Wednesday, February 1, 2006

Drugs, Knives Found At HCHS

Three knives, two bags of marijuana and a small amount of what police believe to be cocaine were seized during two separate drug sweeps at Halifax County High School, according to Major R.S.B. Pulliam of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office. Friday’s sweep netted the knives and the suspected cocaine and during yesterday’s sweep the bags of marijuana were discovered, according to Pulliam. Charges are pending further investigation and laboratory results, Pulliam said.
Yesterday’s drug sweep began at approximately 9 a.m., with deputies, officers and canine units from several area law enforcement agencies involved, according to Pulliam.
Assisting the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office with the drug sweep were officers from the South Boston Police Department, officers and canines with the Danville Police Department and Lynchburg Police Department, and deputies and canines with the Appomattox County Sheriff’s Office, Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Sheriff’s Office and Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.

 

County Native Serving In Kaine’s Cabinet

Dietra Trent Tapped Deputy Secretary For Higher Education

“I definitely feel that I received a strong educational foundation through the Halifax County school system,” county native and Virginia’s Deputy Secretary for Higher Education Dietra Trent said yesterday.
Earlier this month, Governor Tim Kaine announced Trent’s appointment to the cabinet. He said that her desire to serve, coupled with her commitment to furthering the educational goals of all Virginians factored into his choice.
“Dietra Trent has impressed me with her commitment to public service as well as her knowledge of the issues surrounding education and opportunity,” he said yesterday. “I am certainly pleased she agreed to serve in my administration.”
Trent said she has two goals in her new position, including seeing the proposed four-year university in Martinsville become a reality.
“That would broker the higher education opportunities and assets currently in place,” she said, naming Danville Community College and the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center. “I think there is a very real, critical need for additional higher educational opportunities in that area. The proposal targets people who have received an Associate’s Degree and desire to further their education.”
Her second goal, she said, is to ensure that Kaine’s higher education agenda is fulfilled.
“We are proposing a research initiative with the goal of making Virginia a destination for state-of-the-art research opportunities,” she said. If passed, “all of the research institutions in Virginia would receive a major grant to further research in various areas.
“We have the best colleges and universities in the country and we want to be able to provide the resources to expand the research we’re doing right now,” Trent added. “I believe there is a critical need to look at how we grow the research we’re doing already.”
After graduating from Halifax County High School, Trent received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Hampton University in 1987 and her master’s degree in public administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in public policy from VCU.
Prior to her current position, Trent served as Kaine’s political director during his campaign. She also served as director of constituent services and director of the Virginia Council on Human Rights during the administration of Governor Mark Warner.
Her new position doesn’t allow her the time to come home as often as she likes, Trent said yesterday, but she hasn’t forgotten her roots.
“I credit everything I’ve accomplished to what I learned in Halifax County,” she said. “It is my beginning and where my heart and home is. I’m honored to have been asked to hold such a position in Governor Kaine’s administration, but I credit everything to what I learned from my family, friends and church in Halifax County.”

 

Poolroom Operations Spark Debate

Council, Citizens To Address Proposed Pool Operations’ Town Ordinance Amendments At Council’s February 13 Meeting.

