CROSSVILLE CHRONICLE

Wofford helped the Lady Jets to a 20-13 record, including a third place finish in the District 5AAA Tournament and a semi-final berth in the Region 3AAA Tournament during the 1996-97 season. VanWinkle paced the Jets to a 16-14 record, including runner-up to Cleveland in the District 5AAA Tournament and a berth in the Region 3AAA Tournament, losing to Chattanooga Baylor in the opening round.

Cleveland went on to claim the Class AAA State championship, defeating Chattanooga Brainerd in the title contest.

Lady Jet Coach Randy Herring was the first on the agenda.
"This is just the tip off the iceberg. I'm extremely proud to be the 'so-called' leader. We had a tremendous season," he noted.

He recognized his staff of Amy Breazeale, Jason Atkinson and volunteer assistant Michelle Jackson. Breazeale has coached the junior varsity to a 16-2 record in two seasons, while Jackson is a "tremendous role model" for the players.

"Thanks for a job well-done," Herring noted.
He first recognized his managers and statisticians.
"Good managers and good statisticians are hard to find. They have a role to play," he added. He recognized Rhonda Abston, Krissy Marlor, Christy Rogers, April Smith, Joe Zimmerman and Louis Keen.

Letters were presented to Camille Tollett, Sherry Cottrell, Heather Dykes, Martha Gunter, Jessie Inman, Marlo Tollett, Brenda Wofford, Emily Bradley, Leslie Henry, Jamie Martin, Doris Barnwell, Crissy Larson and Nicole Simmons.

After the letters were presented, the freshmen awards were presented.
Receiving awards were: Simmons, Most Valuable Offensive Player; Barnwell, Most Valuable Defensive Player and Most Improved Player, and Larson, Hustle Award.

Kristin Bridges, Jennifer Buckner, Carrie Richardson and Amy Smith also earned letter awards.
Coach Herring presented several varsity awards. Some were based on statistics and others were voted on by the players.

Dykes won the Highest Field Goal Percentage (52.2%) Award and Best Rebounder Award (193 or 6.2 per game).

She was named All-Rocky Top Classic, All-District, All-District Tournament And All-Region 3AAA Tournament.

Besides the MVP award, Wofford received the Highest Free Throw Percentage Award (95 of 135 or 70.4%), Highest Point Per Game Average (465 points or 15 per game), shared the Charge Award with Jessie Inman with 11 and the Most Improved Player Award.

"Brenda lives in the gym. It was almost a 360 degree turnaround from last year. She is always running and lifting weights," Herring commented.

She was named All Rocky Top Classic, All-District and All-District 5AAA.
Inman earned the Assist Award (117), shared the Charge Award with Wofford with 11 and won the Hustle Award for the second time in three years.

"She has a chance to set a school record in assists," Herring noted."The charge is the greatest play in basketball. It is a real pride award."

Jessie was named All-Rocky Top Classic and All-District 5AAA Tournament. Martha Gunter won the Best Defensive Player Award and the Most Deflections Award (105). Academic Award went to Kendra Wyatt, who suffered a knee injury in the Oak Ridge game and missed the balance of the season.

"This is the highest priority award," Herring added.
Camille Tollett also won the Best Defensive Player Award and the Coaches Award, which was given for character, pride, dedication and attitude, among other things.
She was named All-Region Tournament.
Coach Mark Bray was next on the agenda.
He recognized the Jet freshmen. They were C. W. Buck, Jacob Conley, Brad Davis, Billy England, Brad Galo, William Howard, Jeremy Jones, John Lansford, Rusty Norrod, Caleb Paquette, Tim Potter, Weston Potter, Cody Stone, Jason Turan, Kevin Wolcott and Trae Wilhite.
Winning special awards were Davis, Best Offensive Player; Paquette, Best Defensive Player; Turan, Most Improved Player; and Weston Potter, Hustle Award.
Kenny Willis, Turan, Weston Potter, Paquette, Brent Moore, Billy Kilby, J. T. Kerley, Howard, Brad Holt, Matt Estridge and Davis were members of the Jet Junior Varsity, coached by Rick Gilbert.
Coach Bray also recognized his managers and statisticians, Jason Bray, Melissa Dickenson, Burit Kitturings, April Smith and Louis Keen.
Varsity letter winners were Rusty Lewis, Heath Scarbrough, VanWinkle, Jacob Austin, Kerley, Eric Thompson, Estridge, Holt, Linkous Keen, George Potter and Jon Bray.
He also thanked his assistant coaches, Jon Hall and Larry Matthews.
"I had a great staff. I enjoyed working with them," Bray noted.
Scarbrough, Estridge, Bray and George Potter shared the Most Improved Player award.
George Potter earned the Best Rebounder Award (188 or 6.3 per game), while Scarbrough won Best Offensive Player honors with 382 points.

Linkous Keen was Academic Award winner.
Lewis won Best Defensive Player honors, while Brad Holt won the Hustle Award.

Besides the MVP Award, VanWinkle won the Free Throw Award (126 of 162 or 72%) and Assist Award (199 assists).

Lewis, George Potter and VanWinkle were all named All-District Tournament, while Austin was chosen All-Region Tournament.

The coaches also thanked Ronnie Wyatt, Larry Doster, John Dishman, A. V. Dodson, Jack Daniels, CCHS Principal Paul Hodge, Superintendant of Schools Jim Hall, Nancy Hyder, J.D. Atkinson, Hollis Bolin, Athletic Director Dan VanWinkle, the parents and members of the Tip Off Club for their support this season. Claudine Rogers and Brenda Lyons presented the senior awards and the coaches awards.