Posted on November 24, 2015.
By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Among the friends, family, faculty and supports of Millington Central High School athletics Tuesday night, was Jack Turner.
The legendary Millington Football coach had a team huddle around him one more time in the back of the William Osteen Gymnasium Complex. His players, generations a part, gathered around Turner to express their love and gratitude.
Turner told his players simply, ‘Thank you.’
The players escorted Turner to mid court during the 2015 MCHS Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony. Turner was inducted along side Steve Hendricks, the Boatwright family, Tony Dumas and the 2007-08 Lady Trojan Basketball team.
Before the night concluded, current Millington Football Head Coach Chris Michael addressed Turner. As he kneel down by his side, the current leader of Trojan gridiron warriors told Turner his impact is still felt at Millington today. Michael embraced Turner inside the huddle of former Trojan Football standouts.
Class of 2015
Jack Turner
Jack Turner was the Millington Football coach for 10 years starting in the mid 1960s and again in the mid 80s. Turner impacted the young men, not only in the game of football, but in life as well. Turner had numerous players that were selected for All-American, All-State and All-Shelby County honors and many players that went on to the next level.
Steve Hendricks
Steve Hendricks was the Trojans Wrestling coach from 1975-1991, and he made the Millington Central High School Wrestling team a force to be reckoned with. Hendricks’ career record at Millington was 168-48-3 with numerous district championships, a great number of individual wrestlers advancing to the State Tournament, and two State champions. His impact on the sport was recognized as he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame with the Lifetime Service Award.
Boatwright Family
The Boatwright family has been giving back to Millington athletics since opening the doors of their business back in 1957. It has truly been a “family affair” that started with Dr. Leroy Boatwright and his wife, Peggy, as a way of giving back to the community. It continues with Steven, Emily, Bradley and their children today. The Boatwright family has given their time, talent and provided numerous resources for every athletic program at MCHS over the years and continue to do so today.
Tony Dumas
Tony Dumas was a multiple sport standout at Millington, but his star shone the brightest on the basketball court. Dumas averaged 25 points a game as a junior and 23 as a senior while being selected as an All-District and All-Metro performer. Dumas then went to the University of Missouri at Kansas City where he remains the second leading scorer in school history. Dumas was then selected in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks.
2007-08 Lady Trojan Basketball Team
The 2007-08 Lady Trojan Basketball team was one of the most dominant teams ever in any sport at Millington. Under the direction of Head Coach Stan Gatlin, the Lady Trojans could play any style of basketball and be successful as they won the MLK and Dragon Fire tournaments along with the district, Region and Sub-State titles. And the team finished the year with a record of 37-2, losing in overtime to Wilson Central for the Class 3A State championship.
The Class of 2013
Tommy Harrison
Bobbie Percer Sr.
Chris Michael
Nancy Norwood
David Terrell
Mooney Boswell
Rex Waits
1928 Girls’ Basketball Team
Gordon Wilson
Jake “JC” Carter
1962 Football Team were inducted.
The Class of 2014
Carlton Peete
Coach Kevin McMillan
Millington Four (2000 State champion relay team)
Archie Bennett
Abe Massey (Massey Auto Parts)
1979 and 1981 Lady Trojan Softball teams
Debra Spencer
