Only 2 cheerleaders in scandal

2 National Guardsmen placed on leave pending probes

January 25, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR and R. SHAWN LEWIS
The Index-Journal

WARE SHOALS — Only two Ware Shoals High School cheerleaders are “directly involved” in an alcohol-fueled sex scandal that has rocked this small town, local law enforcement said Wednesday.
Chief Deputy Mike Frederick, of the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, told The Index-Journal that only two girls, then 16 years old, have been tied to allegations of receiving alcohol from the school’s former guidance clerk, Jill Moore, 28, and then participating in an “incredibly inappropriate situation” involving a sexual relationship Moore was having with a member of the National Guard.
Moore was arrested last week by the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, and resigned from her post in the wake of the scandal.
Ware Shoals Principal Jane Blackwell, 59, was arrested Monday on charges of obstructing justice after she allegedly failed to report Moore’s activities to deputies.
Investigators say Blackwell held up the investigation by not reporting Moore’s actions when she learned of them, lying to police and stifling attempts by other staffers to fix the situation.
The cheerleaders involved in the investigation won’t be charged, Frederick said, but will be treated as victims of the inappropriate conduct.
“The bad apples are Jill Moore and Jane Blackwell,” he said, adding the cheerleaders involved were victims of bad supervision and were “unduly influenced” by Moore.
“The rest (of the girls) are just victims,” he said. “Really, they are all victims. ”

Guardsmen investigation
Two National Guardsmen, whose names were not released, have been placed on administrative leave in connection with the case. Frederick said the soldiers’ names likely will be released today.
“The South Carolina National Guard is working closely with the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Department investigation on matters relating to alleged misconduct in the incident concerning Ware Shoals and any National Guard soldier,” according to a statement from SCNG headquarters in Columbia.
“We do not condone actions such as the ones alleged and we have opened our own military equivalent investigation into the matter in conjunction with the ongoing civil investigation. The South Carolina National Guardsmen allegedly involved have been placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
“If the investigation determines that there was wrongdoing on the part of any member or members of the South Carolina National Guard, appropriate action will be taken up to and including court martial and separation from the Guard.”
Ironically, Blackwell’s husband, Larry, works with the S.C. Army National Guard and also has spent time in Iraq, the Ware Shoals District 51 Web site reports.

Connections in case
Residents of the small community continue to express concerns that nepotism and “the good ol’ boy network” might try to sweep the scandal under the rug. Moore’s father, Marcus Bishop, is on the District 51 board of trustees, and Blackwell’s first cousin, Fay Sprouse, is the system’s superintendent.
The Index-Journal also has learned that Blackwell’s sister, Bennie Harrison, is a former board trustee, and current trustee Jack Sullivan has a daughter on the WSHS varsity cheer squad. Sullivan declined to comment on the situation.
“I’m on the school board up there. We took advice from legal counsel last night and we’re not at liberty to discuss this,” he said. “At this point in time, I can’t answer any questions.”

‘It’s far from normal’
Acting principal Charles S. Mayfield said the fervor over the scandal, which is leading newscasts across the nation, is “discouraging. But this, too, shall pass.”
Mayfield said school officials are doing their best to conduct “business as normal, even though it’s far from normal.”
“We’ve had a couple of meetings with teachers and we’re trying to get students to focus on classwork,” he said. “We can’t control what the kids talk about, but when we’re in math class, we want to be doing math.”
But reminders of the scandal are seemingly everywhere.
Team photos depicting the Ware Shoals varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders have been removed from the high school’s Web site after national media outlets began broadcasting them without blurring the girls’ faces, Mayfield said, expressing passionate concern not only for the girls’ safety but also for their privacy.
During The Index-Journal’s interview with Mayfield, Fox News’ coverage of the matter filled the TV behind the principal’s desk. He also received a phone call from his sister who told him CNN was covering the story as they spoke.
“The kids have questions,” he admitted, “and I’m trying to answer them to the best of my ability. The school doesn’t want a black eye. We don’t want kids not to talk to people. We don’t want it to be a distraction, though.”
Officials haven’t canceled any school functions; in fact, Mayfield said this week is Spirit Week and Friday’s pep rally — complete with the varsity cheerleaders — will go on as planned. The principal said the school has two sets of cheerleaders — one for football and one for basketball.
Two teachers, Rachael Traynhem and Kerri Crawford, have assumed Moore’s coaching duties, he said. WSHS is conducting “an internal investigation” of the matter in addition to the ongoing work by the sheriff’s office.
“We’re going to look at what we know to be fact and apply disciplinary action, if necessary,” Mayfield said.
“The safety of our kids is our first priority.”
Mayfield said he wasn’t prepared to assess whether Blackwell would be effective as a principal if she is allowed to return to the school.

