Bixby trial starts today

Jury could start hearing testimony from witnesses soon

February 14, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

ABBEVILLE — A Chesterfield County jury consisting of six men and six women could begin hearing witness testimony today in the opening of the state’s case against accused murder suspect Steven Bixby, of Abbeville.
The selection of the jury — which consists of one black male, five white males, two black females and four white females — was completed Monday in Chesterfield.
The 12-member jury and five alternates will be sequestered during the entire length of the trial, which will be at the Abbeville County Courthouse.
The average age of the jurors is 40, with those ages ranging from 28 to 64. Of the five alternate jurors traveling with the jury, three are white females, one is a black female and one is a black male. Ages for the alternates range from age 51 to 64. The average age of the alternates is 53.
Following numerous delays, the trial portion is seemingly ready to get under way beginning this morning.
More than three years have passed since two law officers — Abbeville Sheriff’s Sgt. Danny Wilson and state constable Donnie Ouzts — were killed, sparking a bloody, 14-hour standoff on Dec. 8, 2003, brought on by a land dispute over the widening of Highway 72.
The state’s prosecutor says he is ready to proceed.
“We’re ready to go,” Eighth Circuit Court Solicitor Jerry W. Peace said. “It’s time to move ahead with this case.”
Security concerns – first and foremost on the minds of law enforcement officials making ready for the trial, as well as residents and business owners in the days leading to the beginning of the trial – were heightened last week.
During the early morning hours on last Wednesday, a fire broke out at the scene of the standoff in 2003 – the boarded-up Bixby home near Union Church Road.
Abbeville County Sheriff Charles Goodwin said the investigation into the blaze, which was contained and extinguished quickly, is moving forward.
“It’s still ongoing,” Goodwin said Tuesday. “We’re still running some leads after talking to neighbors and witnesses that passed by the home that morning.”
While law enforcement will continue to press on in that investigation, Goodwin said the security arrangements for the trial have been completed.
“We’re ready for (today),” Goodwin said. “The security is in place and we’re ready to move forward.”
Peace believes the preparations – made by a team of state and local law enforcement agencies – to be adequate.
“We have no concerns at this point about the security,” Peace added. “I was satisfied with the (security) plan presented to us. A lot of people have worked very, very hard to make sure that this is as secure as it can be.”
Meanwhile, the defense is prepared for trial as well.
Alongside chief public defender for Greenwood County and lead defense counsel Charles Grose is Columbia-based attorney and defense co-counsel Bill Nettles.
“We’ve worked very hard on this case and look forward to telling Steve’s story to the jury,” Nettles said.

Chesterfield Progressive-Journal staff writer John Davis contributed to this report.

