The Halifax County National Dixie Belles All-Stars have set a benchmark for excellence, becoming the first Halifax County and Virginia State Champion Dixie Belles All-Star team to win a World Series, after a 6-3 win over Texas Thursday night in Eufaula, Alabama.
Team members Jessica Lewis, Lori Reeves, Mallory Lawter and Amanda Rogers said yesterday they were still having a hard time believing they had done it.
"It hasn't sunk in yet," said Lawter, whose father, Allen, is a coach with the team.
"I don't know, it feels like it did when we won the state. I keep looking to play another game.
"I felt we had a chance after the first two wins."
Reeves and Lewis agreed that experience was a key ingredient of this year's team.
"We've been in the World Series before, so we weren't' really affected," said Reeves.
"We hit better this series than in the past, with better pitching depth."
Lewis agreed that the team was more relaxed than before.
"It felt more real than before after the first two games," Lewis said. "Most of us have been playing together for eight or nine years. And, just about everyone on our team can pitch!"
"All those practices have paid off," Lewis added.
Rogers, whose father, Gary, manages the team, said most of them had worked for about nine years to reach this goal.
"It's kind of unbelievable, we worked so long for this," she said.
"I think everyone from the beginning knew we had a shot, but from the second game on, we started to really believe it.
"We came through in each game when we needed to, and not just one person. Everybody came together and got hits and made plays.
"It's hard to believe it's over. Who do we play next?"
Experience, versatility and depth could easily describe this group of all-stars, most of whom have played together since they were in the Dixie Angels program.
Eight members of this year's team - Lewis, Rogers, Lawter, Erica Elliott, Tracy Nelson, Reeves, Cari Clark and Emily Pool - have now played in three World Series, twice with the Belles program and once with the Ponytails.
That experience came in handy this year.
"Our kids realized what it was all about and kept an even keel," said coach Lawter, who has been to three Dixie World Series, two as a coach.
"The kids didn't look nervous in the early games, and that experience helped in the later games.
"A key hit here, a key bunt there...one player didn't carry us. Defensively, we made some big plays.
"We weren't flawless on defense, but if we made an error we settled ourselves down. They have played together a lot, on the jayvee team, at the middle school and in the Dixie softball program, Lawter said."
Lawter added that the county has a Dixie softball program to be proud of.
This Belles team won 14 out of 15 games, from the district tournament through the World Series, outscoring its opponents by a combined 150-26, with four shutouts.
And, bad news for the next division, the Debs, as eight of this group move up next year, with the remaining four left to try for another World Series title next year.
And, there's more yet to come.
The World Series champion Halifax National Belles, along with Halifax County's other state champions, the Dixie Debs and Angels All-Star teams, will be honored this Thursday at 7 p.m at the Halifax County High School softball field.

Health insurance and the county's results on the 2002 Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests will be among the chief topics at tonight's Halifax County School Board meeting.
Tonight's meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the public meeting room on the second floor of the Mary M. Bethune Office Complex in Halifax.
Discussions surrounding the school system's health insurance program and rising premium costs were held during the formation of this year's school budget.
The school board, anticipating 15 to 20 percent hike in group health insurance premiums, increased its contribution toward individual employee group health insurance premium costs by $120 per month for 10 months.
That move took the school board's contribution toward employee individual group health insurance premiums from $220 per month for 10 months to $340 per month for 10 months.
The $340 per month figure is what the county paid toward employee group health insurance premiums this past year.
School system officials have hoped that the increase in the school board's contribution coupled with an average four percent pay hike will enable employees to shoulder the increase.
Tonight, school system employees will find out whether or not that will be the case as school system officials will outline the insurance offerings that will be made available to its employees as well as the costs.
The board, after tonight's discussion, is expected to take action on the matter.
School system officials will also announce tonight the results of this year's SOL tests.
Along with that is expected to come an announcement concerning which schools reached and surpassed the benchmarks for state accreditation.
Last year, six Halifax County schools reached or surpassed the benchmark for state accreditation.
Ironically, two of the schools, Volens Elementary School and Clover Elementary School were closed at the end of the school year.
Wilson Memorial Elementary School, the paired schools of Washington-Coleman and C.H. Friend and Clays Mill Elementary School, which has undergone extensive renovation, also achieved accreditation.
The schools achieved the required 70 percent passing rate in the state-mandated areas of reading and math and met the 70 percent standard in social science and science.
Also tonight, the school board is expected to renew discussions regarding the possibilities for the next phase of capital improvement projects.
In the realm of unfinished business, the school board will undertake further discussions regarding a proposal from the Halifax County High School Baseball Booster Club to build an indoor batting cage at a site near the high school baseball field.
The matter has been discussed at previous meetings but has not yet been resolved.

