Monday, May 22, 2006

SoBo Man Sentenced For Drugs
A 26-year-old South Boston man was sentenced Friday in Halifax County Circuit Court to a total of 11 years in prison, with all but one year, seven months suspended, for cocaine distribution and resisting arrest.
Judge William L. Wellons sentenced Savaughn Wakeen Bailey to 10 years in prison, with all but one year and seven months suspended, for cocaine distribution, and to a suspended one-year jail term for resisting arrest, a misdemeanor.
The court ordered the suspended portion of Bailey’s sentence be conditioned on his good behavior for 10 years and ordered him to be placed on probation for two years following his release.
The court additionally ordered Bailey to abstain from illegal drugs.
Other Court Cases
• Gary Dardell Boyd, 40, of South Boston, was convicted Friday of a probation violation. The court revoked Boyd’s previously suspended prison sentence, ordering him to serve no new time, but ordering him to pay $5,975.28 restitution to Manpower before paying court costs.
• Derrick Thomas Ferrell, 27, of Vernon Hill, pleaded guilty Friday to cocaine possession.
In exchange for Ferrell’s guilty plea, the Commonwealth agreed to have the court sentence Ferrell to five years in prison, suspending the entire term conditioned on Ferrell’s good behavior for five years.
The court ordered Ferrell to be placed on probation for one year, to abstain from illegal drugs, submit to random drug tests and to undergo drug counseling.
The court additionally suspended Ferrell’s operator’s license for six months, restricting it to travel to and from the probation department.
• Brandi Marie Hazelwood, 23, of Alton, pleaded no contest Friday to marijuana possession. The court found evidence sufficient to convict Hazelwood, but withheld its finding of guilt, granting first offender status for Hazelwood and continuing the case for one year.
The court ordered Hazelwood to be placed on probation for one year, to perform 24 hours of community service, as well as to a restricted operator’s license.
• Jeremy Deon Medley, 22, of South Boston, was sentenced Friday to ten years in prison for cocaine possession.
Judge Wellons suspended Medley’s sentence to six months in jail, in addition to time awaiting entry and completion of both the Detention and Diversion programs.
The court ordered the suspended portion of Medley’s sentence be conditioned on his good behavior for ten years, and ordered him to be placed on probation for three years following his release.
The court additionally ordered Medley to abstain from drugs and alcohol, undergo random drug tests, as well as supended his operator’s license for six months.
• John Steven Watts, 43, of Scottsburg, pleaded no contest Friday to driving after having been declared an habitual offender.
The Commonwealth nol prossed three misdemeanor charges against Watts during the trial, one for a seatbelt violation, one for failing to display a license plate and one for operating an uninspected vehicle.
Sentencing for Watts was set for the July court term.
• Jessica Helen Wilmouth, 21, of Alton, was convicted Friday of five misdemeanor credit card fraud charges and one felony charge for credit card theft.
The Commonwealth nol prossed a credit card forgey harge against Wilmouth during the trial.
Wilmouth is free on bond until sentencing set for the July court term.
• Kelvin Murray Logan, 40, of Vernon Hill, pleaded guilty Friday to cocaine possession.
The court found evidence sufficient to convict Logan, but withheld its finding of guilt, granting Logan first offender status and continuing the case for one year.
• Alkarirou Amadou Sadou, 23, of Harrisburg, Pa., had indictments charging her with check forgery, possessing a fictitious operator’s license and passing a bad check nol prossed last week by the Commonwealth.

Still Making A Difference
Mentor/Role Model Celebrates 15 Years Of Serving County’s Youth
“It is such a pleasure to see that people in South Boston are continuing to mentor and guide young people in order to make this a better place to live,” guest speaker Marcus Jones told a gathering of around 100 Thursday. “I am a true product of mentoring here in this great town and without being mentored, my success would not be what it is today.”
Jones was on hand to give the keynote address as members of the Halifax County Mentor/Role Model gathered at The Prizery for a banquet honoring the group’s 15th anniversary.