Dist. 51 to face suit in scandal

Lawsuit claims school district was negligent

February 14, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

The Ware Shoals High alcohol-fueled teen sex scandal has been much like a Sherlock Holmes mystery: You never know what’s coming on the next page.
A new chapter has been added to the ordeal this week, as veteran Charleston attorney Lionel Lofton, a former federal prosecutor who also served as assistant United States attorney, acknowledged he will be representing the scandal’s victims in a civil lawsuit against Ware Shoals School District 51.
“We intend to pursue a civil lawsuit against the school district for negligence on their behalf,” Lofton said. “I think it is an outrage, what has gone on up there. It is a sad day when parents can’t trust school administration. The school is supposed to be an extension of the home; I am very passionate about that.”
Lofton said he was contacted by victims’ parents shortly after news of the scandal broke. He has been in Greenwood County investigating for several days, but has now returned to Charleston.
He did, however, acknowledge that one of his firm’s investigators is going to remain in the area to look into things.
“I went over Monday and talked to (Greenwood County Sheriff) Dan Wideman and let him know we would not be stepping on their toes,” Lofton said. “And I will tell you, the sheriff’s department there has done a outstanding job handling this matter.”
Lofton’s involvement stems from the January arrest of former Ware Shoals cheerleading coach Jill Moore on charges of providing alcohol to minors and contributing to the delinquency of a minor and the subsequent arrest of Ware Shoals principal Jane Blackwell on a charge of obstruction of justice.
Moore is accused of providing two Ware Shoals cheerleaders with alcohol and cigarettes on numerous occasions. She also stands accused of putting the then-16-year-old cheerleaders in “incredibly inappropriate situations” in connection with an extramarital sexual relationship Moore — a married mother of two — was having with National Guardsman Thomas Fletcher.
Sheriff’s office incident reports also allege Moore facilitated a sexual relationship between one cheerleader and Guardsman Jeremy Pileggi. Both Guardsman have been demoted and fined by the National Guard, but face no charges from the sheriff’s office since the girls involved were of legal age for sexual consent according to state law.
Meanwhile, Blackwell is accused of misleading authorities in their investigation into Moore’s activities. Investigators say Blackwell withheld information, intimidated witnesses and potential witnesses, forbid cheerleaders to talk to anyone but her about the case and ordered school bathroom doors to be locked during class transition periods to keep students from text messaging people outside the school about the incident.
Lofton has had success in school-related civil lawsuits. In one case, 17 students represented by Lofton received a $1.78 million settlement in Henderson County, N.C. Lofton said that case dealt with a sexual predator who was being moved from one school in the district to another.
The attorney did not say how many victims he will be representing, but he welcomed any students who thought they were victims in the incident to contact him.
“In Henderson, we started with one victim and ended up with 17,” Lofton said. “Anybody that is a student or was a student that was affected by this, we want to help them.”

Hearing should be public?
Blackwell was suspended with pay following her arrest. On Monday, the District 51 school board made public a letter it will be sending to Blackwell, offering her a hearing at which she could have the opportunity to show cause as to why her employment with the district should not be terminated.
While school board attorney Bruce Davis strongly suggested Blackwell have a public hearing, she does have the right to a private hearing. Several Ware Shoals residents made their opinion known Tuesday as to which type of hearing they would like to see Blackwell accept.
“Oh, it should certainly be a public hearing,” said Greg Harrell, owner of a popular pizza parlor and video rental store in Ware Shoals. “It’s a publicly funded institution, and the public has a right to hear what they have to say. A good bit of the tax dollars that come from this store go to fund education, and I don’t want to see that money misrepresented.”
Helen Babb, who runs a dance studio in the small town, agreed.
“There is no question, it should be a public hearing,” Babb said. “It’s a public school isn’t it? If she’s got nothing to hide, then why does it need to be private?”
Babb, however, said she would not be surprised to see a private hearing, based on the progression of Blackwell’s actions surrounding the incident thus far.
Harrell said he doesn’t see how Blackwell could effectively return to her job at the high school regardless of the hearing’s outcome.
“Guilty or not, I don’t see how she could return to that job,” he said. “I don’t see how she could win back the respect of the students, parents and business owners in this community.”

Obituaries

Inez Brown

TRENTON — Mrs. Inez Brown, of 1128 Springfield Church Road, died on Feb. 11, 2007, in the Aiken Regional Medical Center.
She was born in Edgefield County, SC, daughter of the late Olander Sr. and Lizzie Settles Holmes. She was a member of the Liberty Spring Baptist Church, where she served as Choir Leader, An Eastern Star and other organizations.
She is survived by one son, Ulysses Freeman (Alberta), Troy, SC; two daughters, Luetricia Sprowl (David), Greenwood, SC, and Brenda Freeman-Behlin (Charles), Trenton, SC; two sisters, Anna Bell Lanier, Troy, SC, and Olena Curry, Richmond, VA; five stepsons, Roosevelt Haskell, Curtis Haskell, Robert Haskell, Willie Haskell and George Brown, Jr.; three stepdaughters, Mamie Lee Harrison, Carrie Freeman and Verda Murcier; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the Liberty Spring Baptist Church, conducted by Rev. Henry Merriweather, assisted by Rev. James E. Reynolds, Rev. Ernest Gordon, Bishop Emmanuel Spearman and Minister Jimmy Gilchrist. Burial is in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m.
The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home Wednesday at 6-8 p.m. and other times at the residence.
Butler and Sons Funeral Home, Saluda, SC, is in charge.