Proposed town ordinance changes for businesses with pool tables sparked debate and concern Monday night from South Boston Town Council members who put the proposals on Council’s February 13 agenda.
Police Chief Mick Reed presented his recommendations to Council following his research into other jurisdictions and consultation with the Commonwealth’s Attorney office.
The recommendations addressed hours of operation, the presence of minors and distinguished between amusement establishments and restaurants with pool tables.
Reed’s recommendations were:
• Pool room or billiard room shall mean a business establishment with one or more pool or billiard tables.
• It would be unlawful for the operator of any public poolroom or billiard room to permit the playing of pool or billiards between the hours of midnight and 7 a.m. or anytime before 1 p.m. on Sunday.
• No person under the age of 21 shall frequent, play in or loiter in any public poolroom or billiard room operated in conjunction with an establishment licensed under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of the state. No person under the age of 18 years shall be allowed to frequent or enter any poolroom or billiard room in the town or engage in any game there, provided that persons above the age of 17 may be admitted and play when they provide the proprietor the written consent of their parents. Those violating the provisions would be guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor. For the third offense, in addition to other penalty imposed, the owner or proprietor shall have his/her license revoked.
Several councilmen said that distinguishing between amusement operations and restaurants gave an unfair advantage to an amusement facility.
“Doesn’t this give the World of Sports an unfair advantage?” asked Councilman Eric Roberts.
But Reed said his research found that most localities distinguish between restaurants and amusement facilities with pool room/billiards operations.
Councilman Morris Bryant also expressed concern about the presence of minors.
The police chief told Council that he was unaware of any previous problems regarding minors in poolrooms in South Boston.
“There have been no previous problems,” said Reed. “This (poolroom operations issue) came up because of a disagreement between businesses.”
South Boston Town Manager Ted Daniel recalled that at a previous meeting a businessman asked the town to either enforce the ordinance on the books or to get rid of it. As it stands, town officials said the law is unenforceable and must be either amended or revoked.
“If we take it off there is nothing if a problem arises,” added Daniel, who recommended taking public comment at Council’s February 13 meeting.
Councilmen agreed to open the poolroom proposals to the public during Council’s next session.
During the work session LaVerne Bennett asked Council to consider parking places for disabled on Wilborn. She said there are three doctor offices but not a handicapped parking when she takes her mother to the doctor’s office. Bennett said people who are not handicapped use the five-minute unloading site.
Council members questioned the possible use of back entrances at doctor’s offices for handicapped parking, but distance to the office as well as terrain was cited as a problem.
“I would certainly appreciate and pray you would look into it,” said Bennett.
Mayor Carroll Thackston asked for a report on the parking issue at Council’s next session.
In other business, Council placed the following issues on Council’s February 13 agenda:
• A public hearing for consideration of a request by Landmark Asset Services, Inc., for a special use permit to establish a 46-multifamily residential complex in the Taylor Building located at the intersection of Noblin and Ferry streets. The South Boston Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request following its January meeting.
