Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Motive Sought In Fatal Shooting

Halifax County Sheriff’s Office investigators are still interviewing witnesses and searching for the motive behind a Sunday shooting that left one man dead and another in a critical care facility, according to Halifax County Sheriff Jeff Oakes.
Investigators have received information that indicates the shooting may have been gang related, Oakes said.
John R. Wilkins III, 26, of Old Richmond Road in Keeling, was arrested Sunday and charged with first-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of murder, the sheriff said.
Following his arrest, Wilkins invoked his right to remain silent and is not speaking with investigators, Oakes said.
The first victim, identified as Solomon M. Jeffress, 18, of Jeffress Trail in Alton, was air-lifted to a North Carolina critical care facility where he is being treated, police said.
Jeffress suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the abdomen from a large-caliber handgun, Oakes said.
The second victim, Dakton Dakeigh Ferrell, 29, underwent emergency surgery at an area hospital, but succumbed to a single gunshot wound to the abdomen, Oakes added.
According to Oakes, the shooting occurred at approximately 1 a.m. Sunday in the 4000-block of Turbeville Road.
When deputies arrived at the residence, they were told that one victim had already been taken to the emergency room and the second was still at the scene, Oakes said.
“Turbeville EMT’s and rescue squad personnel quickly responded and transported the second victim to the emergency room,” the sheriff said. “The suspect fled into a nearby cornfield and a deputy and bloodhound were dispatched to the scene.
“The suspect’s trail ended approximately one mile from the crime scene,” Oakes added.
Witnesses to the incident identified the suspect only as “black” with a possible address in Pittsylvania County, near Ringgold, the sheriff said.
Halifax County investigators contacted their counterparts in Pittsylvania County and the suspect was identified as Wilkins.
Pittsylvania deputies and investigators located Wilkins Sunday afternoon and at 4 p.m. and took him into custody without incident, Oakes said.
Wilkins was held in Chatham without bond and Monday was transported to the Halifax Regional Jail, according to police.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact investigators J.D. Clay or A.D. Tribble at 476-3334 or Crimestoppers at 476-TIPS.

Bills Would Tighten Biosolids Restrictions

From Staff and Wire Reports
Halifax County Del. Clarke Hogan was one of several legislators who said Monday that they will push for tighter restrictions on the use of treated sewage sludge as fertilizer on Virginia’s farmland.
The bills would give local governments greater authority to restrict the use of sludge and transfer state regulatory authority from the Department of Health to the Department of Environmental Quality, according to Hogan, who is co-patron of several pieces of legislation designed to regulate the application of sludge.
If passed by both houses of the legislature, House Bill 2079 will also require the on-site presence of state or local officials when biosolids are being applied and assesses a fee of $7.50 on each dry ton of sewage sludge applied in the Commonwealth.
Hogan said he would support any legislation that offers more oversight of the application of sludge.
“This package of legislation is intended to bring about positive solutions to the biosolids application problem,” he said. “I will support any legislation that will make the use of biosolids safer. The Department of Environmental Quality is presently charged with the regulation of environmental issues and they have enforcement powers. Therefore I feel DEQ is the appropriate agency to deal with this issue.”
Sludge, also called biosolids, consists mostly of human waste treated to reduce germs that can cause disease. Companies like Richmond-based Nutri-Blend Inc. contract with localities to haul the sludge from sewage-treatment plants and spread it on fields at no cost to landowners - a cheaper alternative for localities than dumping the material in a landfill.
Del. Kathy J. Byron, R-Campbell, said her constituents are alarmed by a lack of reliable information about the possible health effects of sludge. Some people who live near sludge-covered fields have reported an ammonia-like smell, headaches and respiratory problems.
“This is not just about an offensive odor,” Byron said at a news conference. “It goes way beyond that.”
Byron said a public hearing on a company’s plan to spread sludge on more than 3,100 acres in Campbell County attracted more than 400 “angry and frightened residents” and helped convince her the state needs to be more responsive to public concerns about the issue.
John Simons, president of Nutri-Blend, told the Associated Press in a telephone interview that the product does not jeopardize human health.
“I’ve been doing this over 35 years and haven’t had any problems,” Simons said. “I feel it’s very safe.”
The National Academy of Sciences reported in 2002 that there is no evidence that sludge-safety regulations have failed to protect the public but recommended more study to “reduce persistent uncertainty” about the issue.
Simons, whose company has permits to spread sludge on 80,000 acres in Virginia, said Nutri-Blend must adhere to Department of Health rules that have been strengthened over the years or risk having the permits revoked.
Hogan, however, criticized the department’s performance in regulating biosolids. “The department has acted more like a biosolid industry advocate than a regulator,” he said following the Monday press conference.
Simons noted that DEQ initially regulated biosolids but turned that duty over after determining the issues pertained more to health than environmental protection. He said residents who fear the health effects of sludge tend to tune out assurances that the product is safe.
The legislation is currently being considered in the Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources.

