~courtesy of The Jackson Sun~

The main thing for Union’s women’s basketball team is the Lady Bulldogs beat Blue Mountain 80-47 on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the TranSouth tournament.

They also move on to the semifinals on Friday to host Bethel at 7 p.m.

That win came after a dominant second half in which the home team outscored Blue Mountain 45-23 in the final 20 minutes and didn’t give the Lady Toppers much to work with early in the second half on either end of the floor.

“I thought we did a better job later in the first half when we settled down and focused more on playing quality possessions,” said Union head coach Mark Campbell. “Mildred (Olumasi) did a good job down low for us, and Shelby (Ashcraft) had her best night from the free throw line all season.

“Rebecca (Sharpe) did a good job of feeding the posts, and she also hit some 3-pointers there right after halftime that got us going.”

That kind of play was a stark contrast to the first few minutes when Union had a hard time getting the ball down low and settled mainly for 3-pointers. The Lady Bulldogs were down 17-8 at one point, and they went 1-for-9 from the field in the first few minutes.

But things changed after Campbell called a timeout. Union did a better job of getting the ball to Olumasi and Ashcraft for higher-percentage shots or getting a foul called, and they did a good job of converting their free throws. Ashcraft went 10-for-11 from the charity stripe en route to a 22-point performance. Olumasi finished with 12, and Lavanda Ross scored 10.

Sharpe, who hit three 3-pointers in a four-possession stretch in the opening minutes of the second half, was a point away from a double-double with nine points and 10 assists.

Campbell said he was glad to see the overall play of the team improve, particularly after Ross played without having done nothing for three days while letting a sprained ankle heal and Ashcraft had just been back with the team three days after being off for 10 days dealing with injury.

“When you have key pieces like that missing or just getting back to it, it really hurts you when you’re trying to come out and play quality basketball from the start,” Campbell said. “And that’s a sign of maturity for this team.

“For me as a father, I can be there for my son to help in key times like answering important questions for him, but I really develop my maturity as a father by being there every day for him even when I’m tired after practice or a game. The same goes for this team. They’ve shown they can be there for key times like games against teams like Oklahoma City or Freed-Hardeman, but we develop maturity by playing quality possessions against everybody whether it’s those teams or Blue Mountain or whomever.”

Jessi Hayles led Blue Mountain in scoring with 19 points, and Amber Johnson finished with 13.

Bethel 69, Lyon 66

Jana Roney’s double-double paced the Lady Wildcats to a three-point win after they entered the second half down by four on the road. Roney finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Molly Wallsmith finished with 16 on the night, and Hailee Deckard finished with 13.

Bethel advances to the conference semifinals to play at top-seeded Union on Friday at 7 p.m.

Brandon Shields, 425-9751

Hey!

Sue will be hosting an open house in Stoncreek this weekend. You should go see her. Tell her I said, "Hi!"

Also, Duane will be over at 17 Kennedie. Another great Medina, TN listing by Hickman Realty Group!

Have a great one!

~courtesy of The Jackson Sun~

North Side Air Force Junior ROTC instructors Chris Pope and Wayne Barron are teaching their students how to lead and instilling self confidence, all while winning recognition as one of the top junior units in the Mid-South.

After recently receiving a distinguished unit rank, the students have their sights set on taking home the trophy at a command sequence competition in Oxford, Miss., in late March.

“They will have to memorize 36 command sequences,” Barron said. “They’ll learn it in pieces.”

Learning the marching sequences will mean lots of practice for students.

Student will practice Tuesday through Saturday leading up the competition.

“To help us prepare, Jackson State Community College is willing to let us be the halftime show at a basketball game,” Barron said. “It won’t be perfect, but it will give the students a feel for the pressure of performing.”

A total of 20 students will be selected to perform in the competition.

Cadet Maj. Frank Perry has been in the class for three years.

“It’s definitely made me a better leader and prepared me for the real world,” said Perry, 16.

First Lt. Austin Hurt, 16, said he hopes the school can win the upcoming competition.

Hurt, a sophomore, is the unarmed commander.

“At first I was nervous about taking it on,” he said. “But I selected my team and they gave me a lot confidence. ... I learned to march as a freshman, so it’s fulfilling to be a commander.”

Hurt said he is proud of the recent win at the Best in South Drill competition at Oman Arena last month.

Hurt is planning a career in the military.

“I felt like I could come in here and be a part of a team,” he said.

Tajuana Cheshier, 425-9643

Wow! What a weather turnaround from last weekend! You should take advantage of the pretty weather to come out and see some homes.

If you are in Jackson, come over to 22 Canvasback in Autumn Valley and see Dianne, Rick at 18 Ironwood, or Chris at 17 Hezekiah

Or, if you are looking in the Medina area, check out Sue’s open houses in Stonecreek. She’ll be at 298 Bunney Lane and 258 Shadow Creek. Or, drive on out to Middle School Road and see Duane at 124 Julius.