• A public hearing regarding additional rental inspection districts proposed in the town. The North Main Street, from Broad Street north to Hamilton Ave., was the first such district. Proposed are the following: District 2, McCanless Park; District 3, the area east of North Main Street, west of John Randolph Boulevard; District 4, the area west of North Main Street, east of Wilborn Ave. Alan Auld, town director of public works, told councilmen his office was getting positive comment from the North Main St. project from renters. He said some serious problems have been discovered during inspections.
• Adoption of a Program Income Plan to determine how income (repayment of housing rehab loans) generated from the Church Hill Community Development Block Grant project will be spent will be addressed Feb. 13.
• Edmunds Trail, the addition to the VDOT Highway Maintenance Schedule for reimbursement. Town officials described the matter as a “housekeeping” item, with paperwork needed for the reimbursement process. The road, which is completed, leads to the Paul C. Edmunds Jr. Park.
•Appointments to the Industrial Development Authority, Improvement Council and the Board of Zoning Appeals were placed on the Feb. 13 agenda. A replacement is required on the IDA for new town finances director Erle Scott. State law prohibits employees from serving as a director on the IDA. On the Halifax County Improvement Council, Charles Phillips’ two-year term expired this week. He is eligible to be re-appointed, and there is also a vacancy on the Improvement Council that needs to be filled. On the Board of Zoning Appeals, Dr. Gerald Burnett’s term expires February 28. He is eligible to be re-appointed. During the Monday night work session, Scott presented a monthly financial report reflecting revenues in the general fund at $5,446,235.87 or 64.7 percent collected year-to-date with budgeted revenues set for $8,408,960. Expenditures reflect a budget figure of $8,408,960 with year-to-date expenditures of $4,048,795 or 48.1 percent.
Council also placed a developers’ reimbursement agreement with Dr. and Mrs. Lucien Roberts on the February agenda for action. The $10,490 reimbursement is associated with road construction at the Townes of Greenstone project, which included five townhouses.
During the Monday night work session, the police chief told council the new community policing program, Silent Partner Alert, is already up and running. The program takes advantage of the Internet to post emergency information for access for media and individuals who sign up for the free link. Reed said the department is taking advantage of technology for community policing as well as making personal contacts within communities through schools, civic and neighborhood groups.
Council is also expected to address a 2006-2007 borrowing resolution, which allows the town manager and director of finance to borrow up to $1.5 million. The funds would be used in anticipation of the collection of taxes and other revenues to meet town expenditures.
Police Statistics
The police chief also compared 2004 and 2005 police department statistics, which included 647 arrests – 136 felonies and 511 misdemeanors in 2004, compared to 621 arrests with 88 felonies and 530 misdemeanors in 2005.
In 2004, 1,644 citations were issued while 1,915 were issued in 2005.
Reed reported 412 accidents with one fatality in 2004 compared to 448 accidents with two fatalities in 2005.
There were 70 driving under the influence citations in 2004 and 40 in 2005. Reed credited strict enforcement as playing a role in the drop. There was an increase in traffic citations in 2005 at 1,478 as opposed to 957 in 2004.

