Lantor Claims Principal’s Award

Halifax County High School senior Mary Raynell Lantor was named winner of the Principal’s Award Thursday night during the Senior Awards Program at Halifax County High School.
The Principal’s Award is considered one of the top honors for HCHS graduates, and is given annually to the graduating senior who exemplifies excellence in all areas of student life, including academics, extra curricular activities and community endeavors.
Lantor has participated in a number of school and community endeavors while at HCHS, serving as president of the National Honor Society and the Future Business Leaders of America, and was Valedictorian of the Junior Leadership Program sponsored by the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce.
She has participated in two Halifax County Little Theater productions, served as a delegate to Girls State at Longwood University last year, was a member of the Young Democrats organization, and also a member of the Halifax County Drug Free Coalition.
Lantor was a member of the HCHS Helping Hands for Humanity chapter for three years, was a varsity cheerleader in the ninth, tenth and twelfth grades, and a member of the soccer team since her eighth-grade year.
Senior Awards Night
Class Officers - Jenise Lacks, president; Yolanda Kent, vice-president; Ashley Stovall and Shamika Coleman, secretary; Phillip Saunders, reporter; Holly Griffin, sergeant-at-arms.
Scholarships, awards and recognitions:
Edward Glasscock Scholarship-South Boston Jaycees - Justin Long, Troy Stephens, Emily Seat, Lee Lewis
Halifax Youth Football Scholarship - Jonathan Brown, Tony Barbour, Justin Long
Bates Scholarship - Travis Bryant
Sarah Elizabeth Umphlette Bane Scholarship - Emily Bowen
South Boston Junior Woman’s Club Scholarship - Karla Pugh, Kimberly Tuck
Halifax Vocational Foundation - D. Henry Harrison Scholarship - Julia Carrington, Anne Carrington, Ricky Owens, Kishion Clark, Courtney Hines; Grant Award - Janelle Dunn
South Boston Rotary Club Scholarship - Maggie Ferguson
South Boston Rotary Club Vocational Scholarship - Sam Green
Carrington-Lanier Scholarship - Carolyn Reynolds, Arianna Scott, Travis Bryant
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative Scholarship - Lindsey Sutphin
Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives - Lindsey Sutphin
Wind Beneath the Wings, Inc. - Carolyn Reynolds, Angel Wilkins
Ebenezer CME Church Service and Citizenship Award - Marquis Berkley
Little Theatre/Dorothy H. Crews Memorial Scholarship - Evan Smith, Phillip Saunders, Bryan Slagle
Turbeville Ruritan Club Scholarship - Julia Carrington, Anne Carrington, Ariana Scott, John Williamson, Kiona Walton
Halifax County Scholarship to the University of Virginia - Amber Wilson, Shiquita Sydnor
Danville Community College Scholarships: Daniel Bowes - Roberts-Hunt Endowed; Lamar Brandon - John Gayk Memorial; Sarah Cuffe - DCC College Board Recognition of Achievement; Karla Pugh - Danville Lions Foundation Endowed; Joseph Rogers - John Gayk Memorial; Amber Webb - DCC Educational Foundation Board/Ruritan, DCC Educational Foundation Board Golf, Amy Jo Murray Bell; Kevin Williams - DCC Educational Foundation Board Golf
