LA GRANGE — If North Lenoir’s boys basketball players needed a practical reminder to heed their sports clichés, they gave themselves one Tuesday.

It is indeed how you finish.

Greg Williams scored 12 points and C.B. Aycock took advantage of a dismal fourth quarter by the Hawks in a 45-39 Eastern Carolina 3A Conference win.

North Lenoir (9-9, 4-2 EC3A) entered the final period with a one-point lead before going scoreless for the next 6:38, giving the Golden Falcons (8-9, 3-3) ample time to take over.

“It was a nightmare,” Hawks coach Anthony Loftin said, adding that he picked Aycock as the league’s top team in the preseason.

“For three quarters, I thought we were right there with them.”

In the girls game, Myleah Jones scored nine points to help the Falcons pull away for a 45-25 win to start the sweep. Quoya Porter scored nine points for North Lenoir.

Loftin then watched as his team missed 12 straight 3-pointers over the final quarter and a half, an ugly streak that wasn’t snapped until Reggie Rouse connected from the left corner to cut the Hawks’ deficit to 42-36 with 21 seconds left.

Aycock coach Steve Moats said his team practiced to prepare for the Hawks’ aggressive, handsy press and didn’t apply what they learned until the final 8 minutes.

“When we got to the fourth quarter, we executed what we wanted to a little bit better,” he said.

The Falcons scored the first 10 points of the quarter as North Lenoir fell apart, committing seven turnovers in the period. Braxton Davis’ desperation heave from 35 feet to beat the final buzzer was just the Hawks’ fourth field goal of the quarter.

Loftin said the turning point came at the end of the third quarter, when North Lenoir tried to hold the ball for a final shot but instead allowed a last-second 3-pointer by Aycock’s Trey Neal to give the Falcons a 31-30 lead.

The Falcons hadn’t led since 2 minutes remained in the first quarter.

“When they got the lead, I thought we panicked and we tried to get that one knockout punch to get up by 10,” Loftin said, bemoaning his players’ poor shot selection. “That compounded the issues right there.”

The Hawks’ Devontae Sutton and Aycock’s Cameron Johnson were disqualified after going nose to nose near midcourt with 20 seconds left in the game.

Davis scored 11 points to lead North Lenoir, which never led by more than six.

The Hawks will play host to first-place Erwin Triton on Friday with a chance to seize a share of first place in the conference.

Triton defeated Southern Wayne 69-63 Tuesday to remain atop the league. 

“We’ve got to start winning some ballgames and playing smarter,” Loftin said.

David Hall can be reached at (252) 559-1086 or at david.hall@kinston.com.

BOYS

C.B. Aycock   9        9        12      15—45

North Lenoir 10      10      11      8—39

GOLDEN FALCONS (8-9, 3-3) — Greg Williams 12, Michael Williams 10, Powell 7, Nundle 7, Clark 4, Neal 3, Johnson 2.

HAWKS (9-9, 4-2) — Braxton Davis 11, Jones 8, Rouse 5, Troy 5, Sutton 4, Robinson 2, Carlton 2, Hough 2.

GIRLS

C.B. Aycock   10      11      14      10—45

North Lenoir 5        4        7        9—25

GOLDEN FALCONS (4-8, 3-3) — Jones 9, Butler 8, Darden 8, Daniels 8, Artis 4, Pontoo 4, Sutton 2, Newsome 2.

HAWKS (2-16, 0-6) — Porter 9, Bizzell 6, Lee 4, Howard 4, Varner 2.

PINETOPS — On the surface, Kinston’s 73-40 win at SouthWest Edgecombe Tuesday night looked like quite the impressive conference road victory.

In reality, not so much.

Twice, Kinston coach Perry Tyndall called timeouts to chastise his team’s lack of focus, and although the Vikings’ superior talent, size, and quickness seized the day, the manner in which the Eastern Plains 2A Conference triumph materialized left the first-year coach at times fuming.

“We started the game unfocused and without energy, very lackadaisical,” Tyndall said. “We were sloppy on both ends of the floor and didn’t put any value on protecting the basketball.”

Kinston, which turned the ball over just seven times in its last win over Greene Central, surpassed that number with 1:03 left in the first quarter.

Five of Kinston’s first seven possessions ended in miscues, a performance that provoked Tyndall’s first timeout and tongue-lashing.

“The first few minutes were a recipe for disaster,” Tyndall said. “If we have a start like that again, it’s going to come back and bite us. It’s something we’ll definitely correct in practice.”

The Vikings (14-2, 7-0) took their coach’s words to heart and eventually found their rhythm. A midcourt steal and breakaway jam by Denzel Keyes put Kinston ahead 8-4 and seemed to snap the team out of the doldrums.

Kinston finished the quarter on a 15-7 run and then outscored the Cougars (11-5, 2-4) 14-3 in the second quarter.

Josh Dawson’s 11 second period points on 5-of-5 shooting helped the Vikings to a 38-14 halftime lead.

“We had our moments,” Tyndall said. “There were stretches where we played very well, but this was definitely not a complete 32-minute effort. We’ve got to do a better job of understanding that we can’t let up, not even for a few seconds.”

