Aiken edges GHS

January 5, 2005

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

The Aiken High School boys basketball team scored the first seven points of overtime and made just enough free throws in the game’s final minute to come away with the 64-61 victory over Greenwood Tuesday night.
The Eagles compounded the Green Hornets’ quick overtime start by going the first 3 minutes of the extra period without a point.
Greenwood’s A.J. Lomax drilled a 3-pointer for the Eagles’ first overtime points to make it 60-56 with 57 seconds remaining.
Lomax’s basket kickstarted an 8-2 Greenwood run, but Aiken’s Olajawon Paige hit 3 of 4 free throws in the final 25 seconds of play to ice the Hornets’ second win over the Eagles this season.
“I thought we had it down the stretch (of regulation), but when you get in overtime, anything can happen,” Greenwood coach Hob Chandler said.
“They made the plays in the first couple of minutes of overtime and we didn’t. We came back a little bit in the last minute but it was too much to overcome.”
Paige was one of three Aiken players to finish with 13 points, as the Green Hornets got a baker’s dozen from Terrance Smith and Darrien Crawford as well.
Greenwood senior John Phelps led the Eagles with 15 points on three 3-pointers, including one with 2 seconds remaining in overtime to cut the deficit to 62-61. Lomax scored 10 of his 12 in the second half and overtime, while Alonzo Higgins added 10 points and 10 rebounds.
A lackluster first-half performance from the Eagles saw the team trailing by 12 after the first 16 minutes. But Greenwood picked at the Aiken lead throughout the third quarter, trading in its spread offense for an attacking style.
Andre Day, who finished with seven points, knocked down a deep 3-pointer to start the second half and cut the deficit to single digits.
The Eagles cut the Aiken lead down to five with a 6-0 run. But the Hornets pushed the lead to 35-27 on a layup from Crawford with 2:45 left in the quarter.
But that was the Hornets’ final points of the third, and the Eagles used that scoring drought to go on a 9-0 run. Lomax capped the run with five unanswered to give a 36-35 advantage at the end of the quarter. It was Greenwood’s first lead since the team was ahead 6-4 with 3:45 to play in the first.
“We went back to our normal game in the second half, which is pressing and running, and it worked,” Chandler said. “We did what we had to do to get back in it.
“I’m real proud of the guys for never giving up.”
The fourth quarter saw the lead change hands eight times and the score knotted twice, including the final in regulation at 53.

Lady Eagles get first region victory

January 5, 2005

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

The Greenwood High School girls basketball team’s first game of the new year proved to be an efficient one.
The Lady Eagles avenged a previous loss and picked up their first victory over a Class AAAA team this season with their 49-40 win over Aiken Tuesday night at home.
“It was a good win, especially coming at home,” Greenwood coach Susan Thompson said. “We went in at halftime and talked about effort and they came back and stepped up.”
Ashly Chandler led all scorers with 15 points to go along with eight rebounds and five steals for the Lady Eagles (4-5), whose previous three victories came over Class AA Emerald and A Calhoun Falls.
Kyesha Middleton came off the bench to score all 11 in the second half, while Jacena Thompson added nine points and 15 rebounds.
Thompson scored the first basket of the second half on a 16-foot jumper to push the Lady Eagles’ lead to 23-18.
But a 6-0 run by the Lady Green Hornets (4-8) quickly erased that advantage. Starting forward Lacey Brunson scored four of her team high 12 during the run that put Aiken up 24-23 with 5:43 left in the third.
Greenwood responded to losing the lead with a 13-4 run.
The Lady Eagles’ bench keyed the close of that third-quarter run, with Middleton scoring five unanswered to make it 36-28 with 1:11 left in the quarter.
“The bench did a great job for us in the second half and that’s just effort,” Thompson said.
“Everybody has a role and the bench’s role is to come in and maintain things.”
AikeAudrey Timmerman, who finished with nine points, ended the quarter with her only 3-pointer on seven attempts.
Middleton scored six straight points for Greenwood in the fourth to give the Lady Eagles a double-digit lead, at 46-36, with 2:15 remaining.
Aiken responded with a 6-0 run in the game’s final minute, but it was enough to get past Greenwood.
Greenwood jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead, but the Lady Green Hornets responded with a 6-0 run to go ahead 8-6 with 4:46 left of the first quarter.
Aiken grabbed its largest lead of the half when Chevon Howell dropped in a layup and was fouled by Greenwood’s Keisha Simpson to make it 16-13 with 5:36 left in the first half. The Aiken forward missed the freebie - one of six foul shots missed by the Lady Hornets.
But Howell’s bucket, which came two-and-a-half minutes into the second quarter, was the last field goal for Aiken until the final seconds of the first half.
The Lady Eagles took advantage of Aiken’s 5-minute, 30-second scoring drought by turning a three-point deficit into a five-point lead, getting eight points from four different players.

Opinion

Disaster response shows what can be done ... if!