Town Council is expected to hear a recommendation from the current issues committee to retain VDOT's services regarding the north entrance to Halifax Square Shopping Center.
If approved, VDOT will study the intersection and recommend new traffic patterns for the shopping center.
Safety concerns regarding the intersection were the subject of a lengthy discussion during council's work session earlier this month.
At issue is traffic making an left-hand turn out of the northern entrance.
Town Manager Ted Daniel said the issue arose following concerns from citizens.
"If you recall, the council has discussed this several times in light of accidents and complaints from citizens about harrowing experiences at the intersection," Daniel told the council during its work session.
He said that in response to the complaints, he posted a 'no left turn' sign at the intersection.
"We went through a period of time where cars were still continuing to ignore those signs and turn left so we placed orange cones at the intersection so they couldn't make a left turn," he said.
However, VDOT officials determined the signs were non-standard and suggested the town remove them.
"VDOT felt we could have liability problems," Daniel said.
The town did leave the 'no left turn' sign in place.
But the owner of the shopping center, Tucker McLaughlin, is challenging the decision.
"They have some problems with traffic not being able to turn northbound out of that entrance," The town manager admitted.
Council will also vote on a recommendation to discontinue real estate tax exemptions for elderly persons.
The recommendation comes after town Finance Director Vandie Saunders explained that few citizens were able to qualify for the exemption.
"We started the program when we were a city, and our taxes were so high that some of the elderly had trouble paying them," Saunders said.
Since reverting to town status, however, Saunders said the program is no longer feasible.
"Our ordinance says that your taxes cannot exceed one percent of your gross income," Saunders said.
"If you have an income of $8,500 per year, you have to have a pretty nice house to pay $85 in property taxes," he added.
Daniel explained that administrative costs were making the program cost-prohibitive.
"When we were a city and had an 86 cent tax rate, the program was significant," Daniel said.
"But now there aren't that many people left who qualify for it, and it creates such a high administrative workload that it just isn't beneficial for us," he added.
Council will also recommend the carry-over and budget appropriation authorizations to the 2002-2003 budget for specific programs.
The total amount to be carried over is $264,892.
Council is also expected to recommend the publication of the names of citizens who are delinquent for their 2001 real estate taxes.
There will be a period available for public comment on any issues of concern during the meeting.

A 27-year old mandolin player from Scottsburg captured the Virginia State Championship during his first bluegrass competition.
David Owen traveled to the competition with his band, J. Kaczor and Common Ground.
"There weren't many single competitors at the contest," he said. "Most of the players were with bands."
Common Ground also won the second-place prize in the event.
The contest was sponsored by the Virginia Folk Music Association.
While this was Owen's first competition, he is no stranger to the stage.
"I go to as many festivals as I can during the summer, but this was the first time I competed for any prize winnings," he observed.
Owen won $50 for his mandolin playing and the band split a $350 prize.
He admitted competing in the contest wasn't originally his idea.
"J. Kaczor, who is the leader of the group, competed last year for the state title in banjo," Owen said.
"He wanted to go back and defend his title, so we just did it as a band," he added.
Owen said he has been playing bluegrass since he was eight.
"My dad started me off on the guitar, and when I was old enough, I just found an instrument that I liked," he said.
He didn't pick the easiest one to play.
"The mandolin in an intricate instrument," he said. "There is a lot of memory involved."
Playing at such a high level requires a lot of practice.
"I try to practice for two hours a day," he noted.
The band also holds regular practice sessions.
"We get together every Tuesday and Friday night to practice," he said.
His band performs locally as much as they can.
"We play every other Saturday at Drakes Branch," Owen said. "And we play every couple of weeks at state parks in the area."
Playing and practicing that often takes up a lot of his time, he admitted.
"But I wouldn't give it up for anything," he said. "It's time-consuming, but it's fun."
According to Owen, folk music is getting more popular around the state, thanks to a popular movie.
"Every since 'O Brother Where Art Thou' came out, the crowds are getting bigger," he observed.