Kinston finished with an uncharacteristic 20 turnovers, the last of which led to another annoyed timeout with 30 seconds remaining.

“I apologized to (Cougars coach ) Anthony (Burns) for calling timeout that late with a 30-point lead, but I was frustrated,” Tyndall said. “I don’t care what the situation is. The kids in the game at the end seemed lazy, just going through the motions, and that is unacceptable.”

Dawson finished with a game-high 17 points, while Andrew Lopez came off the bench to score 16, and Keyes added 15.

Kinston will have to correct its effort quickly as 4A power Wilmington New Hanover travels to Viking Gym today.

There will be two games, junior varsity and varsity, starting at 6 p.m. The girls will not be in action.

KINSTON 60, SOUTHWEST EDGECOMBE 29

Kinston’s girls played without junior sensation Brittany Drumgoole, who was battling the flu, but still easily generated enough firepower to cruise past the winless Cougars (0-16, 0-6).

Monique Lofton and Lydia Rivers collected 16 points apiece for the Vikings (14-4, 7-0), who scored the first 15 points of the game and then the first nine of the second half.

Rivers connected on 7 of 11 field goal attempts and also added 11 rebounds and five blocks. Kinston dominated the boards by a 46-27 margin.

Lofton was deadly from 3-point range, drilling 4 of 10 from beyond the arc.

Takerian Harper contributed 10 points for Coach Hubert Quinerly’s squad.

BOYS

Kinston                      21        17        22        13—73

SW Edgecombe        11        3          18          8—40

VIKINGS (14-2, 7-0) — Josh Dawson 17, Andrew Lopez 16, Denzel Keyes 15, Canady 6, Ingram 6, Dunn 4, Taylor 3, Ham 2, Hart 2, Jackson 2, Joyner, White, Jones, Williams.

COUGARS (11-5, 2-4) — Anthony Coley 10, Bandy 7, Wooten 6, Best 5, Bynum 4, Hinton 3, Jones 2, White 1, Williams.

GIRLS

Kinston                      17        11        14        18—60

SW Edgecombe        4          6          5          14—29

VIKINGS (14-4, 7-0) — Monique Loftin 16, Lydia Rivers 16, Takerian Harper 10, Williams 8, Vermillion 4, Washington 3, Clark 2, Addison 1.

COUGARS (0-16, 0-6) — Montana York 12, Williams 8, S. Gould 4, D. Gould 3, McDowell 2, Brown, Allen.

DEEP RUN — Webster defines “resilient” as “tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.”

The popular dictionary might as well define it as South Lenoir’s boys basketball team. The Blue Devils keep winning, and they keep coming from behind to do it.

Post players Ishmael Baldwin and Jaquan Wooten again had big games and South Lenoir used a big second half to defeat Clinton 61-50 on Tuesday which capped a perfect run through the first half of league play and kept it atop the East Central 2A Conference.

Baldwin had 20 points and 13 rebounds and Wooten added 10 points and 21 rebounds as South Lenoir (11-4, 7-0) fell behind early then had to play catch-up once again.

“We’re just resilient,” said a relieved but not satisfied Blue Devils coach Jeremy Barnett. “I thought for the first quarter and a half we were just not good at all.

“When they get down they respond up to this point, but I’d like to get out of the habit of playing from behind.”

South Lenoir’s first-half deficit never reached double figures like it did Friday night against Croatan. But the fact his team is having trouble starting games the way it finishes is beginning to wear on Barnett.

Much like Baldwin and Wooten are beginning to wear on the competition.

The pair outrebounded the Dark Horses (11-5, 5-2) by themselves 34-31, and combined to score 20 second-half points.

Their interior defense was perhaps their biggest asset to Tuesday’s affair. Playing in a 2-3 zone for most of the night, Clinton’s inability to get the ball inside was compounded by its off-shooting night.

South Lenoir held the Dark Horses to 8-for-27 shooting in the final two quarters.

“It’s all about teamwork, hard work in practice and being a family,” said Wooten, a 6-foot-7 sophomore. “We started looking for their post men to deny their attack.”

Freshman guard Jonte Midgette scored 10 points and junior guard Dion Jones added 13 as the Blue Devils used a small 6-0 spurt to go ahead 35-27 midway through the third quarter.

The lead never dipped below that again, with South Lenoir extending it to its largest of 11 at 54-43 with 5:21 left in the game. Baldwin picked off a pass near the Clinton charity stripe and took it all the way to the basket to get the crowd into it and yet another it’s-not-over-until-it’s-over win.

“It goes back to two years ago. It seemed like we always came out flat, we just could not play well,” said Barnett, referring to his JV team that won the conference title — comprised of most of the same players he has now. “The second half, it seemed like, they woke up, and that’s kind of the script that we’re playing on right now.

“It frustrates me a lot, because I know how we’re capable of playing. … When we don’t play like that it irritates me a lot,” he added.

“They respond to something. I don’t know if it’s me (yelling) or being down, but they respond to something.”

