May 29, 2013
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Five to be inducted into Cherokee Co. Sports HOF on June 8 By KURT DURYEA CENTRE — The Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame will welcome five new members at its annual induction banquet on Saturday, June 8 at the Gadsden State-Cherokee Arena. The Class of 2013 includes Terry Gamble, Jack Kines, Steve Ray, Eugene Weatherly and Amber Wood. Gamble was a five-year starter in basketball at Spring Garden. At 5'10”, Gamble made an indelible mark as the most prolific scorer in Panther history. Gamble's career scoring average topped 20 points per game with a single-game best of 51 points. Along the way, Gamble led the Class 1A Panthers to three county championships, three area championships, and one region championship. In his senior season (1975-76), Gamble guided Spring Garden to its first state tournament appearance. The “speed demon” from Centre and “the flying splinter” are authentic monikers attributed to Jack Kines. At 148 lbs., the shifty Kines led Cherokee County High School to a record 17 straight victories in 1949 and 1950. During his senior campaign, the left halfback topped the state in scoring (150 points) and yards per carry (18.0). Kines was honored for his efforts by the The Birmingham News with his selection to the All-State football team. In 1980, Steve Ray threw for single-season record 2,124 yards while leading Gaylesville to a 9-1-1 record and an area championship. Ray completed 60 percent of his passes, including 24 touchdowns with only five interceptions. Ray's efforts would earn him all-state accolades on the gridiron. Ray was also a dominate force on the hard court. Eugene Weatherly dropped out of high school after his sophomore year to serve two years in the U.S. Army during World War II. Upon his return, Weatherly resumed his studies, culminating with a master's degree from Georgia State University. At Hatcher High School in Centre, Weatherly would be the one and only coach the school would ever have. In 1959, Weatherly directed Hatcher to a berth in the N.E.I.A.A. Final Four. Then, in 1961, the Bulldogs finished as state runner-up. Hatcher High School closed in 1969. In 1973, Weatherly guided Cobb Avenue High School in Anniston to an AHSAA Class 4A runner-up finish in the state basketball tournament. He passed away in 2001. High marks on and off the court were the trademark of Cherokee County's Amber Wood. A gifted scholar-athlete, Amber led the Lady Warriors to the 1998 Class 4A State Championship. Wood set a Class 4A three-point record on her way to becoming Cherokee County's all-time leading scorer with 2,172 points. A three-time All-state honoree, Amber's high school basketball career culminated in 2000 as a Class 4A Player of the Year finalist and honorable mention selection on the USA Today All-American Basketball Team. A public reception for the nominees and members of the Sports Hall of Fame will take place prior to the banquet at 4:45 p.m. Dinner and the formal inductions will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 if purchased by June 1. They are available at all local schools, as well as the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and the Cherokee County Historical Museum. As part of the weekend social activities, the Sports Hall of Fame golf tournament will be held Friday, June 7 at the Cherokee County Country Club. The three-person scramble will begin at 1 p.m. Over $2,000 will be awarded to the top teams in three flights. For additional information call 256-927-5070 or send e-mail to duryea@tds.net. |