By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Wrapping up the 2021 TSSAA Genuine Article reflections, it’s time for Who’s Who II.
I get to shine the spotlight of The Millington Star on 12 seniors/graduates one more time. It’s a privilege and blessing to cover Millington Central, Munford High, Tipton-Rosemark Academy and Brighton High schools. Heading to the gymnasiums, fields and various venues gives me a chance to feature and showcase these wonderful student/athletes.
If The Millington Star was one school, I would hand these superlatives to the boys and girls below.
Best Overall
Javaris Tolton & Brianna Hall
These category provides a pair of students a stage for me to brag on them as a person, athlete and leader. Brianna Hall of Tipton-Rosemark Academy will go down as one of the best to ever wear a Rosemark uniform in the classroom, soccer field and basketball court.
Javaris Tolton is an outstanding young man and has made the Munford community proud. Tolton was a soccer and basketball player at Munford. He was an enforcer on the soccer field clearing space for his strikers.
But on the hardwood, the offense was cleared for him to get the ball in the post. Some of the sweetest post moves, Tolton was advanced for his age on the block. Solid rebounder, Tolton was a magnet to the basketball. And his soft touch made him a double-double machine. Tolton was a leader for Head Coach Nic Buford and reliable night in and night out.
Meanwhile Hall got the leadership reigns handed to her from Coach Cedric Anderson in basketball. She helped TRA reach State for the first time in 2020. Hall was the leading scorer the past two seasons in hoops.
Hall being the leading scorer in soccer was old habit. She wrapped up her career with 126 goals, most in school history. Hall is No. 2 all-time in scoring for basketball. Hall accomplished all this greatness with class, grace and a team-first attitude.
Best Friend
DeMaryo & DeMiyah Gatlin
The Class of 2021 has given me a niece and nephew. OK, my friends Stan and Demeka Gatlin are the reason I have extended family. It was our working relationship developing into a friendship that allowed me to get to know twins DeMaryo and DeMiyah.
Before they became students at Brighton, I witnessed the “Terrible Twos” of the duo at Millington when their dad was the coach of the Lady Trojans. While Stan was pilling up wins at a record pace, Demeka had her hands full with Miyah and Maryo.
Quickly the pair grew up into an impressive young woman and young man. They created their own niche’ in the Gatlin legacy.
Miyah grew into a beautiful young lady, fierce volleyball player and prototype basketball player. I enjoyed seeing her blossom into a great volleyball player with her scoring and attacks at the net.
Then in hoops, Gatlin had to overcome her own fears to shine. She proved her greatness in districts with a near triple-double to help the Lady Cardinals advance.
While Miyah quietly emerged as a two-sport standout, Maryo was telling anybody within earshot he was going to be great. Following in his big brother’s footsteps Tae’lyr, Maryo wanted the challenge of being a great Cardinal Basketball player. He held his own and was the go-to player by his senior year.
He closed out his time at Brighton with an appearance at State in track for the High Jump.
The Gatlin Twins proved their greatness and will move onto the next level. The guidance of Stan and Demeka has paid off and I’m blessed they allowed me to be a part of their growth. I smile when I hear DeMaryo call me “Unc” and DeMiyah says, “We can just call Uncle Thomas.”
Most Dependable
Gavin Haynes & Ciara Spence
Playing multiple sports and coming back better than ever after a pandemic, you are likely to win Most Dependable. This honor goes to Gavin Haynes of Brighton and Ciara Spence of Munford.
Spence was a basketball and soccer player at Munford. Basketball she was a spot-up shooter and she was physical on the defensive end of the court.
Spence was one of the stars on the on the soccer field. She dribbled all over the field setting up her best friend Maiya Reed. Spence was also capable of finishing the play herself. Her skills have landed her a spot at Dyersburg State.
Spence is a hard worker, doesn’t desire the spotlight and she is willing to get better.
Haynes has earned my respect through being a great football player and wrestler. And he is an even better person. Making his name at Brighton, Haynes was so devoted to wrestling he joined the Munford Wrestling team his past year to compete. The investment paid off with Haynes reaching State in 170.
Haynes competed with a chip on his shoulder in both sports. In football, Haynes had four sacks in a game and scored a defensive TD. All being an undersized linebacker. The “Fierce Fighter” will achieve greatness in the future because he has the heart, support system and will.
