Glassy-eyed and miserable, victims of a recent flu outbreak are easy to spot as they slouch in waiting- room chairs in doctors' offices and emergency rooms throughout the Commonwealth.
Halifax County is no exception, as local doctors confirm that dozens of people have been bitten by this nasty flu bug in the past two weeks.
Like the virus itself, the flu outbreak struck suddenly.
"It came on suddenly the week before last," said Dr. Rufus Gordon with Emergicare in South Boston. "I remember commenting before they started coming in that we really hadn't seen any flu cases this season. Then, that Friday I saw five or six patients, and when we opened Sunday afternoon we were overwhelmed with sick people."
Numerous victims of this recent influenza virus have been hit so severely by the symptoms that they have turned to the hospital for relief.
Halifax Regional Hospital personnel have noted a marked increase in the number of people they have seen in the emergency room, who are dragging from fatigue and suffering from body aches from their scalps to their toes.
"Halifax Regional is seeing an increase of flu-like symptoms in the emergency room. This time of year a lot of flu comes in," said Dr. Robert W. Ah. "Typical symptoms include, a fever, sore throat, fatigue, headache and a cough, like with the typical cold, but the symptoms are more severe - like the worst cold you've ever experienced."
In the case of the flu, the best offense is a good defense. Like Dr. Ah said, flu cases are common during this time of year because the weather keeps most people indoors in close proximity to each other, and flu is highly contagious.
Doctors and nurses recommend people wash their hands frequently to avoid flu germs, and get vaccinated.
"The vaccine is definitely showing its effectiveness. So far none of the patients I've seen with the flu had their flu shot," Gordon said. "I've been practicing over 30 years and I've taken the vaccine every year and never caught the flu."
According to Gordon, the flu vaccine takes two weeks to reach its full strength in the body.
"Even if you get vaccinated, you can still get the flu during the two weeks that follow. That's why so many people who get the flu shot think it gave them the flu. But that's not what happened; they just weren't immune yet," Gordon said. "The Centers for Disease Control says it takes two weeks to develop full immunity."
For those who do get sick, there is some good news, especially if they seek treatment within the first 48 hours after the onset of the first symptoms.
"If you think you have the flu, the best thing is to see your doctor within the first two days. There are various antiviral drugs that lessen the severity and arrest the progression of the illness, but they are recommended to be started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Otherwise, the only therapy available is symptomatic treatment," Ah said.
Early treatment is especially important for elderly people.
"Keep in mind underlying bacterial infections such as bacterial pneumonia and bronchitis. The elderly with multiple medical problems are particularly at risk," Ah said. "If they haven't been vaccinated in the fall and think they have the flu, they should seek medical advice within 48 hours."

The South Boston Town Council will announce who it has chosen to finish out former council member Corky Rorrer's term when it meets for the regular town meeting tonight.
For the past several months, council members have been working with a list of a dozen candidates to determine the best individual to take over for Rorrer, who was elected to the Halifax County Board of Supervisors during the November election.
Rorrer's two-year council term would have expired on June 30, 2000.
Rorrer also serves on the Southside Planning District Commission and as chairman of the South Boston Finance Committee, and council will announce appointments to these positions as well as replacements for long-term South Boston Planning Commission members Ann Crabtree and Levi Hamilton, whose terms ended on Dec. 31; a vacancy on the Board of Zoning Appeals due to the resignation of W.J. Henderson, whose term would have expired on Feb. 28, 2002; and a vacancy on the Southside Regional Partnership due to the resignation of Stewart Nelson, whose two-year term would have expired June 2000.
When the meeting opens at 7 p.m., council members will listen to public comment during two public hearings concerning a proposed expansion of the existing animal impoundment area near Camp #23 in the Sinai area, and a proposed vehicle repair business in Riverdale.
Last week, the South Boston Planning Commission unanimously voted in favor of granting a special use permit to Halifax County to expand the existing animal impoundment area near Camp 23 in the Sinai area, and also voted in favor of granting Tony Thomas a special use permit that would allow him to operate an auto and truck general-repair business in the general business district in Riverdale.

The Virginia Employment Commission is spearheading A Community Resource Fair here for former Tultex workers on Wednesday.
The Fair will be held at the National Guard Armory on Hamilton Blvd. in South Boston. There is no admission fee.
Since there are approximately 400 former Tultex employees in the South Boston area, VEC is splitting the Resource Fair into morning and evening sessions.
The first session, 9 a.m. to noon, is for those whose last names begin with the letters a through j, with the afternoon session for the l through z group. The second session is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m.
"The primary purpose is to provide them an overview of all the services that we have to assist them, and to answer questions that they may have," said Felecia McClenny, VEC's Rapid Response coordinator for Central Virginia.
McClenny urged all those attending the Community Resource Fair to be on time.
"The presentations will last about one hour," she explained, "and they will be held at the beginning of each session."
Following the presentations, those attending the Resource Fair may walk around the armory and talk with service providers at their respective tables.
Among those scheduled to make presentations during the session are: A+ Computer Education, Consumer Credit Counseling, Continuing Education Center, the Department of Social Services, the VEC, the South Central Private Industry Council, Halifax County Adult Career and Vocational Education representatives, the Mental Health Association of Halifax County, the National Business College, Southside Virginia Community College, The Salvation Army and United Way.
Some area employers will be present.
"We will also have information on transitional services that we have available for them," added McClenny.
"And we will also conduct a needs assessment with the group so that we can plan additional services in the future."
McClenny said that SVCC will present an independence training program. The program helps retrain primarily females with dependent children. "We will have specialists there to explain the program and to show them how to apply," she added.
Topic presentations will include: employment services for job seekers; unemployment insurance benefits; labor market information; and the trade program overview.
The South Central Private industry Council will discuss readjustment and retraining opportunities.
McClenny said that the VEC will present a packet of information for each one attending the Community Resources Fair.