Halifax County Public Schools/Danville Community College 2007 First Year Studies Certificate Recipients: Romulo Ancheta, Amanda Barksdale, Shannon Bird, Anne Carrington, Julia Carrington, Amber Clark, Shamika Coleman, Melissa Conner, Maggie Ferguson, Judy Francis, Alyssa Gavitt, Kandance Irby, Tabitha Jennings, Desma Jones, Lauren Kluge, Mary Lantor, Lee Lewis, Emily New, Tyler Nunn, Shayna Oakes, Frankie Powell, Carolyn Reynolds, Jessica Roller, William Samples, Dhiren Savalia, Ariana Scott, Emily Seat, Jason Slabach, Lindsey Sutphin, Shiquita Sydnor, Justin Throckmorton, Latonia Tucker, Angel Wilkins, John Williamson, Jennifer Yancey, Gina Zanarini
Governor’s School Participants: Emily G. Bowen, Joshua K. Shealy, Jeremy D. Cherry, Kishion A. Clark, Krystal M. Hooker, Matthew Jones, Jenise L. Lacks, Daniel G. McDonald, Ricky J. Owens, Robert K. Poirier, Flave H. Rogers, Joshua L. Shealy, Tracy G. Spencer, Elizabeth J. Trickey, Jacob L. Vest, Amber Wilson, Jonci N. Womack
Masonry Student Award - Tamil Traynham, Leroy Hunter, Troy Ponce, Christopher White
Halifax County Usher’s Union Scholarship - Omar Dixon
Wal-Mart Scholarships - Latonia Tucker, Melissa Conner
Bethune Alumni Foundation Scholarships - Travis Bryant (Virginia Commonwealth University), Shamika Coleman (Hampton University), Desma Jones (UNC-Chapel Hill), Frankie Powell Jr. (Virginia Tech)
ABWA - Kim Tuck, Amanda Barksdale
Alpha Kappa Alpha Scholarship - Kiona Walton
Averett College Scholarships - Emily New, Sabrina Saypack, Janelle Dunn
The Fellowship Award - Coleman Wimbish
Delta Kappa Gamma Scholarship - Lydia Lowery
Senior Exercise Scholarship - Stacy Johnson, Nikole Platt
Business Department Award: Outstanding FBLA member - Ashley Stovall; Outstanding Business Student - Natalie Payne
Tuck Dillard Scholarship - Mary Lantor
National Wild Turkey Federation Scholarship - Joey Rogers
Mu Alpha Theta Award - Matthew Jones, Amber Wilson
News & Record Award - Dhiren Savalia
Richmond Times-Dispatch Award - Dhiren Savalia
Journalism Awards: Yearbook - Holly Griffin; Advisor’s Award - Kristina West
U.S. Marine Corps Excellence Awards: Academic - Elizabeth Trickey; Athlete - Flave Rogers, Kemper Russell; Band - Kim Tuck
Clark Lovelace Memorial Award - Shannon Bird
Adventurettes Scholarship - Kiona Walton, Marquis Berkley
Lester Dillard Memorial Scholarship - William Jordan
Links Scholarship - Carolyn Reynolds
Art Award - Suzanne Gasperini, Troy Stephens
Delta Sigma Theta Scholarship - Carolyn Reynolds, Desma Jones
Child Care Awards - Brittany Gayles, Cecelia Britton, Katelyn McGeorge
Pinochlettes Club Senior Award - Omar Dixon, Marquis Berkley
Woodman of the World History Award - Mary Lantor, Lindsey Sutphin
Jeffrey Wilkerson Memorial Scholarship - Brent Messick
Richard C. Edmunds Memorial Scholarship - Mary Lantor
Jason Carr Scholarship - Megan Lacks
Pamplin Leader Awards - Shannon Bird
Fashion Design Award - Keara King, Brandy Murphy, Carlissa Chandler, Ashley Moore, Mandy Malone
Halifax Woman’s Club Scholarship - Amber Wilson
Virgilina Alumni Scholarship - David Glasscock, Joshua Stone
Bridgewater College, ACE 30 Scholarship - Emily Davis
American Legion Post 8 Citizenship - Emily Bowen, Alex Gravitt
Science Award - Jonathan Fallen
Runners: Jessica Alderson, Benjamin Bamberg, Kayla Barton, Lavontae Brooks, Taneil Brown, Kelsey Campbell, Chantel Canada, Kishion Clark, Adam Coleman, Adam Davis, Tiffany Edmondson, Shanice Ferguson, Trey Garrett, Brittany Gayles, Destiney Greene, Elizabeth Hall, Martell Jennings, Stacy Johnson, William Knupp, Jenise Lacks, Tokesha Lee, Lee Lewis, Lydia Lowery, Emily New, Robert Poirier, Keith Powell, Jordan Rose, Kemper Russell, Ariana Scott, Tonja Sydnor, Felescia Terry, Cecilia Thorpe, Melany Yosich
