The late Don Grider will be one of 12 new TSSAA Hall of Fame inductees Saturday. He's the only one from southeastern Tennessee.
Grider, who died in the summer of 2007 at the age of 67, was the head football coach at South Pittsburg from 1969 to '92. He led the Pirates to the Class A state championship in 1969, the first year of the TSSAA's playoff system, and to three other title-game appearances. He retired with a career record of 192-76-3.
The Hall of Fame luncheon will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Murfreesboro at noon EDT.
"Don would be so proud to be considered among those who are in the state hall of fame," said his widow, Gaynelle Grider. "Football is an important part of our family's life, and this community has been so supportive of us through the years. It's good to know his legacy will live on."
Taylor signs in track
Howard sprinter Ashley Taylor has signed a track scholarship with the University of Texas-Arlington. Taylor ran the 400 meters and all three sprint relays last year, helping the Lady Hustlin' Tigers win the Class A/AA state championship. She again is a team leader in those events, with a personal-best time of 56.12 in the 400, and said she likely will concentrate on the 400 and the 4x400 in college.
"They found me and really seemed like they wanted me to be a part of their program," Taylor said. "That's exciting, and it's really a big weight off my shoulders because now I don't have to worry about where I'm going to college.
"When I went for a tour I liked the campus, the coaches and everything they showed me."
Classic at Summit
Ooltewah is hosting the Lady Owls Choo Choo Classic softball tournament this weekend at the Summit of Softball Complex at Collegedale. The 21-team field features six that played in last year's Spring Fling, along with nationally ranked Soddy-Daisy and Alabama Class 6A No. 4-ranked Bob Jones from the Huntsville area.
Pool-play games begin today on five fields starting at 4:30 p.m. Today's final games are set to start at 9. Another round of pool play is scheduled Saturday morning.
Teams will be placed in Gold or Silver brackets, based on pool-play results, for single-elimination. Action in the Gold bracket is slated to start Saturday at 1 p.m. with the championship game scheduled for 7. Silver-bracket play is due to begin at 2:30 with the final set for 5:30.
Today's pool play
4:30--Soddy-Daisy vs. Kingston; GPS vs. Hixson; Baylor vs. Rhea County; Walker Valley vs. East Ridge; 6--Grace Academy vs. Bob Jones; GPS vs. Powell; Central vs. Dickson County; Farragut vs. Rhea County; Ooltewah vs. East Hamilton; 7:30--Soddy-Daisy vs. Bob Jones; Father Ryan vs. Kingston; Walker Valley vs. Maryville Heritage; Powell vs. Hixson; Central vs. Jefferson County; 9--East Ridge vs. Maryville Heritage; Father Ryan vs. Grace Academy; Jefferson County vs. Dickson County; Baylor vs. Farragut.
Saturday's pool play
8:30 a.m.--GPS vs. Kingston; 9--Central vs. Maryville Heritage; East Hamilton vs. Powell; Soddy-Daisy vs. Father Ryan; Rhea County vs. East Ridge; 10--Sequatchie County vs. Bob Jones; 10:30--Walker Valley vs. Farragut; Baylor vs. Jefferson County; Hixson vs. East Hamilton; Ooltewah vs. Dickson County; 11:30--Sequatchie County vs. Grace Academy.