Next up for the Blue Devils is a game at East Duplin, which fell to Jacksonville Northside 91-40 on Tuesday.

Not only is it a rivalry game, but it begins the second half of conference play, which has the Blue Devils on the road in four of their final seven games.

They went 7-0 through the first half, and hope to keep it up — even if it means playing every game from behind to do it.

“We can’t let this one game determine our season. We have to keep fighting for more,” Wooten said. “We have to keep playing strong, crash the boards and keep attacking.

“We have a lot of heart on this team. We’re not quitters.”

CLINTON 53, SOUTH LENOIR 42

While South Lenoir’s boys held on to the top spot, the girls couldn’t do the same.

A nine-point first half proved too much to overcome as the Blue Devils went from being in a four-way tie for first place to tied with Jacksonville Northside for third after the Monarchs fell to East Duplin 39-36 on Tuesday.

Demeyia Adams had 16 points, all in the second half, and Heather West added eight points and 10 rebounds as South Lenoir fell behind 21-9 at the break and trailed 31-12 early in the third quarter before trying to rally.

The Blue Devils (11-4, 5-2) used a 16-5 run to cut Clinton’s lead to 10 at 36-26, but the Dark Horses (13-4, 6-1) answered to push it back out.

South Lenoir, which didn’t hit its first field goal until 1:24 left in the first period, got no closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Meosha Franklin gave the Blue Devils nine points off the bench. Kristen Glasper scored 17 points and had seven rebounds for Clinton, which is tied with East Duplin for the conference lead.

Ryan Herman can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Ryan.Herman@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter: @KFPSports.

BOYS

Clinton               15           11           16           8—50

South Lenoir     11           16           19           15—61

DARK HORSES (11-5, 5-2) — Demontio Bryant 11, Spruill 9, Evans 8, Bradshaw 8, Underwood 6, Smith 3, Chester 3, Jones 2, Banks, Pearson.

BLUE DEVILS (11-4, 7-0) — Ishmael Baldwin 20, Jaquan Wooten 10, Dion Jones 13, Jonte Midgette 10, Whaley 5, Turner 3, Janning, Garner, Cooper, Davis, Smith.

GIRLS

Clinton               12           9              17           15—53

South Lenoir     5              4              19           14—42

DARK HORSES (13-4, 6-1) — Kristen Glasper 17, Courtney Pearsall 10, Murphy 8, Simpson 7, Johnson 6, Owens 5, Bell, Edwards, Saunders, Aultman, Wilson.

BLUE DEVILS (11-4, 5-2) — Demeyia Adams 16, Franklin 9, He. West 8, Suddeth 7, Jones 2, Meready, Pelletier, Ha. West.

THE STRAIGHT 8S/Kinston

This three-man band based in Chapel Hill will perform live at 9 p.m. Friday at The Red Room, 220 N. Herritage St. For more than a decade, the band has performed countless shows throughout the Southeast with its combustible blend of high-octane rock-a-billy music. The show is free. Call 252-208-2437.

SMALL TOWN GOSSIP/Kinston

Small Town gossip will perform a free concert at 9 p.m. Saturday at The Red Room, 220 N. Herritage St. North Carolina singer/songwriter Steven Hall, guitarist Daniel Seriff, and bass player Nathan Scott attended the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem. In 2007, Hall and Seriff began making music together. After touring the state as a duo, the two formed Small Town Gossip with Scott in 2009. For information, call 252-208-2437.

AUDITIONS/New Bern

The Rivertowne Players are holding auditions for four leading ladies for ‘The Marvelous Wonderettes,’ from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Masonic Theater, 516 Hancock St. The age range is from 16 to late 30s to play mid-20-year-olds who possess strong voices with wide vocal ranges. Those auditioning must have a strong sense of comedy, be able to move well and have harmonizing capabilities. All roles are leads in the high energy, fun-filled production, to be presented at 8 p.m. April 26, 27, May 2, 3 and 4, and at 3 p.m. April 28 and May 5. Contact 252-634-7877 or Players@gmail.com.

CONCERTS /New Bern and Morehead City

The Ventus Wind Ensemble will provide French Wind Music presented in a light-hearted, humor-filled way from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday in the Cullman Performance Hall of the N.C. History Center, 529 S. Front St., New Bern. Ensemble members — all faculty of the N.C. School of the Arts — will perform Debussy, Poulenc, Milhaud, Dukas and Ibert on flute, clarinet, oboe, horn, bassoon and piano. They will be joined by resident artist Barbara McKenzie, pianist. Cost is $25, $20 for Tryon Palace Council of Friends and military, and $10 for students with ID. Call 252-638-8558. 

The Ventus Wind Quintet will perform from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday at The History Place, 1008 Arendell St., Morehead City. Contact 252-247-7533, ext. 101, or historyplace@starfishnet.com. 