National Restaurant Association - Natasha Ward
DAR Good Citizenship - Mary Lantor
Band Award - Lindsey Sutphin, Bryon Williams
Camerata Award - Jeremy Duffer, Tiffany Barksdale
Service to Halifax County High School - LaDonna Canada
Hall of Fame Scholarship - Tony Barbour, Keyara Ferrell, Justin Long
VHSL - William McGhee, Shannon Bird
Halifax County Public Schools/Southside Virginia Community College/Associate Degree in Arts and Sciences/General Studies 2006-07-
Associate Degree candidates: Benjamin Bamberg, Shannon Bird, Amber Clark, Alyssa Clark, Courtney Hines, Kandance Irby, Desma Jones, William Jordan, Mary Lantor, Emily New, Christopher Rorrer, Emily Seat, Joshua Shealy, Jason Slabach, Tracey Spencer, Lindsey Sutphin, Shiquita Sydnor, Justin Throckmorton, Elizabeth Trickey, Latonia Tucker, John Williamson, Amber Wilson, Gina Zanarini
Early college scholars: Romulo Ancheta, Benjamin Bamberg, Laura Bane, Antonio Barbour, Amanda Barksdale, Ashley Barrett, Shannon Bird, Jessica Bomar, Emily Bowen, Stanley Brandon, Joshua Brooks, Travis Bryant, Kelsey Campbell, Anne Carrington, Julia Carrington, Jeremy Cherry, Amber Clark, Kishion Clark, Adam Coleman, Leanora Coleman, Shamika Coleman, Amy Comer, Melissa Conner, Timothy Cooper, Sarah Cuffe, Adam Davis, Amanda Davis, Emily Davis, Timothy Dobson, Stephanie Estes, Jonathan Fallen, Maggie Ferguson, Keyara Ferrell, Jessica Foster, Alyssa Gavitt, Brittany Gayles, David Glasscock, Jelessa Graves, Deshay Greene, Destiney Greene, Holly Griffin, Devin Griles, Andrew Hall, Courtney Hines, Krystal Hooker, Shawn Hylton, Kandance Irby, Tabitha Jennings, Desma Jones, Matthew Jones, William Jordan, Yolanda Kent, Lauren Kluge, Jenise Lacks, Mary Lantor, Tokesha Lee, Lee Lewis, Daniel McDonald, Brent Messick, Hollie Miles, Emily New, Tyler Nunn, Shayna Oakes, Ricky Owens, Robert Poirier, Frankie Powell, Tameka Powell, Brian Price, Carolyn Reynolds, Bradley Rogers, Flave Rogers, Jessica Roller, Kemper Russell, Heather Rutledge, William Samples, Amelia Saunders, Donnie Saunders, Dhiren Savalia, Ariana Scott, Emily Seat, Joshua Shealy, Jackie Simmons, Jason Slabach, Evan Smith, Daisy Snyder, Tracy Spencer, Whitney Stanfield, Ashley Stovall, Lindsey Sutphin, Shiquita Sydnor, Anthony Thames, Cecilia Thorpe, Justin Throckmorton, Elizabeth Trickey, Clarence Tuck, Kimberly Tuck, Latonia Tucker, Jacob Vest, Kiona Walton, Angel Wilkins, John Williamson, Amber Wilson, Jonci Womack, Jennifer Yancey, Melany Yosich, Taniqua Younger, Gina Zanarini
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Rho Iota Chapter, Danville - Clarence Tuck, Frankie Powell
Military: U.S. Marine Corps - David Beale, Jose Ortiz, Anthony Banks; U.S. Air Force - Ryan Carr, Whitney Stanfield; U.S. Navy - Jordan Rose; U.S. Army - Jeremy Schock; National Guard - Justin Lacks, Rachel Pittman, Kevin Conner
Stanley Cole Agricultural Scholarship - Justin Long
American Legion Post 8 Scholarship - Elizabeth Hall, Amanda Clark
Dr. Bessie Carr Scholarship - Lavica Martin
General Drafting and Design - Orey Hill, Josh Shealy, Jacob Vest, Sarah Cuffe, Drew Hall, Jacob Wright, Timothy Cooper
Latin Club Award - Amber Wilson
Outstanding Marketing Student - Stacy Johnson
VA Minister’s and Wives Scholarship - Taneil Brown ($1,000)
UNCG Scholarship - Krystal Hooker
Beth Car Baptist Church Scholarship - Michelle Hunter