Rumors, suspicions
Ware Shoals resident Lori Coleman said the rumors surrounding the scandal are “everything from soup to nuts. You just hear so much.”
Coleman added that tales of alleged improprieties involving Moore have been rampant “for years” but were always “swept under the rug.” This time, however, “the lid has been blown off. Somebody spoke to the right person,” she said. In years past, parents and other concerned individuals dared not speak out for “fear of repercussion” from school officials, namely Blackwell.
“They want (parental) involvement, but only to a certain extent,” she said.
“I am delighted that someone had the courage to start asking questions about this,” said Ware Shoals’ Helen Babb, who owns a dance studio in the town of 2,300. “You hear rumors about things like this all of the time and nothing comes out. There is nepotism galore and favoritism galore going on over there.”
Babb said it wasn’t news to her when word got out Moore had been arrested.
“I’m not surprised at all,” Babb said. “Again, I’m glad there’s an investigation into it. They can’t just push this under the rug, which is what they tried to do.”
Babb said the cheerleaders displayed fierce loyalty to Moore.
“The influence she had over these girls was incredible,” Babb said, adding that many of the cheerleaders were longtime members of her dance studio.
Richmond Hill popped into Brad’s Barber Shop in Ware Shoals to stress what he thinks is most important as the investigation continues.
“These kids need to go to school and focus on their work,” Hill said, garnering support from the large crowd gathered around in the shop. “Because they haven’t learned nothing this last week.”
Ware Shoals resident Gabe Leverette said he’s confident Blackwell knew about Moore’s actions before the authorities got involved.
“Oh, you know they knew, come on now,” Leverette said. “I think everyone on that staff knew. Teachers, principal, custodians, everybody. There’s what, 50 people on the whole staff? You know somebody knew something. That’s just society.”
WSHS senior Anthony Leverette said the atmosphere at school has been hectic, especially with the national media’s convergence on the small town. However, Anthony said the charges against Moore didn’t come as a shock.
“I had been hearing rumors about that around school,” Anthony said. “It’s just something you heard and knew about.”
Anthony did say it was strange to see his school’s principal hauled away by the authorities.
Brad Calhoun, owner of Brad’s Barber Shop, said he thinks everyone involved should own up to what happened.
“People need to take responsibility for their actions,” Calhoun said. “They know what they did wrong. The young ones know, too. Those two faculty members definitely know.”

Do you have the 'Power'?

$240 million jackpot entices lottery players to have a ‘ball’