NATURAL LANDMARK/Washington

Goose Creek State Park will host a discussion at 2 p.m. Saturday about a 375-acre portion of the park that is designated by the National Park Service as a National Natural Landmark and what that means. The discussion will be followed by a one-mile hike to get a first-hand look at the unique natural features of the area. Meet at the Swim Beach Parking Lot. The park is at 2190 Camp Leach Road, 10 miles east of Washington off U.S. 264. For information, call 252-923-2191.

New album: Apocryphon

Artist: The Sword

Label: Napalm Records

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like all forms of popular music, metal has been through many upheavals over the past 20 years. Between thrash bands that can play 400 mph and the doom metal crowd that de-tunes guitars down to q-sharp, bands such as The Sword that deal in the heavy groove have had to fight for their spot at the table.

It’s a little known secret that within the pages of the Associated Press stylebook there’s an entire chapter that requires all music writers to compare all metal bands to Black Sabbath.

In truth, there is no such chapter in the AP book, but The Sword does possess some of that good ol’ Sabbath swagger. “Apocryphon” is not a rehash of Sabbath’s “Master of Reality,” but the two are definitely sharing some DNA.

Led by vocalist/guitarist J.D. Cronise, The Sword always has walked the line that divides the thinking man and the dirt bag. The thinking man wants songs with a little meaning, while the dirt bag wants something to pump his fist and bite his bottom lip to. Ingeniously, “Apocryphon” tracks such as “Seven Sisters” and “Arcane Montane” will satisfy both camps.

Lyrics about inner earth and religion flow gloriously along with the best new old-school metal jamming you’ll hear this year. It’s enough to make one wonder why this type of music (allegedly) went out of fashion in lieu of Poison and the Bullet Boys.

Drummer Santiago Vela turns in a noteworthy performance throughout. His ability to mix the swing of Bill Ward with the precision of Judas Priest’s driving 1980s attack colors the personality of “Apocryphon” more than the casual listener might notice. Bassist Bryan Richie and guitarist Kyle Shutt know when to lock into a groove and when to counter it. The lack of unnecessary overdubs gives Shutt, Richie and Santiago plenty of room to dance around Cronise’s mammoth vocals.

“Hawks and Serpents” is a great road tune in the tradition of “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming,” and the album’s closing title track crams enough memorable riffs and chord progressions for 20 songs into a five-minute space. It would be misleading to describe this closing track as having a prog influence, but just imagine the multi-sectioned songs of early Deep Purple retooled for the 21st century to get an idea of what The Sword is up to with this track. There are no noodling or middling solos; just great part after great part.

“Apocryphon” is not a retro work, but rather proof as to what grand things can be accomplished with the tried but true guitar/bass/drum setup. Metal fans are as loyal as NASCAR fans, and The Sword appears to be one of those bands that’s in it for the long haul.

If you’re a fan of heavy music and have been looking for a new band to follow, you’ll most likely be happy with The Sword.

Classic album: Tales of Mystery and Imagination

Artist: Alan Parsons Project

Label: Mercury

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Alan Parsons made his name as an engineer and producer who worked on such landmark albums as Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” and The Beatles’ “Abbey Road.” Instead of plowing headlong into a production career, Parsons spent much of his time recording albums with songwriter/vocalist/producer Eric Woolfson under the “Alan Parsons Project” banner.

The first album released by the Alan Parsons Project was an odd collection of music wrapped around the work of Edgar Allan Poe. Since Poe’s prose was blanketed in death and madness, it’s no surprise that “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” didn’t turn out to be a collection of catchy pop tunes about babes and partying.

The album did and does have its detractors, but if the idea of creating a soundtrack to some of Poe’s most celebrated works doesn’t set off your personal pompous alarm, there is much on this album to enjoy.

The sonics of this album are nothing short of stunning. In the days when giant stereos graced every living room and/or basement, the shimmering, lush keyboards of “A Dream within a Dream” projected a regal awesomeness. Much like the long, keyboard heavy introduction of Pink Floyd’s “Shine on You Crazy Diamond,” “A Dream within a Dream” shut off the distractions that may have been bouncing around the listener’s head and created a mood for what was to come.

Although it’s hard to digest now, in 1976 it was possible to land a song titled “Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether” in the top 40 singles chart. The concept of the “Tales” album may have given off the whiff of bloated 1970s rock indulgence, but Parsons and Woolfson were keen on creating pop singles.

Like prog, these songs were bursting with layers of musicality and superb production, but they were still songs that worked on the radio. It’s as if these guys were the first to figure out how to take what was musically interesting about progressive music and condense it into a digestible format. Remember, this is the same band that went on to have a pop hit with “Eye in the Sky” and created the song the Chicago Bulls would take the floor to (“Sirius”).

With Parsons and Woolfson forming the nucleus of the band, many guest musicians were invited to take part in the “Tales” sessions. Arthur Brown — who had a hit in 1968 with the bizarre but great “Fire” — contributes vocals to “The Tell-Tale Heart.” A remixed edition that appeared in 1987 features readings from Orson Welles, while U.K. singer/songwriter John Miles makes an appearance on “Dr. Tarr ...” On paper it may look like a train wreck, but the album flows like a flawless soundtrack to a Broadway musical.