By Doug Ford

Belles win! Belles win! Belles win!
The Halifax County National Dixie Belles All-Stars realized their own field of dreams Thursday night in Eufaula, Alabama, defeating Texas 6-3 to take the Dixie Belles World Series title.
The All-Stars, coached by Allen Lawter and Jerry Pool, and managed by Gary Rogers, became the first Halifax County Dixie team, boys or girls, to bring home a World Series Championship.
Kelly Puryear and Jessica Lewis each hit two-RBI singles in a big six-run third inning, and third baseman Erica Elliott made a fine defensive play to help snuff out a Texas rally in the fifth inning, as Halifax National wrapped up the title.
Halifax National, using solid defense for all five games and timely hits throughout its lineup, rolled undefeated thorough the World Series with a 5-0 record, shutting out one opponent and holding two others to one run each.
The Belles defeated Alabama 5-2 in its opener, followed by a 4-0 shutout of North Carolina, a 6-1 victory over South Carolina and a 3-1 win over Florida, before the 6-3 win over Texas to clinch the World Series Championship.
Championship Game - Halifax National 6, Texas 3
Just as they had done through the district and state tournaments, as well as the World Series, Halifax National used a combination of defense, pitching, good baserunning and timely hits to defeat Texas.
Halifax National collected six hits in the championship game, as Puryear, Lewis, Amanda Rogers, Erica Elliott, Lori Reeves and Brooke Duffey all singled.
Four of those hits came in the big third inning, when all six runs crossed the plate for a lead that held up the remainder of the game.
After six of the first seven batters were retired in the first two innings, Lewis walked to lead off the third inning, advancing to second on a wild pitch.
Following a strikeout, Rogers hit a single and Tracy Nelson smacked a hard shot to second base, resulting in an error, an RBI and the first run of the inning.
Elliott then singled to load the bases, and after a strikeout, Reeves hit an RBI groundout. Puryear followed with a base hit, scoring two runs and giving Halifax National a 4-0 lead.
Beth Throckmorton walked, Puryear went to third on a wild pitch, and Brooke Duffey walked to load the bases again, before Lewis followed with her two-RBI single to make the score 6-0.
Texas collected two base hits and drew two walks in the first three innings, and had an infield single in the fourth without scoring.
Texas rallied for three runs in the fifth inning to cut the Halifax National lead in half.
Two consecutive singles to start the inning, followed by a fielding error by Halifax National and another single, gave Texas three runs.
With one out, a Texas runner was at third base when Elliott fielded a ball hit to her.
She faked a throw to first, drawing the runner off the bag, and dove to tag her out before she could get back to base.
A groundout ended the Texas threat.
Reeves singled to start the fifth inning, as Halifax National threatened to add to its lead.
Reeves advanced to second on a wild pitch and a two-out single by Duffey moved her to third, before a groundout ended the inning.
Texas tried to mount a seventh inning rally, but more good defense by Halifax National didn't allow a baserunner to reach scoring position.
After a leadoff single, an attempted bunt was popped up for the first out.
The next Texas batter hit a grounder to Rogers, who stepped on second and threw to first baseman Mallory Lawter to complete the double play and win the World Series.
Pitching, as through the entire series, was again solid Thursday night, as Throckmorton, Jessica Morris and Emily Pool scattered seven hits.
Throckmorton worked the first three innings, allowing no runs on two hits, while walking two batters.
Morris pitched the fourth and fifth innings, giving up three runs on four hits, two of the runs earned. She walked none.
Pool closed out the contest, allowing one hit in two innings of work, while walking one batter.