January 25, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

Greg Beaufort hardly ever plays any form of lottery.
But there were 240 million reasons (and counting) as to why he stopped on Wednesday to make sure he purchased a South Carolina Powerball ticket.
“This is the first time I’ve bought one in a while,” he said. “I hardly ever play it. But for $240 million I have to try.”
It’s the same story that Necotres Thompson — an employee at Citgo on the corner of the S.C. 72 Bypass and East Laurel Avenue — hears all day long when the Powerball jackpot gets this high.
“It’s non-stop traffic through here when it gets like that,” she said. “The higher it gets the more they come.
“And when it gets over $200 million like it is now, it just gets ridiculous.”
South Carolina Powerball drawings are conducted on Wednesday and Saturday nights at 10:59 p.m.
Should a South Carolina ticket hold the winning Powerball combination of six numbers, it will be the fourth such ticket sold in the Palmetto State, and the first since June 2004.
Anthony and Monica Wilson, North Carolina residents (at that time) who bought tickets in the Palmetto State, won a near $50 million jackpot in May 2003, before Norman and DeAnna Schue (also North Carolinians) claimed a $110 million jackpot in December 2003.
Later, in June 2004, an anonymous winner claimed a jackpot of better than $34 million.
Charles Atkinson, of South Carolina, won $200,000 last Wednesday by matching five of the six Powerball numbers.
There is indeed some big-time money out there.
If anyone should be fortunate enough to have purchased a winning ticket, he would either receive annualized payments or be able to select a “cash out” option to receive a lump sum of a single payment.
That amount is currently $114 million.
It’s enough money for Tammy Kelly to stop by and buy a ticket as well. She, like Beaufort, rarely plays unless the jackpot climbs as high as it had by Wednesday afternoon.
She hands her dollar bill over to the cashier and smiles.
“I normally don’t buy a ticket,” she said. “But I found a four-leaf clover the other day and a friend of mine told me that I needed to go and buy a lottery ticket.”
When asked why she purchased just one ticket, Kelly had a very simple answer: “I’m just as likely to win with one ticket as I am with a hundred.”

At this church, learning doesn’t end with the bell

After-school program flourishes at Emerald Baptist

January 25, 2007

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

The Rev. Curtis Eidson, pastor at Emerald Baptist Church, used to see students walk past his church from Merrywood Elementary School every day.
Now, he brings many into church to help them academically and spiritually.
Eidson helped create an after-school program in September with Connie Luker, case manager at Merrywood, that teaches Merrywood students to not just pass, but excel in their studies.
Luker said she helped Eidson get a list of students who were walking home and notified their parents about the program, which now has 30 students.
The program started out with no budget, “but we haven’t missed a beat,” Eidson said.
Eidson started the program to commit the church to being more than four walls and a roof.
Students aren’t allowed by state law to ride the school bus if they live less than a mile away from their school, Luker said.
Those children would often walk home to empty apartments while their parents worked, Eidson said.
Wytega Williams, a fourth-grader at Merrywood Elementary, said her mother works as a patient sitter between 1 and 5 p.m., so she’s not always at home after school.
“I like the people here and they’re very nice,” she said.
Wytega said she wasn’t getting very good grades before going to the after-school program, but now she’s learning more.
Her grades are improving, “so now I won’t have to be grounded from most of my stuff.”
She’s also memorized all but five of the books of the Old Testament of the Bible.
Eidson said public schools do the best they can to help children, and Emerald is trying to pick up the slack.
Church members, including Eidson, serve as tutors for the children, Luker said.
Tutors become so involved in their students’ lives that they come to school events to show their support.
Pam Fagan has been working as a tutor for the program since September.
She said she became a tutor because she likes children.
“I like to work with children who want to help themselves,” Fagan said.
She said most of the children really appreciate the help.
Eidson considers it a blessing that teenagers who attend the church also help out.
The church also works to help students do more than homework.
Eidson said students also learn manners in the program, saying “Yes, ma’am” and “No, sir.”
The program also helps with the children’s self-esteem.
“This, to me, this is an inside feeling good thing for these kids,” he said.

Suzanne Bolt

Suzanne Allen Bolt, 21, of 225 Merriman Ave., wife of Daniel Bolt, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2007, at her home.
The family is at the home of her grandparents, Donald and Juanita Vanderford, 106 Buggy Court.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home and Crematory.

