House/Senate Move Closer On Budget
Move Will Allow Conference Committee To Reconvene, Postpone Transportation Debate

The House of Delegates on Thursday rejected a budget plan the Senate approved two days ago, a benign procedural move that advances the budget to its final stages more than two months late.
The Senate dropped its demand Tuesday for tax increases to provide more than $1 billion a year for transportation, a condition the GOP anti-tax House leaders promised not to accept.
The Senate bill, which passed 24-8, included a one-time expenditure of $339 million for transportation — but there is a catch.
The money will be spent on roads and rail projects only if the General Assembly passes a statewide transportation plan that includes tax increases by Nov. 1. Otherwise, the money will go to the school construction fund and other capital projects.
While the move pleased the House, it voted 12-78 against the Senate revisions. That puts the budget before five senators and six delegates responsible for agreeing on a compromise.
House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) said that while the move is a step closer to finalizing a state budget before a July 1 shutdown of the government, there are still some fundamental differences that need to be worked out.
“Obviously, there are other areas of the budget where compromises will have to be reached. For example, we have previously expressed and continue to have concerns about the Senate’s desire to spend significantly more than either the House or the Governor on planning for expensive new capital projects, unnecessarily guaranteeing the creation of new ‘bills in the drawer’ that will only serve to increase the burden on the Commonwealth’s taxpayers in the years to come,” he said. “We also have concerns about spending priorities that increase the number of staffers in the General Assembly, as we believe current levels to be sufficient. Enforcing discipline in government spending is never easy, as the ability to use confiscatory powers can encourage fiscal excess.”
Halifax County Delegate Clarke Hogan agreed.
“I think today’s vote is a substantial step in the right direction, but there are still significant differences between the House and Senate positions,” he said. “I’m confident and hopeful that the conferees will be able to resolve their differences, but at least now both sides agree on the amount of money to be spent and we’re down to reaching an agreement on our priorities.”
The Senate and Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine had pressed for long-term, sustainable funding for backlogged transportation needs approaching $100 billion. The Senate yielded to a House that would not relent on its opposition to new taxes when it became clear that further delays risked ending the fiscal year June 30 unable to fund government.
A budget was due by the end of the regular legislative session March 11, but was held up by the debate over new money for new roads, rails and transit. It marked the third time in five years legislators were unable to finalize a budget on time.
The General Assembly has been in special session for 76 days, and a final compromise is now in the hands of the 11 negotiators.
The House and Senate hope to make another effort to settle the transportation issue this summer or in the fall, after the budget is enacted.
‘‘I am concerned whether we have enough reasonable people in here to make a transportation plan come alive,’’ said Del. Kenneth R. Melvin, D-Portsmouth. ‘‘Hampton Roads and northern Virginia are the engines of Virginia’s economy, and what you are doing in those areas is strangling jobs.’’
Del. John S. ‘‘Jack’’ Reid, R-Henrico, questioned the urgency to come up with a transportation package now. ‘‘I think it’s silly for us to stand up and react to this crisis and say we must do something immediately,’’ he said.
It would take five years to begin construction if the funding were made available now, he said.

 

Frizzell Named ‘Teacher Of The Year’
Halifax County Middle School eighth-grade science teacher Barbara Frizzell is the ‘best of the best’ for 2006.
She was named the 2006 Division Teacher of the Year Tuesday at the Teacher of the Year Banquet held at The Prizery.
Frizzell was chosen by a selection committee consisting of Linda Owen, Carolyn Young, Frosty Owens, Sue Bagley and Michelle Parker, at the school system’s central office after each school in the county named its teacher of the year.
The selection committee looked at nominations with the names eliminated and did not know which teacher they selected until the announcement was made.
On her application a peer recognized Frizzell as, “the most caring teacher I know.”
“She sets an example for classroom management and has an open-door policy which makes parents feel comfortable,” her peer said.
Frizzell won the title after being named the ‘Teacher of the Year’ for the middle school and was honored with 14 teachers of the year from other county schools.
The other teachers of the year are third-grade teacher Cathy Pendleton of C.H. Friend Elementary, second-grade teacher Marie Anderson of Clays Mill Elementary, hearing impaired teacher Cassandra Crump of Cluster Springs Elementary and Joanna Hughes of Halifax Elementary.
Also recognized were English teacher Mary Eanes of Halifax County High School, first-grade teacher Heather Minter of Meadville Elementary, primary gifted and talented teacher Mary Eleanor Priest of Project Idea, fourth-grade teacher Tiffany Moorefield of Scottsburg Elementary and sixth-grade teacher Glennyleen Terry of Sinai Elementary.