Alice Lacks Beverley

Funeral services for Mrs. Alice Lacks Beverley of James Hagood Highway, Halifax, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Bethel Baptist Church in Scottsburg with burial in the church cemetery.
The Rev. Dr. Tony Brooks and the Rev. Katrina Brooks will officiate.
Mrs. Beverley, 65, died Saturday at her home.
She was born in Halifax County on September 25, 1936, a daughter of Mr. Simuel L. Lacks and Mrs. Bessie Lacks. She was married to James Lester Beverley.
Mrs. Beverley was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.
Mrs. Beverley is survived by four daughters, Rebecca Beverley Conner and husband Carson of Millersville, Md., Jerrie Hicks and husband Ricky of Turbeville, Vicky Bane of Scottsburg and Hope Hammock and husband Ronnie of Halifax, and two honorary daughters, Kelly Comer and husband Stuart of Virgilina and Judy Green and husband David of South Boston.
Other survivors include her mother, Bessie L. Lacks of Saxe, five brothers, Simuel Lacks of Saxe, Manuel Lacks of Scottsburg, Carlton Lacks of Poquoson, James Lee Lacks of Kenbridge and Travis Lacks of Stuart, and one sister, Dolly Owens of Sterling.
Also surviving are five grandchildren, Timothy Bane of Halifax, Beverley Hicks of Turbeville, James Hicks of Turbeville, Laura Bane of Scottsburg and Adam Hammock of Halifax, and one honorary grandson, Stephen Comer of Virgilina.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home Monday from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. and at other times at the home, 3001 James D. Hagood Highway, Halifax.
In lieu of flowers please consider the Bethel Baptist Church, the Halifax Regional Hospice, the Halifax County Cancer Association or the Turbeville Volunteer Fire Department.

Susan N. Blanks

A committal service for Clover native Susan N. Blanks, 58, will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Halifax.
A funeral service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Riverside Funeral Home by the Rev. George Murray of Second Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Blanks died Saturday at her home.
Mrs. Blanks was a Newport News resident for 22 years. She last worked as a teacher's assistant with the Newport News Public School System.
She was a member of Second Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Blanks was preceded in death by her father, Wharton O. Nichols, and her mother, Mrs. Ruth Howard Nichols.
She is survived by her husband, K.M. "Butch" Blanks Jr., one son, Todd M. Blanks, and his wife Jane, one daughter, Kimberly Anne Blanks of Newport News, and one brother, Homer Nichols, and his wife Gay Merle of Lynchburg.

Gertrude Poole Bishop

Mrs. Gertrude Poole Bishop, 82, of Hamilton Blvd. in South Boston, died Friday at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Services for Mrs. Bishop were held Sunday at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Don Bryant officiating.
Burial followed at the Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Mrs. Bishop was born in Halifax County on September 8, 1919 to Mr. Stephen Poole and Mrs. Lilly Ann Francis Poole.
She was married to the late James C. Bishop Sr.
Mrs. Bishop was a member of Southside Baptist Church.
She is survived by two daughters, Katie B. Hite of South Hill and Lilly B. McDowell of South Boston, four sons, James C. Bishop Jr., of Halifax, B. Frank Bishop of Durham, N.C., John B. Bishop of Richmond, and Billy W. Bishop of South Boston, three sisters, Gladys P. Lowery of South Boston, Ruth Ragans of South Boston, Delcie P. Cole of South Boston, one brother, John W. Poole of Cluster Springs, twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
For memorials, please consider the Southside Baptist Church.

Hugh Watson McDowell Sr.

