group they were. And that’s thanks to their parents.”

Another Crockett ag teacher, Ashley Moore, was thrilled to watch her colleagues and their students work their magic.

“What an absolutely great week,” she said. “Our students accomplished many great things. It was amazing to watch Haley’s Ag Sales team and Olivia’s Parliamentary Procedure team accomplish huge goals by becoming state champions. I’m so very thankful for outstanding students and the best co-teachers.”

Crockett County's FFA Chapter was among the most outstanding groups at the State Convention.

The FFA Parliamentary Procedure Team: State Champions.

The FFA Ag Sales Team: State Champions.

 

 

Crockett Diamonders Sweep Obion County for Fast District Start
Ron Barry

By Ron Barry

Crockett County’s baseball team didn’t let a delay caused by weather situations get in the way of its focus for its district openers Wednesday evening.

With wind and rain postponing Monday’s original date, and a soaked field Tuesday (because the overnight wind blew the tarp off Obion County’s field) doing it again, Coach Brent Fronabarger’s Cavaliers were finally able to get down to business in Troy on a sunny but cool Wednesday.

The result was a doubleheader sweep of the homestanding Rebels, with Crockett taking the first game 11-1 and the second 9-3. The opener was a run-rule game; the second was tied 2-2 until Crockett erupted for seven runs in the final two frames.

The sweep evened Crockett’s season record at 4-4, but more importantly gets the Cavaliers off to a solid start in their always-tough district.

In the first contest, Cav second baseman Landon Wicker went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and three runs scored as Crockett jumped on Obion County early and often. Shortstop Reed Ingram also contributed three hits, while Grayson Lambert added two safeties and also drove in two runs.

Joseph Gould knocked in three runs and Callan Willis two in the game. Designated hitter Cade Freeman slugged a solo home run to support an outstanding pitching outing from Carter Winders, who limited the Rebels to two hits while striking out nine and yielding just one run, which was unearned.

Game 2 was a much more tightly-contested affair. Crockett scored in the first on a bases-loaded walk to Lambert, following a leadoff single by Blaine Nichols, a double by Fronabarger, and another walk to Winders. But Obion countered with a two-run second, aided by two Cav infield errors.

Crockett evened it at 2-2 in the third when Winders was hit by a pitch and Gould doubled courtesy runner Baker Maddox home.

It stayed 2-2 until the top of the sixth, when Nichols led off with his third hit of the game and took third on another single by Ingram. Following an intentional walk to Fronabarger, Winders drew another base on balls to force in the go-ahead run.

Gould then grounded into a fielder’s choice back to Rebel pitcher Hamilton May, who threw home to retire Ingram. After that, hilarity ensued on the play, as May committed an error that allowed Gould to get all the way around to third and two more runs to score for a 5-2 Cav advantage. Willis doubled Gould in one out later to increase the margin.

Crockett struck for three more in the seventh. Wicker was hit by a pitch, but was retired at second on a bunt attempt by Nichols, who eventually took second on a wild pitch. After a walk to Ingram, Fronabarger slammed a two-run double to make it 8-2. Winders followed with another double to bring in courtesy runner Bryson Vance.

Gould relieved winning pitcher Fronabarger to start the seventh, and despite a couple of walks and an error, escaped with only one unearned run being scored. Fronabarger went the first six innings, allowing just four hits and no earned runs while striking out six.

Crockett goes on the road for two games this weekend, playing at noon Friday at McKenzie and at noon Saturday at Millington. The Cavs are scheduled to be home Monday for a 4:30 district matchup with Dyer County.

Landon Wicker had three hits, with two doubles, and scored three runs in Game 1. (Photo by Ron Barry)

Blaine Nichols collected three hits and scored three runs in Game 2. (Photo by Ron Barry)

Joseph Gould knocked in three runs in Game 1 and doubled home another in Game 2. (Photo by Ron Barry)

 

 

7th-Inning Uprising Topples Crockett Softball; Soccer Cavs Roll 4-2
Ron Barry

By Ron Barry

After being blanked for six innings on two hits by Crockett County’s Anna Stallings, Dyer County cranked up a power surge in the final inning to generate three runs and post a 3-2 gut-punch victory over the Lady Cavaliers Tuesday night.