Through the cynical lens of 2013, “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” may be seen by some as a work of its time that doesn’t translate to future generations. While the album surely will never have the street cred of The Sex Pistols, the album continues to sell year after year. Surely there must be a good reason?

Jon Dawson’s album reviews appear every Thursday in The Free Press. Contact Jon at 252-559-1092 or jon.dawson@kinston.com. Purchase music, books and candy cigarettes at jondawson.com.

The Grainger Hill Performing Arts Center is bringing a special series to the community sure to entice young and old. The Second Sunday Series includes four Sunday afternoon concerts, with all proceeds, after expenses, benefitting Grainger Hill.

The inaugural performance, “Love is in the Air,” is a collection of love songs to be performed by Shanda Maddox and Antuan Hawkins, accompanied by Timothy Maddox. Light refreshments will be served.

Director of activities at Bayview Nursing Rehab in New Bern, Shanda Maddox has been performing since age 5. The winner of the National School Choral Award, she has performed at the Opry Land Hotel and in stage performances at the Rivertowne Theater in New Bern, including: “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Radio Gals,” “Nunsense,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Blithe Spirit.” She also has performed for six years in Lenoir Community College’s “Broadway and Beyond.”

She and her husband, Jim Maddox, live in New Bern and have five children and three grandchildren.

Hawkins is an actor and singer living in Kinston. He received a Bachelor of Science in music with an emphasis on vocal performance from Chowan College. After graduation, he taught middle school and private music classes, but soon began balancing performances around professional career.

He has serenaded acclaimed opera singer Luciano Pavarotti and shared the stage with such celebrity entertainers as Jeff Foxworthy at the Duke University Children’s Miracle Network Benefit Concert, featuring country singer Jo Dee Messina and jazz recording artist Branford Marsalis. He also created the role for “Bailey” in the world premier of Samm-Art Williams’ “Conversations on a Dirt Road.”

Hawkins has performed in New York City in several off-Broadway productions; co-starred in several independent movie projects; and co-starred in the world premier of “F.I.S.H.,” the musical. More locally, he has performed in “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and produced “The Golden Oldies Radio Show.”

Kinston native Timothy Maddox received his master’s degree in music education from Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., and is a music instructor at Lenoir Community College. He has worked as a music minister and private piano teacher.

Maddox recently musically directed “Dreamgirls,” “Wizard of Oz,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Cabaret” and “Legally Blonde.” He has accompanied numerous shows, including “Broadway after Dark,” “Guys and Dolls,” “26th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and “Sleeping Beauty.”

Upcoming shows include: March 10, “Jazz OnStage,” featuring ECU’s Student Jazz Trio; April 14, “Big Band Sounds,” featuring Earl Abernethy and Company (Carol Ann Tucker, vocalist; Jimmy Aycock, pianist, and Dave Adduddel, bass); and May 12, “Variety of Eagles, Country and Bluegrass Selections,” featuring The Ray and Bobby Band.

Grainger Hill Second Sundays premier

‘Love is in the Air’

3 p.m. Feb. 10, doors open at 2 p.m.

Community Council for the Arts

400 N. Queen St., Kinston

Presented by the Grainger Hill PAC

Tickets: $10 in advance, $12 at door

Available at arts center

Info: 252-527-2517 or kinstoncca.com; or 252-527-8515, Total Experience

The Community Council for the Arts brought a special event to Lenoir County Jan. 12.

“Stars Dance for the Arts” drew residents of Lenoir County and people from Wilmington, Greensboro, Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Chapel Hill, Goldsboro, Greenville, Durham and as far as Richmond, Va.

After a year’s worth of planning, the event — hosted by Dirk Griffith and Lynn Johnson-Blake — was presented to a sell out crowd that enjoyed the dancing prowess of nine couples performing dances varying from tangos to foxtrots, cha cha and salsa to jitterbug. Costumes glittered, toes tapped and smiles filled the arts center.

While all couples were winners in many ways, two couples wound up with the three trophies, presented by Platinum Event Sponsor, Chairman and CEO of Minges Bottling Company Jeff Minges. Jim Baker and Margaret Williams won the Popular Vote Trophy and the Mirror Ball Trophy. Dr. John Herlong and Nora Parker won the Judge’s Trophy.

 The Popular Vote was awarded based on the total number of votes cast on line before the event up to midnight Jan. 11 and votes cast by event participants during and immediately following the event. The Mirror Ball was based on 50 percent judges score and 50 percent popular vote. The Judge’s trophy was the highest combined judges score received. 

Judges were Sallie Barrett of Chapel Hill, Robb Beaman of Cary and Byron Jennings from Goldsboro.  Production manager was Erin Barker Whaley. Overseeing the dancer portion of the event was Vicki Barker. Sound, lights and special effects were provided by George Manning, and videography was provided by Clark Tutt.

Other couples participating were Stephen Alford and Amy Whitfield, Davis Canady and Emily Smith, Lynette Johnson and Lyn Turner, Suzanne Gallaher and Willie O’Keife Lewis, Cherita Lytle and Joe Exum, Vickie Robinson and Tommy Pressly, and Jennifer Worsley and Jay Barker.