William ‘Bill’ Routledge Cushing Jr.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — William “Bill” Routledge Cushing, Jr., of West Palm Beach, passed away on Monday, Feb. 12, 2007 after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.
He was born in Richmond, Virginia, on May 6, 1953. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy. Bill, also known as “The Jungle Cat,” was a retired Sergeant with the Riviera Beach Police Department, where he served for 20 years. Bill graduated from the Police Academy in Palm Beach County in 1981 with a 98.8 percent grade point average, the highest to date in the school’s history. Bill was currently employed by the Palm Beach Shores Police Department and loved the opportunity to serve and protect. He is survived by his sister, Sara Cushing of Greenwood, SC, and many cousins, aunts and uncles. Bill was a member of the Nam Knights of America Motorcycle Club, where he proudly rode his Harley Davidson. He was an expert in the martial arts of Tae Kwon Do, a 3rd Dan Black Belt, and instructor at the American College of Tae Kwon Do. Bill was a unique, caring individual that truly loved life. He will be sorely missed by all that knew him. Visiting hours will be held today (Wednesday) from 6-9 p.m. at Babione-Stephenson Funeral Home (561-582-4124) in Lantana. A graveside service will begin at noon on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007 at Palm Beach Memorial Park Cemetery, with full Police Funeral Honors.
In lieu of flowers, consider contributions to Hospice of Palm Beach County in memory of Bill Cushing, Jr.

Nell Ellis

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Nell Tinsley Ellis, 83, resident of Lawrenceville, formerly of Greenwood and Prosperity, widow of Fred Lee Ellis, died Feb. 12, 2007 at Embracing Hospicecare in Snellville, Georgia.
Born June 30, 1923 in Laurens County, she was a daughter of the late E.A. and Evelyn Francis Tinsley. Mrs. Ellis was retired from Greenwood Mills, Harris Plant and was a member of Emerald Baptist Church.
Surviving are two daughters, Angela E. Haselden of Lawrenceville, GA and Pamela E. and husband, Joe Rogers of Greenwood; three sisters, Romola Dunlap of Joanna, Inez Compton of Reno, NV, and Rae Beck of Newberry; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, with Dr. Phil McMinn officiating.
Pallbearers will be Tony Ellis, Keith Beck, Mike Beck, Dustin Shirley, Austin Shirley, Jay Brock and Fred Haselden. Honorary escort will be Terry Beck.
The family is at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Joe and Pamela Rogers, 221 Rock Knoll Drive in Greenwood and will receive friends at Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood from 12 to 1:30 Thursday.
To make online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Ellis family.

Martha R. Fernandes

Martha Robinson Fernandes, 66, of 311 E. Cambridge Apartments, died Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, at her home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Dr. Gary Gredlein