Making The Journey...

Acclaimed English sculptor Donald Brown’s urbane style alternately captivated and charmed his audience Monday as he mixed artistic metaphor and ministry.
Celebrating the annual Martin Luther King Jr. birthday breakfast, the guest speaker at the L.E. Coleman Museum-sponsored event urged his audience to add one word to King’s famous “I have a dream” speech.
“Add one word, ‘do,’” said Brown in his clipped English accent.
“We know about his dream, but how many of us have a dream?”
The artist urged those gathered for the celebration to have a dream, to make life’s journey their own and to be open to God’s hand, to thus be molded and empowered in positive ways.
“Don’t have selfish dreams,” he urged. “Dream with goals beyond me, beyond materialistic dreams.
“Don’t minimize the gifts God has given.”
The artist unveiled two of his works during the morning celebration at The Prizery.
The first he called “The Struggle,” a work symbolizing the mankind’s struggle. The face is one of a multiplicity of nationalities, the torso a strong young man and the thighs that of a woman, according to the artist. A fist of adversity poses two possibilities to the viewer.
“Is the fist pulling down or the figure lifting the fist up?” asked Brown.
“All struggles take place in the mind,” he added.
His second work is entitled “A Genius With Four Masters”. Brown said that in his work Marcus Garvey symbolizes humility, Malcolm X, respect, Mahatma Gandhi, history, Martin Luther King, dreams, and Nelson Mandela, the future.
Brown’s work will continue to be on exhibit at the L.E. Coleman African-American Museum through April, according to the Rev. Kevin Chandler, the museum’s president.
“He is working on a permanent piece for us,” added Chandler.
The museum is located at 3011 Mountain Road, west of the Town of Halifax, and is open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“The message that he gave was something the entire community would have benefitted from,” Chandler said yesterday.

Obituaries

John Owen Bradshaw

John Owen Bradshaw, 95, of Oxford, N.C., died January 14, 2007 at Rex Hospital.
Mr. Bradshaw was born July 30, 1911, in Halifax County to the late James Graham Bradshaw and Nannie Weatherford Bradshaw, and was married to the late Ruby Smart Bradshaw. He was a member of Amis Chapel Baptist Church, Woodmen of the World Camp 106, and was a retired tobacco farmer.
Survivors include one son, Cordell O. Bradshaw and wife, Louise, of Raleigh, N.C.; one daughter, Nancy B. James and husband, Tim, of Roxboro, N.C.; five grandchildren, Andrea B. Hall, Jonathan Bradshaw, Tonya Walker, Timmy James and Amanda James; and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Bradshaw will be held today, January 17 at 2 p.m. at Amis Chapel Baptist Church with the Revs. Gene Brooks and George Fuller officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Amis Chapel Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@earthlink.net

Carl Mitchell Boyd

Carl Mitchell Boyd, 50, of Clover, entered eternal rest Sunday, January 14, 2007 at his residence.
Mr. Boyd was born in Halifax County, June 28, 1956 to the late Mitchell and Lucille Ferrell Boyd. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Wylliesburg, and was a farmer.
Cherishing his memories are three sons, Carlton Boyd of Spout Springs, VA, Jermaine Boyd of Drakes Branch, and Travis Mitchell Boyd of Red Oak; three grandchildren; one brother, Larry D. Boyd of Clover, two daughters-in-law, one sister-in-law, one brother-in-law and a vast number of other loving relatives and caring friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Boyd will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday, January 21, 2007 at the chapel of Giles-Harris Funeral Home, Chase City, with Rev. Phillip Staten, officiating. Burial will follow in First Baptist Church Cemetery, Drakes Branch.
Arrangements are by Giles-Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1304 North Main Street, Chase City. Online condolences may be expressed at www.harrisfhc.com.