All couples choreographed their own routines, found their costumes, selected their music, arranged their many practice sessions and, as many others, volunteered their time.

Naturalization process

tedious, but worth it

Micah Schachinger Hill described her journey to become a naturalized U.S. citizen for fellow members of the Kinston Rotary Club on Thursday.

A native of the Bahamas, the daughter of an Austrian father and British mother, Hill came to the United States at the age of 6 and settled with her family in Virginia. She graduated from Virginia Tech and has lived in Kinston twice, separated by a stint in Atlanta. She and her husband, Al, own and operate Onslow Container Service. She’s been a citizen for five years.

She was prompted to enter the naturalization process by her desire to vote in the 2008 election and by difficulties that a foreign passport had created as she traveled in and out of the country, in these times of heightened security. Immigration agencies are now grouped under the Department of Homeland Security.

“The paperwork is quite extensive,” she told the club. “Basically, they wanted every bit of information they can have about you.”

People who are born in the United States or are born to U.S. citizens elsewhere in the world are automatically American citizens. Naturalization is available through several avenues, from those with family in the U.S. who are already citizens to those seeking political asylum. The number of applications for U.S. citizenship greatly exceeds the number of slots available through naturalization.

“Cost is a hurdle for those seeking citizenship,” said Hill, who hired an immigration attorney to guide her through the process. “I think that’s why we see a lot of illegal immigration.”

To be considered for citizenship, a person must be able to show he or she has lived in the United States for five years or, if married to a U.S. citizen, for three years; must be able to speak and read English; and cannot have any felony convictions.

“I can just imagine if English wasn’t my primary language how much more stressful that would have been,” Hill said.

The test given candidates for citizenship assesses English skills and knowledge of American history. The toughest question Hill was asked: Which constitutional amendment gave women the right to vote?

Since becoming a citizen, she has voted in two presidential elections. “I’m really glad to be an American,” she said.

The Kinston Rotary Club meets at 1 p.m. each Thursday at King’s Restaurant.

On Saturday, La Grange Boy Scout Troop 114 is sponsoring Stew Fest, a contest which will allow local culinary artists to paint on a public canvas.

The event — which is being held at the La Grange Rotary Club on 201 S. Caswell Street — is expected to attract roughly 20 chefs. One of the confirmed participants is La Grange resident and “Bachelorette” semifinalist Paulette Burroughs.

“I’ve been throwing random items into pots of hot water for years,” Burroughs said. “One night when I’d got my pills mixed up I mistakenly dumped the contents of my purse into a stew I was fixing for church. Thankfully, the Quaaludes counteracted the amphetamines, although our bell choir did spontaneously launch into ‘Truckin’ during the benediction.”

Burroughs continued, “Along with cooking a few pots of stew, I’ll be selling other things at the festival as well. If anybody wants me to shake their hand, it’ll cost $5. Hugs are $10, kisses are $15 and a prolonged embrace is $25. For the more adventurous types, $50 will get you what is referred to in certain parts of Deep Run and Seven Springs as a ‘Tallahasse Moon Pie’.”

Burroughs’ reputation as a rabble rouser, haranger and open-marriage propagandist has made her a folk hero to some while others view her as a villainous reprobate with an insatiable appetite for younger men and fried okra. Since the late 1970s, Burroughs has been charged with dozens of misdemeanors including aggravated assault, relaxed assault, selling counterfeit sausage biscuits and indecent liberties with a toaster.

“I’ve done my best to calm down here lately,” Burroughs said. “I haven’t been arrested since I beat up Dog the Bounty Hunter and Montel Williams at a charity golf game in Myrtle Beach last summer.”

Since her grandsons Kevin and Josh are members of the La Grange Boy Scout troop, Burroughs says she just wants to help out an organization that means so much to her family.

“Those boys have learned so much stuff in the Scouts,” Burroughs said. “They’ve started showing me all of the fancy knots they’ve learned how to tie, which really comes in handy for me on the weekends.”

While most participants are expected to base their stews around beef, chicken, fish and deer meat, Burroughs plans to improvise on the day of the event.

“Whatever I happen to encounter on the way to the contest is what I’ll cook with,” Burroughs said. “If I find a possum on the side of the road that’s just lost a fight with southbound Peterbilt, it’ll give my stew a unique flavor and it’ll already be tenderized.”

Event organizers are hoping Burroughs’ reputation will encourage people who would otherwise sit at home under their bed with a loaded musket and a copy of Al Gore’s autobiography to join in the festivities.

“We’re resigned to the fact that Paulette will probably eat a big bowl of chili and then spend the rest of the night floating air biscuits near lit matches,” said Roy Smith of the La Grange Volunteer Fire Department. “We’ll have a foam truck on standby.”

Although not confirmed, live music is tentatively set to be provided by Taboo Stu. Children under the age of 26 get in for half price with a $5 donation to whoever is working the door.

Jon Dawson’s columns appear every Tuesday and Thursday in The Free Press. Contact Jon at 252-559-1092 or jon.dawson@kinston.com.

