31

Ray Shubert - 1936

Shubert played football in the golden years at Lenoir City, 1933-34-35 and 1936. He was known as the best defensive player to perform at Lenoir City. In fact, no one was ever known to break one of his tackles. He was also an offensive workhorse on the undefeated teams of 1934 and 1936 and led the team in yards gained in several games. He accepted a scholarship to Carson Newman where he played football and baseball 4 years. A rugged football player and baseball hitter, he was elected to the Carson Newman Hall of Fame in 1941. He also excelled in the classroom and was involved in many college activities. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1971.

51

Willie Joe Smalley

Coach

Coach Smalley joins this elite club primarily for his coaching abilities, although he was a basketball star in 1948-49, serving as Captain in 1949 while making All-District for his play. He returned to Lenoir City to teach and coach, being Assistant Coach to the 1958 State Championship basketball team and later Head Coach, taking his 1964 team to the State Tournament. He coached 20 years at Lenoir City, compiling a won-loss record of 382-216. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2003.

52

Eddie Tom Smith

Contributor

Smith enters the Hall for his many contributions to the sports program at Lenoir City, beginning as manager for the 1958 State Championship basketball team and returning in 1959 as manager for that team that also went to the State Tournament. As Lenoir City Manager for several years, he gave his time and support to any sport or school project that would benefit the kids of the school system. He was a tireless worker and well deserving of this honor. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2003.

39

Leonard Smith - 1927

Although he played varsity football in 1926 and 1927, he enters the Hall for his basketball talents. In 1924, his Lenoir City team played 3 games in 2 days, only to lose the championship game from being totally exhausted. In 1925 the team again made it to the finals where he scored the winning free throw to give Lenoir City the victory in the East Tennessee Tournament played on the UT campus. The team went on to the State Tournament in Nashville where they were beaten in the semi-finals. The great Lenoir City basketball tradition began with this decade. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972.

117

Melissa Smith (Best) - 1979.

Melissa Smith was a dedicated, multi-sport athlete at Lenoir City High School from 1976-1979 when there were few female sports available and girls' basketball was still playing three on three. During her freshman year she started every game and led the team in scoring with a 20.1 average. She was selected to the all district freshman team. She was also a starter for three years on the varsity where she averaged 13.1 points per game for a three-year career total of 963 points. This was especially significant as she was an offensive starter, but was a defensive "stopper" that Coach Mike Pickell moved over to the three on three defensive side during many critical points in the game when the Lady Panthers needed a defensive stop. Her average points per game and total career points were still quite impressive although she played on the defensive side quite often during the time when guards could not score. She made All County as a senior playing the point position and was a second leading scorer. According to an article published in the New Heral... "she set an unprecedented mark of leading the entire team in rebounds with 201 playing the majority of the time on the offensive end of the court." She also led the team in assists with 101. Melissa was name the Most Valuable Player of the team her senior year and was a senior captain. She was also a captain on the school's first volleyball team her final year and helped launch the program as an enduring sport for future generations of Lady Panthers.  She was inducted into the LCHS Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.

JESE SNYDER - 2000

Jese played on the varsity basketball team for the Lenoir City High School Panthers all four years. He was a starter his junior and senior years. As a junior, Jese led the team in scoring with a 14.3 average. He was named Player of the Year for Loudon County and All-District. He had a total of 372 rebounds for his junior and senior years. His senior year, Jesse led his team in scoring with an 18.2 average, 5.2 rebounding, 2.6 assists, 2.2 steals, and 2.7 blocks per game. He was District 4-AA MVP, as well as Class AA All State honorable mention. He was invited to play in the East Tennessee High School Senior Boys & Girls All Stars Tournament, and was selected as the top player in the tournament. Jese was rated #20 out of 158 guards in the state. He is a member of the LCHS 1000 Point Club, with a total of 1275 points. Jese received several scholarship offers but settled on playing at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he continued leading in scoring and 3 point field goals. Jese was inducted into the LCHS Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.