A South Boston native and graduate of Halifax County High School, the speaker told the crowd that the night’s theme – “Still Making A Difference” – was a fitting theme of for the event “as you are creating great leaders of tomorrow.”
“We face many new challenges as mentors and mentees and one of the many keys to this success is understanding each other and having knowledge of each other’s culture in order to break down barriers,” he said.
A 20-year veteran of law enforcement, Jones currently works as a police lieutenant with the Montgomery County (Maryland) Police Department.
The current president of the National Black Police Association, Jones told the crowd that whether they realize it or not, everyone is a mentor.
“There are people who are watching your every move on the job, at church or in the community every day,” he said.
He stressed to the crowd the need to teach the importance of maintaining peace in the community to the county’s young people.
“We have to teach our police officers, our teachers, our mentors, to adapt to and deal with this new generation,” he said. “Although many of us are not from this generation, that doesn’t mean that we don’t take the time to get to know who they are and what they want out of the world today. When we create these barriers we prevent ourselves from developing relationships with our community.
“We have to learn from our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents who invested in us, who gave us everything we needed and not everything we wanted,” he added. “We have to be mentors to the youth of today. We have to take the time to reach back and share our experiences with kids who need nurturing and have a thirst for knowledge. I have had the pleasure of being mentored not only by my family members but by people who took time with me at church, at school and in the community.”
Founded in 1991, the program puts an at-risk youth with a responsible adult as a role model.
Mentor Role Model currently has 130 volunteers who give of their time to help young people.
In concluding his address, Jones stressed the importance of positive role models on young people.
“If we want our youth to be doctors, teachers, inventors, nurses or police officers, those of us in these professions and even those who are not should be sharing our life experiences to help them attain their goals.
“We owe it to our children, the youth, to build positive relationships with them and give them what they need and not what they want.
“It is important that all of us make a difference in one way or another,” he said.

 

‘This Magic Moment’
The cafeteria at Halifax County High School was transformed into a Cinderella-esque wonderland complete with castle and carriage for the 2006 Junior-Senior Prom Friday.
Hundreds of students, normally clad in jeans and t-shirts, were dressed in evening gowns and tuxedos as parents and well-wishers lined the walkway, snapping photos in a scene reminiscent of Hollywood paparazzi.
Just before the start of the prom, limousines and show cars vied for space in the school’s driveway with three emergency service vehicles bringing students to this year’s event.
Inside students danced the night away until just before midnight when the royal court was announced.
During the event, Erin Squires was voted Prom Queen and Mark Ferrell was named Prom King.
This year’s Prom Prince, voted on by the junior and senior class, was Omar Dixon. Amanda Barksdale was named Prom Princess.
Prior to the start of the prom, Assistant Principal Pedro Zamora was ebullient about the work of the prom committee and Prom Coordinator Cheryl Ferguson.
“I’ve been here 32 years and this is just fantastic,” he said. “I can’t wait for the seniors to see it.”

 

Public Hearing On Proposed $19,782,435 Budget Tonight
A $19,782,435 proposed budget carrying a 19-cent per assessed $100 real estate tax and a five- percent increase in water/sewer rates will be before the public during South Boston Council’s meeting tonight.
The 5:45 p.m. public hearing will be held in Council’s Chambers at 502 Yancey Street.
The 19-cent real estate rate marks a reduction from 21 cents, the rate carried in an earlier budget proposal.
The 2006-07 proposed budget carries a $12,289,566 general fund, which reflects a 33-percent increase over last year’s general fund of $8,303,679.
The water/sewer fund reflects a 36 percent increase this year at $4,498,633. Last year’s water/sewer fund budget was $2,901,500.
The budget also carries a $2 per assessed $100 personal property tax, up from $1.47.
Also advertised for the FY 2006-07 budget: $149,018, Cemetery Fund; $32,814, Drug Task Force Fund; $358,871, Landfill Closure Fund; $2,453,533, CDBG Fund (Church Hill Project); Total Revenue – All Funds, $19,782,435, a 29 percent increase over last year.