Selected from South of Dan Elementary was first-grade teacher Helen “Terri” Holt, third-grade teacher Marita Saunders was selected teacher of the year from Sydnor-Jennings Elementary and third-grade teacher Velma Tally was selected from Turbeville Elementary.
Also selected as teachers of the year were first-grade teacher Donna Elliott of Washington-Coleman Elementary and fifth-grade teacher Paige Powell was chosen at Wilson Memorial Elementary.
In accepting the award Frizzell, who has 33 years of teaching experience, said her work was a collaborative effort with her colleagues, parents and students.
School trustees in attendance took the opportunity to thank the teachers for the job they do.
Board Chairman Mac McDowell said sometimes the Board is accused of not saying “thank you” enough, but he told teachers the trustees do recognize and appreciate the job they do.
Trustee Steve Anderson said teachers have a tough job ranging from part-time EMT to corrections officer to mother, and knowing that the teachers of the year from around the county were selected by their peers made the award very special. He also recognized the teacher’s spouses for their support.
School Superintendent Paul Stapleton said these 15 teachers were the ‘best of the best’ for 2006 selected from over 600 teachers in the county’s school system.
“You teach today and touch tomorrow,” he said, noting that successful teachers share three common qualities, a love of children, professionalism and optimism for the future.
“We and the parents of Halifax County appreciate what you are doing for our children,” he added. “You are to a great extent shaping the future.”

Halifax Man Guilty Of Five Felonies
A 22-year-old Halifax man was convicted Wednesday in Halifax County Circuit Court of five felonies, three for drug-related offenses.
Judge Charles L. McCormick convicted Lawrence Edward Henderson of two separate counts of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, and one count of conspiring to distribute cocaine.
The court also convicted Henderson of making a false statement on a consent form in order to purchase a firearm and attempting to purchase a firearm after being convicted of a felony.
Judge McCormick continued sentencing for Henderson to later in the current court term.
Other Court Cases
• Michael Antwan Henderson, 19, of Halifax, was convicted Wednesday of two counts each of breaking and entering and grand larceny.
The court convicted Henderson of breaking and entering and grand larceny of Bad Boy Customz, the offense occurring on August 4, 2005, according to court records.
The court additionally convicted Henderson of breaking and entering the property of Malcolm Glass and the grand larceny of property from Malcolm Glass, those offenses occurring January 1.
Sentencing for Henderson was set for the September court term.
• Larry Dewan Easley, 21, of Halifax, entered Alford pleas Thursday to the unlawful wounding of Corey Maurice Chandler and the possession of marijuana.
Under terms of an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but realizes prosecution evidence would make a guilty finding at trial almost a certainty.
The Commonwealth nol prossed an additional charge against Easley during the trial, one for using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Easley is free on bond until sentencing set for the July court term.
• Ann Rose Caquias-Stokes, 55, of Halifax, entered an Alford plea Wednesday to conspiring to distribute a Schedule I/II controlled substance.
The court sentenced Caquias-Stokes to ten years in prison, with all time suspended, conditioned on Caquias-Stokes’ good behavior for ten years, and ordered her to be placed on probation for two years.
The court additionally ordered a restricted operator’s license for Caquias-Stokes.
• Gary Lamont Carrington, 31, of Halifax, was convicted Thursday of driving after being declared a habitual offender and possessing cocaine.
The court sentenced Carrington to five years in prison each for the two offenses, suspending all but one year in jail, conditioned on Carrington’s good behavior for five years.
The court ordered Carrington to be placed on probation for one year upon his release.
• Nelson Wayne Thompson, 54, of South Boston, pleaded no contest Thursday to possessing cocaine.
In exchange for Thompson’s plea, the Commonwealth agreed to nol pross an additional cocaine possession charge against Thompson and also agreed to the defendant’s eligibility for the First Offender Program.
The court found evidence sufficient to convict the defendant, but withheld its finding of guilt and continued the case for one year, ordering a restricted operator’s license for Thompson.
• Jennifer Lynn Glass, 30, of Scottsburg, was convicted Thursday of conspiring to distribute cocaine.
The Commonwealth nol prossed an additional charge against Glass during the trial, one for possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute.
A presentence report was waived, and the court sentenced Glass to five years in prison, with all but one year suspended, conditioned on her good behavior for five years.
The court additionally ordered Glass to be placed on probation for one year following her release.
