Ninety Six band gets rings

Class A state champions honored with ceremony

March 5, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Sometimes a ring can be more than just a piece of jewelry.
For some, a ring might signify their marriage to another, or perhaps an engagement. Others might wear rings to show a level of academic achievement, such as a class ring.
For members of the 2006 Ninety Six High School marching band, the rings they received Sunday have a different significance: The rings commemorate their 2006 Class A marching band state championship.
The Wildcat Band had a ceremony Sunday afternoon at Ninety Six High to receive their championship rings. They also received championship T-shirts. A large crowd, estimated at nearly 300, was on hand to help honor the musicians.
The band won the state championship in a competition on Oct. 28 at Clinton High School.
Brian Ellenburg, of Greenwood, was a guest speaker at the event. Ellenburg played in the band at Ninety Six when he was a student there years ago. Ellenburg prepared a speech in which each section of the speech was named for a famous song.
He correlated the songs he named with the stages a student goes through from the time they start playing in a band until they are soon-to-be graduating seniors.
“After you’ve worked hard all summer and you get the undivided attention under the Friday night lights, I call that ‘Gonna Fly Now,’ Ellenburg said, referring to the inspirational theme from the film “Rocky.”
“Another song that applies now is one that gets played at many sporting events: ‘We Are the Champions.’ And that’s what you guys in this band will forever be known as.”
Band director David Vickery also took to the stage and spoke, but not before a large group of senior students went to the microphone and expressed their thanks to Vickery. One after another, the seniors shared with the crowd the ways in which Vickery has affected their lives and musical talents.
At the end of the senior tributes, Vickery was presented with a framed photograph from the group, which was signed by all the seniors in the band.
Vickery continued a theme in his address that Ellenburg began in his, which was to encourage members of the band to continue to play music once they have left high school.
“When you get to college, there will be opportunities for you in music,” Vickery said. “And not just for music majors. Playing music can be a lifelong journey.”
Vickery said winning the state title was particularly rewarding because of some of the struggles the program went through several years ago. Vickery said that, at one point, the band even stopped doing marching performances for three years while he built the program from the middle school level.
Vickery said he was able to mold a state champion band out of those beginnings with the help of a dedicated staff and a supportive group of parents.
“We couldn’t do it without the parents and the support they bring to this program,” Vickery said.

