SEBRA WORLD FINALS HELD AT MILLER COLISEUM 

Murfreesboro, TN ( 1/28)……..The Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association (SEBRA) crowned their 2011 world champions after two days of competition at the Miller Coliseum.  Micheal Lane of Tazwell, VA was awarded the bull riding championship crown while Teresa Quay from Urbana, OH garnered the barrel racing championship.

Lane, the  2008 SEBRA  Rookie of The Year, was the only rider of 10 contenders in the final round to score a qualified time. Lane rode The Beast to score a 80.5 from the judges  All the other nine riders who made it to the Finals were knocked off their rides before the seven second buzzer.

Quay rode Chance to a 15.654 time against 20 other challengers.  Several riders received penalties for knocking down a barrel, as the second barrel on the course set up inside the Miller Coliseum proved to be a real challenge.

Both champions received engraved saddles and belt buckles as part of their championship awards.

The evening started off with a pyro show introducing all 40 bull riders in competition. Sixteen different states were represented in the Finals.

Billy Robinson from Galax, VA, the 1999 SEBRA Champion, rode Creation to a score of 85.5.  Gage Gay from Staley, NC rode Frank to score a 85.5. They were followed by Royle Scrogham from Waddy, KY aboard Smoke On The Water with a score of 83.5.

Kenny Rogers from Bonifay, FL on Widow Maker and Brandon Chambers on Ejector from Princeton, NC both failed to score.

Cody Martin from Butler, GA on If You Will was able to qualify with a 79.5 score.

Shane Gerlach, Garfield Wilson, Branden Maready, and Austin Prouty were all thrown off their rides without a qualified time and section 1 concluded.

Section 2 started off with Caleb Kelly, Jeff Askey, Dustin Olmstead, aand Justin Goodman failing to score. Elie Vastbinder from Casstown, OH rode Street King to a score of 71.5.  John Westerfield, Joey Smith and Alex Pitchford were all thrown from their rides with scoring.

Wade Masters from Waddy, KY rode Ready Freddy to a score of 85.0. He was followed by Josh Skeen who failed to post a score.

Section 3 started off with Josh Moorer, Bradon Davis and Chance Riley failing to score. Lane was up next and rode Hoppin Mad to a score of 77.0. Davis was the leader from round #1 held on Friday night.

Tommy Erxleben, Scotty Williams, Eddie Melton, Corey Atwell, Jason Tinsman and Nick Naggy were all thrown off their bulls without a score.

Section 4 had Brett Pike, Carrson Hiatt, Winston Quesenberry, Shane Barratiere, Brett Maurer, Shane Stiffler, Ralph Hobson and Jon Mastrangelo all hitting the dirt prior to the qualifying buzzer. The only rider to score in this section was Alex Jenks aboard Gambler.  Dusty Gailey was bucked off Fifty Cent as the last rider in the qualifiers. Hobson was the national points leader, having ridden in 20 events this season.

The 9 other riders making the Finals were Quesenberry, Hiatt, Robinson, Gay, Davis, Vastbinder, Pike, Erxleben, and Westerfield.  The bulls proved to be too tough for these riders, as they all failed to still be aboard before the minimum time buzzer.

An estimated crowd of 2,600 witnessed the two day event.

TSSAA State Bowling Tournament

Smryna, TN (1/28) The TSSAA State Bowling Tournament was held at Smyrna Bowl Center in Smyrna, TN. When the last pins of the championship finals fell, St Benedict High School was the 2012 Division II Boys State Champions and Girls Preparatory School was the 2012 Division II Girls State Champions. For Division I Boys, Soddy-Daisy High School took home the State Championship Trophy and Hardin County High became the Division I Girls State Champions.

Thirty-two high school bowling teams descended on Smyrna, TN to participate in the 2012 TSSAA State Bowling Tournament at Smyrna Bowl Center. The tournament was a 2-day event to determine the state boys and girls team champions in Division I and II Bowling. In addition to teams, numerous players from many more schools participated in the Individual Tournament.