JACKSONVILLE — Multiple charges have been filed against a 17-year-old Jacksonville boy after he allegedly stole a police car and ran into a house.

Authorities say that at approximately 8:35 a.m., Wednesday, a larceny suspect who was in the rear of a patrol car crossed the partition into the front seat, kicked the vehicle into gear and struck the arresting officer, Matthew Summerlin, who was waiting for traffic to pass to enter the vehicle.

Thomas Robert Gibson, 17, of Welton Circle, was charged by Jacksonville Police Department with first-degree attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer, larceny of motor vehicle, larceny of firearm, resist, obstruct and delay, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious bodily harm, two counts of felony hit and run, fleeing to elude, possession of stolen vehicle, injury to real property and felony larceny.

Gibson allegedly drove the patrol vehicle for a short distance before losing control of the vehicle and crashing into a residence at 1000 Pine Valley Road, Jacksonville. He then allegedly got out of the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot before being taken into custody by JPD. 

An occupant of the Pine Valley Road residence was trapped under debris and injured in the crash. The occupant was transported to Onslow Memorial Hospital. Summerlin was also transported to Onslow Memorial Hospital.

Three young children were in the house, but were not injured.

A neighbor, Tom Cluen, said he was walking his dog when he saw the incident. He said there was significant damage to the home and it looked like the patrol car was totaled.

Bond was set at $345,000.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and no further information is available.

SNOW HILL — Winning an award for architecture is a foundational symbol for Greene County Intermediate School’s vision to be environmentally conscious.

The school opened in August with a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) blueprint that landed it a first place Excellence in Architectural Design Award in November, with Greene County Schools receiving the plaque last week.

The intermediate school opened in August and was built because of crowding at Snow Hill Primary and West Greene Elementary schools.

The pristine building is saving energy and reducing overall school costs, like utility bills. It was designed by Moseley Architects, based in Raleigh.

“Most of the accolades should go to Moseley Architects,” said GCS Superintendent Patrick Miller. “They took our feedback and designed a wonderful building.”

Miller said he believes the school’s opening makes it the first LEED school in North Carolina east of I-95.

The award — presented by the North Carolina School Boards Association — hangs on a school wall along with eight plaques that represent a LEED element being implemented by the school, such as water, recycling and even noise.

“You can walk down the hallway, look in the classroom and see them very active,” said Principal Debbie Daniell about the students. “But you cannot hear anything. The noise does not transfer.”

The walls of the school that serve 480 fourth- and fifth-graders make the rooms environmentally sound.

A LEED school requires both the design and construction aspects to be energy-efficient.

“(It’s) things like orienting the building in such a way the sun sets on a certain side and it rises on the other,” said Will Brown, a representative from JTL Construction, a local company that has worked on other GCS projects.

The school was built in 18 months at $13.6 million.

“I worked from day one to get this building here, and I’ve been here five years,” said Miller, who mentioned former superintendent Steve Mazingo also envisioned a LEED school in Greene County.

The floors and ceilings act as reflectors to utilize natural sunlight, which bellows through huge glass windows at the ends of the hallways that occupy an entire wall. All of the bathrooms have sensored sinks, and the school’s air conditioners have high-caliber filter systems.

The building provides a learning opportunity for students.

“In (the students’) curriculum, they talk a lot about recycling,” Daniell said. “We talk about how it is a building that encourages a lot of environmentally friendly stuff.”

Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.

BREAKOUT BOX:

LEED Features at GreeneCountyIntermediateSchool

Energy

Water

Air

Waste

Recycle

Local

Noise

Greene County Intermediate School

614 Middle School Road

252-747-0181

Principal, Debbie Daniell

For more information about LEED certification, visit new.usgbc.org/leed

Although the Internal Revenue Service will begin accepting tax returns eight days later than usual, local tax preparers still urge filers to proceed as normal.

The IRS’ typical Jan. 22 opening was pushed back to Jan. 30 due to fiscal cliff negotiations and last-minute changes in tax code, according to the owner of Kinston’s Jackson Hewitt Tax Services, Cindie Johnson.

“The main thing is not to wait,” she advised. “We’ve noticed a lot of people this year are procrastinating and they’re waiting because the IRS doesn’t open until the 30th. We’re able to send returns in now.”

Hewitt representatives said people who’ve used do-it-yourself software in the past years should consider using a tax professional since they have the most currently updated tax laws.

“If you ever try to do it yourself and get stuck (with) a question, there’s no place to ask,” Johnson said. “We have all the answers.”

When considering where to get taxes prepared, filers should research preparers to ensure professionalism, which includes determining whether a tax professional is knowledgeable.

Robert Cameron has been going to the local Hewitt branch for 10 years.

“(They have) good service,” he said as he sat down to discuss his return on Wednesday with a preparer. “I just give them my information, and they go from there.”

Clients’ information typically remains in the system when they file at commercial tax agencies to ensure all updated laws are applied to their returns.

“There hasn’t been a significant change with any major tax laws for the standard filer,” Johnson said. “If Congress didn’t come to terms, there was going to be a lot of changes.”