Against all odds

Bearcats win first conference title in 12 years

March 5, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

After losing two starters to injuries in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament, the Lander Bearcats (20-10) headed into Sunday’s match-up with the No. 25 Clayton State Lakers (23-7) knowing that it would take a solid effort to win.
Solid is just one word to describe the Bearcats, who outscored the Lakers 17-3 over the final 6 minutes, 32 seconds of the game, on their way to a 75-61 victory, as fans and players celebrated the team’s first tournament title in 12 years.
“I’m proud of our guys because we gave ourselves a chance,” Bearcats coach Bruce Evans said. “Each game we talked about not getting down big. We were able to keep the championship game close. Even when they went out to a six-or-seven point lead we were still able to keep it close by scoring quickly.”
Trailing 33-31 at the half, the Bearcats watched the Lakers increase their lead to eight points in the opening minutes of the second half following a jumper by Michael Sloan.
One difference in the game is how each team responded with major contributors in foul trouble.
The Bearcats’ strongest inside presence, Emanuel Hodrea, went to the bench with his third foul with 17:34 remaining in the game.
Brandon Kelley, who directed the Lakers’ offense for the entire game, picked up his fourth foul at the 12:50 mark and headed to the bench with his team leading 45-42.
For the Lakers, it was a significant blow as their leading scorer was forced to watch from the sidelines during an important juncture of the game.
“We changed some things defensively when that happened, and I thought our kids did a great job of making some adjustments,” Evans said. “We had foul trouble as well, but we tried to rotate players to keep them fresh and it actually worked out for us. We’ve had some adversity all year long and we’ve had some naysayers when things weren’t going well early, but we stayed together and stayed focused and kept our faith, not only in Christ, but in each other.”
The Bearcats grabbed their first lead of the game (51-49) with 9:38 remaining following two free-throws by Michael Griffin.
Griffin, named tournament MVP following the win, hit an improbable 3-pointer with the shot clock winding down to keep the Bearcats in front, 54-51, with 8:53 remaining.
“Today we had two of our guys down and I knew somebody had to step up,” Griffin said. “Me being the senior, I thought it was my role to step up. It feels great to win the MVP. I wanted to win that personally for myself, becuase I thought I deserved all conference. Going into the tournament I wanted to make all-tournament, and MVP is even better.”
Griffin led the Bearcats, who shot 48 percent from the field while holding the Lakers to 35 percent shooting, with 24 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Zach Evans and Jason Davis also came up big for the Bearcats, finishing with 16 and 12 points respectively.
The Lakers final lead came with 6:51 remaining in the game when Aristide Sawadogo hit a short jumper giving Gibbons’ squad a 58-56 lead.
From that point, it was all Bearcats as Curtis Milner sparked the final run with two free-throws.
“We told our team before the game that Lander was playing well and were playing for an NCAA berth,” Lakers coach Gordon Gibbons said. “We told our team that Lander would be ready to go, which they were. I thought in the second half, that Lander really executed and got great shots.”
Todd McLaurin gave the Lakers an early 2-0 lead following a short jumper.
Griffin answered with a strong move to the basket to tie the game (2-2).
Griffin, who missed his first shot from 3-point range, proceeded to hit back-to-back shots from downtown to cut the Lakers lead to one point (9-8).
Both teams went cold from the field for the next 2:23 as players struggled to find the basket.
Jerome Boyd gave the Lakers a 13-10 lead with 13:04 remaining in the first half.
The Lakers regained possession following a shot clock violation against the Bearcats but came up empty.
This led to a 3-pointer by Evans, cutting the Lakers’ lead to two points (15-13).
The Lakers answered with a 6-0 run, which ended following a spin move to the basket by Darius Johnson.
Brenton Harris’ tip-in off a Griffin miss cut the Lakers lead to two points (21-19) with 6:02 remaining in the first half.
Evans next 3-pointer pulled the Bearcats within four points (33-29) with less than one minute remaining in the half. Evans' shot was a part of a 12-3 run the Bearcats used to close the half. He was named to the all tournament team for his efforts.
“Throughout the tournament we just tried to stick together and beleive in everyone on the team and just execute,” Evans said. “Knowing that Jarred (Jackson) was out I knew I was going to have to step up. Me being a junior and my senior season coming up next year, I didn’t want these guys to go out the way they did last year. I just wanted to do what was best for the team and thankfully I made a few shots.”

Obituaries

William E. Barmore

DONALDS — William Edward Barmore, 85, husband of Nan Louise Holliday Barmore, of 7930 Highway 184 East, died Sunday, March 4, 2007, at his home.
Born in Donalds, he was the son of the late Robert Larkin “R.L.” and Byrd Booker Barmore. He attended the local schools and Clemson College (University), Class of 1942, from which he was drafted into the United States Armed Forces of World War II and was in Rome the day it fell to the allies.
Mr. Barmore was appointed state director of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS), United States Department of Agriculture. In his following appointment five years prior to retirement, he went to Washington, D.C., as Southeastern Area Director of ASCS, which encompassed eleven states and Puerto Rico. In 1978, Governor James B. Edwards awarded him The Order of The Palmetto.
He was a member of Donalds United Methodist Church.
In addition to his wife of sixty four and one half years, he is survived by two daughters, Ann Barmore of Donalds, and Judy Barmore Collins and husband James M. Collins of Donalds, two granddaughters, Lori Collins Cheshire and husband Jason M. Cheshire of Greenville, and Christine Collins of Greenville.
Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Tuesday at Donalds United Methodist Church conducted by the Rev. Jones Brewer, including eulogies by Eugene Bailey of Fredericksburg, Virginia and Christine Collins. Burial will follow in Donalds Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church from 1:30-3 prior to the service on Tuesday. The family will be at the home.
The family suggests that memorials be made to Donalds United Methodist Church, c/o Mrs. Eula Kennedy, PO Box 25, Donalds, SC 29638 or to Hospice of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Street, Greenwood, SC 29646. Pruitt Funeral Home, Honea Path, in charge of arrangements.

