CENTRE – The Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame will celebrate its 10th anniversary at its annual induction banquet on June 7. Gaylesville’s V.L. Crane, Sand Rock’s Russell Jacoway, Cedar Bluff’s Doug Palmer, and Cherokee County High’s Robert Thornton and Ronnie Whorton comprise the Class of 2014.
Crane is recalled by many as a natural and gifted athlete who excelled at football, basketball and baseball while at Gaylesville High School from 1964-67. His accolades include multiple county and regional sporting honors as well as an all-state football selection in 1966 and 1967.
After serving in the U.S. Armed Services, Crane graduated from Jacksonville State in 1979 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. He returned to JSU in 2008 to take courses toward a B.S. in education and a Master’s degree in history.
Crane’s dedication to youth and sports continued throughout his life through volunteer coaching opportunities including stints at Gaylesville and Cedar Bluff high schools.
With 31 years of coaching at Sand Rock High School under his belt, Jacoway isn’t slowing down. Only two other active coaches – Buddy Anderson (Vestavia Hills) and Lamar Harris (Hubbertville) – have more time (36 years) at a single school.
Jacoway led the Wildcats to the 1985 Class 1A state championship and 24 playoff appearances through his tenure. He also earned two Alabama Sportswriters Association Coach of the Year awards (1985 and 1997) and has 223 victories throughout his career.
Palmer earned all-state honors in football and basketball while at Cedar Bluff High School. Palmer garnered first team accolades in 1974 and 1975 as a Tiger linebacker. Palmer was also an offensive threat as a running back for Coach Jerry Benefield.
Palmer was also a force on the hardwood as well, earning second team all-state honors his senior year.
After graduating in 1976, Palmer earned a scholarship at Livingston University where he became a four-year letterman in football. Palmer took a shot at professional football when he was invited to the Dallas Cowboys’ training camp in 1979. In 1980 he participated in the NFL free agent camp in Atlanta.
Thornton lettered four years in basketball and football at Cherokee County High School. He was selected to the all-state team at tackle in 1954. Thornton received a four-year scholarship to play football at Alabama from 1955-58.
Thornton spent over 20 years serving in the U.S. Army as an aviation officer until his retirement in 1983.
Whorton was a three-sport star at Cherokee County High School from 1974-77. He averaged 17 points per game as a junior and 18.8 points during his senior year. Whorton was named to the Birmingham Post Herald All-State 2nd Team and was a member of Cherokee County’s inaugural baseball team in 1976. He led the Warriors with a batting average of .525 and five home runs.
During his senior year, Whorton connected on eight homers and hit for a team high average of .468.
Following his high school career, Whorton played baseball for two years at Alabama after being red-shirted in 1978. He concluded his career with a batting average of .277 and three home runs.
For continuing updates on the Cherokee County Hall of Fame, check out Facebook by searching Cherokee County Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
To obtain a nomination form for inclusion into the Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame, write to CC Sports Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 36, Centre, AL 35960. You can also pick one up at the Cherokee County Historical Museum on Main Street in Centre or e-mail duryea@tds.net.