• Robert Lee Hardy Jr., 31, of South Boston, pleaded guilty Thursday to a single merged count of grand larceny from Sprint.
In exchange for Hardy’s guilty plea, the Commonwealth agreed to nol pross six separate breaking and entering charges, with the defendant further agreeing to liability for full restitution in connection with all six original grand larceny charges.
The court remanded Hardy to custody following the trial to await sentencing in the July court term.
• Stacy Glenn Holt, 37, of Alton, had indictments charging him with possessing a firearm while possessing a Schedule I/II controlled substance and possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony nol prossed Thursday in Halifax County Circuit Court.
• Anthony Eugene Moore, 31, of Danville, was convicted Thursday of conspiring to distribute cocaine.
The court remanded Moore to custody to await sentencing in the July court term.
• Lester Nicole Moorefield, 32, of Halifax, was convicted Thursday of two separate probation violations.
Sentencing for Moorefield was continued to the July court term.
• Eric Lee Ross, 24, of South Boston, was convicted Thursday of five charges, including forgery of a public document, escaping custody and cocaine possession.
The court also convicted Ross of driving on a suspended operator’s license and marijuana possession, remanding the defendant to custody following the trial to await sentencing in the July court term.
• Michael Nelson Shelton, 20, of Nelson, was convicted Thursday of a first offense of DUI and a felony charge for eluding police.
Shelton is free on bond pending sentencing scheduled for the July court term.

Obituaries

Margaret Lucille Barksdale
Margaret Lucille Barksdale, 77, of 2169 Wilson Memorial Trail, Vernon Hill died May 23, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Ms. Barksdale was born in Halifax County on November 8, 1928, the daughter of the late Arthur Lee Barksdale and Emma Crews Barksdale. She was a member of New Vernon Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Mary Howerton of South Boston and Emma Barksdale of Vernon Hill; two sons, Eddie Barksdale of Victoria and Sammy Barksdale of Richmond; three sisters, Rosa Womack of Vernon Hill, Annie Chaney and Isabelle Williams, both of South Boston; one brother, James Barksdale of Vernon Hill; one daughter-in-law, Easter Barksdale; two sisters-in-law, Ida Barksdale and Lizzy Barksdale. Garland Howerton, son-in-law of Ms. Barksdale, also preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, May 27 at 11 a.m. at New Vernon Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Roger Ford officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel this evening, May 26, from 7 to 8.
Clyde Edward Delaware
Clyde Edward Delaware, 71, of Clover died May 23, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Delaware was born on April 30, 1935, in Halifax County to the late Ed Delaware and Sylvia Carden Delaware, and was married to Cindy Delaware. He was a member of St. Matthew Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Sarah D. Green and Cynthia L. Delaware, both of Clover; two stepchildren, Anne Delaware and Cornelius Delaware, both of Clover; one sister, Marie Sims of Clover; two brothers, Pete Delaware of N.C. and Charles Delaware of N.J.; his mother-in-law, Lorean Chestnut of Clover; six grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren.
Mr. Delaware was preceded in death by his first wife, Lillian Delaware; one son, Clyde Delaware Jr.; six brothers and four sisters.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, May 27, at 3 p.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church with the Rev. Mattie Carr officiating. Burial will follow in St. Matthew Baptist Church Cemetery.
Family and friends can view the remains at Crawford House Chapel in Halifax this evening from 7 to 8.
Brenda P. Jackson
Brenda P. Jackson, 57, of 1113 Birch-Elmo Road, South Boston died May 22, 2006, in M.C.V. Hospital in Richmond.
Born January 26, 1949, in Halifax County, she was the daughter of Louise Palmer and the late Henry H. Palmer and was married to Ray L. Jackson, who survives. Mrs. Jackson was a member of Mountain Grove Baptist Church, and a member of the Usher Board, Missionary, and pass president of the Deaconess Board.
In addition to her husband and mother, survivors include two sons, Corey R. Jackson and wife, Kimberly, of Alexandria, and Carlos D. Jackson of South Boston; two brothers, Jesse Palmer and wife, Rose, of Halifax, and Harold J. Palmer and wife, Alice, of Nathalie; two sisters, Joyce Medley and husband, James, of Scottsburg, and Joan Crews of South Boston; three grandchildren, Meanka and Makayla Jackson and Vincent Lewis Jr.; five sisters-in-law; and two brothers-in-law.
Dr. Arthur E. Crews will conduct funeral services for Mrs. Jackson tomorrow, May 27, at 1 p.m. at Mountain Grove Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Viewing will be this evening, May 26, from 4 until 7, at Howerton Funeral Home in Chatham, and from 11 a.m. tomorrow until time of service at the church.
