Untitled Normal Page

Witnesses saw Bixby at door with weapons

Jury might tour site of standoff

February 15, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

ABBEVILLE — Eyewitness accounts on the opening day of Steven Bixby’s double-murder trial painted a grim picture of the man accused of shooting Sgt. Danny Wilson and constable Donnie Ouzts Dec. 8, 2003.
Witness painted a picture of a man — Bixby — dressed in camouflage and armed for a deadly confrontation.
Several witnesses testified to having either seen Bixby himself or a “white male” standing in the doorway of his parents’ — Rita and Arthur Bixby — home on Union Church Road clad in military fatigues, clutching a handgun in one hand and a “long gun” or rifle in the other.
The prosecution set the table by calling to the witness stand a trio of S.C. Department of Transportation employees who were involved in the widening construction of S.C. 72 — three men who quickly came face-to-face with Steven, Rita and Arthur Bixby.
SCDOT employee Michael Hannah testified that the trouble started when he received a phone call from members of Eagle Construction (a subcontractor that worked on the S.C. 72 widening project) who were preparing to install storm drains near the Bixby property. The caller said someone at the Bixby residence had pulled up some stakes and thrown them in the roadway.
On Dec. 4, 2003, Hannah arrived at the Bixby residence along with colleagues Drew McCaffrey and Dale Jennings. That’s when the men said the trouble and “cursing and finger-pointing” began.
“Steven Bixby and Rita Bixby began cursing and pointing fingers at us,” McCaffrey said. “They said there was going to be ‘hell to pay’ if anyone came on their property.”
Jennings testified the men feared for their safety. “Steven Bixby said there were weapons in the house, what type they were and that they were prepared to defend their property,” Jennings said. “They said they had been waiting on us to get there.
“I feared for our safety because we were threatened in a way we never had been before.”
Work ceased promptly that Thursday, until the truth could be ascertained as to whether there actually existed a “right-of-way” upon which the construction could continue.
A plat that the Bixbys had in their possession showed no such right-of-way. Defense cross-examinations on Wednesday yielded no statement from any witness saying a plat with a clear right-of-way was ever obtained from the courthouse or the clerk of court.
The prosecution, meanwhile, produced witnesses claiming information in the possession of the SCDOT — held in their own files at the SCDOT offices — did show the right-of-way.
Examinations, cross-examinations and re-examinations throughout Wednesday’s broad testimony — 21 witnesses in all — attempted to solidify the claims of both sides.
Surveyor Herman Cochran, who surveyed the Bixby property as part of a greater property survey in 1996, while testifying he saw no right-of-way on any documentation he researched, still claimed under oath that a right-of-way did in fact exist at the Bixby property.
“There is no right-of-way described (on his 1996 survey), but I have no doubt there is a right-of-way there,” Cochran said, adding he researched the matter in three different areas and on three different sources. “Nothing I found showed a highway department easement.”
Upon re-examination, Eighth Circuit Solicitor Jerry Peace asked Cochran “just because you didn’t draw (a right-of-way) doesn’t mean that one didn’t exist?”
To which Cochran replied: “A right-of-way does exist.”
Defense attorney Bill Nettles then responded, “If you had found a right-of-way, you would have put it on the survey you did in 1996 or found it on a deed or plat at the clerk-of-court office, isn’t that correct?”
Nettles then closed his line of questioning.
The three SCDOT employees said a contentious conversation then took place on Dec. 5, 2003 with Rita Bixby. After the men claimed to have found the proper documentation they were seeking, Rita Bixby said they should get (the information) to her “in the next five minutes.” The men went back to the property, where they said they were met with more cursing and threats.
“They said all we had were lies,” McCaffrey said. “They said that they would fight to their last breath.”
“Rita Bixby said all the information we had were lies and forgeries,” Hannah said. “Steven Bixby said the sheriff’s office had no authority on the property. We left the scene.”
That same day, near noon Friday, Abbeville dentist Dr. Mark Horton said an “agitated” Steven Bixby stopped by his office nearby to discuss the ongoing problems.
“(Bixby) did make some threats, stating that he was from New Hampshire where the motto is ‘Live Free or Die,’” Horton said. “(Bixby) said. ‘I’ve got something that’s going to blow this whole project out of the water.’ I told him that he needed to get an attorney, but he said that they would have to take his land over his cold, dead body.”
McCaffrey went to the Abbeville County Sheriff’s Office on Friday to let deputies know of his crew’s safety concerns and to request that an officer be sent out Dec. 8, 2003 to aid in the mediation.
McCaffrey spoke with Deputy Barry New, who posted an “FYI” advisory in the department’s muster area and attempted to relay the message to a supervisor. New also received calls from relatives who knew the Bixbys and said they were very concerned about the situation.
