By Thomas Sellers Jr.
The last two weeks of The Genuine Article’s annual look back at the previously concluded TSSAA calendar is dedicated to the Who’s Who.
I got a chance to recognize a total of 24 graduates from my coverage area of Tipton-Rosemark Academy, Munford High School, Millington Central High School and Brighton High School. The first week has six superlatives and next week the final 12 student/athletes will have the spotlight.
I won’t waste anymore time and get started with the Class of 2022 Who’s Who Part I.
Best Looking
Wemawamungu Moktani & Maddie Peters
We’re starting in Tipton County with Wemawamungu Moktani of Munford and Maddie Peters of Brighton. Despite representing rival programs, the two student/athletes have a lot in common.
Both have signed to play their respective sports in college. While in high school, the participants in an individual sport have racked up several awards. And both Peters and Moktani have been to State to compete.
Peters continued the Brighton Cardinal Tennis tradition of reaching State and signing to the next level with her acceptance into Evangel University in Springfield, Mo. In 2021 Peters reached the Class 3A State Tennis Individual Tournament.
With a community of coaches and dedication to her sport for several years, Peters looked graceful and sharp on the court. In addition Peters finished in the top 10 at Brighton and serves as a role model to many including her younger siblings Katie and Nick.
Moktani is a role model to the entire Munford Wrestling team. And he left a strong legacy by winning the 2022 TSSAA State Wrestling Tournament in the 132-pound division. The athlete known as Mo used strength, poise and defensive skills he picked up from his coaches and teammate Christian Perez to be the best.
He will take his talents and knowledge over the bridge to The University of the Ozarks.
Most Likely to be a Stand-Up Comic
Cortlynn Barnes & Timily David
As far south as Millington I could get a laugh from Cortlynn Barnes. Then my most northern school of Brighton was good for a few laughs courtesy of Timily David.
David, who has signed to play softball at Dyersburg, reminds me of the famous 1990s comedian Brett Butler. The former standup comedian/sitcom star has a dry whit with a Southern accent. David has that approach in the dugout to summarize any situation.
She’s so smooth and nonchalant with her delivery it takes a minute to get the joke. Once you get her joke, you’re laughing for several minutes.
David was also smooth at second base making plays look effortless. She is the daughter of a Lady Cardinal and proudly represented her mother Heidi on the diamond and in the dugout.
Back in Millington, Barnes is more of a physical comedian. He can be spotted giving a goofy look after an expression or dancing in front of the net as a soccer goalie.
Now Barnes was serious as a receiver, defensive back and return specialist for the Trojan Football team in 2021. He was named to the All-State and AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star teams. He knew when to be serious. But if you ran into Barnes at school, Dollar-ish Tree or at a Millington Athletic event, you were going to get that trademark school and some silly remark.
Most Likely to Succeed
Tyler Byrd & Keria McGhee
I was blessed to have two Memphis area transfers come into my coverage area in 2020. Tyler Byrd landed at Tipton-Rosemark Academy for basketball and Keria McGhee became a Lady Trojan for the Millington hoops squad.
It was clear to see both were talented and could score the basketball. Within a few games, I could identify their unselfishness. McGhee became a dynamic duo with Micaiah Halliburton. Since the girls were in the same grade, they would have two seasons to shine.
Byrd was the perfect No. 2 to Alex Anderson on the Rebels. Anderson, being an unselfish player, knew how to coexist with Byrd to help TRA reach State. Anderson was nominated for Mr. Basketball in 2021 showing Byrd the path to success.
Byrd took those lessons and dominated Division II-AA hoops and won Mr. Basketball in 2022. Now he is preparing to play Division I college basketball and proudly represent this area.
McGhee is going to the next level at Jackson State and will be back in green after transferring from Memphis Central. She has the skills and talent to land a D-I scholarship in the near future.
The reason I feel both student/athletes will succeed is both took on a challenge in the fall and achieved even more. Byrd played football, risking his body for basketball. He was able to be named All-State as a receiver. Meanwhile McGhee took on the challenge of soccer and was the second leading scorer for the Lady Trojans. Millington won the district and Region titles under her watch.
Most School Spirit
DeAnton Yarbrough & Shelby Kendrick
I’ve literally seen DeAnton and Shelby grow up. Both had older siblings who shined at their respective schools. DeAnton carried on the Yarbrough name strongly at Millington. Kendrick proved her bat was just as lethal as her brother Steve at Munford.
Yarbrough followed in big bro Milton’s footsteps by taking on football, wrestling and soccer. Yarbrough caught on quickly in his first year of soccer helping the Trojans reach Sectionals. In football, the player called Ant was a possession receiver and fierce down-the-field blocker.
But his best sport in the trio had to be wrestling. In the 152-division, Ant reached State and had success on the mat.
Kendrick battled injuries during her time at Munford playing basketball and softball. With so much hitting her hard from athletics to real life, Kendrick pondered not playing softball her senior year.
But her change of heart allowed her to have an awesome campaign, ink a scholarship to Southwest Tennessee and see her team reach Regionals.
Both Kendrick and Yarbrough shined in their school colors. And the duo could be spotted at games supporting friends and peers. They volunteered in hospitality rooms and would attend an event in practice gear. I will miss seeing their faces on a regular basis. But their hard work has paid off with them heading to bigger things.
Best Dressed
Michael Lee & Kayla Clement
Swag, if that’s still a cool term, is defined by the duo of Michael Lee and Kayla Clement. Lee just recently inked his letter of intent to play basketball at Byran College after being a standout at Munford. Months ago, Clement was on the campus of TRA celebrating her signing to Chattanooga State for softball.
Both had effortless swagger with their new school colors. The shoes coordinated with the jeans and ball cap for Lee at his signing. Clement made a school uniform rock with the blood-orange and blue she would be inheriting at Chattanooga. Her simple white shirt and khaki skirt popped with the shoes in her new school colors.
Now Lee on the hardwood as a smooth sharp shooter looks great as well. He can put the ball on the floor and has the size to get dirty in the interior. Lee makes sure his uniform is crisp while displaying an all-around game.
Clement looked sharp in a volleyball or basketball uni. But her trademark No. 6 at the hot corner on the diamond for Rosemark Softball made me feel safe. With my camera box behind her, I knew Clement would keep me safe with her best accessory — her glove.
Most Athletic
Christian Perez & Ryleigh Bowers
I’m sure if you challenge Christian Perez or Ryleigh Bowers with anything, they will take it on. Plus, they will master it.
Christian Perez played football, wrestling and track while at Munford. Bowers wore the TRA uniforms of soccer, basketball and softball. Both wrapped up their distinguished high school careers in May in Murfreesboro.
Bowers was the bat that sparked the Lady Rebel offense during their run to State. Bowers played in various positions on the field. Wherever Coach Johnie Sanfratello needed her, Bowers was there and played the position like a natural.
She played the post for TRA Basketball and spent time at goalie for Soccer. Bowers is heading to Dyersburg for softball and wherever the Lady Eagles put her, she will be a natural.
Perez is a natural athlete. His track coach Thomas Walters told him he will do the decathlon this year for the first time. All Perez did was win the event and become the State champion. As one of the best wrestlers at 138 in the state, Perez has left his mark at Munford and will go down as a trailblazer.