When the dust settled from the first twenty-four games,  8 teams remained with a shot at the 4 championship titles. The Division II Boys Championship between Donelson Christian Academy (25-3) and St. Benedict High (13-0) and the Division II Girls battle between the Girls Preparatory School (22-0) and St. Benedict High (13-1). The Division I Boys Championship game was a square-off between two undefeated teams, Columbia Central High (21-0) and Soddy-Daisy High (21-0). The Division I Girls showdown was Collierville High (20-0) and Hardin County High (20-1). The Smyrna Bowl Center was packed with spectators, and emotions were running high for the final games of the tournament.

After two hours of thunderous cheers, numerous tears, and many bruised bowling pins, the 2012 Champions were crowned. St. Benedict High Boys kept their perfect season and finished at 14-0 and Division II State Boys Champions. Girls Preparatory School also stayed undefeated on the way to their Division II Girls State Championship. In the battle of undefeated teams, Soddy-Daisy High claimed the Division I Boys State Championship to cap off their 22-0 season. Hardin County High handed Collierville High their first loss to become Division I Girls State Champions.

In the State Individual Tournament, Wes Conaster of Upperman High was atop the Division I Boys chart with 3071 pins. Keysha Martin from LaVergne High had the highest Division I Girls pinfall at 2781. Kara Maynard, who also played on the championship winning team of Girls Preparatory School,  came home on top of the Division II Girls with 1851 pins downed. Donny Turner of Donelson Christian Academy was the Division II Boys leader with 2062 pins, in addition to helping his team finish second in the state championship.

Riverdale Lady Warriors WIN DISTRICT 7-AAA HS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNEY

Murfreesboro, TN ( 2/20 )………..The Riverdale Lady Warriors won the 7-AAA defeating the Oakland Patriots 67-43.  In the Randy King gymnasium on the campus of Oakland High School the cross town rival schools put on a great basketball contest to the delight of a large crowd. Shacobia Barbee lead all scoring with 24 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double.

Barbee from Riverdale was named the MVP of the tournament. Lady Warriors Tyisha Petty, Alexa Middleton and Olivia Jones were named All Tournament players.  In a loosing effort for Oakland, Emily Eubank  and Ellen Riggins were named to the All Tournament squad.

Eubank had 10 points to lead the scoring for Oakland.

Oakland started the game with a 1:3:1 defense but struggled against the full court press of Riverdale committing four turnovers trying to get the ball down the court.  It was 4:09 left in the 1st period before  Ellen Riggins scored the first Oakland points.  Riverdale had built up a 11-3 lead and would never trail in the first 16:00 minutes of play.

In a scary moment, Jones hit the floor for the second time in the game and took a few moments to regain her composure.

The Lady Warriors took a 33-21 lead into their locker room.  Barbee had 11 points by the half as Riverdale lead 33-21 going into the locker room.  Shelbie Davenport had 9 points thanks to a couple of 3 point baskets she sunk from the left corner.  Oakland saw Riggins with 8 points followed by Emily Eubank and Kiara Howse with 6 points each.

Kaitlin King picked up her 3rd personal foul with 4:27 left in the 3rd period.  Riverdale took a 52-29 lead in the final 8:00 minutes of the game.  Barbee has 19 points while Eubank and Riggins each have 8 points for Oakland.

Olivia Jones hit the floor for the third time in the game after a hard foul by King, her 4th personal foul.  Jones was assisted by team players to the Riverdale bench.

Riverdale held the ball for the last :30 of the game, satisfied with a 24 point advantage. The Lady Warriors are now 28-3 on the season and will play at home next Friday on the road to the state finals.

In the consolation game, Blackman defeated Smyrna, 57-31 to take third place in the tournament.