Abbeville County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Marion Johnson said he never saw New’s “FYI” memo, but added he did receive the phone message.
It was Johnson — who said he had known Wilson since high school, more than 25 years ago — who dispatched his friend to meet with McCaffrey, Williams and Hannah to discuss a meeting at the Bixby residence that Monday, the day of the shootings and the standoff.
The prosecution played a tape of the final conversation Johnson had with Wilson – who was visibly shaken – in which Johnson asks Wilson if he has yet made contact with the SCDOT workers. The tape produced tears and emotion from members of the Wilson and Ouzts families.
Wilson stopped by the SCDOT office and spoke briefly with Williams and Hannah before leaving at around 8:40 a.m., according to testimony from Hannah. Wilson was to meet the two men at the Bixby home at 9 a.m.
“We went by there a few minutes early and saw there was a police car there with no one in it, but it was still running,” Williams said. “It was a cold morning and you could see the exhaust in the air.
“We talked about how that looked suspicious and we drove on by. When we came back a second time there were square holes in the window blinds that hadn’t been there the first time.”
A third trip by the Bixby home confirmed their fears.
“We saw Steven Bixby standing behind the storm door in camouflage with a long gun in his left hand and a pistol in his right hand,” Williams told the jury. “He had on camouflage pants, camouflage shirt and a camouflage hat. We knew that officer was in trouble.”
“We didn’t see Deputy Wilson,” Hannah added. “It gave us an eerie feeling. It freaked us out even more when we went by and saw Steven Bixby standing in the door holding a long gun in one hand and a handgun in the other. There was no doubt that it was Steven Bixby.”
As Abbeville Emergency Management employees Chad Kellum and Kay Irwin drove by, they testified seeing a “white male” matching the description offered by Williams and Hannah, standing on the front porch of the Bixby home.
Kellum, who was driving the emergency vehicle, said the subject “had a rifle in his hands.”
Irwin said she saw a “white male” with a “rifle in his right hand and a handgun in his left hand.”
Testimony continued with that of Abbeville chiropractors, Dr. Craig Gagnon and Dr. Darren Lewis. Gagnon received a call that morning around 9:40 a.m. from Rita Bixby – a call in which Rita Bixby claimed her son had shot a deputy.
“Some of the things she said made me want to go out to the Bixby house and see what was going on,” Gagnon said Wednesday, while not detailing (or being asked to detail) the contents of the phone call from the stand.
Gagnon said he and Lewis drove out to the Bixby home expecting to find a horde of law enforcement vehicles. Instead, the two men found only one – a still running patrol car belonging to Sgt. Danny Wilson.
That sent chills into the two men.
No one yet knew what had happened there.
“We saw the car still running and I told (Gagnon) ‘there’s nobody out here, nobody knows,’” Lewis said. “That’s when we called 911.”
The 911 call took place at 9:50 a.m. Monday.
The situation on the ground near the Bixby home quickly became chaotic as law enforcement officers began to arrive.
Arriving first was then-Lt. Deputy Deborah Graham, who had been trying to locate Wilson.
Lewis and Gagnon attempted to flag her down as she pulled in front of the Bixby home, but were unsuccessful.
Constable Donnie Ouzts, who was in the area to serve an eviction notice, also arrived, joining Graham in the yard.
Lewis testified he tried to stop Ouzts as well.
“I yelled to him ‘Donnie, don’t go up there he’s got a gun’ but he didn’t hear me,” Lewis said.
Graham’s testimony – as the closest officer to Donnie Ouzts that day – was perhaps the most gripping, as she described in detail the shot that claimed Ouzts’ life.
“He walked up and said, ‘What you got, gal?,’ because that was the way he talked to me. I had known him since he worked with my daddy when I was a little girl,” Graham said with a trembling voice. “After I told him what happened he put his hand on his gun and said ‘we’ve got to go (to the home to get Danny)’ but I said ‘No, we have to wait until everyone gets here.’”
As the two officers turned to walk away, Graham said a shot rang out from the residence, hitting Ouzts in his back.
“It had to be his back because both of us had turned to walk away,” she said. “I saw him fall.”
Additional testimony provided by other officers including probation and parole officer Ed Strickland and S.C. Highway Patrol officer Mickey Brooks, who arrived on the scene later, established the heroic manner in which Ouzts’ body was retrieved from the scene.
The prosecution made it clear that Ouzts’ handgun – a Glock model – was never drawn from its holster.
Meanwhile, the defense asked each witness taking place in the recovery effort whether they had been fired upon after the fatal shot that killed Ouzts.
Each witness said they were not fired upon at that time.
Today’s testimony will continue with that of state troopers who arrived in the moments during and after after the recovery of Ouzts’ body. The jury also may tour the scene of the standoff today or Friday.

