Bradley Central basketball coach Kent Smith reacts to a call during the second half of his teams Region 3-AAA semifinals match up against Cleveland Tuesday night. Bradley Central defeated Cleveland 63-55.Bradley Central will induct former boys' basketball coach Kent Smith into the school's hall of fame tonight. The ceremony will take place just before the boys' game tips off against county rival Walker Valley.
Smith coached the Bears for 17 seasons before stepping down in 2013 and is the program's all-time wins leader with an overall record of 436-145. His teams won eight district and eight region championships, reached the state tournament five times and finished as Class AAA runner-up in 2000 and 2003.
"When I started coaching I wasn't thinking about the totality of my career, I was just coaching because that's what I loved doing," Smith said. "The number one thing I appreciate about my time at Bradley are all the fantastic relationships with players and coaches.
"I was in my honeymoon job for 17 years - it was the only place I ever wanted to coach - so it means a lot to get to start and end my career at Bradley and now to be honored there."
His love of the game came from the bond he built with his late grandfather, M.C. "Tip" Smith, who also coached at Bradley Central and won two state championships there.
Known as one of the area's more animated coaches on the sideline during a game, Kent Smith once was described as looking like he suffered from Tourette's syndrome as he would stomp his foot, throw up his arms, jump and gyrate while play was going on.
Bradley Central had a 50-game home win streak that covered nearly five full seasons and won 30-plus games five times under Smith. He had 35 players who earned college scholarships and coached three Mr. Basketball finalists, including Josh Hare, who won the award in 2000.
"The biggest thing for me and Coach is we always had a connection, and at the heart of it is we're both very fierce competitors," Hare said. "We shared a very similar view from that standpoint, but he's a great person, too, and had a really big impact on a lot of people's lives.
"This is well deserved, and not just because of what he accomplished on the court. He's got a long list of people that he helped get to places they wouldn't have otherwise."
Smith is the only inductee on the boys' side, but there will be three additions to the Bearettes HOF on Tuesday when the school honors former players Trecia Watson Murphy (1964-67), Martha Montgomery Frazier (1964-67) and Traci Dixson Long (1974-77).
Georgia traditionals
The wrestling postseason begins its second phase in Georgia with area traditional tournaments this weekend.
The 7-AAAA event takes place at Pickens, where recently crowned duals champion Gilmer is expected to win the team title, with Heritage and Northwest Whitfield also in the running. The 6-AAA tournament is at Ringgold, where the hosts are coming off a third-place state duals finish and will have several top individual seeds. Calhoun, Sonoraville and Coahulla Creek also will be in contention in perhaps the tightest of the tournaments.
Chattooga hosts the 3-AA event, where Lovett and Armuchee are the top contenders. Landmark Christian is the host of the 3-A event, where third-place state duals finisher Trion hopes to push Mount Zion for first place.
The top four finishers in each weight class will advance to the sectional round next week.
Harlie JordanMarion County senior Harlie Jordan signed papers Wednesday to continue her softball career at Tennessee Wesleyan College.
As a leadoff hitter Jordan batted .585, stole 20 bases and had 21 RBIs in 94 plate appearances last season. As a pitcher, she went 9-0 with a 1.06 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 53 innings while helping lead Marion County to the state tournament.
"Harlie is a dream player with incredible ability, attitude and work ethic," said former Lady Warriors coach Thomas Long. "It's a well-deserved honor for her, and Tennessee Wesleyan is getting a great player."