Most Intelligent
Luis Carrillo & Noelle Werner
Munford’s Salutatorian Noelle Werner and Millington’s Valedictorian Luis Carrillo have earned this recognition. While both student/athletes were preparing for speeches for their respective graduations, they were also busy trying to reach State. Werner reached State in track in the discus. She wrapped up her athlete career in May in Murfreesboro.
She is preparing to head to Auburn and will bring more pride to her family with “War Eagle.” Carrillo will take his intelligence to the Chicago area at Northwestern.
Carrillo made a huge impact at Millington in the classroom with multiple achievements. But he ended his days as a student as part of record-breaking Trojan Soccer team. Carrillo was called on in the postseason to play defense and help his team reach Sub-State. He was smart enough to handle that challenge and Carrillo will go on to do great things in life impacting North America.
Hardest Worker
Malik Wooten & Jordan Allen
I value hard work and I pay attention to those student/athletes who go the extra mile. Millington’s Malik Wooten and TRA’s Jordan Allen grabbed my attention over the past four years. Allen was a freshman phenom and looked to be an outstanding softball player for the years to come.
But Allen was guided toward volleyball and basketball by the time her stay at TRA was done. After suffering a knee injury, Allen had to grind to return to the court.
Thank goodness she made it back because Jordan’s hard work helped TRA make history. The Lady Rebels went to Sub-State in volleyball just a couple of sets away from State. Allen did help the basketball team get over the hump in 2020 to reach State. The investment in herself paid off and Allen will be a Lady Buc at Christian Brothers University this fall.
Wooten left the Millington as one of the most decorated grapplers in school history. Wanting to quit as a freshman, Wooten was encouraged by coaches, teammates like Jaden Tincher and supporters like Jaden’s dad Jeremy.
With a community backing him, Wooten was on a mission to validate their belief in him. By his junior year Wooten’s efforts in practice and in meets made him a medalist at State. It was by then Wooten realized how good he was and took his skills to the next level.
Wooten was a team leader his senior year and led by example. Wooten was one of nine Trojans to hit the mats for the grand finale of the 2020-21 Wrestling season. Wooten took fourth place in the 2021 Class A-AA 113 Division State Meet.
Mr. and Miss Millington Star
Patrick Green & Charli Rice
Who should be the face of the Class of 2021 for The Millington Star. This graduating class had to endure a crazy presidential election, modified school schedule and a pandemic.
So I wanted a boy and girl who saw the high of highs. They also experienced disappointment but it made them stronger. I wanted a duo who exemplified class, spiritual strength, accountability and triumph in the end.
Tipton-Rosemark Academy’s Patrick Green and Charli Rice were the first to come to my mind. Both were well-known pitchers on campus. But they had multiple talents that made their high school years memorable.
Rice is a talented singer and will head to Union University to pursuit her music and softball talents. Coming on the softball scene as an eighth grader, Rice handled the pressure of pitching to help TRA reach State.
That Lady Rebel team saw a title slip away. As Rice got stronger mentally and physically, she was the spark plug that got TRA back to Murfreesboro playing on the final day of the season.
Rice was amazing in the circle but she’s an even better person. Her parents raised her to be a thoughtful and loving young lady. Her teammates, coaches and teachers will testify to a job well done.
Green delivered the game-winning hit for the Rebel Baseball team to reach State this past season. Normally Green was the name on the marquee as a pitcher. But he was serviceable on the basketball court for multiple years helping TRA reach the State championship game as a sophomore.
It was there Green made a huge impact on my soul. Sitting on the sideline of the Lipscomb Arena court with my Goddaughter Taliyah, I was processing my interviews from the championship game.
The Rebels just suffered a defeat and I was trying to organize my mind on how to write this story. Taliyah taps me on the shoulder and points up toward the locker room area. I looked up and Patrick is walking toward us.
“I just want to thank you for driving all the way up here and your support all season,” Green said with tears in his eyes.
I could tell he was crying with his teammates in that locker room but in the middle of his pain, he took time to recognize The Millington Star, Taliyah and me. That was a total class act. And everyday since that moment, it was “Go Green.” Unselfish, accountable and devoted to team, Patrick Green is Mr. Millington Star. And with natural talent and loyalty Charli “Chuck” Rice is Ms. Millington Star.