Inside the Courtroom

February 15, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

He certainly didn’t look the part of a killer.
But then, men and women accused of murder and other heinous crimes often don’t once their cases reach a courtroom and their own fates are being decided.
Thinly mustached and dressed casually in a long-sleeve, button-down dress shirt and khaki slacks, it was a somewhat thinner — though pale — and more sedate Steven Vernon Bixby who jurors saw for the first time Wednesday as testimony began in the Abbeville man’s double-murder trial.
His appearance in court was a stark contrast to an image the prosecution portrayed of Bixby as having donned military-style fatigues, brandished weapons and killed two law officers — sparking a 14-hour standoff more than three years ago in this sleepy Southern town.
Instead, he calmly took volumes of notes during the course of testimony – pausing to neatly wipe crumbs from the table, replace chairs gingerly and even eat chocolate chip cookies during one break in the day’s lengthy proceedings. More than 20 witnesses were called and excused during the trial’s opening day.
Bixby’s defense team – lead counsel and chief public defender Charles Grose and Columbia attorney Bill Nettles – conferred quietly with nearly each witness, exchanging positives and negatives of testimony throughout the day. Nettles is a tall, gaunt, bespectacled figure with a “genius scientist” look about him as he bounded energetically across the courtroom, longer-length hair bouncing all the way.
Grose appeared unflappable all day.
Eighth Circuit Solicitor Jerry Peace – dressed sharply in a navy suit – did most of the talking for the prosecution. Peace was a model of calm and consistency.
Deputy solicitor John Anthony did handle one line of questioning. Deputy solicitor Andrew Hodges will get his first opportunity in the trial today.
But the day was perhaps most unusual for what was absent rather than for what it featured. There was no circus.
There were more men and women wearing ear pieces (denoting some type of law enforcement) than spectators. No protesters could be located anywhere, and there were only two television news trucks and one still photographer present, from The Associated Press.
Although press row was not without some celebrity – the New York Times thought enough of the case to dispatch a writer from its bureau in New Orleans.
It was unclear how long he planned to stay.

Inside the Courtroom

February 15, 2007

Obituaries

Virginia Ashley

Virginia Warren Gaines Ashley, 97, widow of Floyd Milton Ashley, died Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home and Crematory.

Jan Calvert

DUE WEST — Lulie Janet Calvert, 90, of 18 Frank Y. Pressly Drive, formerly of Abbeville, died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, at Carlisle Nursing Center, Due West.
Services will be announced by The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville.

Sara Ann Cannon

ABBEVILLE — Sara Ann Cannon, 61, of Abbeville, wife of Bobby Cannon, died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007 at the Hospice House in Greenwood. She was born in Abbeville to the late Frank and Sara Ferguson Dawson. Mrs. Cannon was a member of Little Mountain Presbyterian Church, where she was the former church secretary and a member of the Sara Dawson Circle. She had attended Erskine College and formerly worked at the Abbeville Milliken Plant.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded death by her daughter, Lisa Annette Cannon.
Surviving Mrs. Cannon is her husband of 41 years of the home; two sons, David F. Cannon and his wife, Melissa of Hodges, SC, and Robert Mark Cannon of Abbeville, SC; a brother, Charles Dawson and his wife, Carol of Abbeville; one grandson, Noah Cannon.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, 2007 at the Little Mountain Presbyterian, conducted by the Rev. John Parks. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Little Mountain Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 3836 Hwy. 28 N., Abbeville, SC 29620 or HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the Cannon family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com. Harris Funeral Home of Abbeville, SC, is assisting the Cannon family.