NINETY SIX — Dr. Gary Edward Gredlein, husband of Mary Bolton Gredlein, of Belle Rive Drive, died Feb. 12, 2007 at his home following an extended illness.
Born on March 16, 1949 in Baltimore, Maryland, he was the son of the late Henry Francis Gredlein and the late Imgard Moennich Gredlein. Dr. Gredlein was a dedicated educator with more than thirty-three years of experience in the South Carolina public school system.
Dr. Gredlein retired from the administrative position of Director of Special Projects at Piedmont Technical College in 2004, after suffering a disabling stroke. During his tenure at Piedmont Technical College, Dr. Gredlein also worked in other capacities as Director of Special Needs Program, career counselor and adjunct professor. Dr. Gredlein was employed by Greenwood School District 50 from 1975 until 1994 as principal of Emerald Junior High and Director of Secondary Education. He was employed by the school district of Greenville County as principal of Wade Hampton High School and in Saluda School District One as principal of Saluda High School. He later served two years as Regional Director of Special Olympics South Carolina. Prior to moving to Greenwood, Dr. Gredlein worked in Marlboro County as a teacher of history and social studies, football and basketball coach for Bennettsville High School and later as assistant principal at Bennettsville Junior High School.
Dr. Gredlein received his undergraduate degree in history and social studies from St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, North Carolina. He received a Master’s of Education, Education Specialist degree, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Secondary School Administration from the University of South Carolina.
Dr. Gredlein was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood, where he served as an elder, deacon and Superintendent of Sunday Schools.
Surviving are wife Mary, of the home; a son, Jeffrey Michael Gredlein of Greensboro, North Carolina; a daughter, Jennifer Gredlein Yovanovich and husband, Jay Aaron Yovanovich and a granddaughter, Claudia Elizabeth Yovanovich of Raleigh, North Carolina. Also surviving are a sister, Karen Gredlein Biles of Greenwood; a niece and nephew, Jodi Lynne Juba and Jason Anthony Juba.
Memorial services for Dr. Gredlein will be at 4 p.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. David Mayo and the Rev. Dr. George Wilson officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will be Libby and Phillip Bell, Julie and Martin Cooner, Martha and Bob Erwin, Cristy and Nick Hyduke, Carolyn and Tyson Williams, Donna Thompson and Fred Williamson, Dianne and Chris Salter and Melissa and Gene Yarochowicz.
The family is at the home at 157 Belle Rive Drive in Ninety Six and will receive friends in the church lobby immediately following the memorial service.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood, 108 East Cambridge Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646, Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to the Humane Society of Greenwood, PO Box 242, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Online condolences may be sent to www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Gredlein family.

Louise Kizer

CHARLOTTE — Louise Kizer of Charlotte went home to her Heavenly Father on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007.
A graveside service will be held at Crown Memorial Park in Pineville on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007 at 11:30 a.m.
She was born Feb. 14, 1916 to the late Edward Glazener and Nan Whitmire of Rosman, NC. She was married to the late Rev. Morgan Abraham Kizer Jr. for 66 years and was a devoted supporter of his ministry. She was a teacher of the fourth grade in North and South Carolina for 45 years.
Mrs. Kizer is survived by her son, Morgan; niece, Nancy VanWert; nephews, Robert Bishop and Jim Glazener.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Carmel Christian School at Carmel Baptist Church, 1145 Pineville Matthews Road, Matthews, NC 28105.
Lowe Funeral Home (704-545-3553) is serving the family of Mrs. Kizer.

Marie Iusti Taylor

Marie Iusti Taylor, age 78, of 117 Patrick Road, died Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007 in the Hospice House in Greenwood.
She was born in Laurens County and was the daughter of the late John Thomas and Maude Haupfear Iusti.
Mrs. Taylor was a retired employee of Lydia Mill and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cross Hill.
She is survived by her husband, Webb Alford Taylor of the home; a daughter, Bonnie Taylor Clifton; two grandsons, Stephen Webb Clifton and John Scott and wife, Tracy Clifton; three great-grandchildren, Stephen Reese Clifton, Cameron Michael Clifton and Connor Scott Clifton; one brother, Russell Iusti; four sisters, Mary Lee Hughes, Rose Wilson, Nancy Cobb and Julia Kelly.
She was predeceased by a sister, Peggy Crisp and a brother, Tommy Iusti.
Graveside services will be conducted Thursday at 3 p.m. in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Laurens.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.grayfuneralhome.com.
Gray Funeral Home of Clinton.

