DeKalb County High School honored two of its past standouts last Friday night, as part of its Alumni Homecoming Week celebration. In between the girls’ and boys’ games, Helen Lee and Rick Usrey were honored as their numbers went up on the school’s Wall of Fame.
Lady Tiger, or Tigerettes star Helen Lee was remembered for her outstanding performances during the late 1950s, while Tiger star Rickey Usrey was honored for his play with the Tigers during the 1970s.
Helen Fay Young Lee was remembered by her nickname on the court, “Fabulous Fay.”
“Her athletic skills on the court including an unstoppable hook shot, rose to fame in the 1950’s during the years of half-court basketball. She had developed a love for the game prior to high school while playing for Coach Floyce Vickers at the New View Elementary School in the Young Bend Community. Helen helped lead the DeKalb County (Smithville High School) girls’ basketball team to the State Tournament Championship game in 1959 before losing to Porter 47 to 46. The girls’ team, coached by Everett Lee Mitchell, finished the season 24-2. The two defeats included a 50-49 loss to Lebanon during the regular season and the loss to Porter in the state championship game. She was a four-year player with many accolades, including All-District, All-State, and District MVP. Helen is also a member of the 1,000-point club.”
“During the 1958-59 season, Fabulous Fay led her team night in and night out on the floor. One of her more memorial moments was when she scored 55 points in a game versus Cannon County in the regional finals. She was 23 of 35 in her field goal attempts and she made 9 of 14 free throws. Helen continued at a torrid pace on her way to the State Tournament.”
“Helen later joined an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) squad, coached by John Head and went on to play for a national championship team that included Tennessee women’s basketball legend, Nera White. Interested in becoming a basketball coach and schoolteacher, Helen enrolled in Peabody College in Nashville after two years on the AAU team and got her first coaching job at Nashville East Senior High in 1965 after graduating college. Helen later met and married Rick Lee and after Rick’s tour of duty in Vietnam, the couple relocated from Missouri to Oklahoma, and then to Nashville, before settling in Smithville where Helen joined the teaching staff at DCHS and served as the head girls basketball coach for eight seasons. Rick also became a teacher in the local school system. Helen later moved from the classroom to the administration at DCHS where she served as guidance counselor until her retirement in 2002. Lee passed away in May 2020.”
During the ceremony, Rickey Usrey was honored as an outstanding three-sport athlete.
“Rickey Usrey grew up in the Belk Community where he found a passion for sports. He developed a love of playing basketball in the 7th grade under Mr. Elzie McBride at College Street Middle School. The next year, Usrey moved to 8th grade where he would be a part of the first class to attend the new DeKalb Middle School. He played under legendary Coach Mike Braswell who taught him the fundamentals of the game. Coach Braswell had this to say about Rickey’s time under his tutelage: “Rick was always the quickest and fastest player on the floor.”
“After his time at DMS, Usrey went on to play in high school for storied Coach Harold Luna. During his time in the back court, he helped lead the Tigers to a whopping 85-17 record over the next 4 years and, eventually, in 1977 brought home the 1st district and regional championship since 1959. Ricky was a three-year starter at point guard during which the Tigers went 56-12.”
“Over his time as a Tiger, Rick amassed over 1,400 points and averaged 14 points per game during the course of his high school career.”
“Rick was named All-District and All-Region as a Junior and All-District, All-Region, and an All-State performer as a Senior, where he averaged 22 points per game. In 1977, he was named to the Nashville Banner All-State team and was the only player in the region to hold this honor. At the time he was also the only boy in DeKalb County High School history to make the 1st Team All-State Team.”
“He also helped lead his team to DCHS’s best record ever at 26-4.”
“A former Cookeville sportswriter had this to say about Rick and his 32-point performance versus Cookeville High School in 1977. “Senior Tiger guard Rickey Usrey was the main reason that Cookeville was never able to catch up to the class AA power as he pumped in 32 points from inside, outside, and just about anywhere else he spots from.”
“Rickey stated the most important thing he had learned during his playing days was that it was never about “me”. It was always about “we.” He has continued to apply that in everyday job and life.”
After high school, Rick went on to work for the Carrier Corporation from which he is now retired and lives in Centertown with his wife Daphanee , who has always been his biggest and most important fan.”