Inez Davis

HODGES — Sara Inez Young Davis, 91, resident of 4521 Main Street, widow of Zachary Vernon Davis, died Feb. 14, 2007 at her residence.
Born in Greenwood Feb. 18, 1915, she was a daughter of the late Robert Furman and Lucille Martin Young. Ms. Davis was a member of Providence Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Sudie Milford Sunday School Class. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors include 2 daughters, Sara Davis McJunkin of the home and Pat Davis Spoone of Hodges; 3 grandchildren, Lynn McJunkin Alexander of the home, Susan Walker Sullivan of Hodges and Travis Spoone of Greenwood; 4 great-grandchildren, Samantha Alexander, Taylor Sullivan, Will Spoone and Kayla Spoone. Ms. Davis was preceded in death by her daughter Peggy Davis Walker.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 11 a.m. from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. J.B. Redd and Rev.
Lamar Babb officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Thomas Young, David Daniel, Wayne Walker, Travis Spoone, Earl Higgins and Buddy Shirley.
Honorary escort will be the men of Providence Baptist Church.
The family is at the home and will receive friends Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Those desiring may make memorials to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to Providence Baptist Church, PO Box 6, Hodges, SC 29653 in memory of Ms. Davis.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Davis family.

James ‘Jimmy’ Davis

ABBEVILLE — James “Jimmy” Davis, 81, of 1297 Cambridge Street Ext., Abbeville, SC, died Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007 at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
He was born in Abbeville County to the late Leroy Davis and Ella Williams Davis. He was preceded in death by a stepson Bennie L. Jordan.
He was retired from the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force as a Master Sergeant.
He earned degrees in Delco-Remy Automotive Electrical Equipment, Engine Tune-up, Diesel, Automotive Mechanics, Bronze Star, Merit Medals and numerous ribbons of honor.
Survivors are his loyal companion, Mrs. Sarah L. Jordan; four daughters, Carolyn Davis of Quincy, MA, Sherry Davis-Isaac of Flushing, NY, Barbara Davis of Houston, TX, and Erma Davis-Kent of Bensalem, PA; three sons, Michael Davis and Gregory Davis of Bristol, PA, and Larry Davis of San Francisco, CA; eleven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; four stepchildren, Richard Jordan of Anderson, SC, Bernard Jordan of Washington, DC, and Veronica Jordan of Abbeville, SC.
Services are 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, 2007 at the Eugene Brownlee Memorial Chapel of the Abbeville & White Mortuary, Inc., with Rev. Myron Hill officiating and Rev. Johnnie Waller assisting. The interment will be in Lakeview-Thomson Cemetery, Abbeville, SC, with full military honors.
Public viewing is Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007 from 1 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Abbeville & White Mortuary, Inc.
The family is at the home of Mrs. Sarah L. Jordan, 101 Horton Lane, Abbeville, SC.
Online condolences may be sent to the Davis family by visiting awmort@wctel.net.

Jerry Dorn

TROY — Arthur Jerald “Jerry” Dorn, Sr., 64, of 2326 Hamilton Road, Troy, husband of Barbara Brewer Dorn, died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Saluda, he was a son of Frances Chapman Dorn and the late Marvin Dorn. He was a truck driver and was a US Navy veteran, serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was a member of Gassaway United Methodist Church.
Surviving are his wife of the home; his mother of Saluda; four daughters, Robin Denise Moore and Tina Lynn Owens, both of Ninety Six, Lisa Michelle Paysinger of McCormick and Samantha Faye Dorn of the home; two sons, Arthur “Jay” Dorn of Jacksonville, FL, and Trevor Kaplan Dorn of the home; three sisters, Marvelle Cato of Trenton, Katie Dorn of Greenwood and Debbie Dorn of Troy; four brothers, Franklin Dorn of Tooney, TN, Carroll Dorn, Marty Dorn and Julian Dorn, all of Saluda; eight grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service, beginning at 1 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Mary Frazier