Winning pitcher Maddie Wilkerson followed one-out doubles by Lady Choctaw teammates Abbie Gibbons and Kierstyn Ray with a fly-ball home run over the center-field fence, erasing a Crockett lead that had held since the Lady Cavs scored in the fourth frame.

Crockett (now 9-4 and 2-1 in the district) had taken a 1-0 edge in the top of the fourth when Jayden Maddox led off with a single to center, took second on a groundout by Madison Solis, third on a groundout by Stallings, and then raced home when a Destiny Foster grounder to short was misplayed for an error.

The visiting Lady Cavs made it 2-0 in the sixth when Solis reached on an error. A fly-ball triple by Foster brought home pinch-runner Tink Willis. But the Dyer County long balls in the bottom of the seventh overcame the Crockett lead.

Foster was 2-for-3 to pace the Lady Cav offense, which was held to just four hits by relief pitcher Wilkerson and starter Rylee Key. The single by Maddox and a double by Lynden Cole were Crockett’s only other safeties, although Hannah Carter reached twice on a walk and a hit-by-pitch, and also stole a base.

Ray collected two hits and drove in a run to spark the Lady Choctaw offense before Wilkerson ended things with her walk-off blast.

The Lady Cavs play another big road district game Thursday night at Dyersburg at 6:30. Crockett’s baseball team, which wasn’t able to play Tuesday due to a wet field in Troy, will travel there today (Wednesday) for a 4:30 doubleheader against the host Obion County Rebels.

SOCCER: Finally getting an opportunity to play their home opener, the Crockett County Cavaliers scored a big 4-2 triumph over a talented Madison Academic team on the strength of a hat trick by Luke Carter.

Carter’s three goals came on assists from Angel Garcia, Braulio Marquez, and Edgar Juarez. Marquez tallied the other Crockett goal for the winners, who are now 2-0 on the season for Coach Stan Jamscek.

Goaltenders Avery Hurst and Noah Mayfield both contributed key saves to the Crockett cause.

The Cavs are next scheduled to play on Friday, April 5 at Huntingdon in the Mustangs’ tournament.

Senior outfielder Destiny Foster drove in a run with a triple and collected two of Crockett's four hits in their 3-2 loss to Dyer County Tuesday night. (Photo by Ron Barry)

Edgar Juarez recorded one of Crockett's three assists in the Cavaliers' 4-2 soccer victory over Madison Academic Tuesday night. (Photo by Ron Barry)

The 2024 Crockett County boys soccer team.

 

 

Lady Cavs Demonstrate Resilience Again as Comeback Edges Munford 7-6
Ron Barry

By Ron Barry

They used the power ball to catch up and the small ball to break the tie.

In a nutshell, that’s the description of how Crockett County’s softballers roared back from a 6-2 deficit to defeat Munford 7-6 Friday night in Alamo.

Coach David Barker’s Lady Cavaliers were holding on to a 2-1 lead through four innings even though pitcher Anna Stallings admitted, “Tonight wasn’t my best night on the mound.” But she’d worked her way out of a bases-loaded situation in the second and used an unassisted double play by first baseman Jayden Maddox to keep the contest close.

In the top of the fifth, however, Stallings issued a rare walk to Gabby Asbill and then yielded a one-out single to Vivian Millican. A fielder’s choice on a bunt play failed to record an out, loading the bases.  Asbill raced home to tie the game at 2-2 when Sadie Billings singled to center, but then Gracie Williams blasted a grand slam over the left-field fence, and suddenly Crockett trailed 6-2.

“(After that) I was just trying to hit my spots and keep them low,” said Stallings, who struck out the next two hitters to close out the inning.

“Anna is the type of player that doesn’t need much advice, just a reminder here and there,” said senior catcher Lynden Cole. “All I told her was to keep it low and let her defense work behind her. Our defense was super solid tonight, just great plays all around.”

For her part, Stallings retired the side in order in both the sixth and seventh frames. “Luckily our defense was behind me and made plays,” she said, “and we were able to string together some hits and get the win.”

Crockett had scored twice in the third when Cole slammed a two-out home run over the left-field fence – her second bomb in her last three games – which was followed by a line-drive single to right by Kinleigh Lamb and a run-producing double to left by Maddox.