 

Halifax County Board Of Supervisors

Retreat Set This Week

Meetings with the Industrial Development Authority and the School Board highlight the agenda when the Halifax County Board of Supervisors holds its annual two-day retreat later this week.
The meetings will be held Thursday and Friday beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Riverstone Technology Park.
County Administrator Bryan Foster said yesterday that the retreat provides an invaluable opportunity for supervisors to chart the course for the upcoming year.
“This retreat is an opportunity for the Board to sit down and discuss common issues with our department heads and some of the other boards in the county,” he said.
Foster said that supervisors will discuss the IDA’s new marketing plan and receive an update on some of the ongoing projects in economic development.
During their meeting with the School Board, supervisors are expected to receive an update on the school construction projects as well as address the school system’s budget for the upcoming year.
Following the meetings with the two Boards, supervisors are expected to convene in closed session to “discuss a prospective business or industry or the expansion of a local business or industry (after the meeting with the IDA)” and to discuss pending litigation with the county attorney.
Also on the agenda for Thursday is a review of items highlighted for action during the 2005 retreat and a presentation by county financial advisor John Anzivino on the county’s pay and classification study.
Board members are also expected to discuss issues related to the planned Halifax County Service Authority before re-convening in closed session to “discuss specific personnel matters.”
Friday’s agenda, following the meeting with the School Board and closed session, consists of solid waste issues in the county and a discussion of Board committees.
County Administrator Bryan Foster is expected to address the following:
• County government’s website.
• The county’s capital improvements plan.
• The elimination of vehicle decals.
• The implementation of a new financial software system in the county.
• A countywide space and facility study.
• The county’s technology plan and comprehensive plan.
After a break, supervisors are expected to formulate the Board’s 2006 goals, objectives and a work plan.

 

Four Halifax Council Seats Up For Grabs
Mayor’s Post Also On May Ballot.

Four of the six Halifax Town Council seats and the mayor’s post will be on the ballot in the upcoming May municipal elections. Ward D councilman, Halifax lawyer David “Buddy” Guthrie, said Monday that he does not intend to seek another four-year term.
Jack Dunavant, representing Ward C, said he has yet to make a final decision, but he is leaning towards seeking another term on Council.
Ward A representative Cabell Daniel said yesterday that he is still undecided as to whether he will seek another term. Town of Halifax planning commissioner Lisa Waller has registered to run for the Ward B Council seat currently occupied by Alan Stevens, according to Halifax County registrar Judy Meeler.
Alan Stevens has not indicated whether he will seek re-election and was unavailable for comment at press time. Mayor Leon Plaster’s term is also up and he was unavailable for comment. As of Monday, Waller was the only candidate to register for the election, Meeler said.
All Halifax residents interested is seeking town office must file by March 7 at 7 p.m. to be on the ballot in the May 2 election, according to Meeler.
The remaining two at-large Council seats, which represent the entire town are held by Dr. Charles Parker and Phil Hollis. Both have two years remaining on their four-year terms, according to Town Manager Carl Espy.