January 5, 2005

The unbelievable numbers of deaths caused by a giant tidal wave spawned by an oceanic earthquake is still rising and may reach an incredible 150,000. Most of us cannot even imagine how terrible it really is.
The death and destruction in 10 Southeastern Asian nations have brought a worldwide response seldom seen. It’s encouraging to see so many people in so many nations go the extra mile to help in any way they can. Tens of thousands of people needed help in the worst way and the outpouring of assistance has been as miraculous as miraculous can be for mere humans.
The millions who have given so much didn’t know the victims, of course. That, however, didn’t matter. Nothing mattered, in fact, except that help was needed and the people of the world reached out and reached out again.

IT SHOULDN’T SURPRISE anyone that many churches in and around Greenwood, aid organizations like the Red Cross, and individuals have answered the call because people are hurting and need comforting in any way possible.
The U. S. was in the forefront, as usual, in providing assistance in the form of money, food, water, medicine, transportation, equipment and manpower to help minister to a billion needs. It was not alone, though. Japan stepped up big, and just about every nation has done its part, and more, to lend a hand.
It’s amazing, but the tremendous worldwide response has not been muddled or stymied by politics, religion, ethnicity or any of the manmade “causes” that divide people. It was, to be sure, a catastrophe like none before. But, then, the widespread response has been unlike any before, too.

IT IS, WITHOUT QUESTION, a positive demonstration of how all the people and the nations of the world can overcome the mundane problems we create for ourselves ….. over and over and over.
It can be done. The world has proved it. This terrible disaster has shown that people can have a common and positive goal. It also raises a question. If people can work in unison to help those hit by tragedy, why couldn’t they do it in the name of peace and understanding?
Unfortunately, there still are politics, religion, ethnicity and other differences that get in the way. In a world filled with hatred that has lingered for centuries, we may never learn, even though this tragedy should teach us something.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

‘Blackie’ Driggers

Oliver “Blackie” Driggers, 81, of 502 Dukes Ave., husband of Mary “Pig” Alewine Driggers, died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Blyth Funeral Home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home.

Helen Harrison

GREENWOOD – Helen Henry Harrison, 92, resident of Rock House Road, went to be with her Lord, January 4, 2005. Mrs. Harrison was predeceased in death by her loving husband of 66 years, William Henry Harrison.
Born in Atlanta, GA, she was a daughter of the late R.L. and Ramon Ola Hopkins Henry. Mrs. Harrison lived her faith. She believed in improving the world around her and helping those less fortunate. She supported a child through the World Vision Child Care Program and received special recognition from the Leprosy Foundation for her dedication. She established the Harrison Twin Scholarship for Science at Lander University. She composed many poems, several of which have been published. Her faith, dignity and strength of character sustained her and inspired all who knew her and were touched by her goodness and kindness.
Mrs. Harrison was a member of First Mt. Moriah Baptist Church where she served as a teacher in Vacation Bible School, Sunday school and Training Union. She was also a member of the TEL Sunday School Class, Clifford Barrett Mission Study Group and the YAH’S Senior Adult Group of the church.
Survivors include a son of Greenwood, Robert G. Harrison and wife, Joan and twin daughters, Margaret Wallen and husband Winford of Greenwood and Mildred Courtney and husband, Thatcher of Crawfordville, FL; a brother, Edward L. Henry and wife, Jean of Clinton; eight grandchildren, Carol Henderson, Craig Harrison, Deborah Haltiwanger, Ann Courtney, Shelby Crowley, Janet Salters, Del Wallen and Terri Henderson; eleven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11AM Thursday at First Mt. Moriah Baptist Church with Rev. Bryan Sims and Rev. Fred Smith officiating.
Burial will be in the church cemetery,
Pallbearers will be Del Wallen, Don Crowley, Dan Henderson, Keith Salters, Bill Rushton and Carroll Brown.
Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Broussard, Gene McDaniel, Billy Coursey, Jimmy Deason, James Thomas Harrison, Bennie Burnette, Billy Davis and Bob Rushton.
The body is at BIyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 10AM Thursday.
The family is at the home of Margaret and Winford Wallen, 443 Dogwood Drive and will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 Wednesday evening.
Memorials may be made to First Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 2107 Mt. Moriah Road, Greenwood, SC 29646.
For additional information you may visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
BLYTH FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE HARRISON FAMILY.
PAID OBITUARY

Lelia Bell Gary

McCORMICK — Services for Lelia Bell Gary are 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary A.M.E. Church, conducted by the Rev. Isaac Booker III, pastor. Assisting are the Revs. Otis Cunningham and James Price. The body will be placed in the church at noon. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews.
Flower bearers are members of Women’s Home Aide Society No. 1.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Ellen McCain Griffin