In the bottom of the fifth, now trailing 6-2, Cole led off with a line-drive double to center. Lamb followed with an infield hit to the shortstop, with courtesy runner Gabby Bursey moving over to third. One out later, Brooklyn Haynes drove Bursey in with a sacrifice fly to left, cutting the margin to 6-3.

Crockett rallied again in the sixth, and Stallings got it started herself with a sharp single to left. Piper Smith entered as a courtesy runner and moved to second when Destiny Foster reached on an infield error. Smith advanced to third on a flyout by Piper White and scored when pinch-hitter Bursey bounced an infield hit to short. Munford’s Millican muffed the throw to first, which allowed Foster to go to third and Bursey to second, with the score now 6-4.

With first base open, Munford intentionally walked the red-hot Cole – she’s 11-for-15 with 11 RBIs in her last four games – but Lamb foiled the strategy when she popped a two-run single over the shortstop’s head to deadlock the contest at 6-all.

When Stallings retired Munford in order in the top of the seventh, the opportunity was created for a walk-off win. But it’s likely no one foresaw exactly how it would unfold.

Billings helped Crockett out by walking leadoff hitter Madison Solis on four straight pitches. Barker inserted freshman Tink Willis as a pinch-runner, and sent another freshman – Smith – to hit for Stallings, now that some “small ball” was in order. Smith successfully sacrificed Willis to second, but reached base herself when third sacker Mia Kate Griffin misplayed the bunt.

With another one of his best bunters due up next, Barker continued the strategy, and Foster successfully moved both runners over with another sacrifice.

With first base open and White – one of the fastest players in West Tennessee – coming up, Munford declined to intentionally walk her. Consequently, the junior leadoff hitter pushed a bunt in the shaken Griffin’s direction again, and she booted it as Willis raced home with the game-winning run.

Cole said she wasn’t surprised at the way the decisive run was created.

“This team as a whole is great at execution when it comes to tight situations,” she said, “so when bunts were being called I was not worried about the job not being done. It’s comforting when we have our speedy hitters up in tight situations because it’s almost guaranteed baserunners.”

Cole and Lamb – who’s almost matched Cole’s numbers this week – each had three hits to pace the Lady Cavs’ 12-hit attack. Lamb is 10-for-17 with eight RBIs in Crockett’s last five games. Stallings collected two hits for the winners.

The Lady Cavs are now 9-3 and carry their 2-0 district record into two big league contests next week – both on the road – facing Dyer County Tuesday night at 6:15 and Dyersburg Thursday night at 6:30.

Lynden Cole hammered her second home run of the week and is currently on a four-game tear at the plate for Crockett. (Photo courtesy of Alan Cole)

Freshman Piper Smith - usually used as a courtesy runner this season - laid down a key bunt in the decisive seventh-inning rally that won the game for Crockett. (Photo by Ron Barry)

Senior Destiny Foster followed Smith's bunt with another successful sacrifice, setting up the game-winner for the Lady Cavs. (Photo by Ron Barry)

When an opponent gets in a situation in which Piper White can beat you with her legs - and then pitches to her anyway - well, Crockett will take that scenario every time. (Photo by Ron Barry)

Senior first baseman Jayden Maddox contributed a huge run-scoring double for Crockett, and also turned in an unassisted double play defensively. (Photo by Ron Barry)

Lady Cav pitcher Anna Stallings, while not having her best game, clamped down after Munford's grand slam and didn't let the visitors score again, allowing Crockett to make its comeback. (Photo by Ron Barry)

 

 

 

Resilient Lady Cavs Bounce Back to Crush Obion County 10-0
Ron Barry

[Thursday Sports Recap]

By Ron Barry

After trying to dodge all the bullets Arlington was hitting against them Wednesday night, Crockett County’s Lady Cavalier softballers decided they’d rather be the ones firing them Thursday night.

The result was a 10-0 run-rule decision over district foe Obion County as Lynden Cole drove in four runs with a pair of doubles and Kinleigh Lamb sizzled three straight line-drive hits in as many plate appearances, knocking in three tallies. The resilient Lady Cavs bounced back from a 15-6 beating by Arlington the previous night.

Winning pitcher Anna Stallings spun a one-hit shutout over the five innings played before the “mercy rule” halted play after Cole belted her second double in the bottom of the frame, driving home the ninth and tenth runs.