Mr. Hugh Watson McDowell Sr., 68, Jones Ferry Road in South Boston, died Saturday at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Services for Mr. McDowell will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Pleasant Grove United Church of Christ with the Rev. Isaac Mooneyham officiating.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Mr. McDowell was born in Halifax County on December 10, 1933, a son of Frank Thomas McDowell Sr. and Mary Dodson McDowell.
Mr. McDowell was a member of the Pleasant Grove United Church of Christ.
He is survived by three daughters, Deborah M. Crotts of Fairfax, Donna M. Davis of Vernon Hill and Sandra M. Thompson of South Boston, one son, Hugh Watson McDowell Jr., of Cluster Springs, one sister, Nancy M. Blane of South Boston, one brother, Frank Thomas McDowell Jr. of South Boston, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers please consider the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 4502 Starkey Road, Suite 107, Roanoke, Va. 24014.

Mrs. Marilyn Bennett Mitchell

Mrs. Marilyn Bennett Mitchell of Park Lane, Halifax, died Saturday at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Mitchell, 54, was born in Halifax County on February 26, 1948.
She was the daughter of Mr. William Weldon Bennett and Mrs. Louise Shelton Bennett.
Mrs. Mitchell is survived by her husband, Gus E. Mitchell III of Halifax, one son, Gus E. Mitchell IV, and his wife Keith of Richmond, two daughters, Emily Mitchell Noblin and husband Stanley of Nathalie and Kathrine Louise Mitchell of Halifax. Three grandchildren, Sara and Oliva Noblin of Nathalie and Sophie Ann Mitchell of Richmond, survive.
Other survivors include one brother, W.W. "Ted" Bennett of Halifax, and one sister, Joanne Carter of Halifax.
A private graveside service will be held.
In lieu of flowers, please consider Patrick Henry Boys Home, P.O. Box 1398, Brookneal, Va.

Mabel Alkins Harris Snow

Funeral services for Mabel Alkins Harris Snow of Link-Puryear Road in South Boston will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the South Boston Church of God.
The Revs. Bill Leonard and Harper Davis will officiate.
Burial will follow at the Birchwood Cemetery in Roxboro, N.C.
Mrs. Snow died at her home Saturday, August 10. She was 86.
Mrs. Show was born February 28, 1916 in Atlanta, Georgia, to the late Dee Alkins and Dorothy Harbert Alkins.
She was a member of the South Boston Church of God.
Mrs. Snow is survived by her husband, Luther Snow of South Boston, three daughters, Ann H. Russell of Knightdale N.C., Jane H. Link of South Boston and Evelyn H. Ray of Halifax, one step-son, Roger Snow of Halifax, and one step-daughter, Frances Jones of South Boston, one sister, Margie A Benaquisto, two brothers, George Alkins and Vallie Alkins, both of Roxboro, seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by Henry Franklin "Jack" Harris, her first husband, brothers Warnie Alkins, L.T. Alkins, William D. Alkins and Henry Alkins and two sisters, Cora A. Turner and Emma A. Duncan, and one step-daughter, Patricia Hite.
The family requests that those wishing to give memorials please consider Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Ave., South Boston.

Jamie Scott Wilkins

Jamie Scott Wilkins, Sr., 22, of Dabney Warren Road, Alton, died Tuesday in Halifax County.
Funeral services for Mr. Wilkins were held Sunday at Harmony United Methodist Church in Roxboro, N.C.
Services were conducted by the Revs. Frankie Reaves and Elizabeth Spencer.
Mr. Wilkins was born February 18, 1980, to James Lee "Jimmy" Wilkins and Margaret Samford Carter.
Survivors include his mother and father, his wife, Stephanie Smith Wilkins, his step-father, Andy Carter Jr., one daughter, Allison Lee Wilkins, one son, Jamie Scott Wilkins Jr., three step-sons, Drew Dease, Justin Reaves and Jacob Reaves, one step-daughter, Jesse Reaves, one sister, Christie Wilkins Clay and her fiance Skeet Dawson, two brothers, Raymond Albert and Shane Matthew Carter, an aunt and uncle, Owen and Pauline Wilkins, all of Alton.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Harmony United Methodist Church, 79 Frank Fox Rd., Roxboro, N.C. 27573.