Drift back with us and review some great sports memories from decades gone by.

Feb. 27, 1970

The following area players were nominated for the Mississippi High School All-Star football game to be played in Memorial Stadium in Jackson in August: Jack Young and Rod Gilbreath of Laurel, Ken Rogers and Harry Harrison of Bay Springs, Greg Breland of Collins, and Larry Boykin and Al Vowell of Taylorsville.

Feb. 28, 1970

Corinth defeated Laurel, 63-59, in the AA State semifinals in Jackson, ending the best season in Laurel High School basketball history. George Hill led LHS (21-9) with 23 points, while Therrell Meyers added 19 points. Jack Young and Butch Moody chipped in with six points each, and Rod Gilbreath added four points.

Starkville ended the Northeast Jones Lady Tigers season, 57-38, in the AA State Girls’ state semifinals. Dot Easterwood led the winners with 33 points. Charlotte Wells led Northeast with 23 points, while Gail Guthrie tallied eight points, Chris Roberts scored five points and Donna Wells added two points.

Ralph Boston was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. The Laurel native at one time held the world record in the broad jump and won the 1964 Gold Medal in Tokyo. He also won medals in the 1960 and 1968 Olympics.

March 2, 1970

Laurel basketball star George Hill and Charlotte Wells of Northeast Jones were named to the Class AA all-state tournament teams.

March 3, 1990

South Pike ended Laurel High School basketball season with a 55-54 last second win in the 4-A semifinals. Laurel (19-9) was led by Jesse Fenderson with 15 points. He was followed by Anthony Spinks with 13 points. Fred McCullum and Tim Roberts each scored 11 points.

Heidelberg Academy’s Chris McDaniel scored 13 points for the South All-Stars in the Mississippi Private School All-Star basketball game. The South won the game 117-89.

March 4, 1980

Ole Miss basketball coach Bob Weltich was named SEC Coach of the Year. Rebels player John Stroud was a unanimous choice for the first team All-SEC team. Mississippi State’s Ricky Brown was also named to the first team.

JCJC basketball players Karen Myrick from West Jones, Vickie McDonald of Collins and Linda Darty of New Augusta along with Coach Richard Rivers took part in the JUCO All-Star game.

Former Northeast Jones baseball star Ronald Davis walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Delta State a 6-5 win over Memphis State. Former Laurel Tornado Tim Harvey homered and had three hits on the day for DSU.

March 4, 1995

West Jones defeated Lawrence County, 75-56, in the 4-A State Tournament. Chris Albritton led WJ with 17 points and Lorenzo Page added 13 points. In girls’ play, West Jones nipped Lawrence County, 51-49, as Sonja McLaurin led the winners with 24 points, while Erica Slayton chipped in 21 points and Erica Robinson added 15 points.