HODGES — Mary E. Frazier, 71, of 1202 Shirley Road, died Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007 at Hospice House of the Piedmont.
She was born in Greenwood County, was a graduate of Emma Maddox High School and retired from St. Mary’s Hospital in New York City. She was a member of Good Hope Baptist Church.
She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Posley Latimer.
Survivors: husband, Matthew Frazier; 2 sons, Thomas Frazier, New York City, Morris Frazier, Florence, SC; 1 daughter, Annette Grant, Hodges; 3 brothers; 2 sisters; 5 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services are 2 p.m. Friday at Good Hope Baptist Church, the Rev. Stanley Haltiwanger officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens. The body is at Robinson-Walker Funeral Services and will go on view Thursday at 1 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6-7 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals, is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Herndon

Mary Beaudrot Herndon, 96, resident of 208 Moore Street, widow of Charles H. Herndon, Jr., died Feb. 13, 2007 at her home.
Born in Charleston, July 7, 1910, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Clayton and Mabel Pratt Beaudrot. She was a graduate of Lander College, where she served as president of her senior class. Mrs. Herndon began her teaching career in Callison and continued in Georgetown. She retired in 1974 after 32 years at Greenwood High School, where she was a French teacher.
For many years she was active in her garden club and various civic clubs. She was a member of the First Baptist Church where she was active until her health declined. She was also a charter member of the Dance de Noel.
Surviving are her son, Charles H. Herndon, III of Greenwood; her daughter, Beverly Clayton H. Nations and husband, Chet of Eden, NC; her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth C. Herndon of Greenwood; sisters-in-law, Evelyn H. Schraibman of Charleston and Alice S. Beaudrot of Greenwood; grandchildren, Laura H. Phillips and husband, Walt of Charlotte, NC, Lynn H. Brooks and husband, Jim of Bakersfield, CA, Brad Nations and wife, Charlotte of Eden, NC, Ceil N. Diering and husband, Kris of Greensboro, NC, Julie N. Flynt and husband, Hoke of Wilmington, NC; seven great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Herndon was predeceased by her sisters, Mabel B. Dilling and Anne B. Holfeld, both of Gastonia, NC and her brother, Charles L. Beaudrot of Greenwood.
Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church, with Dr. Tony Hopkins officiating.
Private family burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery prior to the memorial service.
The family would like to thank her special friends who loving cared for her over the past ten years: Gertrude McKelley, Mary Grant, Rosa Alexander, Alphia Chiles and Peggy Moss.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 722 Grace Street, Greenwood, SC 29649 or to the charity of one’s choice.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com. Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Herndon family.

Jeffrey Eugene Knechtges

Jeffrey Eugene Knechtges, formerly of Lansing, MI, age 49, died Feb. 10, 2007. Born Nov. 13, 1957 in Lansing, MI, Jeffrey loved fishing and his family. He served with the U.S. Navy, receiving the Expeditionary Medal and Sea Service Ribbon. He was preceded in death by his father, Wayne, both grandparents and uncle, Don. Surviving are his wife, Joy; their 4 cats, Bingham, Tips, Rocky and Sylvester; mother, Garnet; 2 brothers, Tom (Candi) and Dave (Sue); 3 sisters, Michelle, Sheila and Tammy Wedley. Memorial services will be held Sunday, Feb. 18, at 4 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church, 607 Bypass 72 West, Greenwood, SC, with the Rev. Terry Carter, pastor, officiating.

Christine Lawson Oden

WHITEHOUSE, Tenn. — Christine Lawson Oden went to be with the Lord Feb. 7, 2007 at her home. She is survived by her husband, J.C. Oden and daughters, Haven and Selah Oden.
Chris was the daughter of Frances Regen and Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Lawson of Greenwood. Other survivors include her siblings, Sandi Amyx, LeAnne Simmons, Tracy and Shane Lawson.
Memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at RealLife Ministries in Greenwood.
It is asked that those who attend the service bring a single rose in honor of Chris’ wishes.

Otis Lee Turman

McCORMICK — Otis Lee Turman, 59, died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, at the home of a sister, Louise Brown, in Willington.
Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home.

