The Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame will induct eight individuals in a ceremony at Carrol County Civic Center this Saturday May 2nd at 6 p.m.
This year’s class includes standout athletes, coaches, and administrators whose careers left lasting marks on Carroll County and beyond.
Murray Smith
Murray Smith starred in football and baseball at Trezevant High School before earning an athletic scholarship to Mississippi State University, where he lettered four years in football and graduated in 1960 with a B.S. in Education. He returned to West Tennessee to serve as Head Football Coach and Principal at Camden High School and later coached at Waverly High School. Smith also served for many years on the Humphrey County Board of Education. In his later years, he came back to Carroll County to be closer to family. His daughter, Jane DuBose, will induct him.
Alex Matlock
A 2008 graduate of Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central High School, Alex Matlock stands as one of the most decorated multi-sport athletes in school history. He claimed the 2007 Class A Mr. Football award, earned two All-State selections, three All-District nods, and an East-West All-Star berth. On the baseball diamond, he collected two All-District selections and District Co-MVP honors while slugging 34 home runs, and he added an All-District selection in basketball as well. Matlock took his talents to Bethel University, where he captained the football team and won the Wildcat Award in 2012. He entered the NFL Draft and played professionally in the Arena Football League. He now teaches and coaches football at Montrose High School in Colorado.
Amanda Renfroe
A 2008 graduate Clarksburg High School and Bethel University, Amanda Renfroe earned four All-District selections on the Lady Rockets basketball team and Best of the West Honorable Mention honors. Her teams won a District Championship, reached the Regional Finals, and advanced to the Sub-State. She matched that success on the softball diamond, earning four All-District selections and parlaying that into a scholarship to Bethel University. There, she helped the Lady Wildcats claim the 2009 Trans-South Championship, earned the NFC All-American Scholar-Athlete Award twice, and claimed two All-Trans-South honors. She still holds Bethel’s all-time home run record.
Andrea Holder
Andrea (Angie) Holder is a 1986 graduate of Huntingdon High School. She started four years in both softball and basketball for the Lady Eagles. She earned All-District and All-Region honors before capping her senior season with an All-West Tennessee selection. Her basketball skills earned her a four-year scholarship to Lambuth University, where she started all four years and earned All-Conference honors as a senior.
Johnny Carter
Johnny Carter is a 1967 graduate of Huntingdon High School. He competed in both football and basketball all three varsity years. He also captained the basketball team and led the Mustangs in scoring his senior year. On the football field, he lined up at wide receiver and defensive back, earning All-Volunteer Conference honors and Honorable Mention All-West Tennessee. His senior season, Carter helped fuel a Mustangs offense that scored a record 436 points on the way to an undefeated season and the 1966 Jaycee Bowl title.
Johnnie Compton
Johnnie Compton is a 1967 graduate of Huntingdon High School. He was a 3-year starter for the Mustang Football Team. Coach Paul Ward selected him as the Best Blocker his Junior year. He earned All-Volunteer Conference and All-West Tennessee his senior year. Johnny anchored a defense that gave up only 33 points in 11 games. That year the team was Volunteer Conference Champions, State Ranked, and Undefeated.
James Penn McKenzie
James Penn McKenzie is a 1990 graduate of McKenzie High School. In his senior year of Football, he was a multiple Jackson Sun All-West Tennessee Selection and AP TSSAA All-State. He was equally dominant on both the offensive and defensive line. He led the Rebels to the Class-A State Playoffs. He made 55 solo tackles, 47 assists, 10 sacks, and deflected 10 passes while playing numerous positions on the front line. McKenzie was often the leading scorer on the Rebels Basketball Team. His soft shooting touch and well-rounded play earned him Honorable Mention Class-A Honors. McKenzie had a successful football career at Middle Tennessee State University where he received Honorable Mention All-Ohio Valley Conference honors. He is the proud father of three wonderful daughters.
Wesley Beal, Jr.
Wesley Beal, Jr. is a 1964 graduate of McKenzie High School. A three-year starter, he was a stellar football and basketball player for the Rebels. He was the quarterback and defensive back for McKenzie. Suring his last game of his senior season, he intercepted a pass and returned it 99 yards to set a TSSAA record. He was the WDHM Most Valuable Player and Honorable Mention All-West Tennessee. In Basketball, Wesley was Co-Captain of McKenzie’s 1964 District Championship Team. Beal is a graduate of UT-Martin and became a teacher, coach, and school administrator at both Huntingdon and Gleason Schools. Beal is a U.S. Army and Vietnam veteran. He was Carroll County’s first elected County Executive and totaled 12 years of public service in Carroll County.
Tickets for the Hall of Fame Banquet remain on sale at the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.
Story Submitted by Lex Suite, Chairman of the Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame Board