Donny Bryant

LAURENS — Donald Luther “Donny” Bryant Sr., 61, of Laurens, formerly of Greenwood, husband of Patricia Kuykendall Bryant went home to be with his Lord Sunday, March 4, 2007, at NHC in Laurens.
Born in Greenwood May 4, 1945, he was one of seven children of Luther Jesse and Ottie Southerland Bryant. Retired from Solutia with over 30 years of service, he was a member of Parkland Baptist Church where he formerly taught the Young Adult Sunday School Class for many years.
Surviving in addition to his wife is a son, Don Bryant and his wife Christa of Greenwood and children by marriage, Donna Dickenson of Ashboro, N.C., Angela Sasser of Troy, N.C., Robert A. Sprouse III of Star, N.C and Gretchen Lawter of Greenwood; sixteen grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and one sister, Evelena Parham of Ladson, S.C.
Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of Blyth Funeral Home with Reverend Joey Boggs and Reverend Joe Black officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Kip Goldman, James Meece, Barry Morrow, Brent Stewart, John Barrett and Ralph Barrett.
The family is at the home of his sister-in-law, Gwen Neal and her husband Wade, 634 Fair Ground Road, Laurens and will receive friends Monday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
For online condolences, please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Bryant family.

Juanita H. Lewis

Bessie Juanita H. Lewis, 93, of 206 Grange Road, died Saturday, March 3, 2007, at Self Regional Healthcare.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Monday, March 5, 2007, at Hebron Southern Methodist Church in Livingston, S.C., with Rev. Louis Mims officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The casket will be placed in the church at 2 p.m.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, James Steverson, Tony Steverson, Mark Hayden, Courtney Furman, Trip Cormeny, Wyatt Thompson, Brandon Strickland, and Stuart Rainwater.
Mrs. Lewis was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, a daughter of the late Will and Bessie Collins Hutto. She was a member of Dorchester-Waylyn Baptist Church in Charleston Heights, South Carolina.
Her professional career was in bookkeeping and accounting.
Survivors include her children, Bobby and Shirley Steverson of Moncks Corner; Paul and Sandra Steverson of Summerville; and Roger and Leslie Stevenson of Greenwood; a sister, Mamie Colleen Greene; 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild. She was predeceased by her husband, James; a daughter, JoAnn; and a son, Maynard.
The family will receive friends at the graveside after the service.
Culler-McAlhany Funeral Home in North is assisting the family.

Opinion

Students get the message, but it’s one for all of us

March 5, 2007

“Be real. Stay pure.” With those words as the title of his program, Darren Bruce, a minister from Anderson, gave students at Greenwood’s Emerald High School a lesson that can impact a lifetime.
Putting a positive cap on Black History Month, Bruce focused on “educating teens of all races about the benefits of abstinence, character development and staying off drugs, alcohol and tobacco.” That was only part of it, however. Overall, this former chaplain of the Clemson University football team, provided a lesson for all of us.
He addressed problems of the day, especially for teens ..... problems that contribute to many of the concerns that haunt all of society.

HIS ADDRESS WAS PARTICULARLY pertinent since values have changed and indeed been cast aside too often.
That was then, though. This is today ..... and his advice is especially important to tomorrow. To be sure, his message is one that could do wonders if all of us were to pay attention and act accordingly. There’s nothing any of us can do about what’s happened in the past, naturally. Still, we can use the past to help guide us into a better future in everything we do and don’t do.
There’s a lot of blame thrown around these days about social failures of history. Bruce, however, offers us a valuable lesson in philosophy that can make a difference in many lives.

“WE ARE ALL ON EQUAL FOOTING right now,” he told the students. “I’m not into looking into the past as much. I’m more interested in where we can all go from here and into the future.”
That, of course, represents a first step in facing our common concerns.
EHS Principal Les Gamble said, “... I think he (Bruce) speaks to the kids in a way they can relate to ...” That’s worth noting, of course. What he says, though, is something that every South Carolinian could and should digest. There are too many negative messages. The positive ones are, it seems, few and far between. This is one and it’s worth repeating ..... for all to hear again and again.