The family is receiving friends at the home.
Pearl Baxley Taylor
Pearl Baxley Taylor, 86, of Scranton, S.C., widow of Robert Lee Taylor, died May 22, 2006, at her home.
Mrs. Taylor was born in Florence County, S.C., the daughter of the late John Bascom Baxley and Olivia Williams Baxley. She was formerly of South Boston, and was a member of Lake City First Pentecostal Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Margaret Geneva Taylor Ligon and her husband, Billy, of Scottsburg, Betty Ann T. Turner of Scranton, and Denise T. Mixon and husband, Gerald, of Cades, S.C.; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Mrs. Taylor was preceded in death by one son, R.L. Taylor.
Funeral services were held May 24, at Brockington Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Lake City Memorial Park.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Lake City First Pentecostal Church, P.O. Box 220, Lake City, S.C. 29560, or Carolinas Hospice, 121 East Cedar Street, Florence, S.C. 29501.
John Henry ‘Buck’ Watts
John Henry ‘Buck’ Watts of Charlottesville died May 23, 2006.
Born in Halifax County on November 11, 1931, he was the son of Rufus Owen and Martha Averett Watts. Mr. Watts worked for Centel, was an usher for University of Virginia games, and did volunteer work with a retired group.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret Crews Watts; one daughter, Cynthia Watts of Charlottesville; one son, Gerald Watts of Palmyra; one brother, Rufus O. Watts nad his wife, Wilma; two sisters, Janie W. Wiley and husband, Ronald, of Charlottesville and Maxine W. Lowery of Virgilina; and his mother-in-law, Irene Crews of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mr. Watts were held at 7 p.m. May 25, at Covenant Church in Charlottesville.
In South Boston, a funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. today, May 26, at South Boston Church of God. The family will receive friends at the church from 5:00 until 6:45.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow, May 27, at Halifax Memorial Gardens with Dr. Harold L. Bare Sr., pastor of Covenant Church, officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Covenant Church of God Building Fund, 1025 East Rio Road, Charlottesville, the American Cancer Society, or the charity of your choice.
Family and friends may sign the guest register book at www.teaguefuneralhome.com.

Comets Fall To GW In District Title Game
GW Downs The Comets 7-2; Comets Hit The Road Monday To Face Forest Park In Regionals
Halifax County High School’s hopes of cashing in on the Western Valley District Tournament championship unraveled early last night as GW took advantage of four Comets errors to score a 7-2 win over the Comets and capture the Western Valley District Tournament title.
Last night marked the second year in a row the Halifax County High School baseball team has fallen short in its bid to win the Western Valley District Tournament title.
While the Comets failed to win the district title, all was not lost as the Comets had already locked up a berth in next week’s Northwest Region Tournament by winning the regular season championship.
As a result of last night’s loss, the Comets will be the Western Valley District’s number two seed entering the Northwest Region Tournament and will go on the road Monday to face Cardinal District champion Forest Park in a 6 p.m. game in Woodbridge.
This marks the third year in a row and the fifth time in seven seasons that Halifax County High School’s baseball team has advanced into the Northwest Region Tournament.
While the Comets will get to renew their season again on Monday, last night’s loss was a bitter one for Comets coach Kelvin Davis to take.
Halifax County looked nothing like a championship caliber team last night as the series of errors allowed GW to cash in for four of its seven runs and obtain a lead that the Comets were never able to overcome.
“This is a tough loss for us,” said Davis.
“I’m very disappointed in our overall play.”
The defensive errors committed by the Comets came, for the most part, on routine plays.
“We’ve got to make those plays,” Davis pointed out.
“Those are routine plays that we make so much. We go over and over them in practice. They’ve just got to get between the lines and execute plays. We just didn’t do it. We just didn’t execute. I’m very disappointed. It was unbelievable.”
Not only did the Comets not get the job done defensively, they suffered on the offensive end as well. Halifax County had only three hits in the game, one each from Willie Stephens, Scott Gieselman and designated hitter Jeremy Jeffress.
Counting the trio of hits, the Comets hit only six ground balls during the seven-inning game with the rest being relatively easy fly ball for the GW defense to snare.
“I’m not taking anything away from the lefthander (left-handed sophomore hurler Matthew Hedrick) Scooter (GW coach Scooter Dunn) had out there, but we’ve got to put the ball in play. We’ve got to do a lot better than what we just displayed out here.”
