The Versailles Republican Sports
December 20, 2007

SR Raider senior basketball center, Trent Tucker, signs letter of intent to play for the Judson University Eagles

Gary Franklin, Sports Writer

Informed by Deb Jett, Athletic Director at SRHS, the signing of SR senior student, Trent Tucker, was to take place at 1 p.m. at SRHS on Monday, December 17, weather permitting
Just as planned, the transaction developed, as Coach Tommy Tompkins had made his way to Versailles for the signing of what would apparently be his first new recruit to a new coaching job he was taking charge of.
About Judson University
Judson University is an evangelical Christian university, keyed to represent the Church at work in higher education. It is nestled along the mighty Fox River in the city of Elgin, Illinois, just 45 miles northeast of Chicago. It is a four year college offering to a Masters Degree, and has a full time enrollment of nearly 1200 students from 36 states and 26 countries..
About Coach Tompkins
Tompkins is entering his first year on the Judson University basketball staff, where he will act as associate head coach of their basketball program, before taking over the program in the '08-'09 season.
Judson University AD Nancy Smith stated, "We are thrilled to have Tony join our staff," Tompkins was hired in 2002 by Missouri Baptist, and led the Spartans to two American Midwest Conference titles and two trips to the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Conference, Coach of the Year selection (2004 & 2005) and coached four NAIA All American. Tompkins recorded 110-47 career record, including four 20 win seasons in five years.
Tompkins is married to wife Heidi and they have two daughters and a son.
Tucker finds peace
When asked if he was glad the day had come, "Tucker quickly responded with a yes." There is a lot of pressure on young adults as they try to get their next act in order, be it to start in the work force, the armed services, attend college, and then a committment to play sports while in college. A sigh of relief was noted, once the event was behind him.
SRHS Principal Bob Meyer, Athletic Director Deb Jett, and other staff members were present for the signing, along with senior teammates and friends, as well as members of Tuckers family.
Tucker is listed on the South Ripley basketball programs as 6'5" tall. When attending the Raider games one will likely find him playing the center position on the court. At his height, #40 is not hard to find amidst the players.
Coach Holdsworth's stats on the team this season to date show Tucker has started five of the six games they have competed in thus far. He has shot 25/51 field goal attempts, for an average of 49%. He has not tried any 3 point shots so far this season, 0/0. He has a 50% shooting average at the free throw stripe shooting 7/14. He is also recorded as having 9 assists.
His love for the game and common sense should make him a valuable asset to the Judson Eagles basketball team and society for years to come.
We congratulate him, and wish him the best through the rest of his year at South Ripley and his future with the Judson University Eagles basketball team.

GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO "With pen in hand, you sign your name", such was the case for Trent Tucker, seated center between his South Ripley Raider high school basketball coach, Scott Holdsworth, pictured left, and his soon to be Judson University Eagles basketball coach, Tony Tompkins.

South Ripley's Scott Holdsworth is named 2007's, District 4, High School Baseball Coach of the Year

Gary Franklin, Sports Writer

Only months after South Ripley Raider Varsity Baseball Coach Scott Holdsworth announced he was hanging up his managerial cleats, information has crossed our desk from the Indiana High School Coaches Association, stating that he is being named 2007 District 4 Coach of the Year, which represents all schools in the Southeastern part of the state.
In an e-mail from the President of Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association, Tim Bordenect, of Lafayette Catholic High School, special recognition of Holdsworth is to take place on Friday, January 18, at 7:00 PM, at the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Awards Banquet.
The banquet will be held in Indianapolis at the Sheraton at Keystone Crossing. Sheraton at Keystone Crossing is located at 8787 Keystone Crossing.
Holdsworth's selection was made after being voted on by his peers for his outstanding success during the 2007 high school baseball season.
Those with ties to the area know Holdsworth from his high school athletics as a Raider, then as an educator and as the head coach of both SR baseball and basketball teams.
For those who do not know him, Scott is a native Ripley County man, with roots deep planted in Raider pride, from early on in his childhood. He is the son of Gary and Patsy Holdsworth, both retired educators from South Ripley High School.
As a member of the 1987 SR Raider baseball team, he and his teammates were sectional championship winners. Following his involvement with athletics, among other interests as a Raider, he attended Eastern Kentucky University, where he earned a Bachelor degree in Physical Education and Health.
Upon graduation from college, Holdsworth married wife Kara, of Booneville, Kentucky, and they have two sons, Macy 12 and Chancey 8. The boys are enrolled in the South Ripley school system.
Upon employment with South Ripley in 2002, Holdsworth began dual duties as both head basketball and head baseball coach.
Holdsworth's overall career baseball coaching record is 110-59 with a ORVC Conference record of 55-9. He led the Raiders to ORVC Championship titles in '02, '04, '05, '06 and '07, and was named Coach of the Year. His '06 and '07 teams were Sectional Champions and he led his 2006 team to a Regional Championship.
He handled both head coaching positions until this past summer, when he announced he was giving up his baseball coaching position with the Raiders, so he might have more time to spend with his family.
He continues serving SRHS as an educator and head basketball coach, which he has done for the past seven years.
We congratulate him for his dedication and perserverance over the years, and for the wins he has brought to the South Ripley athletic department.

GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO Coach Holdsworth stands at the ready on the third base line to direct his team.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Milan Indian Wrestlers effort successful against Franklin County HS Wildcats

Gary Franklin, Sports Writer

Head Milan Indian Wrestling Coach, Roy Adams, and Assistant Bob Riley, led the team in an evening of bouts against the Franklin County Wildcats on Wednesday, December 12.
Winning for the tribe were; Jared Huff @ 103, Zeth O'Neal @ 112, Austin Garland @ 119. Josh Dickey @ 135, Nick Yatsko and Matt Arkenberg @ 160, Brandon Davey @ 171, Zak O'Neal @ 189 and Ben Jackson @ 275.
Two Indian wrestlers were pinned by Wildcat wrestlers. Jacob Fleming returning from an injury was pegged in his 189 bout and freshman Adam Ison in his 140 pound match.
Tanner Roark continues to improve as do other wrestlers on the mend at this time.
The next competition slated for the Indians was set for Wednesday, December 19 at Connersville in a dual meet with the Spartans and will be followed by the annual Connersville Invitational on Friday, December 28 and Saturday, December 29.
The Friday, December 28 matches are to get under way at 9:00 a.m., and the Saturday, December 29 matches are to begin at 8:30 a.m.
Varsity Wrestling Schedule
@Providence, Jan. 5, @ 8 AM
SIWC, Jan. 12, @ 8 AM
Milan 5-Way, Jan. 19 @ 8 AM
TBA - Sectional, January 26
TBA -Team Regional, Jan. 30
JV Match
@ Jennings County,
January 9 @ 6 p.m.

GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO Above, Coach Adams calls the Indian wrestlers together after their dual match with Franklin County. Though each wrestler wrestles his opponent individually, Adams insists that his wrestlers be united in a team effort. These meetings are called before and after every competition. Coach obviously believes you can learn from watching other wrestling matches, and improve from it.