Arlene Hamlett Stovall

Arlene Hamlett Stovall, 56, of 2025 Philpott Road, Lot #1, South Boston died January 13, 2007, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Stovall was born in Halifax County May 22, 1950, the daughter of Barbara Hamlett Henry and the late Thomas Dixon. She was married to the late Ernest G. Stovall and was a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Aretha Hamlett and Betsy Young, both of South Boston; two sons, John Hamlett and Cornelius Stovall, both of South Boston; her mother of Crystal Hill; two sisters, Malinda Clark and Carolyn Jones, both of Halifax; one brother, Richard Hamlett of Halifax; one son-in-law, Dorsey Young; one daughter-in-law, Josephine C. Stovall; two devoted friends, Rose Marie Ivory and Clara Carrington; and six grandchildren including the devoted DaShawn Stovall.
Funeral services for Mrs. Stovall will be held January 19, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Brookneal with the Rev. Ronald Claiborne officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.

Erica Asiling Crews

Infant Erica Asiling Crews of 1021 Crews Drive, Vernon Hill died January 15, 2007, at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville. She was born in Halifax County on November 30, 2006, and was 47 days old. She was the daughter of William Matthew Crews III and Erica Ashley Fallen Crews.
Survivors include her parents; one brother, William Matthew Crews IV of Vernon Hill; maternal grandparents, Jackie and Margaret Fallen of Halifax; paternal grandparents, William and Shelby Crews of Vernon Hill and her paternal great-grandmother, Dorothy Elizabeth Trent of South Boston.
Funeral services for Infant Crews will be held January 19, at 2 p.m. at Centerville Baptist Church with the Rev. Richard Saunders officiating. Burial will follow in the Crews Family Cemetery at Vernon Hill.
The family will receive friends at the church from 7:00 until 8:30 tomorrow, January 18, and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Centerville Baptist Church, 3200 Halifax Road, South Boston.

Dorothy Owen Jordan

Dorothy Owen Jordan, 88, of 1075 Paul James Road, Halifax died January 14, 2007, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Jordan was born in Halifax County on September 2, 1918, to the late John Marshall Owen and Sallie Powell Owen, and was married to the late John Isaac Jordan. She was a member of St. Michael AME Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Barbara J. Ford of Halifax; one son, John A. Jordan Sr. of Columbia, Md.; three grandchildren, John A. Jordan Jr., George W. Ford Jr. and Jade L. Jordan; four great-grandchildren; one son-in-law, the Rev. George W. Ford Sr. of Halifax; and one Goddaughter, Serita Durham of Halifax.
Mrs. Jordan was preceded in death by one brother, Douglas Owen.
Funeral services will be held January 20, at 1 p.m. at St. Michael AME Church with the Rev. Isaac T. Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home.

Ida C. Jones

Ida C. Jones, 94, formerly of Scottsburg, died January 9, 2007, in Albany, N.Y.
Mrs. Jones was born in Halifax County May 4, 1912, to the late John Baptist and Willie P. Hall Baptist.
Survivors include one daughter, Delois Middleton of Albany; four grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
Funeral services for Mrs. Jones will be tomorrow, January 18, at 1 p.m. at Piney Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Whitfield Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church one hour before the service.

Ola Clara Watts Watson

Ola Clara Watts Watson, 87, of Chase City died January 12, 2007, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Watson was born in Mecklenburg County September 23, 1919, sto the late Archie and Blanche Walker Watts. She attended Mecklenburg County Schools and was a member of Mt. Mitchell Baptist Church. She was a retired farmer.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Bradley Watson; four sisters; eight brothers; and one grandchild.
Survivors of Mrs. Watson include eight daughters, Charlotte Bowman of Victoria, Carrie Gregory of Newark, N.J., Annie Pulliam, Juanita Faines and Bobby Henry, all of Chase City, Arlene Watson of Richmond, Betty Foster of Halifax, and Patricia Watson of Victoria; five sons, James B. Watson and Tony Watson, both of Fort Mitchell, Edward Watson, Charlie Watson and Franklin Watson, all of Chase City; 42 grandchildren; 76 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; six sisters, Louise Robinson of Washington, D.C., Naomi Bouldin of Victoria, Mary L. Branch of Chase City, Gloria Fowlkes of Northern Virginia, Janis Smith of Nanuet, N.Y. and Janie Bacon of Harriman, N.Y.
Funeral services for Mrs. Watson will be held at 1 p.m. today, January 17, at Mount Mitchell Baptist Church, Drakes Branch, with the Rev. Fran Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.harrisfhc.com.