By BOB LEWIS
and
LARRY O'DELL
Associated Press Writers
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - After more than a century of subservience to the Democrats, Republicans have complete control of Virginia's General Assembly.
How the GOP wields its newfound power, beginning Wednesday with the start of the 2000 legislative session, will determine how effectively the state spends your tax dollars, where it builds new roads, how much it pays its teachers and many other issues.
''Being the loyal opposition is a lot easier than governing,'' said S. Vance Wilkins Jr., who will become the first Republican speaker of the House of Delegates since 1883.
Last November's election gave the GOP its first majority ever in the House, finally wresting the unquestioned control of state government Democrats had enjoyed since the end of Reconstruction. It also gave Republican Gov. Jim Gilmore a friendly forum for his initiatives as he reaches the midpoint of his term.
But nothing is guaranteed, even between executive and legislative branches dominated by the same party.
The Republicans' working majority - three seats in the House, counting a conservative independent, and two in the Senate - is small enough that Democrats can exploit sometimes vast fissures between GOP conservatives and moderates and effectively foil the dearest designs of the Republican right.
''If you have enough for a majority, you have enough to have factions,'' Wilkins said. ''We have people who feel very strongly about things who are not going to change their core beliefs, and they shouldn't.''
The chief issue before the assembly will be the budget, the state's master taxing and spending blueprint for the next two years. Other prominent issues are likely to be transportation, education and a proposal to require a 24-hour waiting period for having abortions.
The issues at a glance:

Transportation
Gridlocked roads and interstates, especially in the burgeoning northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, has reached political critical mass. Last summer, Republican legislative candidates in the region chastised their own governor, alleging he had done too little to fix the problem.
The issue is likely to heat up again. Gilmore quelled his party's unrest last year by proposing a $2.5 billion transportation plan, funded by a combination of state general fund money, federal funds and Virginia's share of the 1998 settlement from the lawsuit against tobacco companies.
Democrats say Gilmore's proposal falls far short of the amounts needed for so vast a roadbuilding and renovation project. Del. Kenneth Plum of Fairfax, also the state Democratic Party chairman, said northern Virginia needs at least $30 million over the next 20 years to fix the problem.
And some legislators want more of the settlement money earmarked for health care and anti-smoking programs, while others want more spent to help tobacco-farming regions of the state.
''I have real reservations,'' said Del. Clifton A. ''Chip'' Woodrum, D-Norfolk. ''There's no nexus between tobacco and transportation.''

Abortion
Legislation to require a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking abortions is expected to get another hearing, and it's likely to be among the most emotional issues of the session.
Similar bills have been defeated several times in recent years, but this year things are different. Sen. Jane Woods, a moderate Republican from Fairfax and an abortion rights supporter, had chaired the Senate committee through which abortion legislation must pass. Ms. Woods lost her re-election bid last fall, and the new chair is likely to be more conservative.
Gilmore supports the waiting period.
Another proposal likely to reappear would require abortion clinics to meet the same strict standards as hospitals on such matters as the size of operating rooms and the width of hallways. Abortion providers say such restrictions would put most clinics out of business.

Education
Some lawmakers already have said they will push for raises for public school teachers, who got no additional money from the state in Gilmore's proposed budget.
Gilmore wants the legislature to lift a requirement that schools use half of their money from the state lottery on construction or technology. He was rebuffed last year in his attempt to send all the lottery money to schools to use as they wish.
The governor also has proposed hiring more teachers, expanding a reading program for young children and implementing a program to help students meet tougher new math standards.
The conservative Family Foundation expects to push for a tax credit for parents who send their children to private schools.

Helping Localities
There is growing sentiment among legislators for sharing the state's prosperity with local governments, which rely mostly on stagant real estate taxes for revenue.
One legislator has proposed sending 2 percent of the state budget to localities, and another wants to give them 5 percent of the state income tax. Other proposals could emerge, including changing the state's public school funding formula - the chief source of state aid to local governments.

Health
Among the likely health-related issues are increasing the state's Medicaid reimbursement to nursing homes, legalizing the practice of midwifery by people other than licensed nurses and allowing Virginians to sue health maintenance organizations over treatment decisions that lead to injury or death.

