TIPPAH COUNTY - This week, a new feature will be added to the sports page - This Week In Tippah County Sports History.

We will look back at the sports scene in Tippah County 20, 10, and 5 years ago. The hope is that this new weekly feature will be enjoyable to read and spark fond memories of yesteryear.

Thursday April 5 1990: Ripley High School had not one, but two conference Most Valuable Players in basketball.

Lady Tiger senior guard Regina Chills was named girls’ MVP and the Tiger’s Drago Cox was named boys’ MVP of the old Tombigbee Conference. Also then--Lady Tiger coach, the late Reggie Caviness, was named girls’ Coach of the Year.

Chills was joined by teammates Joy Settlemires and Susan Vance on the All-Conference Team. Ripley’s Sam Bryant and Clifford Leatherwood were named honorable mentions on the boys’ side.

Wednesday April 5, 2000: The Falkner Eagles battled the Ashland Blue Devils in baseball, but the score looked more like what you would find on a football scoreboard.

The Eagles had five different players to record multiple hits, as they jumped out to a 10-0 first inning lead before cruising to a 24-3 victory.

Eagle batters Shun Edgeston and Scott Graves belted home runs, Josh Bryan had three doubles, Derrick Clemmer added three singles, and Justin Bridges added two singles.

Wednesday April 6, 2005: Six Tippah County basketball players were named to the Daily Journal’s All-Area Team.

Falkner Lady Eagle Head Coach Mike Cartwright was named Coach of the Year for leading the Lady Eagles to the 2005 Class 1A state title.

Three of Cartwright’s players--Mary Beth Smith, Brittany Strong, and Jerri Cartwright were named to the team as well. Smith, who averaged 12.5 points and 6.2 rebounds, was named to the first team, Strong (10.5 points and 8.1 rebounds) was named to the second team and Cartwright (11.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists) was named to the third team.

Ripley Lady Tiger Yadi Martin, and Tigers’ Derrick Bails and Buck Johnson were also named to the squad.