Whatever you do this weekend, have a GREAT time!

~courtesy of The Jackson Sun~

Early voting starts today

Today is the first day of early voting for the March 6 presidential primary in Madison County.

Early voting will be held at the Madison County Agricultural Complex Auditorium, next to the Election Commission office on North Parkway, from today through Feb. 28, with the exception of Sundays and Feb. 20, when voting will be closed in observance of the Presidents Day holiday. Voting hours will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each weekday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

A photo I.D. issued by the state or federal government is required now in order to vote. Registered voters who do not have a photo I.D. will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot but must bring a photo I.D. to the county election commission office before 4 p.m. March 8 in order for the vote to be counted.

March 15 deadline to apply to Junior Volunteer Program

West Tennessee Healthcare is opening its Junior Volunteer Program this summer to provide high schools students with experience for their future careers, according to a news release.

West Tennessee Healthcare is looking for driven high school students, ages 14 to 18 with grade-point averages of at least 2.5. Students who apply as 13-year-olds will be considered for application if they are to turn 14 by June 1.

To apply, students must send a completed application form — which is on the healthcare system’s website — a copy of their last report card, two completed reference forms from teachers and a 250-word essay explaining their specific interests in health care. Essays may be either typed or printed.

Acceptance to the program will be based upon the completed application and a personal interview.

If accepted, students are expected to come to a mandatory orientation, which will be scheduled on a Saturday in May and will last about four hours.

Students also must commit to completing at least 12 hours of service in June and July. Hours will be assigned on specific days and times according to the needs of the hospital and the student’s availability.

The deadline for completed applications is March 15. Packets should be mailed to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, addressed to the Volunteer Services Office, at 620 Skyline Drive in Jackson, 38301. For more information, call 541-6153.

Tuskeegee Airmen to attend Lane chapel assembly

Three proteges of the distinguished Tuskegee Airmen will attend the Lane College weekly Chapel Assembly at 11 a.m. today and be recognized for their several accomplishments in aviation over a period ranging from 25 to 40 years, according to a news release.

Capt. Calvin Janes, retired, president of the Memphis Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., will be accompanied by Capt. Tony Holder and retired Capt. E.C. Moore Sr.

At 1 p.m., the captains will meet and speak to students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math in the college’s Science Building and share with them their many experiences, the release said.

~courtesy of The Jackson Sun~

Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., a sorority dedicated to international leadership, honored high school students from Jackson-Madison County Schools for their leadership qualities and contributions to the community during the sorority’s 104th anniversary celebration.

Avis Baxter, president of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Gamma Alpha Omega chapter, said the sorority has honored student leaders for more than 20 years.

“I am very excited because our legacy of service is continuing with our young scholars,” she said.

Jackson’s Gamma Alpha Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha held its 104th Founders’ Day Program Sunday afternoon at First Baptist Church, at 433 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Jackson. Forty-four students from North Side, South Side, Madison Academic, Liberty and Jackson-Central Merry were recognized during the ceremony as 2012 Alpha Scholars for their achievements in academics, community service, fine arts and sports. About 400 people attended the program, which was presented by the Gamma Alpha Omega chapter and the Beta Chi chapter of Lane College.

Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded in 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. It is the first sorority established by African-American women. Alpha Kappa Alpha’s motto is “Global Leadership Through Timeless Service.”

Baxter said award recipients were chosen by their school counselors.

“All counselors have been so gracious,” she said. “We asked them to submit the names of student leaders who excelled in their areas of interest. We had so many names this year.”

“This (award) is something students can put on their resume,” said Vicki Burton, historian of the Gamma Alpha Omega chapter. “It’s a way to honor our founders, and it is also a great opportunity for us to give awards to our young scholars.”

Burton said the Gamma Alpha Omega chapter has given community service awards to local organizations such as the Wo/Men’s Resource and Rape Assistance Program of Jackson and Area Relief Ministries.

“We continue to try to make a difference and leave an impact on the community,” she said. “(Alpha Kappa Alpha) has been here 104 years, and we’re still going strong.”

BRR!!! It’s cold out there! Is winter finally here?

You know what? It sure would be nice to curl up in front of the fireplace in a NEW HOME. We’ve got several to choose from!

This weekend, you can come out and see Sue in Stonecreek at 258 Shadow Creek and 298 Bunney Lane. Both of these new homes have FIVE bedrooms, so there is plenty of room.

Or, you could head on up Middle School Road and see Ray at 694 Blackmon Rd. This is in the Graves Crossing area, near Medina Middle School and South Gibson High School. Nothin’ could be finer that livin’ in Mediner!

Rick will be over at 24 Ironwood. Thankfully, this home is just up the street from the grocery. Because we all know that everyone MUST have milk and bread in case of snow. ;)

 Have fun! I hope it snows a FOOT this weekend. :)