Teammates, friends remember Wright
As the tragic death of former NBA standout Lorenzen Wright is still investigated in Memphis, family and friends who were close to the Lafayette County native are still dealing with his sudden and untimely demise.
One of Wright’s childhood friends, Stacey Joiner, attended Bramlett Elementary with Wright and was with him earlier this month at a Fourth of July gathering held at a family members of Wright.
Losing a friend is never easy, but in Joiner’s case, the loss hit him hard when he heard the unfortunate news about Wright on Wednesday. (July 30, 2010, Page 6A)
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’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)
LeGrand honored by Holmes Community College
Former Lafayette High standout D.J. LeGrand won the Most Improved Award this season from Holmes Community College for his standout season on the men’s basketball team. LeGrand helped the Bulldogs make the MACJC state tournament this season. (May 19, 2010, Page 7)
Robertson takes over as LHS boys basketball coach
The search for a new boys basketball coach at Lafayette came to an end Wednesday as Eric Robertson agreed to lead the Commodores in the future. Robertson will replace former coach Teague Burchfield on the bench next season after agreeing to add the position to his title on Lafayette’s football team. (April 15, 2010, Page 6)
Oxford’s Blake does it all as Player of the Year
Describing what Brandon Blake meant to the Oxford Chargers on the hardwood this season can’t be accomplished in just a word or small phrase. His value to coach Drew Tyler and his teammates was all encompassing. His role always seemed to change from game to game. From being the team’s leading scorer to the team’s leading rebounder to leading the Chargers in assists, he simply did it all when called upon. (April 14, 2010, Page 1B)
Burchfield resigns from post at LHS
Lafayette is in the process of searching for a new boys basketball coach today after former coach Teague Burchfield submitted his resignation to school officials.
Burchfield’s letter to the school board was officially accepted Tuesday during a regular session meeting, leaving a void that could be replaced by a coach currently at the school. LHS Athletic Director Jeff Nelson said he is looking at all the options that he has in front of him in determining who the next coach will be. (April 8, 2010, Page 6)
LHS boys basketball program can produce a winner
AROUND THE SQUARE AND BEYOND — Lafayette’s boys basketball program is at another crossroads with the departure of Teague Burchfield, who resigned this week after two serving two seasons as head coach. (April 8, 2010, Page 7)