Greenwood girls’ defense helps team
advance to face Rock Hill

February 14, 2007

By R. SHAWN LEWIS
Index-Journal managing editor

Jacena Thompson poured in a game-high 27 points Tuesday to lead Greenwood past visiting Byrnes, 68-53, in the first round of the Class AAAA state basketball playoffs.
The Lady Eagles (17-4) jumped out to a 23-17 first-period lead, only to see the Lady Rebels roar back to tie the game, 33-33, at the halftime buzzer.
“Two of our starters (Viyja Corbett and Shay Andrews) got in foul trouble early,” said Greenwood coach Susan Thompson. “So we felt pretty good going in at halftime tied up.”
The third period made the difference for Greenwood.
The Lady Eagles held Byrnes to six points in the period, while scorching the nets for 23 of their own on 8-of-12 shooting, or 75 percent. Greenwood shot 48.9 percent for the game, connecting on 23-of-47 attempts.
Byrnes couldn’t buy a basket in the third, sinking only two buckets on 10 tries. By comparison, the Lady Rebels were 16-of-28 shooting in the other three periods.
Greenwood’s defense stiffened in the third period, forcing Byrnes into six turnovers. The Lady Rebels only committed five in the entire first half.
“Our motto is the first few minutes of the third period make or break you,” Thompson said. “They did what they had to tonight.”
The Lady Eagles will face Rock Hill in the second round of the playoffs.
“I’m trying to find some tape,” Thompson said. “You finish one game, you go right into the next. That’s how it is in the playoffs.”
Syteria Robinson joined Jacena Thompson in double figures with 15 points, including 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. The Lady Eagles sank 17-of-25 free-throw attempts, or 68 percent.
Ashley Holland led Byrnes (12-12) with 13 points, while Tiffanie Adair pitched in 11.
The Lady Rebels hit only 7-of-17 free-throw attempts, or 41 percent.

Lady Vikings stifle Lady Hornets
to move on in Class AA playoffs

February 14, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Lady Vikings used a stifling full-court press on defense and a 16-0 first quarter Tuesday night against the C.A. Johnson Lady Hornets to move on to the second round of the Class AA playoffs following their 41-19 victory.
The Lady Vikings will host the winner of the Carolina-Pendleton game Friday.
“We were hoping we would have this kind of game,” Lady Vikings coach Anarie Duckett said. “But you never know what’s going to happen.”
What the Lady Vikings did know, after taking a 23-3 lead, is that the Lady Hornets would need to play a near-perfect game to overcome the first-quarter deficit.
Brittany Connor, who spent most of the night resting on the bench with the rest of the starters for Duckett’s squad, led the Lady Vikings with 13 points in the win.
“We were able to put a lot of people in and substitute a lot so people didn’t get tired,” Duckett said. “We just rested people up for Friday’s game.”
The Lady Vikings led 6-0 with 6 minutes, 2 seconds left in the first

Calhoun Falls moves on in Class A playoffs

February 14, 2007

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports editor

CALHOUN FALLS — One big run was all the Lady Blue Flashes could muster, but it was all they needed to keep their season going.
The Calhoun Falls High School girls basketball team scored 12 unanswered points early in the first quarter and led by double digits for all but one minute for the remainder of the game in a 45-33 victory over Whitmire Tuesday night in the opening round of the Class A playoffs.
The Lady Flashes (14-3) used their pesky full-court press to kickstart the 12-0 run, which took the team from a 2-all tie to a 14-2 lead with 5 minutes, 10 seconds to play in the first quarter. Calhoun Falls scored six points off its press and six more by breaking the Lady Wolverines’ press.
“Pressure defense is something that we always do,” Calhoun Falls coach Risha Bomar said. “It always gets us going.
Usually because we can pressure the ball so good at the beginning of the game, we’re able to hold off a big run at the end of the game.
“To be a first-year coach and be in the playoffs, it feels good. But it’s even better to be going to the second round.”
The Lady Flashes will host Calhoun County at 7 Friday night. The Lady Saints defeated North Central 57-51 Tuesday in St. Matthews.
Sophomore Brittany Obot scored four points and assisted on four more during the 12-0 run. Obot finished with 12, all coming in the first half, as the sophomore was hampered by an ankle injury in the second half.
Sophomore Roshundray Postell and senior Cherelle Bridges picked up the pace for the Lady Flashes in the second half. Postell scored 11 of her team-high 13 in the final two quarters, while Bridges finished with 12.
“Cherelle played like a senior tonight,” Bomar said. “I said at the beginning of the year that if Postell could bring her ‘A’ game, she’s going to be hard to stop, and I think she proved that tonight.”
The Lady Flashes’ up-and-down style of play helped the team build a 24-8 lead with 4:34 remaining until halftime. The team eventually led by 15 (27-12) at the half.
The Lady Wolverines (12-12) forced a different style of play in the second half, making a concerted effort to go inside to sophomore center Kim Geyer, the Region II-A player of the year.
Geyer, who finished with a game-high 18 points and 19 rebounds, scored 14 of her team’s 21 points in the second half. She scored six points during Whitmire’s 11-4 run, which cut the deficit to single digits, at 32-23, with 3:36 to play in the third. It was the closest Whitmire had been since it trailed 10-2 2:40 into the game.
“Kim carries our team. She’s a leader on the floor, but she had a slow start as well,” Whitmire coach Kim Shelton said. “Once we slowed it down, we were able to get her the ball and get her in her groove.”
The Lady Flashes responded with six straight points — four from Bridges — to take a 38-23 lead into the final quarter.