Blackman lead at the end of the first period. 10-6.  Chelsey Hall and Baylee Miller each had 3 points on 3 point baskets.  Treasure Hunt had 4 points for Smyrna to lead on scorers. Hall started the sceond period by scoring her second 3 point basket.  Blackman built up a 10 point lead with 4:00 left until break.  Hunt had scored her 9th point for Smyrna who was having difficulty finding the net despite several good opportunities. Blackman took a 26-18 lead into the locker room.  Hunt lead all players with 11 points.  Smyrna’s Ali Bolden had 3 personal fouls, the only player in an foul danger.

Smyrna was able to cut the Blackman lead to 5 points, with less than 4:00 to play in the 3rd period.  That was short lived , as Blackman exploded to a 17 point advantage with only 1 period.  Kortnay Cox and Hunt shared top scoring with 11 points each.  Miller picked up her 3rd personal foul for Blackman.

Hunt picked up her 3rd personal foul with 5:20 left to play, but still shared the scoring honors with Cox as both girls had 12 points.  Chelsey Hall had 11 points for Blackman to be the only other player to score in double figures.

Molly McFadden “Never thought she would be a Lady Blue Raider”

Murfreesboro, TN…………..Molly McFadden never thought she would be a Lady Blue Raider.  The star of White County High School was headed to Georgia Tech when a series of events changed her college hoops career.  The college notified her two days before she was to head to Atlanta for her official signing that they had signed a different girl and were no longer interested in her.

Molly had broken her ankle in her junior year of high school.  The injury may have diminished her chances at a college scholarship. McFadden’s attention upon graduation drifted away from basketball.  She bought a house, got a full time job and began a “normal” life.

McFadden was working two jobs and got a “good dose of the real world” in her own words. But she would soon miss basketball and her small town upbringing where friends and family are a huge influence, would force her to rethink her decision to put college on the back burner.

McFadden is the baby of the family.  She has two older brothers, John Michael and Hank.  She first got interested in basketball in elementary school.  During her 7th and 8th grade years she got serious about playing while living in Sparta.  Her father had passed away when she was 12 years old and her family moved from their original home in McMinnville.  She said if she was ever going to be serious about basketball, that she needed to move out of Warren County and ” for some reason ended up in Sparta.”

Molly earned three varsity letters for coach Brian Hally, scoring 1,246 career points and was voted the District 7 3A MVP in her senior year.

Having two older brothers, McFadden was involved in most sports during her early teens.  Basketball was in her own words “something which came natural to me.”

But Molly was finding herself always answering the questions of why she wasn’t playing college basketball.  After about two years out of high school and working at her jobs, she decided she wanted to get a college education.  In her mind, basketball would be her way on to a college campus.  The question now was, which school would be interested in her.

At first she thought she would just attend a junior college in Cookville and forget about basketball but after talking things over with her mother Nancy, Molly still felt she had enough basketball talent that she could market herself to some college.  McFadden turned to her high school coach Hally and layed all her cards on the table regarding her basketball interests.  Hally hadn’t had any contact with McFadden for the two years since her graduation but was willing to help. Hally had limited college placement experience having only coached for a hand full of years.

Hally was able to get McFadden a try out at Cumberland University in Lebanon.  She impressed their basketball program enough to be offered a half scholarship.  McFadden was happy to be both headed to college and also have basketball back in her life.

Now comes the surprise twist.  Molly had her thoughts on heading to Cumberland but Hally had another surprise to offer her.  He was able to convince coach Rick Insell from Middle Tennessee to meet with McFadden.

McFadden ” had never considered Middle Tennessee and never dreamed of playing at Middle Tennessee.” She had made friends with Alysha Clark while she was in Cookville.  A phone call to Clark had convinced McFadden to give the Murfreesboro campus some consideration.  The meetings with the coaches went well and McFadden was offered a scholarship.

“No disrespect to Cumberland, but I knew Middle had a lot of sucess recently and I was familiar with coach Insell,” she remembers making her decision.

McFadden had signed her agreement on Wednesday and had to be in class the following Monday morning.  Her new school needed her to move into her dorm on Friday.  McFadden had a whole house to sell and pack up and move the nearly one hour distance.