 

On Top Of The World

Tommy Holland Won His Sixth Career World Championship And Doug Newcomb Won His First Career World Championship In The AAU World Weightlifting Championships This Past Weekend

Tommy Holland and Doug Newcomb are on top of the world – at least in the sport of weightlifting.
Holland, from Halifax, and Newcomb, from Scottsburg, won the world championship in their respective age and weight classes in the AAU World Weightlifting Championships held this past weekend in Richmond.
The victory marked the sixth time Holland has won the world championship. For Newcomb, it was his first career world championship and it came in his first attempt at competing in a world championship event.
By virtue of winning their world championship titles, the two men have qualified to compete in next year’s world championship event.
“I’m happy about this win,” Holland said, “but I’m just as happy for Doug. I’m as happy for him as I was myself when I won my first one. He has worked very hard for this. He earned it.”
Holland set four new world records in his class in winning the world championship in the 198-pound masters 44-49-year-old age group. He lifted 551 pounds in the squat, bench pressed 364 pounds and lifted 545 pounds in the dead lift. Those marks and his total lift of 1,460 pounds were new records.
Throughout his career he has set 17 world records, 17 American records and six state records.
“I had a real good day,” Holland said.
“Everything felt good. I got all of my squats in and all of my dead lifts in. I’ve had a better day in the bench press but I’ll take what I can get.”
Newcomb agreed that Holland had had a great day.
“Overall, it was his best,” Newcomb pointed out.
“I’ve been with him to several of these meets and have watched him closely. He really looked good in this one.”
The bench press was the only area in which Holland struggled.
Holland hit his first lift in the bench press at 364 pounds. But, he failed at 391 pounds.
“On my first lift at 391 I didn’t lock it out,” Holland explained.
“Then, on my third attempt (his second try at 391 pounds), I hit the rail and it was declared a no lift. I’ll just have to a little better in my training.”
Interestingly, Holland scored his world record win after having dropped weight to get into the 198-pound weight class.
Holland had usually competed in the 198-pound class but, prior to last year’s meet, decided to add some weight and compete in the 220-pound weight class. While he was successful in the higher weight class, Holland wanted to go back to his normal 198-pound weight class.
“I took off eight pounds in two weeks to get down to 198 (pounds),” Holland noted.
“I was getting up at 3:30 in the morning and getting on the treadmill. I want to thank my wife for her help. She kept my diet right and was understanding about my getting up so early to get on the treadmill. The last week before the meet all I did was cardio-vascular workouts to lose the weight.”
A Big Win For Newcomb
For Doug Newcomb, the experience of becoming a world champion has been an exciting one.
“I haven’t stopped smiling yet,” Newcomb said with a huge grin.
“I was just excited about going and competing because I hadn’t competed at this level of competition before.”
Newcomb set a new world record and American record in his class with his winning squat lift of 408 pounds. He bench pressed 275 pounds and lifted 403 pounds in the dead lift, making a total lift of 1.086 pounds.
While Newcomb was happy with his outcome, he says he feels he could have done better.
“I’m capable of doing better than that,” Newcomb pointed out.
“I’m just going to have to work hard and go back next time better prepared. I will be better prepared next time.”
For Newcomb, weightlifting is relatively new.
He began lifting weights about eight years ago while he was racing NASCAR Late Model Stock Cars at South Boston Speedway.
“I never thought I would be competing (in weightlifting),” said Newcomb, whose only other championship is the 2003 USAPL Virginia State Championship.
“I got into weightlifting when I was racing because after those 200 and 300-lap races I could hardly get out of the car after the race.”
Newcomb said it all has been a learning process for him – a process that continued throughout last weekend’s meet.
“I learned a lot just from being in the competition,” he pointed out.
“The dead lift has always been hard for me. Just from watching and talking to a couple of other guys that were competing I learned two things that helped me.”
One of the big things Newcomb and Holland say helps a great deal is that they are strict on each other when they are working out in the gym.
“The judges (at last weekend’s world championship meet) were super good and they were very strict,” Newcomb said.
“That’s the way I like it. If I win something, I want to earn it. Tommy and I approach it that way in the gym. We do things in the gym just like we would have to do them in the competition. That way, you know you will do things the right way in competition.”
“He doesn’t give me anything in the gym and I don’t give him anything,” Holland added.
“If you don’t parallel in the gym what you have to do in competition, you’re not going to be successful.”
A Debt Of Gratitude
Both Holland and Newcomb give a great deal of credit for their success in winning their respective world championships to their training partner, Kenny Conner and to their coach, Robbie Lloyd.
“Robbie did an excellent job all day,” Newcomb pointed out.
“Tommy and I really appreciate him going and helping us. He was involved all day. He worked hard to help us keep up with what was going on and he kept us focused.”
Newcomb said he also owes Conner a big thank-you for all of his help.
“I owe Kenny a lot for my even being in the competition,” Newcomb said.
“Kenny, Tommy and I have been working out together for several years and I owe both of them a great deal for everything they have done to help me and encourage me.”
Holland concurred, noting that the success he has enjoyed and the success Newcomb enjoyed this past weekend has resulted from a total group effort.
“I really thank Doug, Kenny and Robbie for all of their support and help,” Holland said.
“I also thank GNC supplements for their support. Most of all, I thank the Good Lord for giving me the strength and the ability to compete and for keeping me safe and free from injury.”