William E. ‘Lightin’ Chandler

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — William E. “Lightin” Chandler, 58, of New Port Richey, FL, died Jan. 23, 2007 at Community Hospital, New Port Richey.
He was born in Greenwood, SC, and moved to New Port Richey from Tampa 6 years ago. He was a Train Master with CSX Railroad in Greenwood, SC, and of the Methodist faith. He is survived by his wife, Cecelia; 3 sons, Ryan, Tampa, Robert (Viviana), Tampa, William R., Tampa; 1 stepson, Robert (Deserie) Martin, Brandon, FL; stepdaughter, Melissa (Eric) Keiber, Sebring, FL; 1 sister, Lee Gleaton, Greenwood, SC; and 4 grandchildren, Peter, Zack, Alex and Rachael. The family will receive friends Friday, Jan. 26, at 4 p.m. at the home of Robert Chandler, 17713 Shannon Oaks Court, Tampa, 33647.
Arrangements entrusted to Michels & Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey, Florida.

Charles Guillebeaux

CALHOUN FALLS — Charles “Bo” Guillebeaux, 78, of 106 Hester St., Apt. G, Calhoun Falls, SC, died Friday, Jan. 19, 2007, at the V.A. Medical Center in Augusta, GA.
Services will be held Friday, Jan. 26, 2007, at 1 p.m. in the Abbeville and White Mortuary Chapel. Rev. Roy Andrews will be officiating. Public viewing will be Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007, from 1-8 p.m. at the mortuary. Burial will be private.

Marie Watkins Hill

WEST COLUMBIA — Marie Watkins Hill, 85, of West Columbia, formerly of Charleston, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 22, 2007 at Lexington Medical Center.
She was born March 16, 1921 in Lexington County to the late William Judson Watkins and Ella Mae Schumpert Watkins.
Mrs. Hill was a retired cashier with ARA services, having served at the Charleston Naval Shipyard.
Mrs. Hill came to Charleston in 1944 and was a member of Ferndale Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Jimmie Lou Gilbert and husband, J.T. of Cross Hill, SC; also included are two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Mrs. Hill had many nieces and nephews who loved and cared for her.
Mrs. Hill was predeceased by her husband, James Claude Hill; three sisters, Dorothy Perry, Ruby DeLint and Lennie Bounds; three brothers, Eddie T. Watkins, J.C. Watkins and James Watkins.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007, 2 p.m. at Carolina Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 7113 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC. Burial will follow in Carolina Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, 2007 at Carolina Memorial Funeral Home.
Arrangements are being handled by Carolina Memorial Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made via www.carolinamemorial.com.

Shannon Dawkins Jennings

McCORMICK — Mrs. Shannon Dawkins Jennings, 37 of Pierce Road, McCormick, died Jan. 22, 2007 in McCormick County.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. at Goshen Baptist Church, with Rev. Robert D. Adams officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Jennings was born in Wilkes County. She grew up in Lincoln County and lived in McCormick for the past ten years. She was a manager of Security Finance. Also, she was a member of Goshen Baptist Church.
Survivors: husband, Joe Jennings; daughter, Brook Jennings; father, Sammy Dawkins, and his wife, Vicki, Lincolnton; mother, Jenet Howard Fowler, and her husband, Ronnie, Clearwater, SC; brother, Alton Dawkins, Lincolnton; sisters, Dee Dee Creswell, Lincolnton, Michelle Glass, Stockbridge, and Kayla Dawkins, Lincolnton; grandmother, Eula G. Howard, Greenwood, SC; nieces and nephews, Cody, Hunter and Heath Creswell, Justin White, Gavin and Banks Glass, Cole and Graham Turner, and Victoria Gosling.
Beggs Funeral Home, 200 May Avenue, Lincolnton, Georgia (706) 359-4117.