“Thankfully the good Lord was on my side,” she said.  “I threw everything I needed in a couple suitcases, locked my house up and came to Middle.”

In her Freshman year, McFadden played on a squad which had no seniors.  She saw playing minutes in 16 games and tailed her first career points as a Lady Blue Raider.

As a Sophomore, she played in seven games and set a career high of four rebounds and equaled her career best three points total effort.

During her Junior year, she played in six games including having two minutes of playing time against Georgia Tech, the school which originally recruited her.

Playing as the only Senior on the squad, McFadden so far has seen action in nine games and serves as a team co-captain.

McFadden does not get alot of playing time, but she feels she contributes to the team.  “I’ve been canned as Motivational Molly,” she explained.  “I feel like I’m someone who are girls can look up to.”

Regarding coach Insell, McFadden said, ” He is definitely my role model and someone whom I can look up to”.  The two share a personal connection both on and off the court.  She feels she can approach the coach on advise on any topic.  This is especially important to McFadden having lost her own father at a very early age.

McFadden hopes to share the four years she has experienced under coach Insell with the newer members of her team.  She tries to help her teammates understand the high demands of such a successful coach.

When not on the court, McFadden like to spend time with and hang out with teammate Laken Leonard.

McFadden is majoring in organizational communication and hopes to continue on to grad school.

MTSU 59 UALR 51 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Murfreesboro, TN ( 2/12 )……..The Lady Blue Raiders clinched a share of the regular season Sun Belt Conference championship when they defeated rival University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 59-51 in Murphy Center on Sunday afternoon.  The Ladies are now 13-0, in route to a perfect conference season and 21-5 overall.

Ebony Rowe lead all scoring with 17 points.  Kortni Jones had 12 points followed by Icelyn Elie with 11 points and 16 rebounds for the games only double-double.

Taylor Ford had 13 points for the Trojans in a loosing effort. Britteni Williams added 11 points and Taylor Gault had 10 as only three Arkansas players were in double figures.

The game was tied at 25 all at the end of the first half.

Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Insell commented after the game, ” It was another tough Little Rock-Middle Tennessee win.They played tough defense. We play pretty good defense. I’m proud of the kids. … That was a tough game. Thirteen turnovers (UALR), 12 turnovers (MTSU). It was a good basketball game.”

Rowe was coming off a poor performance in the preceding game against Western Kentucky.  Middle’s leading points per game average at 16.6 per game, was held to just five points.

“I think at halftime coach wasn’t down on us,” said  Rowe,  “We knew this would be a tough and physical game. We had so many people step up. Ice (Icelyn Elie) went over top of people to pull down rebounds. Laken (Leonard) hits a big 3. It was just a team effort today.”

Freshman guard Shanice Cason picked up her 4th personal foul at the 16:01 mark of the second half forcing Insell to substitute in Janay Brinkley.  Brinkley played a total of 9 minutes before Insell gambled on putting Cason back in the game.  Besides Brinkley, both Lauren March and KeKe Stewart saw playing time.  Stewart added 4 points while March had 2 points.

Two free throws with :26 left to play gave Middle their last points, while a 3 point basket by Ford with :15 left on the clock cut the final winning margin to 8 points.

A double technical foul was assested to Marain Kurshi and Stewart.

Middle has a week off, before playing their final home game on the 18th against Florida Atlantic in Murphy Center.

MTSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NOTES OF INTEREST

Murfreesboro, TN ( 2/12) ……..

The theme for today’s game was breast cancer awareness.  Middle wore their all pink uniforms while Arkansas wore pink sneakers.  Fans were encouraged to wear pink in support of Play for Kay.

Starting for the Lady Raiders were Shanice Cason, Icelyn Elie, Ebony Rowe, Kortni Jones, and Laken Leonard.  The Captions for today’s game were Rowe, Jones, Elie, and the only senior member of the team, Molly McFadden.

This is the second of a three game homestand. The Lady Blue Raiders beat Western Kentucky and now play the Trojans who travel to Murfreesboro for the first time since 2008.  These two teams both met in 2009 and again in 2010 in the Sun Belt Tournament Championship games with MT winning both games.