This will be the first reading of the budget.
Also before Council tonight, adoption of a proposed ordinance amending Town Code regarding sidewalk cafes. Two businesses, Vintner’s Cellar and Bistro 1888, are seeking the amendment.
During tonight’s session the position of town attorney will be before the Current Issues Committee. South Boston attorney Chandler Nelson, who previously served as the town’s attorney, announced his retirement and the town is seeking new representation.
The next scheduled Council meeting is Monday, June 12, at 7 p.m.

Obituaries

Walter Russell Wilson
Walter Russell Wilson, 73, of Blackstone died May 18, 2006.
He is survived by his wife, Ednes W. Wilson; one daughter, Rhonda Wilson Kincer and husband, Rickey, of Blackstone; one son, Darryl Chris Wilson and wife, Teresa, of Crewe; his granddaughters, Ashleigh Gayle Kincer, Christina Marie Wilson and Hailey Danielle Wilson; and his best friend, Peanut.
Services were held at 11 a.m. May 20, at Brooks Funeral Home in South Boston. Burial followed in Virgilina Cemetery.
Richard Thomas Elliott
Mr. Richard Thomas Elliott, 80, of Ramble Road in Virgilina, died Friday, May 19, at his home.
Funeral services were held yesterday in the Brooks Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Randy Holmes officiating.
Interment followed in the Grace Baptist Church cemetery.
Mr. Elliott was born in Halifax County on August 27,1925, the son of the late Charlie Thomas and Maggie Glasscock Elliott and was married to Helen Throckmorton Elliott.
Mr. Elliott was a retired farmer.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Elliott is survived by four sisters, Irene E. Phillips of Virgilina, Bertha E. Phillips of Halifax, Alease E. Holt of Milton, N.C., and Janet E. Chappell of Vernon Hill; a brother, Bobby Elliott of Virgilina, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ira B. “Dollbaby” Elliott and James W. Elliott Sr., and two sisters, Margaret E. Blackmon and Willie E. Stembridge.
For memorials please consider the Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, Va. 24592 or the Halifax County Cancer Association, PO Box 875, South Boston, Va. 24592.
Anne Hope (Poirier) Kirby-Overmyer
Anne Hope (Poirier) Kirby-Overmyer, 71, died Wednesday, May 17, at her residence in Round Hill.
She was born in Providence, R.I., the daughter of Charles and Genevieve Kirby and sister of Jerry, Paul and Joe Kirby.
Mrs. Kirby-Overmyer attended boarding school and college at Marymount College in Tarrytown, N.Y.
She was a resident of Northern Virginia for forty years and was active in the community and the family business. In 2000 she retired from Datatel in Fairfax.
Mrs. Kirby-Overmyer was a volunteer with Capital Hospice for six years and was a member of the Catholic Church of St. Francis de Sales in Purcellville.
She is survived by her husband, Richard F. Overmyer, and her children Genevieve Poirer-Richards of Plano, Texas, Greg Poirer of Sutherlin, Celeste Poirer Mack of Ashburn, Jean-Marc Poirer of Hamilton and Monique Poirer Price of Ashburn and by her grandchildren.
She is also survived by her brother and a host of relatives and friends.
William Douglas Shepherd
Graveside services for Mr. William Douglas Shepherd will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Mr. Shepherd, 75, of Danville and formerly of South Boston, died Sunday, May 21, at the Danville Regional Medical Center.
He was born in Halifax County on February 16, 1931, the son of Victor Vaughan Shepherd and Janey Norwood Shepherd.
Mr. Shepherd was a graduate of Elon University.
Mr. Shepherd was a member of the Main Street United Methodist Church, served in the U.S. Coast Guard after World War II and was a former schoolteacher.