Carl Milton Saunders

Carl Milton Saunders, 70, of 1027 West Oak Hill Drive, Halifax died January 16, 2007, at his home. He was born October 24, 1936, in Halifax County the son of the late Elwood Lee Saunders and Eva Ambrose Saunders and was married to Betty Conner Saunders.
Mr. Saunders was a member of Dan River Baptist Church, Dan River Community Ruritan Club and Woodmen of the World Camp 136 Hunting Creek. He was also in the National Guard.
Survivors include his wife of the home; one son and daughter-in-law, Craig Milton Saunders and wife, Lynn, of Sutherlin; two grandsons, Casey and Will Saunders, both of Sutherlin; one brother, Francis ‘Tootie’ Saunders of South Boston; and one sister, Linda Medley of Forest.
Funeral services for Mr. Saunders will be held tomorrow, January 18, at 2 p.m. at Dan River Baptist Church with the Rev. Doug Gibson and the Rev. Dr. Dennis Knight officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening, January 17, from 7:00 until 8:30, at Dan River Baptist Church and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place court, Glen Allen, 23060, Halifax County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875, South Boston, 24592, South Boston Dixie Youth Baseball, c/o Chris Elliott, P.O. Box 233, South Boston, 24592, or the Southside Soccer Club, P.O. Box 494, Blairs, 24527.

Clara Womack Guill Dixon

Clara Womack Guill Dixon, 66, of 300 Hamilton Blvd., South Boston died January 16, 2007, at Halifax Regional Hospital. She was born February 14, 1940, to the late Jessie Ferrell Womack Jones and Letcher Miles Womack.
Mrs. Dixon was of the Baptist faith and was a retired Nurse’s Aide with The Woodview.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, January 18 at 11 a.m. at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Timothy Hyatt and Andy Ferguson officiating. Burial will follow in Childrey Baptist Church Cemetery.
Survivors of Mrs. Dixon include two sons, Dewey F. Guill Sr. and wife, Kim, of Spokane, Wash. And Dennis F. Guill and wife, Staci, of Nathalie; one daughter, Donna F. Long and husband, Gerald, of Roxboro, N.C.; one sister, Catherine W. Woosley and husband, Lawrence, of Alton; one brother, Marlow Wilson Womack and wife, Margaret, of Newport News; four grandchildren, Dewey F. Guill Jr., Ashlie E. Welsh, Matthew Blanks and Katie Guill; her former husband, Josh and his wife, Stella; and a faithful companion, Warren Smith.
Two brothers, John Henry Womack and Roger Womack, also preceded her in death.
The family will receive friends this evening, January 17, from 7:00 until 8:30, at Brooks Funeral Home.