Patrick Henry Scholar/Hampden-Sydney - Matthew Jones ($12,000)
Merit Awards/Peace College - Megan Lacks ($3,500)
Meredith College Academic Award - Lee Lewis ($1,900)
Wells Scholarship/Indianan University - Ricky Owens (18,000)
DNIMAS Norfolk State University - Carolyn Reynolds (full tuition)
Presidential Leadership Program/Christopher Newport University - Flave Rogers ($1,000)
Ferrum College (grant) - William Samples ($25,000)
Ferrum College Academic Scholarship - Emily Seat ($8,000)
Union Ruritan Club Scholarship - Tracy Spencer ($600)
Virginia Tech Football Scholarship - Patrick Terry
University of Richmond Football Scholarship - Corey Jackson
Winston-Salem State Football Scholarship - Lavell Tucker
Wesleyan Scholarship/North Carolina Wesleyan - Cecilia Thorpe ($8,500)
President’s Special Award/Florida A&M (full scholarship), SBI Award ($4,000) - Latonia Tucker
Augusta Scholarship/Mary Baldwin - Michelle White ($36,000)
Thomas Robertson/Virginia Tech ($1,000); Robert A. Belz/Virginia Tech ($1,000) - Gina Zanarini
Roderick Lacy Retired Teacher’s Scholarship - Amanda Barksdale
Perfect Attendance: Sam Green (Kindergarten-twelfth grade; Kishion Clark (2006-2007); Ricky J. Owens (2006-2007); Stephanie Estes (2006-2007); Markeshia L. Coleman (4th-12th grades); Ebonee V. Harrison (9th-12th grade); Hollie Miles (9th-12th grade); Christopher M. Dailey (9th-12th grade); Lydia Lowery (9th-12th grade); Elizabeth Ray (1st-12th grade)
Virginia Tompkins McLaughlin Scholarship - Amanda Barksdale
Swanson Scholarship - Tracy Spencer
C. Arthur Ware Scholarship - Jeremy Cherry, Ashley Stovall, Mary Lantor, Latonia Tucker, Natalie Payne
Kathleen Wood Scholarship - Jason Slabach
Udy Wood Scholarship - Jonathan Fallen
Jason Ramsey Scholarship - Justin Long
Principal’s Award - Mary Raynell Lantor
Newspaper seniors: Timothy Dobson, Krystal Hooker, Ricky Owens (first semester editor), Robert Poirier, Phillip Saunders, Dhiren Savalia (second semester editor), Anthony Thames

One Dead In Westside Shooting

A 25-year-old South Boston man was pronounced dead at the scene after sustaining a fatal gunshot wound Saturday in West Side Trailer Park, according to South Boston Police Department Investigator T.M. VanAernem.
William Parks was found by police lying on the ground near the intersection of Eagle Drive and Bane Street inside the mobile home park with an apparent gunshot wound, police said.
Investigation at the scene revealed that prior to the shooting Parks was allegedly involved in an argument with 20-year-old Travis Lamar Johnson, aka Lil Peanut, who also resides in the mobile home park, VanAernem said.
“It was learned that immediately after the shooting that Johnson fled the area driving a silver Chevrolet Caprice,” VanAernem said, noting that as investigators gathered additional information about Johnson and were attempting to locate him, they learned that the suspect turned himself in to authorities at the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.
According to VanAernem, Johnson was charged with murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and is currently being held in the Halifax Regional Jail without bond.
The shooting occurred Saturday at approximately 3:32 p.m., police said.
South Boston Police Chief Mick Reed thanked the Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Halifax Police Department and the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with the investigation.