The Budget
Virginia has been a major beneficiary of the nation's booming economy, producing record tax revenues and leaving legislators fighting over where and how to spend the $3.4 billion surplus.
Gilmore has submitted a proposed budget totaling $48.1 billion to fund state operations through fiscal years 2001 and 2002. Because of the good times, it provides money to continue tax-slashing measures enacted during the past two years, including Gilmore's trademark car-tax cuts.
But even with his own party in control, the governor won't get everything he wants.
''The executive branch is going to have to appreciate that not every dollar can be appropriated through the governor's office,'' said Sen. Thomas K. Norment, R-Williamsburg.

FARMVILLE, Va. (AP) - Virginia Rep. Virgil Goode, D-5th, invited the speaker to a key Democratic fund-raising dinner in his home district, then failed to attend the dinner himself.
Friday night's Jefferson Jackson Day dinner is ''the premier fund-raising event for the year for this (5th District)  committee,'' executive director of the Virginia Democratic Party  Craig Bieber said, and Goode's failure to appear only fueled the firestorm of speculation about his plans.
Will he remain a Democrat, bolt the party for the GOP or run as an independent?
In a battle that has raged for more than a year, or since Goode angered voters in his rural southside district by joining four other House Democrats in voting to impeach President Clinton, signs of tension between Goode and his party are everywhere, but no answers are forthcoming.
Goode could not be reached Sunday for comment on his affiliation attentions.
The dinner was considered special because the speaker was Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, known for his work in the civil rights movement. Lewis came to Farmville in part because Goode wrote encouraging him to attend, 5th District Democratic Chairman Carl Eggleston said.
Eggleston said he was disappointed that Goode didn't show, adding that it was his understanding that Goode had another dinner engagement. Others were less sympathetic and questioned whether the two-term congressman would have been warmly received at the dinner.
But State Sen. Emily Couric, D-Charlottesville, said she thinks the 150 or so party activists in attendance would have welcomed him, even if they don't approve of his independent streak.
''Even those that question his past votes would have liked to see him,'' she said.
Goode also failed to attend last year's dinner after district Democrats angered by his voting record broke a 20-year tradition and did not invite him to co-host a reception there. Eggleston said then that Goode had voted 74 percent of the time against Clinton and his programs.
The sides appeared intent on patching things up last April, but four days before the meeting, Goode again angered party members by speaking to a local Republican group. And last month, he attended a fund-raiser for Republican George Allen, the popular former governor who is running against incumbent Chuck Robb in one the nation's marquee Senate races in 2000.
Goode has said in the past that he will announce his party affiliation decision after New Year's Day, but so far he hasn't told Democrats - or anyone else, apparently - what he intends to do.
Lewis, meanwhile, used part of his talk to urge party members to get back together.
''Virgil is needed. We need him as a part of the majority,'' Lewis said, noting that Democrats need only five congressional seats to retake control of the House of Representatives.
''The rain may be on the house of the 5th District, but we must not leave the house,'' he said, comparing the dispute to a storm. ''Stay in this state, stay in this house, stay in this party.''