He is survived by a sister, Betty Jane Shepherd of Glen Allen; two nephews, Dr. Robert Edward Shepherd of Greensboro, and Dr. Stephen Norwood Shepherd of Birmingham, and one niece Sally Shepherd Palmer of Carrboro, N.C.
For memorials, please consider the Halifax County Cancer Association, PO Box 875, South Boston, Va. 24592.

Comets Edge Franklin County; Clinch NW Region Tourney Berth
The HCHS Varsity Softball Team Downed Franklin County 7-6 In A Nine-Inning Thriller Friday To Win The Regular-Season District Title
It doesn’t get any closer on the diamond than this.
Halifax County manufactured two runs in the top of the ninth inning to break a 5-5 deadlock and stymied a last-ditch Franklin County rally to give the Comets a 7-6 win over the Eagles Friday in Danville in a playoff game for the regular-season Western Valley District championship.
The win netted the Comets the regular-season district championship and a berth in the Northwest Region Tournament, assuring the Comets of a second straight appearance in the regional playoffs.
It also gave the Comets the top seed in the Western Valley District Tournament, which opens tomorrow. The Comets will host E.C. Glass Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the tourney opener. (See separate story).
“You couldn’t ask for a better ballgame,” said Comets coach Melanie Saunders.
“It was one of those of games that you hate to see either team lose. You can’t expect any more than this when you have two teams battling for first place and having split the regular season. Both teams could hit and both teams had good defense. Both teams made some errors here and there and we came right back. Both teams were playing hard and both teams wanted to come out with a win.”
The game was a dandy with both teams coming up with key hits at key times and both teams making out-of-the ordinary defensive plays.
Halifax County second baseman Heather Oakes made her share of those, especially in the bottom of the eighth inning when she accounted for all three of the Comets’ outs, including one on a big play to stop a line drive deep in the hole with a runner on first base.
Saunders said the big plays resulted from both Oakes and relief hurler Jessica “Moo” Morris doing their job.
“Moo put the ball right where we were asking her to do it and did exactly what we wanted to happen by making them take the ball to that side,” Saunders explained.
“ Odie stepped up and made the plays we needed her to make. The line drive she took out of the hole was big. If that ball had gotten through, I think Franklin County would have won the game.”
Comets catcher Betty Rose made some big plays as well, nailing one Franklin County runner at the plate to prevent a run from scoring and making a difficult catch of a foul ball to thwart a ninth-inning Franklin County rally and end the game.
Offensively, the Comets got the job done when they needed it the most.
Melissa Sims gave the Comets a good start with a leadoff homer, the first home run the Comets have had in a district game this season, to spur a two-run opening inning and give the Comets an early 2-0 lead.
“Melissa coming in and starting us off with a home run was big,” Saunders noted.
Later, the bottom half of the Comets’ batting order responded with three keys hits that provided the game-winning runs in the top of the ninth inning.
“We hit well through our lineup and tonight that’s where it paid off for us,” Saunders noted.
The Comets had seven hits in the game that included three triples and the one homer.
Sims, Lashunda Davis, Rose, Jasmine Parker, starting hurler Beth Throckmorton, Shayna Oakes and Mandy Watts each had a hit with Davis, Rose and Parker each netting a three-bagger.
Throckmorton had a good day on the mound, fanning six batters and yielding only one walk. She allowed eight hits, five of which came in the sixth inning, the last inning she pitched, when Franklin County scored three runs.
Halifax County made an uncharacteristic four errors on defense, some of which helped Franklin County produce runs. Still, the Comets were able to overcome them.
Halifax County opened strong with Sims, who was 3-4 with one RBI and a run scored in her previous outing, nailing a leadoff round-tripper off of Franklin County hurler Jessica Brown to put the Comets up 1-0.
Davis nailed a triple with one out and scored on a sacrifice fly from Rose to put the Comets up 2-0 after the top of the first inning.
With Throckmorton facing only batter over the minimum through the first three innings, the Comets held the two-run edge until the top of the fourth inning when another two-run rally put them up 4-0.