“We didn’t do anything special with Anna tonight besides her usual,” said catcher Cole. “We just stayed on corners and worked hands and knees. She didn’t walk a single batter so she had the umpire’s strike zone down to the ‘t’.”

As for the offense, both Lamb and Cole said the best approach is keeping things simple.

“After losing to Arlington, and not having my best hitting performance, I kept my weight back (tonight) and just saw the ball,” Lamb said. “While hitting after Lynden, I take the approach of ‘just get a base hit,’ or if there are runners on, hitting them in. I was really proud of the whole team and how we came together and got a big win tonight, and played through the whole game without having a bad inning.”

Cole, who was 4-for-4 with a double and a home run against Arlington, said it was time to change things up.

“Right now I’m working out of a slight slump, so I’m just focusing on good contact and solid hits,” she said. “I’ve always been a big power hitter but sometimes we have to go back to the basics, such as focusing on line drives. That’s where I am right now.”

Crockett’s bounce back from the Arlington game began in the very first frame when leadoff hitter Piper White drew a walk and moved to second when Hannah Carter’s bunt was mishandled by Obion’s third baseman. Cole grounded out to short, but both runners advanced on the play, and they easily scored when Lamb blistered a liner to center for her first hit of the night.

Coach David Barker’s crew struck again in the third. Cole smoked a liner to center for a base hit, but courtesy runner Gabby Bursey was caught attempting to steal second. Lamb picked the rally right back up by sizzling another liner up the middle, and Brooklyn Haynes chased her to third with a single to right. Madison Solis got into the act by blasting a liner over the right fielder’s head for a two-run double, and Crockett led 4-0.

The Lady Cavs doubled that margin in the fourth. Destiny Foster drove a leadoff double to deep left field and took third when White beat out an infield single to short and then stole second. Carter laid down a drag bunt toward the second baseman for another infield hit, bringing Foster home and White to third. Carter then stole second, and she and White both raced home when Cole smashed a double to left. Bursey ran for Cole again and easily scored when Lamb laced her third straight bullet to center field.

Batting again in the bottom of the fifth, now with an 8-0 edge, Crockett scored twice more to end the contest. Foster worked a base on balls and took second when White ripped a hard single to right. After a fielder’s choice forced Foster out at third, Cole delivered another two-run double to center to reach the 10-run mercy limit.

White and Haynes each had two hits to back the three apiece by Cole and Lamb. Foster was 1-for-1 with a double and two walks in her three plate appearances. Carter and White scored three runs apiece for the winners, who are now 8-3 overall and 2-0 in district play.

Crockett hosts Munford Friday evening at 5:00 before playing two district games on the road next week, at Dyer County on Tuesday and at Dyersburg on Thursday.

MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL: Crockett County Middle School’s volleyball team, which earlier this season won its own invitational tournament, completed a perfect 17-0 season Thursday night with a victory over Milan.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCCER: Lucas Morales and Caleb Ferguson, both in the sixth grade and members of the CCMS soccer team, are participating in tournaments this week in both Mexico City and Spain through their affiliation with Jackson Boom Academy through a previous involvement with Nido Aguila, a development academy of the prestigious Mexican club Club America.

In the fall of 2023, Nido Aguila and Jackson Boom merged to become Jackson Boom Academy. As a member of the Tennessee State Soccer Association and with a staff member participating in the Tennessee Olympic Development Program, the academy has strong connections and pathways for talented players. Morales and Ferguson, having played for Nido Aguila, were chosen along with other talented kids from West Tennessee to participate in the tournaments in Mexico and Spain.

These tournaments gather elite athletes from around the southeast region to compete at a high level. Additionally, the club is gearing up to play at the Disney Memorial Day Tournament this coming May.

Crockett senior second baseman Kinleigh Lamb smoked three line-drive base hits in three at-bats, driving home three runs as the Lady Cavs pounded Obion County 10-0. (Photo by Ron Barry)

Senior catcher Lynden Cole now has eight hits and 10 RBIs in her last three games after plating four more teammates in the win over the Lady Rebels. (Photo by Ron Barry)

Anna Stallings, the steady sophomore pitcher for the Lady Cavs, hurled another walk-free, one-hit shutout with nine strikeouts in five innings. (Photo by Ron Barry)

Crockett County Middle School's volleyball team completed a perfect 17-0 season with a Thursday night victory over Milan. (Photo courtesy of CCMS)