The investigation into Saturday’s shooting is continuing, VanAernem said and anyone with information is asked to call the South Boston Police Department at (434) 575-4273 or Crimestoppers at 575-TIPS.

Obituaries

Dwight Gilbert Holt
Dwight Gilbert Holt, 62, of Clarksville died May 15, 2007, at the home of his mother, 6149 Howard P. Anderson Road, Crystal Hill.
Mr. Holt was born in Halifax County March 25, 1945, the son of Lillie Brown Lewis and the late James ‘Shorty’ Lewis, and was married to Marianne Canada Holt. He was a former member of Crystal Hill Southern Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Brandie Holt Fand and husband, Brian, of Midlothian and Candis Holt Thomas and husband, Jeremy, of Hopewell; his mother of Crystal Hill; two brothers, Randy Holt and wife Becky, and Matt Lewis and wife, Diane, all of Richmond; two half-brothers, Jack Holt of Nathalie and Ricky Holt of Richmond; and one half-sister, Yvonne Council of Richmond.
Funeral services for Mr. Holt were held May 18, at 2 p.m. at Crystal Hill Southern Baptist Church with the Revs. Frank Trexler, Bob Hurt and Ed Griffin officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, or Halifax County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875, South Boston.

David Russell Turner
David Russell Turner of Glenlyn Street, Danville, died Saturday at his residence.
Mr. Turner was 68 years old.
He was born January 7, 1939 in Danville, the son of the late Charlie Richard Turner and the late Zona Ozella Meeks Turner.
Mr. Turner worked as an electrician at Ft. Jackson, S.C. He was a U.S. Navy veteran.
Mr. Turner is survived by two daughters: Leslie Turner of Rural Hall and Kelly Turner of California; three brothers, Richard Alvin Turner of Raleigh, Henry Charles Turner and Billy Ray Turner, both of Leasburg, N.C; six sisters, Bonnie Joy Ferrell of Vernon Hill, Patsy Ann Turner and Donna M. Turner, both of Pfafftown, N.C., Lisa Lyn Myers of Thomasville, N.C., Rene David and Tracie Horner, both of Roxboro; and five grandchildren.
He was predeceased by one sister, Nellie Glancey.

Mary Elizabeth Wallace Crabtree
Graveside services for Mary Elizabeth Wallace Crabtree of Greens Folly Road will be held Monday at 4 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Cemetery with the Rev. Doug Stacey officiating.
Mrs. Crabtree died Friday at her home.
A Halifax County native, she was born a daughter of Willie Prince Wallace and Florence Lacks Wallace.
She attended college in New York State, where she resided a number of years.
Mrs. Crabtree was a Halifax Regional Hospital Auxiliary volunteer, a member of the Business and Professional Woman’s Club, and attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses.
She is survived by one daughter, Faye Butler Farmer of South Boston, three grandchildren, Elizabeth Scott Farmer of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Patrick Ray Butler of Randleman, N.C., and Christopher T. Butler of Pleasant Garden, N.C., and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one son, Bobby Ray Butler.
The family will receive friends following the graveside service today at her home, 1014 Greens Folly Road, South Boston.

Nelson Page Loftis
Graveside services with Masonic Rites will be held for Nelson Page Loftis of South Boston at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Oak Ridge Cemetery with the Rev. Terry Blevins officiating.
Mr. Loftis, 97, died Sunday at Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was a former member of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, and was an organizer and captain of the Halifax County Rescue Squad.
Mr. Loftis also served as elder and clerk of the session of Halifax Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and was an honorary member of the Huguenot Society.
Long active in Masonic and Shrine functions, he served as Master in 1951 and District Deputy Grand Master in 1962 of the Faulkner Memorial Lodge No. 91.
He served as president of South Boston Shrine Club. He was a member of Scottish Rite bodies of Danville, president of South Boston-Halifax Scottish Rite Club, member Acca Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Richmond, member Hartley Carmichael Council 3, Allied Masonic Degrees; Commander Dove Commandery No. 7, Danville; past High Priest Halifax Royal Arch Chapter No. 38, South Boston, past District Deputy Grand High Priest of District, Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Virginia, and Life Member Knights of The New York Cross of Honour Rose of Sharon Priory No. 2.
