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Marshall Athletics Announces Hall of Fame Class

Marshall Athletics Announces Hall of Fame Class
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By West Kentucky Star Staff
Jul. 19, 2017 | DRAFFENVILLE, KY
By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 19, 2017 | 09:20 PM | DRAFFENVILLE, KY
Marshall County Athletics has announced its 2017 Hall of Fame Class. A reception will be held on Thursday, August 31st at 5:30 pm in the commons area of the Marshall County High School to honor these inductees. The induction ceremony will follow in the Performing Arts Center at 7 pm.

Coach:

Bill “Billy Joe” Farris (Concord 1951-1952, Benton High School 1952-1964); Coach Farris’ tenure at Concord and Benton High school netted 239 total wins in a 13 year career in coaching. Coach Farris’ wins included a stellar season in 1957, as Benton High School was crowned as Regional Champions and advanced to the state tournament. Winning 70% of his games as a coach, Coach Farris’ team in 1956 included an impressive 34-2 mark.

Team:

1993 & 1994 Marshall County High School Track 4 X 800 Meter Relay Team; This group of runners set a state record on their way to a state championship in 1993. The team ran a 8:06:92 at state to win the 4 X 800 relay. The next year (1994) the team would return to state but fall short, finishing runner-up, but still besting their state record time from the previous year.

Head Coach: Trent Lovett

Assistant: Russell Palmer

Team members: (1993) Brian Palmer, Paul Darst, Dustin Green, Francois Darnajou

Head Coach: Tracy Cleaver

Team Members: (1994) Brian Palmer, Paul Darst, Dustin Green, Ryan Harrison

Contributor:

Dennis Foust: One of the most common faces seen at Marshall County Athletic events over the past 25 years. Mr. Foust has served in many capacities, helping to support the Marshals. The voice of the Marshall County basketball program from 1989 to present, MCHS baseball from 2011 to present, and also football PA announcer. Dennis has also served in the youth leagues as the founder of the “Little Dribblers” (1988-2006) and is a past president and board member for the Marshall County Softball/Baseball Association.

Individual:

Mitch Cothran: 1984-1988; Mr. Cothran played basketball at Marshall County High School from 1984-1988. Mitch scored 1,130 points as a Marshal and ranks 15th all-time, on the total points list. He was a member of two regional championship teams in his high school career. His senior year, Mr. Cothran was a 2nd team All-State, Kentucky State Tournament Team, Purchase Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American nominee. He also holds the record for the 1st 3 pointer made in Marshall County basketball history. Mitch signed to play basketball at Murray State University in the spring of 1988.

Jennifer Burkeen Showers: 1989-1993; Mrs. Showers played basketball at Marshall County High School from 1989-1993. Jennifer ranks 9th in total points with 1382. She was a member of the All-Purchase Team (1992), Purchase Player of the Year (1993), and AP Kentucky High School 2nd team All-State (1993). Mrs. Showers followed up her stellar high school career at Freed-Hardeman University.

Joe Dan Draffen: 1942-1946: Mr. Draffen played basketball for Benton High School from 1942-1946. A three year starter for the Indians at center, he excelled in both basketball and baseball. Joe was named to the All-Purchase Team in both 1945 (2nd Team) and 1946 (1st team) in basketball. He was selected for the state East vs. West all-star game but was drafted into the United States Army and was unable to play in the game. While stationed in Ft. Knox, Mr. Draffen was starting center for the post team. There he played against the Kentucky Wildcats and another MCHS Hall of Fame inductee, Mr. Joe Holland. After his military service, Joe played semi-pro baseball and was promoted to the farm team of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Laken Dirkes Adair: 2004-2007: Ms. Adair was a member of the Marshall County track team from 2004-2007. She was a three time state champion in the 100 meter hurdles (2005, 2006, 2007). Laken also was named 2007 Sportsmanship award winner at the state meet. She was named to the 1st Team All- State, also in 2007, in the long jump. Ms. Adair was the BioKinetics All-Around Athlete of the Year in 2007. While attending MCHS Laken also attained many soccer achievements including four Region 1 Championships, 7th all-time leading scorer with 59 career goals with 25 goals in a season. She was named to the All-Regional and All-State Team 2004-2006, and was a state participant in 7th-12th grade. Laken maintained Academic Honor Roll status all four years of high school.

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