Online Edition
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Wright’s family grieves over death
MEMPHIS (AP) — Relatives and friends of Lorenzen Wright gathered Wednesday and grieved for the former NBA player who has been missing for 10 days, as police investigated the discovery of a man’s body outside of Memphis.
Wright’s uncle, Curtis Wright, told The Associated Press that police called the player’s father, Herb Wright, Wednesday afternoon with the news he had died. (July 29, 2010, Page 6)
Area coaches fondly remember Wright
The mysterious disappearance of former Lafayette High School basketball standout Lorenzen Wright has unfortunately been solved by Memphis area police officers. Wright, who has been missing for over a week, was found dead Wednesday afternoon in a wooded area located in Southeast Memphis, according to information provided by Wright’s family to various media outlets.
Wright, 34, played his first three years of high school basketball at Lafayette under the direction of coach Mike Foster, Lafayette’s current school superintendent, before moving to play his senior season at Booker T. Washington in Memphis. (July 29, 2010, Page 6)
Lafayette defense reloading for 2010
The Lafayette Commodores had a strong veteran presence on defense that made life hard on opposing offenses last year.
Whether it was C.C. or Markie Dukes swatting throws away, Dominique Price stepping up on a goalline stand or Jermaine “Slim” Pegues causing havoc in the middle of the line, the ‘Dores had no shortage of playmakers.
While Lafayette has five returners on defense this year, the coaching staff is hoping the ‘Dores have just the right blend of youth and experience. (July 29, 2010, Page 7)
Commodores open up preseason drills
Last season was a magical and memorable season for the Lafayette Commodore football team. Sparked by some early season success that carried into the playoffs, the Commodores won the Class 4A North Half title and played for the 4A championship in Jackson.
The quest to win a title was an enjoyable one for the Commodores and their coaching staff and with a veteran group returning, the chances of playing for another title still remain high.
LHS opened practice for the 2010 season Monday with a morning session in shorts and helmets. The Commodores return nine starters on offense, including 2009 EAGLE Player of the Year Jeremy Liggins, and up to six veterans on a defensive group that was very formidable last year. (July 27, 2010, Page 6A)
Title game disappointment fueling Liggins, ‘Dores
Last season the Lafayette Commodores made it all the way to the MHSAA Class 4A state championship game.
While the ‘Dores came up just short last year against St. Stanislaus, that disappointment is paying dividends this season in the form of motivation for the players. (July 27, 2010, Page 6A)
Lafayette’s Foster hoping for Wright’s safe return
As the search goes on for Lorenzen Wright, who is missing in Memphis and around the South, his former coach at Lafayette High School is thinking about him and his safe return.
Lafayette Superintendent Mike Foster coached Wright for three seasons in the early 1990s before the 6-foot-11 standout eventually left to play his senior season in Memphis.
Wright, who gained notoriety playing for the Memphis Tigers and then in the NBA with teams such as the L.A. Clippers, Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies, has not been seen or heard from in over a week. His mother had police issue a missing persons report this past Thursday, but despite the help of several police departments, there has been no sign of Wright or a clue as to where he disappeared to. (July 27, 2010, Page 6A)
Thomason headed to Southern Miss
A chance to pitch at the Division I level again was something Josh Thomason has been hoping for ever since he left Ole Miss.
The former Lafayette County High standout originally signed with the Rebels in the hopes of becoming one of the team’s main starters in time. That opportunity didn’t work out like Thomason was hoping and after spending two years at Navarro Community College in Texas, Thomason is getting his second chance to pitch for a major college.
Thomason, the 2007 EAGLE Player of the Year, recently signed a scholarship offer to play for coach Scott Berry at Southern Miss. The experience Thomason gained in Texas, coupled with his ability to still throw in the low 90s, was appealing to USM, who signed eight pitchers this year to help bolster the rotation. (July 22, 2010, Page 2B)
UPDATED: Rebels net three more commitments
What a day it’s been for the Ole Miss gridiron Rebels. This morning Pascagoula cornerback (and standout center fielder) Senquez Golson committed to the Rebels.
Later this afternoon, Ole Miss picked up its second commitment of the day — and 12th for the 2010 signing class — when Gadsden City, Ala. receiver T.J. Worthy pledged his verbal commitment to the Rebels. Just before 7 p.m. the Rebels picked up their third commitment of the day, this time from Raleigh defensive tackle Woodrow Hamilton.
(more…) (July 21, 2010)
Swindoll hired to lead LHS tennis
Lafayette Athletics Director Jeff Nelson knew his new tennis coach, Debbie Swindoll, was a special athlete and intense competitor when he first came in contact with her at a middle school basketball tournament in Pope.
As Nelson prepared to help lead Lafayette’s middle school team to a victory, he saw Swindoll show her skills as a member of Winona’s team and he marveled at how hard Swindoll played the game. It was that drive to be the best coupled with an extensive knowledge in tennis that separated Swindoll from the rest of potential candidates in his search to replace former coach Marty Pearson. It’s also why he was so pleased that his recommendation to hire Swindoll was approved by the Lafayette School Board Tuesday night. (July 7, 2010, Page 6)
Tennis court expansion is definitely needed
Oxford has been a town known for a lot of different things over the years. It’s a football town in the fall, a baseball town in the spring and a very slow town in the middle of the summer. But one thing that Oxford is throughout the year is a tennis town. (June 25, 2010, Page 7A)