Tell me what you believe; there are lots of doubts

February 14, 2007

The campaigns for the presidential nominations of the Democrat and Republican Parties is in full swing in South Carolina ..... and just think, the election is almost only two years away.
As the candidates of both parties criss-cross the state looking for votes in their respective primary elections, it will, no doubt, seem a never-ending exercise in frustration for some South Carolinians. Actually, though, it offers each of us an opportunity to get to know the candidates and whether one of them appeals to the majority.
The one thing most important to look for, of course, is what they have to say while mining votes.

FOR INSTANCE, DO THEY FOCUS on their own abilities and character, or do they spend most of their campaign time fostering smear tactics and trying to assassinate the character of their opponents.
That’s more important than it might seem. For some time political campaigning has been changing. It has become mainly a time to be negative when it might help voters more to hear what the various candidates have to offer instead of what’s wrong with the other candidates.
The late southern comedian Brother Dave Gardner used to tell his audience, “tell me what you believe in, I’ve got enough doubts of my own.” That sentiment couldn’t fit today’s political atmosphere any better. Candidates could learn something from it. It’s simple and to the point ..... and contains more truth than some of us might like to admit.

VOTERS TODAY INDEED WANT to hear something candidates believe in. None likely would argue that they don’t have enough doubts of their own to keep them awake at night. Nevertheless, candidates continue down the path of negativism. A steady diet of that kind of thinking could easily make us think that everything is wrong and nothing is right in the whole world, let alone the United States.
Human nature being what it is, though, there must be many voters who buy into the negative approach. Otherwise, candidates and their supporters wouldn’t be making that so much of their politicking, would they?
Anyway, we have lots of time to study the field of candidates and make informed decisions. And that’s a plus, not a minus.

quarter following Trice Riley’s drive to the basket.
Lady Hornets coach Jerry Jackson called a timeout after the play, but the Lady Vikings scored 10 unanswered points over the next 1:24 to take a commanding lead. The run was capped by Anicia Dotson, who was fouled as she scored. After converting the free throw, the Lady Vikings led 16-0 with 3:03 remaining in the first quarter.
The Lady Hornets scored their only basket of the first quarter, a 3-pointer by Dekima Mosley, but the Lady Vikings continued to use pressure to disrupt them offensively.
The pressure by the Lady Vikings was effective, as the Lady Hornets went scoreless, following the basket, until Jamie Corbitt hit 1-of-2 free-throws with 4:17 remaining in the first half.
“We played them last year and we knew this was a veteran team,” Jackson said. “They know how to play basketball and have some good athletes. We knew the press was going to be tough. You can’t simulate the pressure that they bring.”
The Lady Vikings also cooled off until the Corbitt’s free-throw for the Lady Hornets.
Connor followed Jaslyn Bailey’s lay-in with a 3-pointer, her second of the first half, as the Lady Vikings took a 30-4 lead with 1:48 remaining.
The Lady Vikings pulled back defensively in second half as both teams scored 11 points over the final two quarters.
“I thought we played pretty well, but we got sloppy at the end,” Duckett said. “We got real sloppy, and I wasn’t pleased with that. We’ll work on that in practice.”