Local team also featured female semifinalist Emma Strong, Top-15 finisher Kyndel Woods

By THOMAS P. WEAVER

HORIZON Editor

WILDWOOD, NJ-Nine-year-old Myles Lacy received a welcome fit for a king when he returned home to Celina over the weekend, and rightfully so.

The recently-crowned King of Marbles was greeted with a police escort into his hometown, where a sign announcing the beginning of Lacy’s reign flashed and locals lined the streets to show their allegiance to His Majesty of the marble world.

Lacy became Clay County’s first-ever boys National Marbles Tournament Champion here last week, after shooting his way into the finals and winning the best-of-15 series 8-3 in dominating fashion.

He is the second-youngest winner ever, the youngest boy to claim the title, and the only local male champion–joining females Logan Mayberry (2012), Molly Reecer (1996), and Amanda Burns (1993) to make up a Clay County title-winning foursome.

Lacy’s victory was also just the seventh in the over 100-year history of the event won by anybody hailing from this part of the country, with championships by Monroe County, KY and Standing Stone team members Corey Goolsby (2010), Nathan Thompson (1996), and Wesley Thompson (1992) serving as the other three.

Since his coronation, Lacy has enjoyed the spoils of victory, including being recognized here on the beach at an Old Dominion concert during the Barefoot Country Music Fest, on social media by Nashville television personality Nick Beres, and Monday with a radio interview by Phillip Gibbons of 94.7 The Giant.

He also brought home a $2,000 scholarship, a towering trophy, and a crown he doesn’t think he will don again.

“He wore it that day and that’s it,” his mother Amanda said, after Lacy answered “no” when asked if it was comfortable.

Even though he is the talk of the town, the soon-to-be Celina K-8 fourth-grader, who his father Ryan said “doesn’t talk much,” has definitely taken his newfound notoriety in stride.

“No, not really,” he said when asked if he liked all the attention, but he did say the experience has been “good,” including the welcome he received on the way home.

“He was laughing the whole time,” his dad said of their grand entrance, even though the young champion’s description was much more subdued.

“It was okay,” Lacy said.

Though he is not a king of many words, Lacy’s actions speak for themselves.

He became a national champion in just his third try at the title, after finishing 14th two years ago and making the top five last year.

Lacy’s parents said that was a product of both their son and 11-year-old daughter Kyndel Woods practicing weekly with Clay County Marbles coach Brian Cherry and putting in extra work at home.

Family tradition played a part as well, because Amanda’s late father was also considered marble royalty.

Though his grandchildren never met him due to his passing in 2008, William “Shorty” Denton’s legacy motivated them to take up the game.

“Their grandpa Shorty would have been proud,” Amanda said, “and Brian told Myles he could be like his Pa, and that’s when he started playing.”

Denton won the 1990 National Rolley Championship with Gary Plumlee, and he is considered one of the best to ever play still today.

Like her brother, the current champ’s sister also finished 14th in her first national appearance this year.

Additionally, fellow Clay Countian Emma Strong joined the brother-sister duo at the event, and the 12-year-old notched her second-straight semifinal appearance.

Similar to Lacy and his sister, Strong also follows in her grandfather’s footsteps, as the late Junior B. Strong won the 1992 World Marbles Championship in England—a place where Cherry said today’s youth marbles tradition began.

“This all started when my uncle and them went to England,” Cherry said.  “They met a team from Maryland and they told (former coach) Travis (Cherry) to get some kids involved and bring them up to Wildwood.

“So he got a team together and they went up there and won it.”

Not only did Wesley Thompson and Burns win titles the first two years, the elder Cherry also mentored Nathan Thompson and Reecer en route to their championships.

After his uncle coached the team through 2004, the younger Cherry was handed the reins and has since helped coach three national champions himself—including Lacy, Mayberry, and Goolsby.

“I’m just happy for him and for our community,” Cherry answered when asked how he felt when Lacy accomplished his feat.  “This is a big deal—it’s really big for this area to win something like this.”

When questioned about the motivation behind his devotion to the effort, Cherry—who is an avid marble player himself, revealed his inspiration.

“I enjoy it myself and I enjoy it with the kids, and I really don’t want this sport to die,” he explained.  “I want to keep it going on, because this is what Clay County is kind of famous for, and it brings attention to this county.”

Lacy will not have a chance to become a back-to-back champion due to tournament rules and will attend next year’s event to crown the 2025 champion, along with being inducted into the hall of fame.

He will only be eligible to play in the Champions Tournament.

So, Cherry is looking for his next national championship contender.

With Strong and Lacy’s sister Kyndel serving as the only two returning players, the team needs new members.

“Any kid from the time they are born on up, I would love to teach them this game,” Cherry said.  “We start up each year the first of March and practice about four months until the trip.

“All they have to do is give me a call.”

Cherry and all three players’ families expressed their gratitude to local sponsors who made the trip and Lacy’s national title possible.

“We want to thank them all,” Cherry said.  “We can’t do it without them.”

To join or for more information about the Clay County Marbles team, call Cherry at 931-397-3596.

About the

tournament

The marble game played in the national tournament is called Ringer, and it is played by placing 13 marbles in the form of an “X” in a 10-foot circle with players alternating shots. The winner is the player who is first to shoot seven marbles out of the ring.

According to their website, the National Marbles Tournament was first held in 1922.

Marble shooters ages 7-14, better known as mibsters, compete for national honors, college scholarships, and numerous prizes and awards.

Participants play more than a 1,200 games over the four-day tournament.

Champions selected from local tournaments held in cities and counties around the United States represent thousands of competitors, who converge here for a week of serious marble competition and fun on amusement rides and boardwalk attractions.

For more information, visit www.nationalmarblestournament.org.