Swimmers Record Senior Night Sweep

By Doug Ford
GV Staff Writer
The Comets swim team sent seven seniors out on a good note at its final home meet with a double-dual sweep of visiting Fuqua School and Prince Edward Monday.
Halifax defeated Prince Edward by a 62-24 margin and Fuqua 51-39 in the girls meet, while the Comets boys defeated Prince Edward 56-33 and Fuqua 67-21.
With the Western Valley District Championships at Hargrave next on Jan. 26, the double-dual sweep couldn’t have come at a better time, according to coach Spencer Ferguson.
“Both the boys and girls teams swam extremely well and it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time,” said Ferguson.
Seniors Emily Bowen, Phillip Saunders, Kelsey Campbell, William McGhee, Trevor Lucia, Chris Rorrer and Bryan Slagle were recognized prior to the start of the meet, and the Comets took it from there to sweep both opponents.
The Comets’ solid overall performance is good news as his team prepares for the district championship meet, noted Ferguson.
“This gives us a big dose of momentum and confidence,” said Ferguson, noting the improvements made by the entire team the past couple of weeks.
“This isn’t the same team it was just a couple of weeks ago, and I’m very proud of my seniors for their contributions to the swim program.
“Everyone did well tonight, too many to mention, and I have high hopes going into the district championships,” he continued.
“It’s been a great season and more importantly a fun year. That’s important, for the kids to have fun while competing.”
Attention to details will propel the Comets to a high finish at the district meet, emphasized Ferguson.
“Where we place will be determined by our starts, flip turns and touches at the end,” he said.
“We have to come off the blocks fast, hit our flip turns and touch the wall quick at the finish. That’s been the difference all year with us.”
Comets Meet Results
Halifax Boys 56
Prince Edward 33
200 Medley Relay
1. Halifax “A” 2:16.87
3. Halifax “B” 2:33.01
200 Free
2. Jarrett Pearce 2:29.37
6. Taylor Elliott 3:00.26
200 IM
1. Phillip Saunders 2:55.10
50 Free
2. Chris Rorrer 30.13
4. Cameron Starke 31.20
100 Fly
2. Trevor Lucia 1:25.97
100 Free
1. Bryan Slagle 1:05.76
2. Jake Newcomb 1:07.87
500 Free
1. Phillip Saunders 7:26.75
3. Luigi Ditammaso 8:53.80
200 Free Relay
2. Halifax “A” 2:01.18
3. Halifax “B” 2:09.76
4. Halifax “C” 2:49.56
100 Back
1. Bryan Slagle 1:19.67
3. Andrew Wilkins 1:37.09
100 Breast
1. Jarrett Pearce 1:21.13
2. Chris Rorrer 1:33.16
400 Free Relay
1. Halifax “A” 4:47.97
2. Halifax “B” 5:26.53
Halifax Girls 62
Prince Edward 24
200 Medley Relay
1. Halifax “A” 2:33.19
3. Halifax “B” 2:47.56
200 Free
1. Sarah Rosche 2:57.92
2. Emily Rosche 3:06.87
200 IM
1. Courtney McDowell 3:14.69
2. Brittnay Marshall 4:04.56
50 Free
3. Betty Rose 34.58
4. Megan Rosche 35.98
100 Fly
1. Emily Bowen 1:28.84
2. C.A. Nichols 1:35.94
100 Free
1. Sarah Rosche 1:15.69
3. Betty Rose 1:22.45
500 Free
1. Kelsey Campbell 8:51.62
2. Kelly Price 8:54.23
200 Free Relay
2. Halifax “A” 2:16.50
3. Halifax “B” 2:29.50
100 Back
2. Emily Bowen 1:29.13
4. Peyton Ferguson 1:45.33
100 Breast
1. Courtney McDowell 1:34.11
2. Emily Rosche 1:40.40
400 Free Relay
1. Halifax “A” 5:27.02
2. Halifax “B” 6:08.29
Halifax Boys 67
Fuqua 21
200 Medley Relay
1. Halifax “A”
2. Halifax “B”
200 Free
1. Jarrett Pearce
3. Taylor Elliott
200 IM
1. Phillip Saunders
50 Free
1. Chris Rorrer
2. Cameron Starke
100 Fly
1. Trevor Lucia
100 Free
1. Bryan Slagle
2. Jake Newcomb
500 Free
1. Phillip Saunders
3. Luigi Ditammaso
200 Free Relay
1. Halifax “A”
3. Halifax “B”
4. Halifax “C”
100 Back
1. Bryan Slagle
2. Andrew Wilkins
100 Breast
1. Jarrett Pearce
2. Chris Rorrer
400 Free Relay
1. Halifax “A”
2. Halifax “B”
Halifax Girls 51 Fuqua 39
200 Medley Relay
2. Halifax “A”
3. Halifax “B”
200 Free
2. Sarah Rosche
3. Emily Rosche
200 IM
1. Courtney McDowell
3. Brittnay Marshall 4:04.56
50 Free
2. Betty Rose
3. Megan Rosche
100 Fly
1. Emily Bowen
2. C.A. Nichols
100 Free
2. Sarah Rosche
3. Betty Rose
500 Free
3. Kelsey Campbell
4. Kelly Price
200 Free Relay
2. Halifax “A”
3. Halifax “B”
100 Back
2. Emily Bowen
4. Peyton Ferguson
100 Breast
1. Courtney McDowell
2. Emily Rosche
400 Free Relay
1. Halifax “A”
2. Halifax “B”