Members of the Staunton River PCB Advisory Committee will hold a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. in the William Campbell High School auditorium.
The public is invited to attend this meeting to hear reports which will be presented by representatives from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Department of Health, Environmental Protection Agency and BGF Industries of Altavista.
In December, DEQ officials notified BGF Plant Manager Herman P. Rogers Jr. that "BGF must immediately stop any discharge of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) from the facility."
BGF also was instructed to immediately implement control measures to prevent the release or migration of PCBs to state waters, the letter stated.
BGF also was asked "to take prompt action to characterize fully the nature and extent of contamination at the facility and any off-site impacts. BGF must completely remediate the facility consistent with federal and state requirements," the letter stated.
Shortly after the letter was written, DEQ Director of Public Affairs Bill Hayden said, "This is the first significant source that we have found but is probably one of several sources of PCB contamination."
DEQ still has several dozen possible sites "to look at along the river," according to the DEQ spokesman.
"So we do not consider this the conclusion. This is the first major source, and there may be others," he added.
Earlier this month, BGF began measures to stop the flow of PCBs from the Altavista plant site to the Staunton River.
Plant Manager Rogers said BGF is acting quickly to comply with the DEQ mandate.
The January 18 meeting of the Staunton River PCB Citizens Advisory Committee at WCHS will be the first meeting of the committee since the Altavista site was identified.
"This meeting will be an opportunity for the public to hear all reports first hand," said Shelton Miles, chairman of the Advisory Committee.
The Staunton River Citizens Advisory Committee was formed in the fall of 1998 to advise the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on water quality in the river basin.
Problems involving PCBs and other agents which have been found in the river system generated concern in the region and resulted in Del. W. W. "Ted" Bennett and Sen. Charles Hawkins requesting individuals to serve on the committee.
Appointed members of the Staunton River Advisory Committee include:
·Kenneth Brown of Forest representing Bassmasters;
·Mayor J. R. Burgess of Altavista;
·W.C. Daniel of Hurt;
·J.T. Davis of Nathalie representing Friends of the Staunton River;
·Jack Dunavant of Halifax representing Southside Concerned Citizens;
·Watt Foster of Brookneal representing the Brookneal Sportsman's Club;
·John Ghoston of Brookneal;
·Jim Hamlette of Gladys representing the Long Island Ruritan Club;
·David Lilly, Town Manager of Gretna;
·Shelton Miles of Long Island, executive board of the Citizens for Preservation of Staunton River;
·Susan Mullins of Long Island, chairman of Southside Soil and Water Conservation District;
·Cole Poindexter of Altavista;
·Juanita Poindexter of Rustburg representing the Staunton River Watch Citizens Group;
·Doug Powell, trustee and board member of the Historic Staunton River Foundation;
·Dale Rutledge of Brookneal; and
·Tom Stutts, chairman of the Staunton River Scenic Advisory Committee.
The committee was formed in the fall of 1998 after the Virginia Department of Health issued an advisory cautioning that certain species of fish taken from a 50-mile stretch of the Staunton River running through Campbell, Charlotte and Halifax Counties may contain PCBs.
Advisory signs cautioning against long-term consumption of fish were posted along the river.
Last month, the health department issued a warning expanding the advisory upstream to include 29 additional miles, including Altavista to the Leesville Dam.
In addition to the advisory, the department advised people not to eat more than two 8-ounce portions of fish from the 79-mile section of the river.
The 79-mile section now extends from Leesville Dam above Altavista downstream to Clover at the point where a pipeline intersects Route 803 in Halifax County and where Route 633 in Charlotte County crosses the Staunton River, which is approximately 5.4 miles below the Route 360 bridge.
Formerly the advisory had begun at Seneca Creek at Route 704 near Long Island.
Advisory signs currently are posted along the river from Long island to the Clover area and are being posted along the 29 additional miles from Long island upstream to Leesville Dam.
Fish species include smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, striped bass, white bass and carp.
Pregnant women and children are advised not to eat any of these fish.
Chairman Miles said the PCB Advisory Committee began last spring pushing for the state DEQ to focus state resources and energies on finding the source of PCB contamination in the Staunton River.
PCBs arc a group of man-made industrial chemicals that exist as a mixture and may contain up to 209 individual compounds.
Since 1977, PCBs have not been produced in the United States, but they are still found in the environment.
PCBs were once widely used as coolant and lubricants in transformers, capacitors and other electrical equipment.Although the discovery that BGF Industries in Altavista as a source point for PCBs in the Staunton River is a primary PCB Advisory Committee focus, committee members living in Halifax County share new concerns about the Dan River.
"I am sure it is going to be a subject of discussion," said PCB Advisory Committee member Tom Stutts yesterday.
DEQ issued a health advisory last month cautioning people to limit their consumption of flathead and channel catfish taken from a 42-mile stretch of the Dan River from the Kerr Reservoir at Staunton River State Park to southwestern Halifax County where the river crosses into North Carolina.
The source of the contamination has not been identified.
Of fish collected at South Boston, both flathead and channel catfish were determined to have levels of PCB contamination above 600 parts per billion (ppb), the Health Department's level of concern for potential human health effects.
Health Department officials said that samples of flathead catfish had PCB levels ranging from 271 ppb to 2,689 ppb, while channel catfish samples were found to range from 52 ppb to 648 ppb.
One Staunton River PCB Advisory Committee member said yesterday that he is concerned about the Dan River.
"It's time DEQ did its job and found out the source instead of dragging its feet. The bureaucracy is famous for dragging its feet unless people put the pressure on," said Staunton River PCB Advisory Committee member S.J. "Jack" Dunavant.