Davis led off with a walk and scored on a two-out triple by Parker. A hit by Throckmorton plated Parker to put Halifax County up 4-0.
A pair of Comets errors and two hits yielded two runs for the Eagles in the bottom of the fourth inning to make it a 4-2 score.
The Comets added another run in the top of the sixth inning when Rose hit a triple to start the inning and scored on a sacrifice fly by Key Ferrell to put the Comets up 5-2.
Franklin County finally got to Throckmorton in the bottom of the sixth inning, stringing together five back-to-back hits to score three runs and tie the game at 5-5.
The score stayed that way until the top of the ninth inning when Parker walked, moved to second base on a sacrifice from Throckmorton, and scored on a hit from Shayna Oakes to put the Comets up 6-5. Mandy Watts followed with another hit and plated Oakes to put the Comets up 7-5.
With Comets reliever Jessica Morris in her third inning, Franklin County got its bats rolling again in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Halifax found itself in trouble after a leadoff hit, a Comets error and a hit batter loaded the sacks. An error on Ferrell at third base allowed a run to score to make it a 7-6 score.
Then the Comets got some help in the form of an out that resulted from a runner interference call against the Eagles’ India Metz, a crucial call that erased what would have been the game-tying run.
A walk allowed Franklin County to load the bases again with one out, but the Comets escaped when the next two Franklin County batters were retired in order. The first batter was set down on a pop-up to Morris at the mound and the other was put out on a foul ball which Rose snared on a tough play.
Saunders said the support of the good crowd of Comets fans that came out to support the team was also big in the win.
“We had just as many fans here on these bleachers as we do at home and I appreciate the support they have given us all year,” she pointed out.

Comets Lady Diamonders Face E.C. Glass Tuesday
The HCHS Softball Team Will Play E.C. Glass Here Tuesday At 5 P.M. In The District Tournament Semifinals
The Halifax County High School varsity girls softball team will begin its quest for a second straight Western Valley District Tournament championship tomorrow night when it faces E.C. Glass here at 5 p.m. at Comets Field.
Halifax County (16-3 overall, 7-1 district) is the top seed entering the Western Valley District Tournament, gaining that notable spot in a thrilling 7-6 win in nine innings over Franklin County Friday in Danville in a playoff game to determine the regular-season district championship. (See separate story)
With Friday’s win, the Comets locked up one of the district’s two berths in the upcoming Northwest Region Tournament, thus assuring the Comets of a second straight appearance in the Northwest Region Tournament.
Franklin County will host GW in Tuesday’s other district tournament semifinal game with the winners of tomorrow night’s two games squaring off Thursday night for the district tournament championship, the district’s number one seed in the regional tournament and a home game in the first round of the regional tournament.
Halifax County enters the district tournament as the defending district tournament champion. The Comets defeated Patrick Henry here last season to win the district tournament championship game.
The Comets will enter tomorrow night’s district tournament semifinal game with a good deal of confidence. Not only will the Comets enter the game fresh off of the big win over Franklin County, the Comets will have the confidence of knowing they swept E.C. Glass during the regular-season.
Halifax County blanked the Hilltoppers 8-0 in their first meeting here on April 27 and downed Glass 4-0 in Lynchburg last Wednesday.
Despite the sweep, Comets head coach Melanie Saunders says her team cannot take E.C. Glass lightly.
“It’s not going to be a pushover game,” Saunders pointed out.
“The (E.C. Glass) program has really come along. We played them last week and won 4-0. Those kids hit. They don’t give up. It’s not like it used to be where it was three balls and they’re sitting down with a strikeout. They’re pumped up and this is going to be a hard win to get.”
One thing in the Comets’ favor going into the tournament is that they have already locked up a berth in the Northwest region Tournament. Last year, the Comets had to win the district tournament championship game to get into the Northwest Region Tournament as Franklin County won the regular-season title and locked up one of the berths. Then, when Franklin County was upset in the district tournament semifinals, the Comets had to win the district tournament championship game to get to the regional playoffs.