Top Seeds Advance In Industrial League Tourney

Top seeds AWNC II and Woods Construction/Coleman Construction each advanced to the second round of the South Boston Business & Industrial League Tournament Sunday, while AWNC I and Dollar General both won tough games to join the others in the semifinals.
AWNC II routed R.O. Harrell/Felton Brothers 91-45 and Woods/Coleman Construction defeated South Boston/Halifax County 85-70 to reach the second round.
The other two games came down to the wire, with AWNC I edging Presto 74-64 in overtime, and Dollar General getting past ABB 50-45.
Sunday’s semifinals match AWNC I and Woods/Coleman at 5 p.m., followed by top seed AWNC II and Dollar General at 6 p.m.
The South Boston Business & Industrial League Tournament championship game is scheduled for January 28 at 6:30 p.m.
AWNC I 74 Presto 64 (Overtime)
Jauron Hayes scored six of his game-high 26 points in overtime to lead AWNC I to a 74-64 win over Presto.
Hayes added a three-pointer and hit five of six free throws in the contest, while teammates Tavail Staten and Chris Cheeks also hit double figures, Staten with 16 and Cheeks with 15 points.
The game was close throughout and was tied 36-36 at halftime, with Hayes scoring 11 first-half points, Staten nine and Cheeks eight.
Presto countered with big first halves from Eric Pounds, Waverly Harris and Stevie Jones.
Pounds scored seven of his team-high 22 points in the first half, Harris hit three treys and a field goal out of his 15 points for the contest, and Jones nailed three treys for all his nine points in the first half.
Pounds had 13 points after intermission to help get his team to overtime, while Hayes hit a trey and three baskets and Cheeks two three-pointers for AWNC I coming down the stretch.
A 12-2 run in overtime sealed the deal for AWNC I , Hayes with six points in the extra session, Staten with four and Tim Dixon and Cheeks each with a made foul shot.
AWNC I hit four of seven free throws in overtime and was 12 for 20 for the game at the charity stripe, while Presto countered with a basket from Jermaine Hill in the extra session.
Presto hit eight of 16 charity tosses for the game, with Pounds six of eight from the foul line.
Dollar General 50 ABB 45
Joey Barksdale scored 14 of his game-high 16 points in the second half, including an eight of nine performance at the foul line, as Dollar General rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat ABB.
Anthony Watkins had 12 and Willie Marable nine points for Dollar General, which trailed 30-16 at the break.
Michael Jackson scored 10 of his team-high 15 points and Rodney Chandler six of his 13 in the first half, while teammate Joseph Wilborn hit two of his three treys to give ABB the advantage at intermission.
The second half was a different story, Barksdale scoring 14 points and Watkins seven to lead Dollar General’s charge.
Dollar General went to the free throw line 17 times in the second half, canning 11 of them to help them overcome ABB, which was only two of six after the break.
Dollar General was 14 of 23 from the charity stripe for the game, compared to eight of 16 for ABB.
Woods/Coleman 85 SoBo/HC 70
The double-figure scoring of Dwight Green, Rodney Palmer, Sam Coleman and Marcus Coleman led Woods Construction/Coleman Construction to a 85-70 win over South Boston/Halifax County.
Green hit a game-high 30 points, Palmer 27, Sam Coleman 13 and Marcus Coleman 10 points for Woods/Coleman.
SoBo/HC also put four players into double figures, Justin Saunders finishing with 21 points, Kenneth Day with 16 points (four three-pointers), Ronnie Edmonds with 13 and Matthew McCargo with 10 points, respectively.
Green had 17 points before halftime for Woods/Coleman, which owned a 42-37 lead at intermission, while Edmonds, McCargo and Saunders had 31 of their team’s points before halftime.
Palmer carried Woods/Coleman in the second half with 18 points, while Day hit three of his four treys to help keep SoBo/HC within striking distance.
Woods/Coleman had a slight edge at the foul line, hitting 11 of 19 shots as a team, compared to seven of ten for SoBo/HC.
AWNC II 91
Harrell/Felton 45
Top seed AWNC II had little trouble in routing R.O.Harrell/Felton Brothers 91-45 to reach the semifinals.
AWNC II put five players in double figures, Josh Smith finishing with 23 points, while Aundray Harrington had 19, Clyde Waller 15, Reggie Dorsen 11 and Gary Barley 10 points, respectively.
AWNC II led 42-23 at halftime after hitting five treys as a team, and they added four more in the second half as they continued to pull away.
Gary Yancey and Jamie White led Harrell/Felton with 13 points each, while Richard Harrell added nine points, all on three-pointers but it wasn’t enough.
Neither team had an advantage at the foul line, AWNC II hitting six of nine foul shots and Harrell/Felton six of ten.