Wins and losses are not always measured by the numbers on the scoreboard.
The Halifax County High School Blue Comets were not winners on the scoreboard when it came to Friday night's 78-53 loss to basketball giant Mt. Zion Christian Academy.
But, they were winners with respect to coach Garrett Dillard's week-long emphasis that the Comets play well, win or lose.
With Comets guard Fred Price springing for a game high 24 points that included five three-point baskets and William Jennings scoring 17 points to lead the way, the Comets staged what arguably was their best overall performance of the season.
Halifax County's defense was as spirited and tenacious as had been seen in any other game played this season. And, offensively, the Comets executed well in the face of the bigger, quicker Mt. Zion Warriors.
The performance was good enough to earn the praise of both Dillard and Mt. Zion coach Joel Hopkins Sr.
"I thought we played one of our best games," remarked Dillard after his team's slipped to 5-4 on the season.
"The guys were upbeat after the game. We were real patient on offense. We shot well. We executed well. We worked real hard on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. We never gave up."
"I've got to give credit to Halifax County," said Hopkins whose team ran its record to 15-1 with the win.
"I really think their coach is doing a good job with them. I think Halifax County has a good ball team here. I think this game will help them a lot. They're going to benefit a lot."
Price, who spearheaded the Comets' offense, drew rave reviews.
"That was the best game from any player I've seen since I've been coaching here," Dillard said of Price's performance.
"He shot the ball well. He played intense defense. He did everything we needed him to do."
Even the Mt. Zion coach noted Price's performance.
"I don't know who that number 30 is," Hopkins said.
"But, he's a great player."
The 17 point performance for Jennings was a turnaround from what had been a couple of sub-par performances. Jennings did a little bit of everything, hitting a three pointer, getting a slam dunk, and hitting several key shots in the paint.
"He played well," Dillard pointed out.
"He knew he was going to have to come around. He stepped up his game."
A couple of other Comets players stepped up their games as well. Cardell Mosley and William Haugh, the two tallest players on the Comets' team, had their hands full trying to handle the bigger, quicker Mt. Zion back line. Even though Mosley and Haugh scored only two points between them, Dillard praised their play.
"He can play," Dillard said of Mosley who scored one basket, that on a nice move in the paint.
"We just need him to become more consistent."
Haugh scrapped with the Mt. Zion defenders inside the paint, played good defense, and snared a couple of rebounds.
"He got in there and got physical with them," Dillard noted.
"I thought he did a good job."
A large, enthusiastic crowd saw what was the most entertaining game of the season. There were 10 three-point field goals in the game with the Comets hitting six of them. Price connected on five of the six for the Comets with Jennings hitting the other.
Five slam dunks were hammered home in the game with Mt. Zion getting four of them and Jennings hitting the other. A couple more attempted dunks from Mt. Zion missed the mark.
Eventhough the Comets tried their best, they just could not stay with the physically bigger, quicker, and more experienced Mt. Zion team.
Mt. Zion's trio of high school All-Americans, Jonathan Hargett, Antonio Hargrove, and Harvey Thomas, lived up to their billings with Hargrove and Hargett both posting 19 points and Thomas chipping in nine points while displaying a tough defensive effort. Another Mt. Zion starter, Jack Jarrett, hit double figures with 13 points.
"They were everything we thought they'd be." Dillard said of Mt. Zion.
"They are a quality ball team. But, I thought we played pretty well."
The game started out suspiciously enough for the Comets as they missed their first three shots of the game. Mt. Zion, however, hit three baskets in the first 1:09 of the game, back-to-back three-pointers by Jarrett and Hargett and a slam dunk from Jeron McCiskell, to go up 8-0.
Jennings got the first score for the Comets with 6:23 left in the opening period to make it 8-2. Then, Halifax launched a brief run at the Warriors as Price and Jennings hit back-to-back baskets to pull the Comets to within four points at 10-6.
But, the Warriors answered with three consecutive baskets, two of them by Hargett including a three-pointer, and pulled away to a 17-6 lead.
Price hit a three-pointer with 2:51 left to bring the Comets back to within nine points but Mt. Zion finished the quarter holding a 22-9 lead.
Jennings opened the second stanza with a basket that put the Comets within 11 point. Mt. Zion scored to up the lead to 24-11.
The Warriors went to a zone defense and the Comets tried to attack the zone by going inside. Halifax County had five shots at the goal in the ensuing possession but missed them all. Two of the shots, one by Dunkley and one by Mosley, were blocked.
From there, Mt. Zion ran up a 27-11 lead before Price scored on a third shot off of an offensive rebound with 4:18 left in the half. Jennings came through with a slam dunk a few seconds later to make it 27-15. And, Mosley capped a 6-0 Comet run with an eight-footer in the paint to bring the Comets back to within 10 points at 27-17 with three minutes left in the half.
The Comets scored only one basket in the final three minutes of the half and Mt. Zion came away with a 33-19 lead.
The visitors basically put the game away with an 8-0 run in the first two and a half minutes of the third period. That run put the Warriors up 41-19.
"We felt like we were still in the ball game at the half," Dillard said.
"They (Mt. Zion) picked it up in the second half. They realized we weren't as bad a team as maybe they thought we were. And, we made a few turnovers to start off the (second) half and let them get the jump on us."
Halifax County scored its first basket of the third period when Price hit a three-pointer with 5:11 left in the quarter to make the score 41-22. The Comets later mounted a 6-0 run of their own with Price starting it with his second three-pointer of the quarter and Jennings following it with two baskets. That sequence allowed the Comets to pull to within 16 points at 45-29.
But, Mt. Zion had the last run, scoring eight unanswered points in the final 1:54 to take a 53-29 lead at the end of the third period.
The Warriors ran their lead to as high as 30 points with 2:46 left in the game only to see the Comets get two buckets from Jennings, one a three-pointer, and a pair of free throws from Jameen Jackson down the stretch to make the final score a more respectable 78-53.

MT. ZION
NAME FG FT F TP
Hargett 7 3-5 3 19
Salley 4 0-1 0 8
Jarrett 6 0-0 0 13
Hargrove 8 2-3 1 19
Thomas 4 1-1 3 9
Hammonds 3 0-0 2 6
Barnwell 0 0-0 0 0
McCiskell 0 0-0 1 0
Christian 2 0-0 0 4
Totals 34 6-10 10 78
HALIFAX COUNTY
NAME FG FT F TP
Roach 2 0-0 0 4
MIlam 0 0-0 0 0
Williams 0 0-0 0 0
Baird 0 0-0 0 0
Jackson 1 2-2 0 4
Jennings 8 0-0 4 17
Whitlock 0 0-0 0 0
Bradley 0 0-0 0 0
Price 8 3-5 4 24
Garland 0 0-0 0 0
Dunkley 1 0-0 1 2
Ballou 0 0-0 0 0
Reynolds 0 0-0 0 0
Mosley 1 0-0 2 2
Haugh 0 0-0 0 0
Totals 21 5-7 11 53
Three Point Field Goals: Price (HC) 5, Jennings (HC) 1, Hargett (MZ) 2, Hargrove (MZ) 1.