GW took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when Zach Harrelson led off with a single and scored on a triple by Herbie Williams.
The Eagles added two more runs in the top of the third inning. John Gregory came up with an infield hit with one out and moved to second base when Comets pitcher Bobby Owens made a bad throw on a pick-off attempt.
Gregory moved to third base when Nevada Watlington hit a ground ball to third base and Comets third baseman Matt Conner threw to get the out at first base for the second out of the inning. A bad throw by Comets catcher Kaleb Long trying to nail a GW runner trying to steal a base allowed Gregory to score.
Designated hitter Rob Whitley walked and a hit from Harrelson plated Whitley to put GW up 3-0.
GW took advantage of three Comets errors and two hits to added three runs in the top of the fourth inning and advance its lead 6-0. The Eagles manufactured another run in the top of the fifth inning to go up 7-0.
Halifax County scored twice in the bottom of the fifth inning and could possibly have had more had it not been for as base running miscue.
David Lacks rapped a sharp single to the outfield but was tagged out at second base trying to stretch the single into a double. Owens and Swillie walked Owens scored when Stephens reached base on an error and Swillie scored when Matt Conner grounded out to the pitcher.
Halifax tried to ignite another rally in the bottom of the sixth inning when Jeffress singled with two out and Lacks reached on a walk. A pair of wild pitches by Hedrick allowed Jeffress and Lacks to reach second base and third base.
Dunn brought Whitley to mound to relieve Hedrick and, after giving up a walk to Owens to load the sacks, fanned Swillie to get the third out.
Whitley and Eagles set Halifax County down in order in the seventh inning to cap the win.
Dunn said the key to the win was getting on top early.
“We jumped on them early and got some key base hits,” he pointed out.
“We ran the bases extremely well.”
This was the rubber match between the two teams as they split their two regular-season contests. Ironically, the two teams took a game from each other on the road with Halifax County downing GW in Danville and GW taking measure of the Comets here almost two weeks ago.
“We play extremely well on this field,” Dunn said of Comets Field.
“We don’t play very well up there (at Dan Daniel Park) and Halifax plays extremely well up there. Was I disappointed that we had to come down here tonight? No.”
The key for the Comets now is to rebound, get turned around and get prepared for Monday’s Northwest Region game.
“This is tough on us,” noted Davis.
“I just hope the guys can get it together and get on another roll.”

 

Comets Softball Team Falls To Franklin County 8-3 In Tourney Title Game
Halifax Travels To Osbourn Park Monday For Regionals
The Comets varsity softball team fell one game short in its bid for a second straight Western Valley District Tourney title after an 8-3 loss here Thursday to Franklin County.
Halifax, which clinched a Northwest Regional Tournament berth last Friday with a 7-6 playoff win over these same Eagles for the regular season title, will travel Monday to Cedar Run District regular-season champion Osbourn Park High School for a 4 p.m. game as the district’s two seed.
Halifax finished with 11 hits, compared to nine for Franklin County, but the Comets weren’t as solid at the plate as they had been in previous games, according to coach Melanie Saunders.
That, and costly errors in a six-run sixth inning gave the Eagles the edge it needed.
“Franklin County is a solid team, and they hit throughout the lineup,” said Saunders.
“Their pitcher did a great job against us, and our timing was off at the plate,” she continued
“We didn’t come with the bats the way they did today, we were hitting but weren’t making solid contact. Their pitcher wasn’t setting us down, but we weren’t making contact the way we’re capable.
“It was a good call by their coach to pitch her today.”
Franklin County scored in only two innings against the Comets, but both outbursts proved crucial.
The Eagles got three consecutive hits, a single from Chezdan Baker, double from Amy Betterton and a two-run single from Ashlee Washburn against Comets starter Beth Throckmorton in its first at-bat.
Halifax tried to answer with a two-out double by Lashunda Davis in the bottom of the first and a leadoff single by Key Ferrell in its next at-bat, but the Comets didn’t break through until the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Davis hit a one-out single, stole second, went to third on a passed ball and scored on a RBI single by Betty Rose.
Rose stole second, but a fielder’s choice and groundout got Franklin County out of the inning.
A two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth tied the score, Mandy Watts reaching base on an error and Melissa Sims following with a double to put runners at second and third.
Heather Oakes beat out an infield hit to drive in one run, but another fielder’s choice stopped the rally.
Franklin County immediately bounced back in its next at-bat for the big six-run inning that proved to be the difference in the game.
A leadoff single from Jessica Searing, a Comets error on a bunt by Baker and a single by Betterton against Comets pitcher Jessie Morris loaded the bases with no outs.