Industrial League
AWNC I 36 26 12—74
Presto 36 26 2--64
AWNC I – Hayes 26, A. Coleman 4. Dixon 4, Staten 16, Harris 7, McCargo 2, Cheeks 15
Presto – Harris 15, Mosley 8, Pounds 22, Hill 6, Jones 9, Brandon 4

Dollar General 16 34—50
ABB 30 15--45
Dollar General – Younger 12, Watkins 9, Chappell 7, Dixon 6, Barksdale 16
ABB – Brown 4, Foy 2, Jackson, 15, Wilborn 9, Chandler 13, Harris 2

Woods/Coleman 42 43—85
SoBo/Halifax 37 33--70
Woods/Coleman – S. Coleman 13, P. Coleman 2, Green 30, M. Coleman 10, Robertson 1, Palmer 27
SoBo/Halifax – McCargo 10, R. Edmonds 13, S. Edmonds 4, Saunders 21, Day 16, Easley 6

AWNC II 42 49—91
R.O. Harrell/Felton Bros. 23 22--45
AWNC II – Waller 15, Reed 2, Smith 23, Tankard 6, Harrington 19, Barley 10, Dorsen 11, Christmas 5
R.O. Harrell/Felton Bros. – J. Yancey 2, G. Yancey 23, Harrell 9, Howell 6, Cifers 2, White 13

W. Burton Back At Daytona

DIS Public Relations
For the first time since 2004, Ward Burton has a full-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series ride.
After sitting out the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season and only competing in three races late in 2006, the 2002 Daytona 500 champion is making his return in 2007 driving the No. 4 State Water Heaters Chevrolet for Morgan-McClure Motorsports.
When Burton arrived at “The World Center of Racing,” the grounds of the historic facility looked different. The South Boston, native hasn’t seen Daytona since it underwent its infield renovation back in 2004.
“As I walked into the speedway this morning, it’s got so much history to it,” Burton said. “I remember the first time being here as a child and back here again. It’s a little bit of a familiar territory and somewhat unfamiliar. The scenery has changed a bunch with the uplifting of the infield. It’s neat to be back in the game.”
Qualifying for this year’s Daytona 500 is going to be a huge challenge for Burton and the No. 4 team.
The Daytona 500 qualifying format is unique. The top 35 teams in owner’s points have guaranteed starting spots in the Daytona 500 while all remaining teams fight over seven starting spots.
Four spots are split among the top two finishing drivers in each Gatorade Duel that are not already guaranteed a starting spot get into the Daytona 500. The next three spots go to the fastest three qualifiers based on the single-car time trials from Bud Pole Qualifying that are not guaranteed a starting spot in the Daytona 500. A final Daytona 500 starting spot is reserved for a past NEXTEL Cup champion.
For this year’s Daytona 500, there could be as many as 30 teams without guaranteed starting spots trying to qualify and Burton will be among them.
“We got an up hill battle ahead of us,” Burton said. “The guys have been working really hard. Hopefully their hard word is going to pay off. Certainly it’s somewhat of mountain to climb.”
Burton remembers only one time in his career that he failed to qualify for a Daytona 500.
“My rookie year (1994), we had a wreck at the start/finish line in the first 125s and that was the only 500 I wasn’t able to make,” Burton said. “I know when we came back here in ‘95 we had to finish 15th or better and I think we finished 11th. I felt like I already knew what it was like to win the 500 because we made that race.
“With the few spots, which is basically seven available, if we can make (the Daytona 500) that same feeling is going to be there again. I think it’s going to be tougher. I think there are a lot of things that are against us but the thing that is for us is that we’ve both done it before.”