NORTH AUGUSTA — Ellen G. McCain Griffin, 93, of Lakeview Road, died Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005 at her home.
She attended Bettis Academy Junior College and received a bachelor of arts degree in education from Benedict College. Retired from the Edgefield County public school system after 42 years of service, she was a member of the South Carolina Retired Teachers Association, Queen of Victory No. 8, Heroines of Jericho, Star of Hope No. 68 and Order of the Eastern Star of Edgefield. She was also a member of Carey Hill Missionary Baptist Church, where she served with the Deaconess Ministry, Choir Ministry, Usher Ministry and was a Sunday School teacher and the church clerk for more than 40 years.
Survivors include four daughters, Estella Johnson, Mary E. Griffin, Linda A. Griffin and Mrs. Shyvron (Kadena) Simpkins; three sons, Thomas J. Griffin, John Henry Griffin and Theo Griffin; three sisters, Mrs. George (Ruth) Witzling, Mrs. Johnny (Julia) Simpkins and Hattie Collier; three brothers, the Rev. W.H. McCain, Sylvester McCain and Johnnie F. McCain; 12 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Thursday at Carey Hill Missionary Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Clifford Williams. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Viewing is after 1 p.m. today at G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary.
The family is at 651 Lakeview Road.
Memorials may be made to the Rev. S.J. McCain Foundation, P.O. Box 6219, North Augusta, SC 29861.
G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary is in charge.

Ouida Partain

ANDERSON — Ouida Louise Herring Partain, 83, widow of James Harper Partain, died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005 at Anderson Area Medical Center.
Born in Anderson, she was a daughter of the late L.T. and Annie Reynolds Herring. She retired from the Anderson County Auditors Office and was a member of Orrville Baptist Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Shirley P. Cooper of Waterloo; a son, Terry L. Partain of Columbia; a sister, Clara Cann of Anderson; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Thursday at Sullivan-King Mortuary, downtown chapel, conducted by Dr. Wendell Bannister. Burial is in New Silver Brook Cemetery.
Visitation is 2-2:45 Thursday at the mortuary.
Memorials may be made to Orrville Baptist Church, 2620 S. Main St., Anderson, SC 29624.
Sullivan-King Mortuary, downtown, 401 N. Main St., is in charge.

Mary Trantham

GREENWOOD – Mary Lillian Goodman Trantham, 70, of 119 Columbia Avenue, widow of Dean “Slim” Trantham, died Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late Thurmond and Mary Yeargin Goodman. She was a retired beautician and was of the Pentecostal faith,
She was preceded in death by a son, Bobby Ray Lightsey.
Surviving is a daughter, Libby Smith of Ninety Six; a son, Dean Trantham of Charleston; three sisters, Alice Brown and Lib Hanley, both of Greenwood and Nellie Rymer of Lexington; two brothers, James Goodman and Jessie Goodman, both of Greenwood; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens with the Rev, Sherrill Green officiating.
Pallbearers will be Gene Goodman, Joel Ray Brown, David Goodman, Danny Goodman, Derrick Smith, Tyrone Goodman and Michael Hanley,
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The family is at the home other brother, James Goodman, 404 Abbott Street, The family requests that flowers be omitted and memorials made to Ninety Six Pentecostal Holiness Church building fund, 206 State Street, Ninety Six, SC 29666.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Vivian Webb

SALUDA, SC – Vivian Wright Ouzts Webb, 93, died Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at Saluda Nursing Center.
Born in Saluda County, and a daughter of the late Jesse and Bessie Dorn Ouzts, she was the wife of the late John Robert Webb. Mrs. Webb was retired from the South Carolina Department of Social Services after 43 years and was a member of Red Bank Baptist Church.
Surviving is a daughter, Josephine W. Killam of Augusta, GA, a grandson, Robert A. Killam of Melbourne, FL, a sister, Ellison Schwarzmann and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be 4PM, Thursday, January 6, 2005, at Travis Park Cemetery with the Rev. Gary Romines officiating.
Memorials may be made to Red Bank Baptist Church, 309 E. Church St., Saluda, SC 29138.
Ramey Funeral Home is in charge.
PAID OBITUARY

Frances Welborn

Frances Couch Welborn, 92, of 241 Penn Ave., widow of W. Neal Welborn, died Monday, Jan. 3, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Easley, she was a daughter of the late Lowell Kennedy and Janie Ellison Couch. A member of Main Street United Methodist Church and the Lawton Sunday School Class of the church, she was a former member of the Greenwood Woman’s Club.
Survivors include two daughters, M. Jayne Welborn of the home and Merri Neale Newman of Greenwood and two grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Thursday at Blyth Funeral Home, conducted by Dr. Rodney B. Schultz. Burial is in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Visitation is 1-2 Thursday at the funeral home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church Building Fund, 211 N. Main St., Greenwood, SC 29646.
Blyth Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

John Alfonzo Wideman

Services for John Alfonso Wideman are 2 p.m. Thursday at Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Ulysses Parks, assisted by the Rev. Norris Turner.
Wideman, 65, died Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005.
The family is at the home of Betty Sanders Wideman, 142 Russell St.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.