Mt. Zion 22 11 20 25-78
Halifax Co. 9 10 10 24-53

Halifax County High School's wrestlers were in big need of a shot in the arm entering Saturday's Suffolk Duals at Lakeland High School.
And, they got it.
Winning three of their four dual matches, the Comets finished third in the tournament in what was their best outing of the season.
The trio of victories that included a win in the consolation finals upped the Comets' record to 4-7 for the season.
That slate easily betters the 1-18 record the team posted in dual matches last season and puts them at the brink of tying and bettering their 1997-98 season record of five wins.
"We're on a roll now and we just have to work hard to keep it going," said Comets coach Brady Taylor.
"We left Halifax at 5 a.m. and had to travel three hours. The guys decided that it was too long of a trip to come home empty-handed."
The three wins were big for the Comets who had suffered a disappointing 55-24 loss to Albemarle here Thursday night in their Western District opener.
That loss had dropped the Comets to 1-6, putting them on the brink of a another disappointing season.
The Comets opened the tournament with a 45-33 opening round loss to Smithfield High School.
But, they rebounded to defeat Nansemond River 51-24 in the first round consolations to advance to the consolation semi-finals.
There, the Comets pulled out a close 42-39 win over Hampton. That victory put the Comets in the consolation finals where they defeated host Lakeland High School 41-35.
Two members of the Comets team, 152-pounder Brian Hall and 275-pounder Kevin Smith had a perfect day with four wins.
Several others including 119-pounder Nick Wilson, 125-pounder Chris Emory, 130-pounder Michael Neff, 135-pounder Jason Long, 145-pounder Jacob Jennings, and 215-pounder Alex Haynie picked up three wins.
Each of the Comets wrestlers that participated in the tournament picked up at least one win.
The second round contest against Nansemond River was, perhaps, the biggest contest of the day for the Comets because it was a contest in which they rebounded from a loss.
"The loss (to Smithfield) wasn't all that bad," Taylor pointed out, "because I think it served as a wake-up call. The guys really looked great the rest of the day.
"We came out a little sluggish after the long ride down there," added Taylor.
"I would have liked to have wrestled Smithfield later in the day because I believe we would have done a better job."
Against Nansemond River, the Comets looked like an entirely different team from the one that competed against Smithfield.
Halifax County got several wins in the middle weights and got wins from the three heavyweights to close out the contest.
"This was a big win for us," Taylor pointed out.
"After the Smithfield match I kind of challenged them to wrestle with some intensity and they responded. I think it helped set the tone for the rest of the day. We beat Nansemond River last year and I think that gave us some confidence going in."
Taylor pointed to solid performances from Emory, Long, Hall, and Smith as helping key the win.
"Jacob (Jennings) pulled out a close one," noted Taylor, "and David Adams looked like a man on a mission. We really showed a lot of heart."
The Comets' match against Hampton in the consolation semi-finals was their toughest of the day and they managed to win the close one.
As circumstances fell, the contest rested in Smith's hands. And, he responded with a win.
"The match came down to Kevin and he did what he had to do," Taylor said.
"Kevin is really doing a great job for us at 275. Moving Vaughan up to 112-pounds also proved to be beneficial. Long, Jennings, and Hall all had great matches and Terrence Bowman looked tough in his match, too."
The consolation title contest was a close one as well with Smith coming through with a big win for the second time in a row.
"It was another close one that again came down to Kevin and again, he pulled us through," Taylor noted.
"We got wins when we needed them and things fell into place for us."
While Smith's win was big, there was another crucial contest, that being Long's bout in the 140-pound weight class.
"I think the key match was at 140 when Jason talked me into bumping him up," Taylor remarked.
"Jason was confident he could get it done and did.
"The core or our lineup did a great job," continued Taylor.
"Wilson, Emory, and Long got pins that turned out to be huge and Michael Neff's major decision played a big part in giving Kevin the chance to win it for us."
The other participating schools in the tournament included Arcadia, Churchland, and Green Run.
Smithfield wrestled Green Run in the championship finals.
SMITHFIELD 45 HALIFAX CO. 33
103 - Townsend (S) pinned AAron Vaughan (HC) 1:38.
112 - Summit (S) won by forfeit.
119 - Tilman (S) pinned Nick Wilson (HC) 3:06.
125 - Chris Emory (HC) won by forfeit.
130 - Michael Neff (HC) dec. Rugin (S) 7-3.
135 - Little (S) dec. Jason Long (HC) 11-8.
140 - Waters (S) won by forfeit.
145 - Jacob Jennings (HC) won by forfeit.
152 - Brian Hall (HC) pinned Wellons (S) 3:20.
160 - Neely (S) won by forfeit.
171 - Gies (S) pinned Barrett Thompson (HC) 1:24.
189 - Goodman (S) pinned David Adams (HC) 5:02.
215 - Alex Haynie (HC) won by forfeit.
275 - Kevin Smith (HC) pinned Palms (S) 47 Sec.
FIRST ROUND CONSOLATION
HALIFAX CO. 51 NANSEMOND RIVER 24
103 - Schimming (NR) pinned Aaron Vaughan (HC) 1:25.
112 - Double Forfeit.
119 - Nick Wilson (HC) won by forfeit.
125 - Chris Emory (HC) pinned Currence (NR) 3:45.
130 - Michael neff (HC) won by forfeit.
135 - Jason Long (HC) pinned Garbo (NR) 2:48.
140 - Jennings (NR) won by forfeit.
145 - Jacob Jennings (HC) dec. Pierce (NR) 9-8.
152 - Brian Hall (HC) pinned McDonnell (NR) 2:46.
160 - Bland (NR) won by forfeit.
171 - Thompson (NR) pinned Barrett Thompson (HC) 1:43.
189 - David Adams (HC) pinned Bailey (NR) 48 sec.
215 - Alex Haynie (HC) won by forfeit.
275 - Kevin Smith (HC) pinned Williams (NR) 2:53.
CONSOLATION SEMI-FINALS
HALIFAX CO. 42 HAMPTON 39
103 - Ramone (H) won by forfeit.
112 - Aaron Vaughan (HC) won by forfeit.
119 - Nick Wilson (HC) won by forfeit.
125 - Salarin (H) pinned Chris Emory (HC) 5:03.
130 - Rofers (H) dec. Michael Neff (HC) 15-12.
135 - Jason Long (HC) pinned Cannie (H) 2:52.
140 - Vance (H) won by forfeit.
145 - Jacob Jennings (HC) pinned Henderson (H) 2:46.
152 - Brian Hall (HC) pinned Matthews (H) 3:29.
160 - Redwood (H) won by forfeit.
171 - Terrence Bowman (HC) pinned Henderson (H) 4:20.
189 - Green (H) pinned David Adams (HC) 4:33.
215 - Robinson (H) pinned Alex Haynie (HC) 3:36.
275 - Kevin Smith (HC) pinned Perry (H) 3:56.
CONSOLATION FINALS
HALIFAX CO. 41 LAKELAND 35
103 - T. Hemperly (L) pinned Aaron Vaughan (HC) 51 Sec.
112 - K. Hemperly (L) won by forfeit.
119 - Nick Wilson (HC) pinned Howell (L) 3:30.
125 - Chris Emory (HC) pinned Williams (L) 2:55.
130 - Michael Neff (HC) maj. dec. Young (L) 10-2.
135 - Double Forfeit.
140 - Jason Long (HC) pinned Goodwin (L) 16 Sec.
145 - Lewis (L) maj. dec. Jacob Jennings (HC) 17-3.
152 - Brian Hall (HC) won by forfeit.
160 - Epps (L) won by forfeit.
171 - Gilberston (L) pinned Terrence Bowman (HC) 3:37.
189 - Clements (L) pinned David Adams (HC) 3:49.
215 - Alex Haynie (HC) won by forfeit.
275 - Kevin Smith (HC) pinned Clements (L) 43 Sec.