Pearl F. Lindsey

PROMISED LAND — Pearl F. Lindsey, 102, of 751 New Zion Road, widow of Leo Lindsey Sr., died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2007 at her home.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

Mary Frances Lochbaum

Mary Frances Grimm Lochbaum, 87, former resident of the Ashley House, widow of Emile “Bill” Lochbaum, died Jan. 24, 2007 at NHC of Greenwood.
Born in St. Louis, MO, March 24, 1919, she was a daughter of the late Frank A. and Helen Grimm. She retired from Owens-Illinois Glass Co. in Hapeville, GA, and was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Greenwood.
Mrs. Lochbaum was twice married, first to the late Richard Halleck Wiegand, was a former resident of LeMay, MO, and had made her home in Greenwood since 2001.
Surviving are a son, Stephen and wife, Gena Wiegand of Waterloo; a daughter, Patricia and husband, Dennis Kaiser of Texas; a sister, Helen Scott of LeMay, MO; six grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, with Father Timothy Tebalt and Rev. Sam Smith officiating.
Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Holly Hill Memorial Park, Fairburn, GA.
The family will receive friends at Blyth Funeral Home from 5 to 7 Thursday evening.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Lochbaum family.

Jim Voiselle

NINETY SIX — James Marion “Jim” Voiselle, 85, resident of 120 Lowell Street, widower of Edith Ouzts Voiselle, died Jan. 23, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, March 31, 1921, he was a son of the late Claude Albert and Della Duncan Voiselle. He was a US Army Veteran of WW II. Mr. Voiselle retired as a Deputy Sheriff from the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Department and was formerly employed by Greenwood Mills, Ninety Six Plant. He formerly served as a leader in Cub Scouts and was very active in Textile League Baseball.
A member of Cambridge United Methodist Church and the Granny Davis Sunday School Class, he was also a member of the Eureka Masonic Lodge No. 47 and American Legion Post No. 103.
Surviving are two sons, Victor R. and wife, Marianna Voiselle of Statesboro, GA, and Wendell N. Voiselle of Kingstree; a brother, Claude “Diz” Voiselle of Ninety Six; three grandchildren, Mariah Voiselle, Cameron Voiselle and Sarah Voiselle.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Ronald Chavis officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Randy Stephenson, Bobby Brown, Dean Goldman, Phillip Fortner, Allen J. Fortner, Melvin Pace, Mike Leopard, Doug Alexander, Craig Walker and John Stephenson.
Honorary escort will be members of the Greenwood County Law Enforcement Association, members of the Eureka Masonic Lodge No. 47, American Legion Post No. 103 and Old Timers Baseball Players, along with Giles Daniel, Sam Riley, Harold White, Steve Dove, “Rock” Goldman and Allen P. Fortner.
The family is at the home on Lowell Street and will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 Thursday evening.
Memorials may be made to Cambridge United Methodist Church, 201 Kitson Street, Ninety Six, SC 29666.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Voiselle family.

William M. Wingard

MYRTLE BEACH — William “Tad” M. Wingard, 43, died suddenly on Jan. 20, 2007 in a pedestrian accident in Los Angeles, CA.
Tad was born and raised in Myrtle Beach and moved to New York City in 1982, after graduating from Myrtle Beach High School.
While living in New York, Tad pursued a modeling career which led to an interest in acting and performing in a few Off-Broadway productions. In the early 90’s, he co-founded a small theater group in New York, where his love of theater and acting became more apparent; he began to write numerous screen and stage plays. In 2000, Tad moved to Los Angeles, to further his artistic career. In 2004, and most notably, Tad wrote, produced, and acted in the premiere production of one of his plays at Hudson MAINSTAGE Theatre. This led to him becoming a member of Company of Angels theatre group in 2005.
At the time of his death he was still working on numerous stage and screen works as well as becoming a Web site designer. He never stopped practicing and perfecting his artistic passions.
Tad truly touched so many lives with his unique and always positive approach to life. There is no question he was a very bright light and a blissfully contented man and artist. His amazing spirit and the lessons he taught will live in us forever. He will be deeply missed by so many.
He is survived by his parents, Rev. W.F. Wingard and Marguerite T. Wingard of Myrtle Beach, a sister, Amy T. Wingard of New York City, NY, his closest friend, Mark Frankel of Los Angeles, an aunt, Mildred T. Davis of Greenville, SC, two uncles, Rev. Henry S. Wingard of Myrtle Beach, SC, and Harold J. Saine of Columbia, SC, also by numerous cousins.
The family will receive friends at McMillan-Small Funeral Home on Friday, Jan. 26, 2007 from 6 until 7:30.
Funeral services will be held at St. Philips Lutheran Church on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007 at 11 a.m. Interment will be at 2:15 p.m. at Southeastern Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Dr. Richard “Dick” W. Albert will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Grand Strand Humane Society, 3241-Joe White Ave., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.
An online guest book is available at www.msfh.net.
McMillan-Small Funeral Home is serving the family.