The next big prize for the Comets is a repeat district tournament title and a home game for the first round of the regional playoffs.
“We’re excited to know we have a game in the regionals,” Saunders said.
“It’s always good to get into the regionals, but you want to work hard and you want to bring that (district tournament championship) banner home. We know we’re going to play a game in the regional tournament and we would love to have that game at home. Last year we had that opportunity and let it slip by.”
There are some people that may worry that the intensity of Friday night’s playoff game against Franklin County in Danville may take a little something out of the Comets. Saunders says she is not concerned about that.
The game, she said, was better than practice.
“Practice gets repetitious and with this you’re hitting against live pitching and having to make plays that are not normally routine,” Saunders pointed out.
“I think if we stay pumped up and stay focused, we’re right where we need to be.”

Comets Boys Track Team Third In District Championship Meet
4x800 Relay Team Sets School Record
David Anderson won the triple jump, the Comets boys track team set a new school record in the 4x800-meter relay, and Halifax qualified 15 athletes for regional competition at the Western Valley District Track Championship Meet on Saturday.
All three Comets relay teams also qualified for the regionals, the 4x800-meter relay team of Ronnie Link, Eric Mosley, Amanuel Coleman and Melvin Reynolds setting a new school mark of 8:24.74 for a second-place finish.
That time broke the existing school record by 12 seconds.
Host E.C. Glass won the meet with 172 points, followed by Franklin County with 129.50, Halifax with 89.50 and Patrick Henry with 87 points. GW Danville was fifth with 44 points.
A placing of sixth or higher in individual events and third or higher in relay events is required for a berth in the Northwest Region Meet, beginning Friday at 9 a.m. at the University of Virginia.
Comets coach Ralph Robinson pointed to the number of athletes advancing to regional competition as a sign of a good meet for the Comets boys.
“Of the 17 members of the boys track team that participated in the meet, 15 qualified to compete in the Northwest Region meet, and I’m very pleased with that,” said Robinson.
“That’s what I had expected.”
“We all know how tough E.C. Glass is, and Franklin County is also very tough,” he added. “I don’t think that even if Patrick [Terry] and Travis [Word] had competed, we’d have gotten second-place.
“It definitely would have been a lot closer, but I don’t think it would have been enough.”
Robinson noted that the Comets fared well despite not having competitors in two events, while lacking depth in another.
“We had no competitors in the pole vault and the two-mile run, and not being as competitive as we need to be in the discus takes away opportunities for us to score points,” said Robinson.
Anderson qualified for the regionals in four events, winning the triple jump at 44’-9.25”, taking second in the long jump at 21’-10” and finishing fifth in the 100 meters in 11.54 seconds. He also ran with the 4x100-meter relay team, which finished third.
Jeremy Clauden competed in five events and qualified for the Northwest Region Meet in three, placing second in the 110-meter hurdles in 16.44 seconds and fourth in the 300-meter hurdles in 44.54 seconds, while running with the third-place 4x100-meter relay team.
Rodale Pippen qualified for the regionals in two events, taking second in the 200-meter dash in 23.24 seconds and third in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.34 seconds.
Travis Stevens was third in the 200-meter dash right behind Pippen, with an identical time of 23.24 seconds.
Mark Ferrell qualified for the regionals in two events, running the 100-meter dash in 11.14 seconds to place second, and running with the 4x100-meter relay team.
Ferrell qualified for the state in the 100-meter race by virtue of his time.
Derek Brooks was fifth in the high jump at 5’-10”, Jamond Edmonds was fourth in the long jump at 20’-4”, and Cory Jackson was sixth in the shot put with a toss of 43’-4.5” for a regional berth.
The Comets’ 4x100 meter- and 4x400 meter-relay teams joined the 4x800-meter relay team in advancing to the regionals.
The 4x100-meter relay team of Anderson, Travis Word, Clauden and Ferrell was third in a time of 44.34 seconds and the 4x400-meter relay team of Link, Mosley, Coleman and Reynolds was second in its event with a time of 8:24.74.