Eagles’ flight ends

Boiling Springs outshoots Greenwood to move on

February 15, 2007

By R. SHAWN LEWIS
Index-Journal managing editor

Red-hot shooting Boiling Springs pulled away from host Greenwood in the second period Tuesday and never looked back en route to a 71-51 Class AAAA state basketball playoff victory.
The Bulldogs (18-6) drained 10 3-pointers in the game, including six in the second period.
The Eagles, who finished the season with a 14-10 overall mark, were constantly falling behind screens and unable to rotate to the open shooter.
Boiling Springs made Greenwood pay early and often, shooting 54 percent (27-of-50) for the night.
“The first half especially, they were really shooting the ball well,” said Eagles coach Hob Chandler. “That’s probably the best anyone has shot against us this year on the perimeter.”
Boiling Springs freshman Dylan Thompson led the scoring barrage with 20 points, including four 3-pointers.
Three other Bulldogs — Jarris Goodman (16), Charles Burgess (15) and Kevan Shipps (12) — reached double-figures.
Greenwood trailed virtually the entire game, despite scoring the contest’s first two points on an Andre Day bucket.
The Eagles were held to those two points until the 2-minute, 30-second mark in the first period, but ended the frame on a run to close to within three points at 13-10.
That was as close as they would get as Boiling Springs poured in 22 second-period points to make the halftime deficit 35-21.
Greenwood, led by Dexter Syrkett’s 12 points, kept pace with the Bulldogs in the third period, scoring 19 points to Boiling Springs’ 21 to make the score 56-40. The Eagles struggled shooting, hitting only 18-of-47 attempts.
“I thought our guys were ready,” Chandler said, “but we just got outplayed.”
Boiling Springs advances to play White Knoll/Aiken or Fort Mill in the second round of the Class AAAA playoffs.

Chiefs fall in 1st round of playoffs

February 15, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

McCORMICK — The McCormick Chiefs’ playoff hopes took an unexpected turn Wednesday night against the Sabres of Southside Christian.
Seniors Daniel York and Hudson Fricke proved to be too much for the Chiefs (20-4) as the duo combined for 48 points in the Sabres’ 70-50 win, the first postseason win in the school’s history.
“It’s huge because we had a game plan and we stuck to it. Our studs were studs, role players were role players and everybody did their stuff,” Sabres coach Bryan Bullock said. “This is a tough place to play and they (Chiefs) are so athletic and talented and for us to shut them down and hold them to 50 points is a big deal.”
William Peterson led the Chiefs with 16 points, while Raynard Jackson added 13 points in the Chiefs first loss since December 22.
With 3 minutes, 52 seconds remaining in the third quarter, the Chiefs cut the Sabres’ lead to four points, 37-33, following a short jumper by Jackson.
The Chiefs played solid defense following the basket but struggled to grab a rebound as the ball found its way into the hands of Fricke, the state’s leader in 3-pointers made, who answered with a trey.
“He’s my hero. He makes me look smart as a coach,” Bullock said. “He’s an incredible leader and all-around player.”
The Sabres (13-10) led, 46-37, at the 1:26 mark of the third quarter before two free-throws by Fricke pushed the lead to 48-37 with less than one minute remaining in the quarter.
The Chiefs found themselves on the ropes, with one quarter to play, thanks in-part to a 15-4 Sabres run at the end of the third quarter, which gave them a 52-37 lead.
With the game seemingly out of reach, the Chiefs showed flashes of why they earned a No. 1 seed in the fourth quarter.
Trailing 58-39, Peterson hit back-to-back 3-pointers, followed by a Darius Bussey lay-in to cut the lead to 13 points, 60-47, with 6:20 remaining in the game.
That was as close as the Chiefs would get though, as the Sabres out-scored them 10-3 over the game’s final minutes, putting an end to a successful season by the Chiefs.
“I think we came out a little flat. We didn’t make shots that we normally would have made and they (Sabres) got a little confident,” Chiefs coach Elmer Williams said. “We started to rush and hurry things and miss assignments and they were able to take full advantage of that and they beat us.”
The Chiefs trailed 10-6 until Alton Brown made a power move inside for two points with 3:08 remaining in the first quarter.
The Sabres answered with a 6-0 run to take a 16-8 lead.
The Chiefs trailed, 16-13 at the end of the first quarter following a 3-pointer by Marteze Robinson and a lay-in by Bussey.
Brandon Cisco pulled the Chiefs to within one point, 16-15, with a break-away slam with 6:51 remaining in the first half.
A few possessions later, Peterson tied the game, 18-all, with a deep 3-pointer.
Fricke answered with a 3-pointer, helping the Sabres reclaim the lead with 4:28 remaining in the first half.
The Sabres led by five, 29-24, at halftime thanks in-part to York’s 13 first-half points.
“Don’t fool yourself. This is a very disheartening loss. Probably one of the worst losses I’ve ever had or felt just based on the teams’ potential,” Williams said. “But the thing is, you play this game on the court. On paper we probably were the better team, but tonight we were not. I was proud of the way we handled adversity at the end and we showed sportsmanship. I tip my hat to their coaching staff and their players.”