 

Comets Girls Track Team Posts First Win

The HCHS Girls Indoor Track Team Netted Its First Win, Boys Team Ties For First Place In Tri-Meet

The Halifax County High School girls indoor track made a breakthrough with a win over Heritage and Liberty High School in a tri-meet held this past Friday night in Lynchburg.
While the Comets girls team won its meet outright, the Comets boys track team, its ranks having been somewhat shuffled, tied Heritage for first place.
Halifax County’s girls track team, which won seven events, tallied 55.5 points to get the win with Heritage placing second with 49.5 points and Liberty High School finishing third with 35 points.
“This was our best showing of the season,” said Comets girls head coach Lewis Watson.
“The girls have improved a lot since the start of the season. They’re starting to come around. They’re really starting to come together as a team.”
The Comets boys team won eight events enroute to tying host Heritage High School in last Friday’s tri-meet. Halifax County and Heritage tied with 67.5 points each with Liberty High School placing third with 20 points.
Comets coach Ralph Robinson said he was pleased with the results and the effort that was put forth by the members of his team.
“I was very pleased with everyone’s performance,” Robinson said.
“We moved a lot of people around, trying to give people an opportunity to do different things and see if we could qualify more people for the upcoming Western Valley District meet and the Northwest Region meet.”
In the running events in the girls meet, Juanita Kincy won the 55-meter dash with a time of 7.75 seconds. The Comets got a third-place finish from Carolyn Reynolds with a time of 7.82 seconds and a fifth-place finish from Shaday Coleman who turned in a time of 7.90 seconds.
Coleman followed with a win in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 9.38 seconds.
Felicia Bowman won the 300-meter race for the Comets with a time of 41.64 seconds, a time that was good enough to qualify her for the Northwest Region meet in that event. Shimyka Boyd placed fourth in the event with a time of 43.14 seconds, a mark good enough to qualify her for the Northwest Region meet in that event and Stacy Hamlett finished fifth with a time of 43.94 seconds.
Watson noted that LaDonna Canada, who normally competes in the shot put, competed in the event. While she did not place, she turned in a time of 48.24 seconds and improved her previous best mark by more than 10 seconds.
The Comets picked up a win in the 1,000-meter race with Kathryn Stevens turning in a time of 3:30.94.
Halifax County’s 4x200-meter relay team consisting of Marteia Ferrell, Reynolds, Bowman and Kincy won that event with a time of 1:58.24 with the Comets’ “B” team consisting of Boyd, Hamlett, Nicole Jackson and Jasmine Pointer placing second with a time of 2:03.0.
The Comets’ 4x400-meter relay team consisting of Cherena Canada, Reynolds, Bowman and Kincy won that event with a time of 4:56 with the Comets’ “B” team consisting of Boyd, Hamlett, Jackson and Pointer placing second with a time of 5:03.0.
Also in running events, Tyisha Brooks placed second in the 500-meter race with a time of 1:52.0 and Stevens placed third in the 1,600-meter race with a time of 6:26.24.
In the field events, Kincy won the high jump with a leap of five feet and Erin Squires placed second with a jump of 4-8.
The Comets grabbed third place, fourth place and fifth place in the long jump with Ferrell taking third with a jump of 15-10, Coleman placing fourth with a leap of 14-10.5 and Squires placing fifth with a mark of 14-8.
Ferrell placed third in the triple jump with a leap of 31-10 and Canada placed third in the shot put with a toss of 31 feet.
The Boys Meet
In the boys meet, Jamond Edmonds won two events, taking the top spot in the long jump with a leap of 21 feet and three inches and winning the triple jump with a jump of 42-4. Those marks qualified Edmonds to compete in the Northwest Region meet in those two events.
Halifax County swept the top four places in the long jump with Bryan Clarke taking second place with a leap of 20-1 and Jeremy Clauden placing third with a leap of 19-6. Theodore Coleman placed fourth with a mark of 18-6.5.
The Comets also swept the top two spots in the high jump with Melvin Reynolds taking first place with a jump of 5-8 and Travis Word taking second place with an identical jump of 5-8. Clarke placed fourth with a leap of 5-6.
Also in the field events, the Comets’ Corey Jackson placed second in the shot put with a mark of 44-6, which represented his best throw of the season.
In the running events, the Comets swept the top three spots in the 55-meter race and had another runner to finish in the top five.
Tony Barbour won the race with a time of 6.53 seconds. Trey Garrett finished second with a time of 6.64 seconds. David Anderson placed third with a time of 6.66 seconds and Edmonds placed fifth with a time of 6.69 seconds.
Travis Word won the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 8.04 seconds and Clauden placed second with a time of 8.07 seconds.
Reynolds picked up his second win of the day in the 500-meter race. His winning time in that event was 1:10.02. Shaun Barksdale placed fifth for the Comets with a time of 1:18.0.
The Comets also picked up a win in the 1,000-meter race with Ronnie Link taking the top spot with a time of 2:33.0. Link missed qualifying for the Northwest Region meet by a slim margin of one tenth of a second.
Chris Pridgen placed third with a time of 2:45.0 and Justus Eisenbess placed fourth with a time of 2:51.0.
Halifax County also posted good finishes in the relay events.
Halifax County won the 4x800-meter relay event with the tandem of Pridgen, Eisenbess, Link and Barksdale winning the event with a time of 9:28.16.
In the 4x200-meter relay, the Comets’ “B” team consisting of Clarke, Stanley Thomas, Coleman and Garrett placed second in the event with a time of 1:47.2.
With a different mix of runners competing in the 4x400-meter relay, the tandem of Link, Barksdale, Eric Mosley and Reynolds, the Comets placed third with a group of Comets runners consisting of Pridgen, Eisenbess, James Carter and Thomas placing fourth.

 