The Blue Raiders are 59-1 in conference play in Murphy Center under Coach Rick Insell.  The one conference loss was against the Trojans on February 6, 2008.

The Lady Raiders reached the 20-win plateau for the 20th time overall time in school history during the 37 year varsity seasons.

Junior Kortni Jones set the school’s single season record for 3 pointers made with 90 with her career-high six triples against Western Kentucky.  Jones added another 3 point basket in today’s game and the new record is now 91.

The starters for UALR were Taylor Ford, Taylor Gault, Hannah Fohne, Britteni Williams and Janette Merriex.

Attendance at the game was 3,502.

MTSU 68  UALR 60  MEN’S HOOPS

Murfreesboro, TN ( 2/11) …………..The Men’s Blue Raiders basketball team defeated the Trojans of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock 68-60 to clinch the Sun Belt Championship in hoop’s action on Saturday afternoon. The team is 12-1 in conference play, with their only loss coming at Denver, 75-60 just a week ago.

LaRon Dendy got off to a very hot start putting in the first 12 Middle Tennessee points in a solo effort, much to the delight of the student section, as one fan held up a “In Dendy We Trust” sign.  He had 19 points by half time but ran into foul trouble and had to sit out for several minutes.  Dendy who ended up with 23 points was put back into the game with 5:40 left to play.

Middle shot an amazing 70.0% in the first half, hitting 14 out of 20 from the field.  They were good on 2 , 3 point attemtps as both Dendy and Kerry Hammonds put in their shots.

D’Andre Williams was a perfect 3 of 3 in 3 point baskets and Will Neighbour added two of his own.

Right before the end of the first half, Dendy committed an offensive foul but immediately went down the court and executed a big block shot on defense.

Middle Tennessee lead 35-30 at the half time break.

Michael Javes picked up his 4th personal foul early in the second half.

The Blue Raiders had a 10 point lead, 50-40 thanks for a 3 pointer by Raymond Cintron.

With 3:10 left in the game, Middle had a problem getting the ball to drop in the hoop, missing on three attempts.  A quick time out, got them regrouped.  The closed the Trojans would get would be 66-60 when Neighbour made good on three free throws after being fouled by JT Sulton.  on a shot beyond the arch.  It was Sulton’s 4th personal foul.

Arkansas coach Steve Sheilds commented on the Blue Raiders.  ” They are hard to guard,” he said.  ” Dendy is a load. They have a great basketball team.  They are well coached.”

The men will play their final home game on February 18th when they host Florida Atlantic at Murphy Center.

Murfreesboro, TN ( 2/17)………..The Blue Raiders opened the 2012 baseball season with a loss to the Kansas Jayhawks, 7-3.  Kansas scored three runs in the 6th inning on a double by Alex DeLeon.  The Jayhawks would lead 7-3 as the hit cleared the bases as Middle Tennessee failed to score after the 2nd inning in front of a crowd of 607 fans.

The Blue Raider’s Justin Guidry hit into a double play ending the first inning. Ryan Ford had walked and then made it to second base, but was a victim of Guidry’s fly ball.

Kansas scored in the second inning on a long fly ball into the right corner at the 330 foot mark giving him a triple and scoring Jake Marasco who had earned a walk.

Johnny Thomas hit a three run home run over the wall at the 365 foot mark in the second inning giving Middle Tennessee a 3-1 lead.

Kansas scored on a fly ball over the shortstop bringing Kevin Kuntz across the plate.  They followed that up when Michael Suiter hit a ground ball past the shortstop.  The score is tied 3-3 as the clouds begin to move in over the stadium with the temperature hovering at 56 degrees.

There was no scoring for Middle Tennessee in the third despite a base hit to center field by Guidry .

Middle Tennessee opened the 4th inning with Nick Montgomery on the mound.  He gives up a two base hit by Kuntz which scores Dreiling giving Kansas a 4-3 lead. There were five batters up , two of which were left stranded on base.