Saluda advances with Deloach’s 43

February 15, 2007

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports editor

SALUDA — Trevor Deloach isn’t looking forward to slipping into that crisp, clean USC Gamecocks jersey just yet.
He still has some use for his current uniform.
The USC signee poured in 43 points, including 30 in the second half, to lead the Saluda High School boys basketball team to a 69-61 win over Columbia Wednesday night in front of a packed Tigers gymnasium.
Deloach, who also had 15 rebounds, three steals, two blocks and four assists, helped send the Tigers (14-10) into the second round of the Class AA playoffs, where they will play Southside Saturday night in Greenville.
“I felt it in me because I didn’t want this to be the last game with a Saluda jersey on,” said Deloach, who posed for pictures after the game with family, friends and fans like any regular celebrity. “It’s an honor to wear this jersey. Basketball is what we’re known for here in Saluda.”
With the game tied at 43 late in the third quarter, Deloach went on to score 18 of the Tigers’ final 26 points, including a staggering 16 of 18 in the fourth quarter.
“When it comes to the playoffs, if we’re going to go down, we’re going to go down with him,” Saluda coach Jimmy Kinard said. “I really am amazed at what he can do. There are a lot of times when he takes a shot and I go ‘no, no, no.’ And I follow it up with ‘yes, yes, yes.’”
But the Tigers showed the Capitals (7-15) early that they were more than just Deloach. A trio of 3-pointers — one each from Ryan Nichols, Cassious Bosket and Derell Coleman — combined with a 360-degree layup from Deloach for an 11-2 run to give Saluda an 11-4 lead with 4 minutes, 44 seconds left to play in the first quarter.
Coleman finished with 11 points, while Bosket chipped in seven.
“Anytime we’ve really been successful, our supporting cast has contributed in a big way and that’s what they did tonight,” Kinard said. “It was a great team win.”
Saluda went on to take a 21-15 lead after the first 8 minutes. But a pair of 8-2 runs by Columbia gave the Capitals a 31-28 lead with 1:48 left before halftime.
Saluda’s Michael Burton’s lay-in off a pass from Deloach cut the deficit to one with 1:30 remaining.
The Capitals were content with that lead, as Terance Bowman stood near half court with the ball while Saluda stayed in its packed-in zone defense until there was 6 seconds on the clock. Curtis Dunbar’s last-second 3-pointer was well short as the Capitals went into the break up 31-30.
Dunbar, who finished with a team-high 22 for Columbia, opened the second half with a putback.
The Trevor Deloach Show began not long after.
The 6-foot-5 swingman stroked a 3 to tie the game. After another Dunbar putback, Deloach gave Saluda the lead for good with another 3-pointer to make it 36-35 with 6:31 left in the third.
“Coach just told me to go out and play,” said Deloach, who scored his team’s first 10 points of the third quarter. “My teammates know it’s my time to take over a game. I told them to ride me as long as they can.”
Columbia used a 6-1 run to tie the game at 43. But Deloach found Coleman spotted up at the 3-point line and the lefty stroked his third trey of the night, putting the Tigers back in front 46-43.
Deloach opened the fourth like he did the third, knocking down a pair of 3s, en route to nine straight Saluda points.
The senior did get a rest, as Montae Burno entered for him to a standing ovation with 10 seconds remaining on the clock.