Other results saw Stevens finishing seventh in the 100 meters in 11.54 seconds, Reynolds finishing eighth in the 400 meters in 53.24 seconds, and Coleman taking 11th in the 400 meters in 55.04 seconds.
Clauden was ninth in the long jump at 19’-6.5” and Edmonds was seventh in the triple jump at 40’-11.25”.

Comets Open District Tourney Play Tomorrow Against FC
HCHS Will Face Franklin County Here Tuesday At 7 P.M. In The District Tournament Semifinals
The Halifax County High School varsity baseball has accomplished one goal – that of winning the regular-season Western Valley District crown and landing a berth in the Northwest Region Tournament.
Tomorrow night, the Comets will begin their quest for another goal – the Western Valley District Tournament championship, the district’s top seed and a home game in the first round of the Northwest Region Tournament.
The Comets (12-6 overall and 7-1 district) will host fourth-seeded Franklin County (13-6 overall, 3-5 district) in Tuesday’s semifinal round of the Western Valley District Tournament with the game set for 7 p.m. at Comets Field.
GW will host E.C. Glass Tuesday night in the other district tournament semifinal game with the winners squaring off Thursday night at the home field of the highest seeded team for the district tournament championship.
Tuesday night’s Comets-Franklin County match-up is expected to be dandy considering how closely the two teams played each other in their pair of regular-season games.
Halifax County downed Franklin County 4-0 on April 6 in Rocky Mount but had to struggle to pull off a come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Eagles when they played here on May 2.
The Comets will come into the game with momentum behind them. Halifax County won 10 of its last 12 games including five of its last six contests and comes into the game fresh off of a 9-5 win over E.C. Glass here this past Tuesday.
Franklin County ended the regular season tied for third place in the standings with E.C. Glass and lost the coin toss that determined third place in terms of the tournament seedings.
Comets coach Kelvin Davis says Franklin County is as dangerous a team as there is in the district and that the Eagles may be the “sleeper” team in this year’s Western Valley District Tournament.
With that in mind, Davis says his team will need to be prepared and focused entering tomorrow night’s game and not taking Franklin County lightly.
“We’re taking this as a big game,” Davis said.
“We know we’re in the Northwest Region Tournament. But, it’s a matter of first things first. It’s important that we win this first (district tournament) game. We want to get to the (district) championship game and have the opportunity to play for the district championship and the district’s number one seed in the regional tournament We definitely need a home-field advantage going into the regional tournament.”
Davis pointed out that the Comets’ two games against Franklin County this season have been tough contests.
“We beat them (Franklin County) up there 4-0 but it was a tough game throughout the game,” Davis pointed out.
“ At home, it was a comeback win for us. We’ve got our hands full. Franklin County has always been tough and we know that going in. They’re a well-coached team. We’ve got the home field advantage and that’s about it. It’s not going to come easy just because we’re at home.”
As far as his team is concerned, Davis says the Comets are in good shape heading into the district tournament.
“I think we’re right where we need to be,” Davis said.
“ I think we can be contenders with anybody right now. We’re healthy right now, nobody’s arm is hurt and we’re injury free. Hopefully, we can stay that way throughout the tournament.”
The Comets have stumbled defensively at times but Davis says he is confident in his team.
“You really don’t known what’s going to happen on any given night,” Davis pointed out.
“We hope the guys will make the plays behind our pitchers. It’s just something that you have to wait and see. These are high school guys and sometimes they’re “on” defensively and sometimes they’re not.
“In practice we’re really emphasizing defense and making plays behind our pitchers, no matter who is on the mound,” he added.
Davis says he has been looking for his team to really break out on offense at any time and thinks it can come at any time.
“I think it’s just a matter of time before we break loose,” he said.
“ I feel we have everything that we need to do it. It’s just a matter of them (the players) going out and displaying their abilities. If we can get some runs early, I feel like we’ll be okay.”