He was born December 19, 1909 in South Boston, the son of the late Charles Monroe Loftis and Lucille Sparrow Loftis and was married to Eula Vance Loftis.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Loftis is survived by one sister, Nancy L. Powell of Newport News, one stepson, Sanford Vance and wife Peggy of Virginia Beach, and three grandchildren, Brandi Vance of Virginia Beach, MSGT Mike Vance and wife Patricia of Fort Dix, N.J. and Chris Vance and wife Kathy of Jacksonville, Fla., and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Frances Page Loftis.
The family will receive friends at his home, 3102 N. Main Street, South Boston.
For memorials, please consider Halifax Presbyterian Church, 105 Cedar Lane, Halifax, Va. 24558.
Online condolences may be directed to powell@gcronline.com.

Lady Comets Face Must-Win Situation

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
The Comets varsity softball team lost a chance for the regular season Western Valley District title and a berth in the first round of the regionals after a tough 4-3 extra inning loss here Thursday to Franklin County.
The Comets fell behind 1-0 early and trailed 3-0 before plating two runs in the fourth and one in the seventh to tie the score.
Franklin County took advantage of a Comets error and base hit in the eighth inning to score the go-ahead run.
Halifax must win its Western Valley District semifinal tournament game here tomorrow against Patrick Henry for a shot at the tournament title and a road game in the Northwest Regional Tournament.
That task is not impossible, but the Comets have to take things one game at a time, according to coach Melanie Saunders.
“It won’t be hard to get up for Tuesday,” said Saunders after her team’s comeback against the arch rival Eagles came up just short.
“The girls shouldn’t hang their heads because they lost to a good ball club.
“They have a lot of heart and they’re looking to get back to Franklin County.”
Saunders knows the pitfalls of looking ahead, adding that Patrick Henry is a respectable opponent.
“Their pitcher gave us a fit up there so we have to get through Tuesday first, not look so far ahead and take it one game at a time.
“We know that we’ll have a regional berth locked up with a win, but it would be nice to win two in a row and the tournament title just the same.”
The Comets rallied from a 3-0 deficit against the Eagles to the brink of a win that would have forced a one-game playoff for the regular season title.
Franklin County took a 1-0 lead after one inning on a Jenny Law solo home run and added two more in the top of the fourth on a Comets’ error, Chezdan Baker single, Maria Arrington RBI double and another error to make it 3-0.
Halifax, which got a first inning single from Stephanie Clark and base hits from Paige Rickman and Heather Hudson in the second inning without scoring, began to rally in the fourth with a leadoff single by Betty Rose.
Lashunda Davis reached base on an error and Paige Rickman drew a one-out walk to load the bases, before RBI singles by Heather Hudson and Ally Thompson made it 3-2.
The Comets had base runners in each of the next two innings without scoring, the second time after a leadoff single from Rickman in the sixth, but the defense turned a double play in the fifth to help keep the deficit at one run.
A seventh inning rally by the Comets tied the game, with Clark hitting her second single to lead off the inning, Shayna Oakes sacrificing her to second and Davis hitting a RBI single to tie the game at 3-3.
Davis reached third base on a two-out single by Key Ferrell but a strikeout sent the game to extra innings.
With two out in the top of the eighth inning, a Comets throwing error put the Eagles’ Ashlee Washburn at second base and Arrington followed with a grounder up the middle.
Washburn clipped Comets shortstop Davis as she attempted to field the ball with the ball going into the outfield. Washburn scored to give Franklin County a 4-3 lead.
The Comets were retired in order in the bottom of the inning to end the game.
Halifax collected ten hits for the game, compared to seven for Franklin County. Clark, Rickman and Hudson finishing with two hits apiece, while Rose, Davis, Ferrell and Thompson had one each.
Clark started the game on the mound for Halifax and pitched into the sixth inning, when Rickman came to the mound.