An opportunity for the Halifax County High School wrestlers to get an early jump in the Western District title race went by the wayside Thursday night.
The Comets lost to rival Albemarle 55-24 in front of an enthusiastic crowd that greeted them for their home opener.
"They (Albemarle) wanted it more than us," Comets coach Brady Taylor said after his team lost its Western District opener and saw its dual match record slip to 1-6 for the season.
"They (Albemarle) came out thinking 'we want this' and they took it to us. They outwrestled us."
Halifax County won only three of the 11 contested matches and four in all.
Nick Wilson won the 119-pound weight class by pinning the Patriots' Nate Prum in 4:58, Brian Hall won the 152-pound weight class by pinning Albemarle's Nate Newman in 5:47, and the Comets' 275-pounder, Kevin Smith, pinned the Patriots' David Price in 1:42.
"We had good performances from those people," Taylor remarked.
Mike Neff also got a win for the Comets in the 130-pound weight class, that coming via a forfeit.
A big key for the Comets' success rested in the middle weights. Wins through the heart of the middle weight classes were what Taylor had pointed to earlier in the week as being critical to his team's chances of winning the match.
But, the Comets won only two of the seven middle weight classes. Three of the losses came in the final 30 seconds of the match.
Charlie Hall, competing in the 140-pound weight class, was pinned with just 30 seconds remaining in his contest. He had led early in his match and was trailing by just a couple of points when he was pinned by Devon Mullinex.
Jacob Jennings was well within striking distance of a win points-wise in his contest in the 145-pound weight class. But, the Patriots' Jack Riggins pinned him with 29 seconds left in the contest.
A similar fate befell Brian Hall in the 152-pound weight class. Hall was leading on points but was pinned by Nate Newman with 13 seconds left in his contest.
The Comets sustained another tough loss in the 135-pound weight class when Jason Long suffered a close 13-12 loss to the Patriots' Craig Rasmussen.
"We had a few opportunities but just take advantage of them," Taylor pointed out.
"Jason Long wrestled a good match. That was a tough one to lose. If he (Long) wrestles the guy again tomorrow, he wins. Charlie Hall was taking it to his man. But, he had the flu and just simply ran out of gas."
The overall trend, Taylor said, was that his team wrestled well for awhile but didn't hang on at the end.
"We didn't wrestle the full six minutes," Taylor said.
"We had a lot of wrestlers that wrestled hard for two, three, or four minutes but not the last couple of minutes."
Also not helping matters was the fact that the Comets had to forfeit two weight classes. That put the Comets at a 12 point deficit before the match started.
The outcome of the match left Taylor shaking his head.
"It's hard to understand," he said.
"We had three of the best practices we've had all year," added assistant coach Carl Samford.
The loss also left Taylor with the impression that he had done the wrong thing by giving his wrestlers the entire Christmas and New Year's holidays off from practice.
"I think gthe long break hurt us," Taylor said.
"That was a gamble I took. I told the boys it was my fault. I'll give them a few days off next Christmas. But, we will practice and work over the holidays."
The Comets had a good opportunity to help themselves in the regular season district title race in that two of their three regular season dual matches are at home. Thursday night's contest against Albemarle was the first. A contest here against E.C. Glass later this month will be the Comets' second of the district contests.
"We've got our work cut out for us," Taylor acknowledged.
"The good thing is the dual matches don't mean anything with regards to the district championship. Now, I guess we make the district tournament our monitor."
ALBEMARLE 55 HALIFAX CO. 24
103 - Dhiron Patel (A) pinned Aaron Vaughan (HC) 20 Sec.
112 - Chitan Bhatt (A) won by forfeit.
119 - Nick Wilson (HC) pinned Nate Prum (A) 4:58.
125- James Hunter (A) pinned Chris Emory (HC) 4:35.
130 - Michael Neff (HC) won by forfeit.
135 - Jason Long (HC) dec. Craig Rasmussen (A) 13-12.
140 - Devon Mullinex (A) pinned Charlie Hall (HC) 5:30.
145 - Jack Riggins (A) pinned Jacob Jennings (HC) 5:31.
152 - Brian Hall (HC) pinned Nate Newman (A) 5:47.
160 - Rebecca Flore (A) won by forfeit.
171 - John Marchi (A) pinned Barrett Thompson (HC) 1:01.
189 - Omar Mussa (A) maj. dec. David Adams (HC) 16-3.
215 - Chris Porterfield (A) pinned Alex Haynie (HC) 1:19.
275 - Kevin Smith (HC) pinned David Price (A) 1:42.
EXHIBITION
130 - Danny Drumheller (A) pinned Michael Neff (HC) 4:40.
171 - Gilmar (A) pinned Terrence Bowman (HC) 1:38.