Ninety Six edges closer to getting region title

January 25, 2007

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports editor

The Ninety Six High School wrestling team left Viking Country Wednesday night one step closer to claiming yet another Region III-AA title.
The Wildcats dispatched Emerald, 59-22, in Vikings Gymnasium after the two teams took turns slamming an undermanned Newberry squad in the first of a two-day, three-team region meet.
The Wildcats, who have dominated Region III-AA since re-joining in the 2004-05 season, got six points apiece on two forfeits and seven pins, including a stretch of four in a row — two from its heaviest and two from its smallest.
After Bates Nunamaker and Brent Werts won in pins at 215- and 285-pound weight classes, Ninety Six’s little guys — Rusty Harter and Cody White — followed with pins of their own in 103 and 112 to give the Wildcats a commanding 35-16 lead.
“I think our strongest area is from about 125-up, but our 103 and 112 have come a long way from the beginning of the year,” Ninety Six coach Brian Neal said. “To get those two pins after the heavyweights were big for us.”
The Vikings and the Wildcats easily took care of Newberry, which came in with only eight wrestlers.
Thanks to picking up 36 points in forfeits, Emerald won 46-27 behind two pins and a decision, while Ninety Six cruised to a 59-15 score with two pins and three decisions.
Emerald’s Zane Newton opened the final match of the night with an 11-3 decision on Shaun Richards, putting the Vikings up 4-0.
The Wildcats’ Adam Curreri followed by picking up a win on a major decision against Brad Sieckman, shifting the score to 5-4 Ninety Six.
A Daniel Dolak pin gave the lead back to Emerald, but the lead changed again with a pin from Ninety Six’s Tyler Neal.
Adam Newton, like his younger brother, remained undefeated on the season with a pin of Eric Abney, giving a 16-11 lead to the Vikings.
But the Wildcats swept the lead aside behind six straight six-point results — the four straight pins followed by a forfeit win from Blake Richards and a pin from David Womack.
Emerald’s Justin Williams closed out the night by pinning Jesse Suddeth in 2 minutes, 40 seconds.
Ninety Six takes its 2-0 lead into next Wednesday’s rematch between the three squads at Newberry.
“This was a great gauge for what we need to work on for next time,” Emerald coach Andy Wright said. “Adam and Zane and Justin Williams have been steady all season for us. All three should do well when it comes to (individual) Upper State (Feb. 16-17).”

