AHSAA HALL OF FAME inductee W R Averett recognized at reunion May 8-9 2015

Legendary high school basketball coach W.R. Averett headlines a two-day celebration of J.F. Shields High School athletics this weekend.

There will be a hour long sit down with the 2005 Alabama High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame inductee starting at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the high school in Beatrice. An Alabama State graduate, Averett led J.F. Shields to its first-ever state title in 1972 with former NBA star John Drew.

After that, a meet-and-greet gathering starts at 4 p.m. followed by an "Old School" basketball event at 6 p.m. The reunion will conclude with a black tie banquet starting at 6 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $25. The reunion committee plans to honor Drew with the W.R. Averett Lifetime Achievement Award.

Coaches, cheerleaders and band members from decades starting with the 1940s from J.F. Shields/Monroe County Training School will also be honored. A major goal of the event is to raise funds for the school's athletic program.

Howcee Productions Gospel host Freddie C. Howard (HOWCEE) Thank MR. Duane Rankin, Montgomery Advertiser