A base hit by Washburn and Comets fielding error made it 4-2, a RBI single by Lindsey Thurman made it 5-2, the Comets throw back to the infield going awry to add another run.
Two hit batsmen and a RBI single by Jenny Law made it 7-2, and a force play at the plate stopped another Eagles run. Another Comets miscue made it 8-2, before another out at the plate ended the inning.
Halifax tried to respond in the bottom of the sixth inning, Ferrell and Jasmine Parker getting one-out singles and Shayna Oakes a two-out RBI single to make it 8-3.
A groundout ended that threat, and the Comets got consecutive one-out singles from Heather Oakes and Davis in the seventh, but a fielder’s choice and flyout ended the game.
Halifax made an uncharacteristic four errors for the game, three in the crucial top of the sixth inning, and the Comets never recovered, according to Saunders.
“Against a team like that (Franklin County), you can’t make errors with runners on,” began Saunders.
“They did a good job of hitting Beth early, we put Moo [Morris] in and we got back into the game.
“But, they responded like a good team ought to respond, and we took ourselves out of the ball game when we made the errors and could never get it back.
“They kept hitting and we didn’t.”
Throckmorton hurled the first inning for the Comets, with Morris coming on in the top of the second to pitch into the sixth inning.
Tracy Spencer came on for Morris with one out in the sixth and pitched the remainder of the contest.

Undefeated In Three Sports At Halifax County Middle School
Four Lions Achieve Perfection In Volleyball, Basketball, Softball
Perfection is an elusive and sometimes unattainable goal, particularly in sports, where one odd bounce of the ball at the wrong time can shatter the hopes and dreams of any athlete and team.
That holds true of sports at any level, from the sandlot to the major leagues, but four Halifax County Middle School athletes saw the ball bounce their way on more than one occasion this year.
Johanna Spencer and Jessie Bagbey, along with Jameshia and Jamilia Smith, enjoyed undefeated seasons in volleyball, basketball and softball at the middle school, the quartet helping coach Jennifer Trent’s volleyball squad to a 12-0 record last fall.
They followed that by helping coach James Smith’s basketball team to an 18-0 record last winter and completed the unbeaten run by playing on Smith’s 14-0 softball team this spring.
Add those figures and it comes to 44 wins, zero losses and three Southside Middle School Conference championships.
While each athlete had one favorite sport among the three, all four agreed that having a chance to play sports with their friends was an unforgettable experience this year.
Three of those friends, eighth-grader Brittany Cole and seventh-graders Dalyn Hall and Jill Trickey, joined the quartet in playing for two of the three undefeated teams, volleyball and softball.
“It was a great experience, I got a chance to play sports with my friends,” said Spencer, an eighth-grader who hinted she would try out for all three sports as a freshman at Halifax County High School.
Spencer, a two-year catcher for the Lions softball team, listed that sport as her favorite, while basketball was the hardest sport.
“I’ve played softball since I was five or six years old, so that’s my favorite, I’ve played basketball for awhile, and I started to play volleyball in the seventh grade,” said Spencer.
She added that while the Lions basketball and softball teams were dominant this year, volleyball was a different matter.
“We saw the most competition in volleyball, especially in the tournament, because other schools had good volleyball programs and solid coaching. We were kind of dominant in the other two sports.”
Bagbey, like Spencer an eighth-grader, agreed with her teammate that basketball was the hardest sport for her, while volleyball proved to be the most competitive.
“Basketball was hardest, because it’s not my best sport, but my teammates were all good players,” said Bagbey.
Bagbey, who has played baseball and softball since she was six years old, said she would try out for both softball and volleyball in high school.
Both added that they realize they have to step up their games to play at the high school level, but seventh-graders Jameshia and Jamilia Smith each have another year at the middle school to hone their skills.
“Being familiar with my teammates has helped us in all three sports,” said Jameshia Smith, who added she enjoyed volleyball more than the other two, simply because she had more fun during volleyball season.
Jamilia Smith said she liked basketball better than the other two sports, but agreed with her sister that familiarity with her teammates was a plus in going undefeated.
“My sister and I have played basketball since we were about five years old and softball since we were six,” said Jamilia Smith.
Jameshia and Jamilia Smith played organized volleyball for the first time this school year, and each of them has an idea of whether they can go undefeated in three sports again as eighth-graders.
The ever-confident Jamilia Smith responded with a definite “yeah,” while her sister hesitated for a couple of seconds before responding “maybe.”