Eagles have to try again for shot at region title

January 25, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Greenwood Eagles wrestling team missed the first of two opportunities to clinch the Region I-AAAA championship Wednesday night following a 39-31 loss to T.L. Hanna.
The Eagles (15-8, 3-1) won seven of the 14 matches, but failed to match the Yellow Jackets (13-9, 2-2), who won six of their seven matches with pins.
“It just comes down to bonus points. Their guys were able to stay off their backs and that’s the difference in the match,” Eagles coach Greg Brewer said. “We had an opportunity at the end, and we wrestled real close to them, but the difference in the match was their guys were able to stay off their backs and we were not able to. We’ve got to go to Laurens next and be ready to wrestle.”
The Eagles led 12-6 following Michael Hellman’s first-round pin against Andrew Hogg in the 119-pound class.
Ben McCormick answered back for the Yellow Jackets with a pin against James Long at 125. The match was tied 3-3 following the opening round, but Long took a 4-3 lead when McCormick was called for an illegal hold in round two.
The tide seemed to turn on the call as Long led 7-4 with one round remaining. Long would get the advantage in the final round, tying the match at 12-all.
The lead grew to 18-12 in favor of the Yellow Jackets when Elliot Dodds pinned Al Ward in the second round of their 130 match.
Although the Eagles won the 135 and 152 matches by decision, they were only worth a total of seven points. The Yellow Jackets picked up 12 points between those matches with pins in the 140 and 145.
“This was a surprising win really because Greenwood’s an outstanding team,” Yellow Jackets coach Keith White said.
The Eagles still trailed 30-22 with four matches remaining, but showed signs of life.
Cale Detwiler gave the Eagles a much-needed pin at the 2 minute, 56 second mark in the 171 against Justin Addis.
Nick Mountz followed with a 6-2 decision at 189, helping the Eagles take a 31-30 lead with two matches remaining.
Following a 4-3 decision in favor of the Yellow Jackets at 215, all eyes were on the Eagles’ Detraveous Ross and Harmon Rickman at 285.
The score was 0-0 after the first two rounds of the heavyweight match-up as both wrestlers jockeyed for position.
Harmon was able to break through with 17.3 seconds left in the final round and get one final pin for the Yellow Jackets.
Ross said that there’s only one thing to do with the region title still on the line tonight against Laurens. He already seemed to have a gameplan following the match.
“I just have to come out real hard, wrestle smart, get in good position, stay low, do what I do and listen to the coach,” Ross said.
The Eagles travel to Laurens for a 7 p.m. match today. A win gives the Eagles the region title even though they would be tied with Westside who is 4-1 in the region since Greenwood holds the tie-breaker.

Scandal in Ware Shoals also hurts the innocent

January 25, 2007

Many people in Ware Shoals have mixed emotions about the guilt and innocence of people involved in a scandal at their high school. One thing they should be able to agree on, though, is that their town, county and state don’t need the bad publicity that comes with such things. South Carolina has seen some embarrassing moments over the years and this only pounds the state’s black eye more.
Not only has the case attracted statewide news coverage, it is being broadcast via television all over the country.
The situation, as everyone should know by now, involves a cheer-leading coach and school guidance office clerk, Jill Moore, who has resigned. She was charged with providing alcohol and cigarettes to students and with putting them in an “incredibly inappropriate situation” involving a sexual relationship with a National Guardsman, officials said.

SHE IS THE DAUGHTER OF a District 51 school trustee, Marcus Bishop, pastor of a Baptist church in Ware Shoals.
Following the Moore arrest, Ware Shoals High School Principal Jane Blackwell was charged with obstruction of justice. She has been placed on suspension with pay. Mrs. Blackwell and the District 51 Superintendent Fay Sprouse “are first cousins.”
The connections of Moore and Blackwell add another dimension: nepotism.
Nothing is being said by those involved, including school officials. However, both persons charged have said, in person or through an attorney, they are innocent. That’s how it should be, though. Everyone is and should be presumed innocent until and if he or she is found guilty of a crime.
Nevertheless, the glare of being in the public spotlight because public school officials have been arrested and charged with crimes is more than enough to assure bad publicity.

THE REASON IS THE MOST fundamental consideration of all.
Awesome responsibility comes with the territory. Teachers have the lives of our most precious possessions in their hands: our children. That intensifies the need for them to be good role models for those impressionable minds in their charge.
Not only do violations of the trust they hold hurt the children, they hurt us all. The big majority of teachers are good classroom citizens. Unfortunately, the majority can be negatively affected by acts of the few.
Whether anyone likes it or not, this is a scandal. Don’t blame Ware Shoals, though, and don’t blame all public school teachers, administrators, or trustees. Blame an appalling decline in morality and the cavalierly way we have of accepting it throughout all of society.