After facing five batters in the bottom of the 6th inning, Kansas brought Jordan Luvisi in to pitch. Two Middle batters were left stranded on the bases, as the Kansas left fielder dropped a fly ball hit directly to him for an error.

Kooper Kessler came in at the top of the 9th inning to pitch for the Blue Raiders.  Kansas was three up and three down to end their scoreless inning.

The Blue Raiders started the final inning with a base hit by Ryan Stephens  Dain McNabb stuck out and LaRue flied out to left field.  Stephens would take second base on a passed ball.  The inning and game would end on a fly ball out.

Kansas would win the game with 7 home runs on 10 hits and had 1 error.  The Blue Raiders got 3 runs on 5 hits and committed 2 errors.

Middle Tennessee gets one night rest, as they play Saint Louis on Saturday at 12:00 noon before returning for their third game in three days against Evansville.

TICKET INFO

2012 Lineup
• Radiohead
• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Phish
• The Beach Boys (Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks)
• Bon Iver
• The Avett Brothers
• The Shins
• Foster The People
• Skrillex
• Aziz Ansari
• Dispatch
• Feist
• The Roots
• Alice Cooper
• Superjam
• Black Star
• The Word (John Medeski, Robert Randolph and North Mississippi Allstars)
• Ludacris
• Ben Folds Five
• Flogging Molly
• Spectrum Road (Cindy Blackman Santana, Jack Bruce, John Medeski, and Vernon Reid)
• Mac Miller
• Childish Gambino
• Major Lazer
• Tune-Yards
• AfroCubism
• Flying Lotus
• Umphrey’s McGee
• Little Dragon
• St. Vincent
• City and Colour
• The Civil Wars
• Young The Giant
• Two Door Cinema Club
• Punch Brothers
• Needtobreathe
• Fitz & The Tantrums
• Bad Brains
• YelaWolf
• Dawes
• Battles
• Danny Brown
• The Black Lips
• SBTRKT
• Phantogram
• Kendrick Lamar
• Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires
• The Kooks
• The Joy Formidable
• The Antlers
• Kathleen Edwards
• MiMosa
• KURT VILE & THE VIOLATORS
• Alabama Shakes
• Das Racist
• Delta Spirit
• Gary Clark Jr.
• Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk
• Laura Marling
• Trampled by Turtles
• Mogwai
• The War on Drugs
• Ben Howard
• GROUPLOVE
• Blind Pilot
• ALO
• The Devil Makes Three
• White Denim
• EMA
• Here We Go Magic
• K-Flay
• The Lonely Forest
• MARIACHI EL BRONX
• Big Freedia
• DALE EARNHARDT JR. JR.
• The Soul Rebels
• Kvelertak
• Soja
• Steven Bernstein’s MTO Plays SLY
• Big Gigantic
• Sarah Jarosz
• Orgone
• Darondo
• Fruit Bats
• Moon Taxi

Clay Greenfield is heading to Daytona

(Clarksville, TN.) – Local racer Clay Greenfield is heading to Daytona this year with hopes of really doing something special.  Clay will be driving the #68 Dodge in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Friday, February 24, 2012 which will be broadcast live on SPEED channel in the United States and overseas.

“I have never raced at Daytona but I am looking forward to the whole experience.  We have a good motor from Ernie Elliot to go with this truck that finished 3^rd in the 2010 Daytona race.  Gene Patient has assembled a small but very talented group of guys that are more than capable of building a winning truck.  Our numbers are small but we have high expectations.” Greenfield said.

The Clay Greenfield Motorsports effort is looking for sponsorship to help get to the first few races of the year and beyond.  The team currently owns three trucks and will race as much as funding will allow.

“Daytona is an awesome place.  We’re hoping to show them what a few people from middle Tennessee can do.” said Greenfield.

For more information on Clay Greenfield and the race team, contact cgreenfield84@aol.com or visit www.claygreenfield.com