HCMS Girls Basketball Team Seeks Fourth Straight Title

Lions Play Central Here Today In Tournament Quarterfinals

The Halifax County Middle School girls basketball team begins its quest for a fourth consecutive Southside Middle School Conference Tournament title here today at 5 p.m. with a game against Central of Charlotte County.
Halifax enters the tourney as the top seed in the East Division, while Central finished with a 3-5 conference record and is the four seed in the West Division.
Other tournament quarterfinal matchups have Park View (4-4) – the East two seed – hosting West three seed Powhatan (5-3), and East three seed E.W. Wyatt (4-4) traveling to West two seed Amelia (5-3).
Bluestone (4-4), East four seed will host Russell for the right to play at West one seed Central of Lunenburg (6-2).
A win today against the Bobcats puts the Lions into the tournament semifinals Friday at 6 p.m. against the winner of the Amelia-Wyatt game, with the conference tournament championship game scheduled Saturday at 6 p.m.
Nottoway Middle School will host both the semifinals and championship game this year.
Much was expected of this year’s edition of the Lady Lions, and they haven’t disappointed while building a 15-0 regular season record, including another unblemished (8-0) mark in conference play.
The Lions – the one seed in the East Division - have broken the 70-point mark five times this season, scoring more than 90 points in one of those contests, and have been seriously tested only twice.
Halifax had a tough game away at Wyatt and here against Martinsville in the final game of the regular season, pulling away in the second half to win both games.
Lions coach James Smith knows that tournament time is not the time for anything but the best his team has to offer.
“I’m not looking for much in the first round, but I don’t know what the other side has,” said Smith.
“I am looking for us to stay sharp, because the tournament gets tougher when you get to the final four teams.”
Ironically, the last time Halifax and Central met on the court occurred here last season in the finals of the conference tournament, and Central gave the Lions all they wanted before Halifax ultimately prevailed.
Most all of that talented Central team has moved on, but Smith and assistant Shareon Smith have filled the shoes of departed starters Brittany Roberts, Shakiyla Jeffreys and Lauren Daniel with a number of players.
Returning players Whitney McCargo, Tiffany Wilson, Miyisha Younger, Nia Brown and Johanna Spencer have all seen a lot of playing time this year, but the Lions’ depth has seen newcomers Melyse Brown, Destiny Betts, Jessie Bagbey, Jamilia Smith and Jameshia Smith involved in the action.
Add Stephanie Carr, Chaquetta Guthrie, Shelby Rutledge, Trevia Hunt and Jessica Stamps to the mix, and Smith has the depth necessary to repeat, but the Lions will not have the advantage of playing the final four at home.
Another matchup with E.W. Wyatt looms in the semifinals if both they and Halifax win their quarterfinal games, and Smith reiterated his feeling that it’s tough to beat a good team three times.
“Now that the tournament’s starting, I’ll probably use about eight or nine players in my rotation,” said Smith, adding that the team would be focusing on defense in the practices leading up to the tournament.
“We gave up too many open looks on the wing in our 1-3-1 defense against Martinsville, especially on our inbounds plays and we need to keep our intensity up,” he pointed out.
“But, we’ve done a little better in the past few games with our free throw shooting and that needs to improve.
“All in all, I like our chances. We have to stay hungry and if really want to win we can’t let a team hang around, because too many things can happen. We have to come out strong and try to get into our running game to take advantage of our depth and athleticism.
“It’s been a good year, but everyone is undefeated to start the tournament and anything can happen.”

 

Obituaries

Thomas Richard Hall
Thomas Richard Hall, 87, of 2104 Cody Road, Nathalie died January 29, 2006, at The Woodview.
Mr. Hall was born in Halifax County on December 21, 1918, the son of Henry Thomas Hall and Nora Waller Hall and was married to the late Edith S. Hall. He was a member of The First Baptist Church of Republican Grove and was a World War II Army Veteran.
Survivors include one daughter, Nancy Hall of Longs, S.C.; one son, Richard Wayne Hall and wife, Gail, of Nathalie; four grandchildren, Lisa Hall Frank of Pa., Richie Hall of South Boston, Brian Hall of Nathalie, and Heather Francis of Mt. Laurel; two great-grandchildren; a previous daughter-in-law, Joan Hall of Halifax; and special friends, Bernice, Elizabeth, Edna, Merle and Peggy.
Funeral services for Mr. Hall were held January 31, at 2 p.m. at The First Baptist Church of Republican Grove with the Revs. Shelton Miles and Leroy Davis officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Elizabeth Woodall Lewellyn
Funeral services for Elizabeth Woodall Lewellyn of Petersburg will be held February 3, at 3 p.m. at Sunflower Baptist Church, Nathalie. The Rev. Robert Tucker Jr. will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Lewellyn was born in Halifax County to the late Charlie and Hallie B. Woodall. She taught for many years in the Halifax County school system.
She is survived by her triplets, Anna, Hallie and Patrick; seven grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Emma Brooks Stewart
Emma Brooks Stewart, 93, of 5077 East Hyco Road, South Boston, died January 30, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Stewart was born in Halifax County on March 12, 1912, to the late Andrew Faulkner and Minnie Brooks and was married to the late Lynn Edcer Stewart Sr. She was a member of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church.
Survivors include four daughters, Whelma B. Irby of Vineland, N.J., Laura Ella Stewart Owen of Durham, N.C., Estella S. Bailey of South Boston and Novella S. Beaver of Virginia Beach; two sons, Oscar J. Brooks of Vineland and Lynn E. Stewart Jr. of South Boston; two daughters-in-law, Eva Brooks of Vineland and Melinda Stewart of Fayetteville, N.C.; one son-in-law, Bobby Owen of Durham; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Janie Robertson.
Funeral services for Mrs. Stewart will be held tomorrow, February 2, at 10:30 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. William Dixon officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel today from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m., and other times at the home.