The pair combined for six strikeouts while walking only one batter.
The game lived up to its billing as a tough nail-biter between two competitive teams, noted Saunders.
“It’s tough to come back against a good team the caliber of Franklin County, so there’s no reason for the girls to hang their heads,” she said.
“We came out and, boom, we were behind 1-0 after the home run and then 3-0. That home run took a little away from us initially, but the kids battled back and they played with heart.
“We had some miscues here and there, but it really didn’t come down to that. Both teams hit the ball well and the pitchers did well, and it’s hard for either team to lose this type of game.
“We hope to see them again in the tournament, but we know it’ll be hard to win up there.”
The Western Valley District Tournament semifinal game between Halifax County and Patrick Henry is scheduled at HCHS Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Comets Face One-Game Season

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
It’s now a one-game season for the Halifax County High School varsity baseball team.
The Comets (11-8, 4-4 district) face Franklin County Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in Rocky Mount in the semifinals of the Western Valley District Tournament with a berth in the upcoming Northwest Region Tournament at stake.
If the Comets, the third-place finisher in the district, defeat Franklin County and regular-season champion GW defeats its opponent in Tuesday night’s other Western Valley District Tournament semifinal game in Danville, the Comets will advance to the Northwest Region Tournament.
On the other hand, a loss to Franklin County Tuesday night will end the Comets’ season.
Halifax County lost its bid Thursday night to land second place in the regular-season standings and a home game in Tuesday’s district tournament semifinals with an 8-5 loss to Franklin County in its regular-season finale.
Six unearned runs scored by Franklin County, five of which came in the sixth inning, and five Comets errors proved to be the Comets’ undoing in the annual Senior Night game.
Franklin County (8-11, 5-3 district) and the Comets split their two regular-season meetings with the Comets getting the win in Rocky Mount and Franklin County turning the tables on the Comets here.
With regular-season play now over, the focus turns toward the Western Valley District Tournament.
“It’s like starting all over again,” said Halifax County High School coach Kelvin Davis.
“We play one game (Tuesday’s district tournament semifinal game against Franklin County) and if we win that one we keep going. I can’t emphasize enough how important Tuesday’s game is for us.”
Davis said Tuesday night’s rematch against Franklin County is going to be another exciting game between the two teams.
“It’s going to be a great ballgame,” Davis said.
“We’ve got to come ready to play. I feel comfortable playing away from home up there in Franklin County. We always play very well up there.
“Our goal is to make it into the Northwest Region Tournament,” Davis continued.
“We didn’t get the district championship, so our next thing is to get into the Northwest Region Tournament. That’s what it’s all about.”
The Comets coach says he feels his team will be ready Tuesday night to face the challenge that lies ahead of it. Kyle Long will get the starting nod for Tuesday night’s game, Davis said.
“Kyle has gotten the assignment to pitch the first game in the district tournament,” Davis said.
“We’re depending on Kyle to come in Tuesday and get the job done.”
The key, Davis said, will be his team’s ability to play sound, fundamental baseball.
“We’ve just got to do it between the lines,” Davis pointed out.
“We’ve got to get geared up for this game and our seniors will get us geared up. They don’t want to stop here. They want to continue to play.
“These guys know how to play,” continued Davis.
“We’ve just got to do it between the lines when it really counts.”
In the scenario of a Comets-GW rematch in the district tournament championship game on Thursday, the Comets will advance to the Northwest Region Tournament as the district’s second seed regardless of the outcome of the game.
GW, by virtue of winning the regular-season district championship, locked up the Western Valley District’s top seed for the Northwest Region Tournament and a home game in the first round of the regional tournament.
On the other hand, if the Comets win Tuesday night’s game against Franklin County and find themselves facing a team other than GW in the district tournament championship game, the Comets would have to win the district tournament championship game to advance to the regional tournament.

Hamlett, Jackson, Mosley District Track Champs

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
Stacey Hamlett, Corey Jackson and Erik Mosley won the girls 100-meter dash, boys shot put and boys 400-meter run, respectively, and the girls 4x100-meter relay team added another first-place finish at the Western Valley District Outdoor Track Meet Friday at E.C. Glass.
