The Jackson Central-Merry Lady Cougars, the 1996 TSSAA Class AAA high school state basketball champions will be the recipients of the 2026 Hometown Legends Award when the 40th annual Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame is held at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 16 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.
JCM (31-2) became the only program in school history to win a state title when they defeated Oak Ridge, 70-61, at Middle Tennessee State University, Saturday, March 9, 1996.
The Lady Cougars reached the state championship game following their 70-52 quarterfinal win over Sullivan East, and a 41-39 win over Columbia in the semifinals.
Brett Barry, Kayla Beaver, Carita Cole, Davon DeMoss and Tarius Johnson, are scheduled for induction into the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame.
Terry Smith will be the recipient of the 2026 Billy Schrivner Distinguished Service Award.
For tickets and reservations for the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame event, call Beth Sedberry (731) 616-8558.
(PHOTO: Front row – left to right – Crystal Taylor, Blair Vollmer, LaDawna Sowell, Collin Carmichael, Ginger Bryant, Meg Griffin, Heather Bell, Nia Hill and Leigh Ann Holloway.
Back row – left to right – Bobby Jelks, assistant coach, Danielle Hoffman, manager, Libby Hassell, manager, Ashley Pope, Hannah Marcom, Leah Holcomb, Ellen Singleton, Julia Baker, Emily Hopper, manager, Jada Butler, manager, and head coach Sandra Fitzgerald)