Dollie Green Terry
Dollie Green Terry, 71, of 1127 Williams Road, Scottsburg, died January 28, 2006, at her home.
Mrs. Terry was born in Halifax County on December 18, 1934, to the late William Billy Green Sr. and Clevie Smith Green, and was married to the late Deacon John David Terry. She was a member of St. Matthew Baptist Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Linda Dixon of Clover, Audrey Crews and Ida Catherine Terry, both of Scottsburg; three sons, the Rev. Michael Terry Sr. and Stanley Terry, both of Scottsburg, and Craig Leon Terry of Gales Ferry, Ct.; two sisters, Lola Foster of Baltimore, Md. and Clevie Cousins of New Haven, Ct.; four brothers, Edward Green, Marvin Green and John Leland Green, all of Baltimore, and Thomas Green of Yonkers, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and three step-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Terry will be held tomorrow, February 2, at 1 p.m. at St. Matthew Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Whitfield Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the Terry Family Cemetery, Clover.
The family is receiving friends at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Deacon John D. Terry Memorial Scholarship Fund, in memory of Dollie G. Terry, c/o St. Matthew Baptist Church, PO Box 67, Clover, 24534.

Frances Elizabeth Barton Thompson
Frances Elizabeth Barton Thompson, 85, of 1164 Wooding Road, Sutherlin, died January 30, 2006, at Piney Forest Health Care Center.
Mrs. Thompson was born in Bedford County April 13, 1920, the daughter of the late Samuel Monroe Barton and Elizabeth Dalay Huddleston Barton, and was married to the late William H. ‘Champ’ Thompson. She was a member of Arbor Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Shelby Thompson Chandler of Chesterfield; four sons, Sam H. Thompson of Halifax, Jerry C. Thompson and David M. Thompson, both of Sutherlin, and R. Dale Thompson of Danville; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Joe Barton of Chatham; and one sister, Audrey Barton Jordan of Keeling.
Funeral services for Mrs. Thompson will be held today, February 1, at 11 a.m. at Arbor Baptist Church with the Rev. Thomas Wright officiating. Burial will follow in the Family Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Arbor Baptist Church, 15120 River Road, Sutherlin, 24594, or the Turbeville Fire and Rescue.

Frederick Aaron Scott
Frederick Aaron Scott, 35, of Danville, died January 29, 2006, in Danville.
Mr. Scott was born in Washington, D.C. on February 16, 1970, to the late Aaron Lee Scott and Ruth E. Keene Scott. He was an employee of Riverside Car Wash, Danville.
Survivors are two children, LaKatia Scott of Boydton and Isaiah Black of Charlotte, N.C.; his mother, Ruth K. Scott of Saxe; three brothers, Mark Anthony Scott of Halifax, Rodney Vincent of Danville and Timothy O’Neil Scott of Japan; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Scott will be held at 1 p.m. February 4, at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Saxe with the Rev. James E. Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7 until 8 p.m. at Giles-Harris Funeral Home, Chase City.
Email condolences to harrisfh@kerrlake.com.