Abbeville falls to power-scoring Carolina

February 15, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

ABBEVILLE — Sometimes basketball isn’t simply a game of five-on-five. Just ask Abbeville High School coach Jamie Herman.
The Panthers fell, 60-53, to Carolina Academy in the first round of the Class AA state playoffs Wednesday night at Abbeville High School. With the win, Carolina will move on to meet C.A. Johnson in the second round. C.A. Johnson defeated Ninety Six 76-68.
The Trojans were led by forward Marques Williams, who poured in 20 points and ripped down 15 rebounds. Macio Kirksey added 17 points for Carolina.
Meanwhile, Ty Suit dropped in 16 points for Abbeville, while Panthers’ forward Toquavius Gilchrist notched 14 points and 12 rebounds.
The game was a back-and-forth affair that saw the Trojans shoot 22 free throws, while Abbeville went to the line only four times. It was a fact that didn’t sit well with Herman.
“You can’t win when you’re playing against eight,” said Herman, referring to Carolina’s five players plus the three referees. “It’s tough to hit shots when people are hanging all over you. Twenty-two to four in free throws. It’s ridiculous. This is the playoffs.”
Herman had high praise for the play of Carolina’s Williams.
“(Williams) was a beast,” Herman said. “I don’t know why he would ever be out near the 3-point line. He was a force.”
The Trojans shot out to an early lead.
Kirksey used his quickness to force a pair of steals in the quarter, converting each into layups. Abbeville answered with strong inside play from Gilchrist and Suit, each of whom grabbed loose ball rebounds and put the ball back in the hoop in the opening frame. Still, Carolina was up 19-15 at the end of the first quarter.
The scoring slowed considerably in the second quarter, as each team utilized zone defenses. Gilchrist lofted in a soft baby-hook shot with 2:11 remaining in the half to cut Abbeville’s deficit to 26-23, and it was the last basket scored in the first half.
The Panthers came out of the locker room after halftime with a burst of energy.
A short jumper by Marcus Ray and a long 3-pointer from the left wing by Michael Butler helped the Panthers to a 9-5 run to make the tally 32-28 in favor of Abbeville with 6:01 left in the third. Carolina hung tough however, and a pair of free throws by Omar Ellerbee aided the Trojans in cutting their deficit to 34-33 headed into the last quarter.
The game remained close, but several key turnovers by the Panthers helped Carolina creep out to a 53-4 7 lead with 1:09 left.
“That was the deciding moment of the game,” Herman said. “Those turnovers turned it from a one-point game to a five, six point game quick. That changed the way we approached the rest of the game.”

Opinion

New federal ID law opens a door best left unopened

February 15, 2007

The mental image is frightening. It’s central to the old movies we all see from time to time.
The Gestapo agent in Nazi Germany demands the innocent person’s papers ..... meaning identification papers that must be issued by the fascist government. Or, it might behind the old Iron Curtain. If the papers aren’t immediately produced, the consequences could be unthinkable.
That may never happen in this country, but it’s not impossible. That’s probably why numerous states have revolted against a national driver’s license that is mandated by the Real ID Act of 2005, The federal law sets a national standard for driver’s licenses and requires states to link their record-keeping systems to national databases.

SUPPORTERS OF THE LAW SAY it’s needed to prevent terrorists and illegal immigrants from getting fake identification cards.
Opponents, though, say it’s a violation of privacy, costs too much and will not stop terrorism. They point to the fact that Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh and some of the hijackers in the September 11 attacks had legitimate driver’s licenses. One lawmaker estimates the cost to implement the law would squeeze taxpayers for $11 billion. That’s $11,000,000,000.
Some South Carolina lawmakers have registered their concern and some in Congress, Democratic and Republican, have joined to seek to rescind the Act. About a dozen states, including Georgia, have active legislation against it. As it stands, if states don’t comply by May of 2008, driver’s licenses that aren’t up to the Act’s requirements cannot be used to board airplanes, enter a federal building, or open some bank accounts.

WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT EVERY American would be required to carry a driver’s license that would be, in effect, a national ID card. The very idea is too close to situations in those old movies we see on TV. Imagine not having an “official” federally-sanctioned license if a government agent demands - urr, uh, requests - to see your papers ..... urr uh, your Real ID Act of 2005 driver’s license.
Is that too much of a stretch or alarmist? Stranger things have happened. There must be better ways to fight terrorism that resorting to ideas that are too reminiscent of Nazi Germany and “living” behind the Iron Curtain where the Gestapo and the KGB (secret police) gave new meaning to fear and people disappeared.
South Carolina would do well to join the other states in resisting the Real ID Act.