Host E.C. Glass won both meets, taking the boys title with 197 points, compared to 122 for Franklin County, 74 for Patrick Henry, 64 for GW Danville and 48 for Halifax County.
Glass accumulated 145 points to win the girls meet, followed by Franklin County with 135, GW 112, Patrick Henry 71 and Halifax County 51 points.
Halifax will send 10 individuals and three relay teams to Northwest Regional competition despite fifth-place showings in both the boys and girls meets.
Hamlett won the 100 meters in 13.21 seconds and will also compete in the regionals as part of the district champion 4x100 relay team along with Marteia Ferrell, Felica Bowman and Brittany Foster.
Other regional competitors include Bowman in the girls 200 meters and 4x400 relay, Foster in the triple jump, Tanisha Evans in the 400, 100 hurdles and 4x400 relay, Ferrell in the 100 hurdles and triple jump, LaDonna Canada in the shot put, Markeshia Coleman in the discus, and Shauna Harris and Aurora Wright in the 4x400 relay.
Jackson won the shot put with a toss of 46 feet, eight inches and Mosley took the 400 meters in 50.95 seconds.
Joining Jackson and Mosley for the Comets boys in regional competition are Clyde Scott in the 110-meter hurdles, while Scott and Mosley, along with Thomas Logan and Ishermal Smalls will compete in the 4x400 relay.
Western Valley District Meet
Comets Girls Results
100-Meter Dash
1. Stacey Hamlett 13.21
7. Brittany Foster 13.94
200-Meter Dash
5. Felicia Bowman 27.69
7. Stacey Hamlett 28.12
8. Cherena Canada 28.27
9. Brittany Foster 28.32
400-Meter Dash
6. Tanisha Evans
3,200-Meter Run
7. Amy Totherow 13.38.08
100-Meter Hurdles
5. Marteia Ferrell 17.73
6. Tanisha Evans 19.19
300-Meter Hurdles
8. Jasmine Pointer 56.61
9. Tyiesha Pannell 58.78
10. Aurora Wright 59.02
4x100-Meter Relay
1. Halifax County (Ferrell, Bowman, Foster, Hamlett 51.40
4x400-Meter Relay
3. Halifax County (Bowman, Harris, Evans, Wright) 4:46.28
4. Halifax County 12:22.42
High Jump
7. Marteia Ferrell 4’-6”
8. Shauna Harris 4-6
10. Brittany Foster 4-4
Long Jump
8. Brittany Foster 15’-1.5”
10. Marteia Ferrell 14-7
11. Jasmine Pointer 14-5.75
Triple Jump
2. Marteia Ferrell 34’-9”
4. Brittany Foster 34-3.75
10. Cherena Canada 31-2
Shot Put
5. LaDonna Canada 31’-6.5”
7. Markeshia Coleman 30-11
8. Brittany Gayles 30-3.5
Discus
6. Markeshia Coleman 99’-9”
12. LaDonna Canada 68-3
14. Brittany Gayles 52-6
Comets Boys Results
100-Meter Dash
7. Erik Mosley 11.72
200-Meter Dash
9. Erik Mosley 24.04
11. Thomas Logan 24.72
12. Shawn Jennings 24.89
400-Meter Dash
1. Erik Mosley 50.95
9. Amanual Coleman 56.59
10. Ishermal Smalls 56.74
800-Meter Run
9. Urick Coleman 2:18.41
1,600-Meter Run
7. Urick Coleman 5:00.39
110-Meter Hurdles
2. Clyde Scott 42.56
9. Yarnnick Ford 46.77
4x100-Meter Relay
4. Halifax County 45.46
4x400-Meter Relay
2. Halifax County (Scott, Logan, Smalls, Mosley) 3:43.18
Long Jump
7. Stanley Thomas 17’7.5”
Shot Put
1. Corey Jackson 46’-8”
8. Devon McNear 36-7
Discus
9. Jesse Williams 90’-5”