By Staff
DYNAMIC DUO Not only are Tamara Brown, left, and Bryant Gaddis outstanding basketball players, they are also Mr. and Mrs. Clarkdale High School. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star
By Marty Stamper/staff writer
Jan. 28, 2002
As basketball players, Clarkdale's Tamara Brown and Bryant Gaddis are better than many, but certainly aren't among the state's most highly-recruited athletes.
As people, however, they rank high on any list.
Brown, a 5-foot-7, 138-pound senior, plays for the Lady Bulldogs, while Gaddis, a 5-foot-11, 150-pound senior, plays for the Bulldogs.
Through Jan. 22, Brown was averaging 12.0 points and 11.2 rebounds as a power forward/center. A 60 percent shooter from the field, she also averages two assists per game for the 8-16 Clarkdale girls.
Brown has started for the Lady Bulldogs since the ninth grade and is one of the team's two captains.
Gaddis was averaging 16.2 points, three assists, and two steals as a combo guard prior to Friday's Division 5-2A contest at Williams-Sullivan. He's been a varsity team member for three years and was recently selected to the all-tournament team at Sweet Water, Ala.
A high-B student, Gaddis has had good scoring games against rival Enterprise this season.
Gaddis credits two people for enabling him to enjoy his high school career.
First-year Bulldogs' coach Ronnie Boles is glad that he's had Gaddis to count on for leadership.
The Bulldogs were 6-17 through Jan. 24 after going 8-19 a year ago.
One major indication as to how well the two are thought of by their fellow students is they were elected to the prestigious honor of Mr. and Miss CHS, making them the first black students to receive that honor at the predominantly white school.
Brown has a 3.48 grade point average, despite taking advanced placement classes along with some other serious responsibilities for a high school student.
Gaddis hopes to continue his playing career after a military stint following graduation.
Gaddis has dedicated his final high school season to former teammate Richard Matthews, who is ineligible this year.
Brown and Gaddis also are boyfriend and girlfriend.
And who would win a head-to-head contest?