On Tuesday, Feb. 8, just before tip-off of the Fredericktown High School boys basketball game vs. Columbus Academy, the team celebrated senior night, honoring their lone senior, Kodie Spearman, who is a four-year member of the basketball program.
In addition to basketball, Spearman has also participated in baseball, football, golf and cross-country.
Before the last scheduled home game, Spearman and senior cheerleader Andrea Smith were recognized for their participation. Spearman was escorted by his parents, Mike and Kokie Spearman. There was a sea of flathead faces of Kodie Spearman for family, friends and fans to display during the game. Although the Freddies did not pull out a win, (54-47 loss), the celebration was well-received.
At halftime, the “Outstanding Freddie Fan Award” honor was awarded to Kodie Spearman’s grandparents, Herb and Aileen Spearman. The Fredericktown Athletic Boosters Club recognized the pair with the award, which is given in Memory of Dale S. Peterson, who passed away in a car accident following a Fredericktown basketball victory on Feb. 18, 1994. Peterson was a class officer, was a member of the National Honor Society, played softball and was a varsity cheerleader. According to the boosters club, “her beauty, energy, and involvement characterize the award that bears the name Dale S. Peterson.”
Herb and Aileen Spearman (Herb Spearman was a 1951 Fredericktown High School graduate and Aileen Spearman was a 1950 Centerburg High School Graduate) have watched and cheered their Freddie children and grandchildren participate in boys basketball, girls basketball, baseball, football, track, volleyball, cross country, golf, wrestling and cheerleading. They have worked in the concession stands and attended home and away sporting events for nearly 60 years. In the 1970s-80s, they were actively involved and served in leadership roles (1976-1986) in the athletic boosters program.
Whether watching their children, grandchildren, friends, neighbors’ kids or to cheer on FHS in general, they have been longtime Freddie supporters. Three generations from this family have attended and graduated from Fredericktown High School.
After the game, there was a reception organized by the underclassmen basketball parents.