John Payne Thrift Sr., age 80, of 1209 North Main Str., South Boston, died January 7, 2000 at his home.
Mr. Thrift was born in Brandy Station on March 25, 1919, the son of Douglas Bocock Thrift and Crimora Payne Thrift. He was a graduate of Virginia Military Institute, an Army veteran of WWII and retired from E.I. Dupont Co.
His survivors include his wife: Blanche Brooks Thrift of South Boston; daughter: Doris T. Coombs of Richmond; son: John P. Thrift Jr. of South Boston; brother: Kavanaugh Thrift of Norfolk; four grandchildren: Mary T. Irby, Crimora P. Thrift, John Thrift III and Andrew H.T. Coombs.
A graveside service was held Sunday, January 9 at Fairview Cemetery in Culpepper with the Rev. Allan Hooker officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials, please consider the Boys Home in Covington.

Thelma Anderson Doss, age 86, of 1007 Neal's Corner Road, Clover died January 7, 2000 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Doss was born in Halifax County on March 16, 1913, the daughter of Nathan Comer Anderson and Myrtle Hardie Anderson. She was married to William Ennis Doss and was a member of the Hunting Creek Baptist Church and Woodmen of the World Camp 136.
Her survivors include three sons: William Doss Jr. of Dunkirk, Md., Edward Doss of Clover, Henry Doss of Chester; daughter: Grey Glass of Nathalie; three brothers: Dewey, Charlie and Lewis Anderson of Nathalie; sister, Edna Bagley of Kenbridge; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Becky Saunders, four brothers and a sister.
A funeral service was held Sunday, January 9 at Hunting Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Lee Roy Davis and Rev. H.V. Conner officiating. Burial took place in the church cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials, please consider the Triangle Volunteer Fire Department.

Mary King Oliver, age 92, of New York and formerly of Halifax Co., died January 5, 2000.
Mrs. Oliver was born in Holloway Township, N.C. on August 2, 1907, the daughter of Ms. Vina Carter. She was married to the late Lester Oliver and was a member of the Second Baptist Church, New York.
Her survivors include her daughter: Ms. Marie Young of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; son: Ernest King of Virgilina; nine grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Monday, January 10 at 1 p.m. at Zion Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Thomas Bolden officiating. Burial will take place in the Oak Ridge Cemetery.