Upon finding a reliable tax return service, the place you visit this time each year likely won’t change — even throughout generations.

Having all pertinent income information is the most important part of the filing process, Johnson said, to make sure filers get every legal deduction allowed.

“You want to have someone with the integrity and tax knowledge to prepare your taxes because you’re giving them confidential information,” she said. “You don’t want just anyone to do your tax return because you are ultimately responsible for whatever is on that tax return.”

Officials with Liberty Tax Service and the certified public accountant offices of Cauley Vernon, Jeff Hall and Barrow, Parris and Davenport were contacted for this report but declined or were unavailable for comment.

Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.

BREAKOUT BOX:

Five Tax Tips

• n Engage now: The sooner you find a tax preparer who best meets your needs, the sooner you can ultimately get your refund
• n Check preparer’s background: Make sure you go with someone who is qualified and credible, so check your tax preparer’s history
• n Make sure your preparer is knowledgeable: Make sure your preparer understands how tax law changes may affect you
• n Review before signing: You are responsible for what is reported on your tax return. Make sure you understand and are comfortable with the accuracy of the return
• n Use e-file: The majority of taxpayers file electronically, which is safer than a paper return and offers faster processing time

Source: Jackson Hewitt Tax Service

SNOW HILL — About two dozen citizens listened as Sharon Edmundson, director of the State Treasurer’s Fiscal Management Section, gave Greene County board members the rundown on the county’s financial state.

Among them were Snow Hill Commissioner Becki Scarborough and Arba resident Jody Tyson, who occasionally raised canned responses on handmade signs to the board. Scarborough said they had the signs because they were told by the board not to speak out.

Edmundson said the county’s fund balance was at 6.23 percent, or $1.1 million, on June 30 — below the 8 percent “bare minimum” to keep a county going for one month. The average county with a population under 25,000 is 27.99 percent, she said.

“This didn’t happen overnight,” she said. “The county’s used the fund balance to balance its budget for at least the last three years.”

Each year, the problem escalates as the hole in the budget gets bigger. And even with hiring and travel freezes, next year’s budget will prove an even bigger challenge, Edmundson said.

“However, looking forward for 2013-14,” she said, “we have a bigger concern. Right now as the budget stands, the very early rough estimates, you’re going to have almost a million dollar hole.”

Deferring the decision to replace the money taken out of the fund balance is no longer an option, she said. Cash shortages and not getting loans approved by the Local Government Commission could be the next step, if changes aren’t made.

On a positive note, the county doesn’t have a cash shortage, has no plans for any major loans in the near future and has reduced the budget shortfall down to $160,000.

“They’ve made good progress in getting that number down,” Edmundson said about the shortfall.

Edmundson, who had visited Snow Hill for similar reasons a few years back, told commissioners “everything should be on the table” when making priorities and setting goals.

She discussed several items for the board to consider that may help them balance next year’s budget.

Residents will be receiving their first property tax bill later in the year following the new re-valuations. Edmundson said the average increase across the county is 4 percent. The state requires government entities to calculate and publish the revenue-neutral tax rate.

“However,” she said, “it’s a common misconception that you are required to adopt that rate, and that’s not true. You just have to calculate and publish it.”

A 1 percent tax rate increase generates about $90,000, she said.

Edmundson said the county only collects about 50 percent of the Emergency Medical Services fees imposed on patients.

“By not collecting the other 50 percent,” she said, “you’re subsidizing that service with tax dollars.”

The county has had good success utilizing the State Department of Revenue’s debt set-off program to collect unpaid taxes and fees, but Edmundson suggests it could have more dept collected.

Certain costs, including portions of the county manager and finance officer’s salaries and audit fees, could be allocated to the water and sewer fund, which pays for itself.

Edmundson encouraged commissioners to look at all aspects of the budget — especially the revenues and expenditures, and pay attention to the monthly expenditure statement and statement of cash position.

Commissioner Denny Garner said he never knew a three-page letter dated Jan. 17, 2012, from the State Treasurer’s office had been sent to the county until recently.

“I never saw that letter until Dec. 13th of this (fiscal) year,” he said to Edmundson. “I did not know until last week that you came down and met with our county manager and finance officer twice last year.”

Edmundson said the letter was sent to the county manager, finance officer and board chairman. But this year’s letter, addressing more serious issues, was sent to all the board members, as well. She made a note and said further letters regarding the budget condition would be sent to the entire board.

She also suggested the board hire a county manager with “a strong background in finance,” but not to expect a quick turnaround.

“However,” Edmundson said, “you will need an experienced manager to lead you through the next several years to get where you want to be with your financials.”

Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com.

Breakout box:

Suggestions from the State Treasurer’s office to Greene County Board of Commissioners to prepare for its 2013-2014 budget:

• Look at re-evaluating property value tax rate – 1percent increase equals about $90,000
• Consider utilizing the Department of Revenue’s debt set-off program to collect more unpaid fees
• Consider allocating all water-related costs to the Enterprise fund
• Continue looking at all areas of the budget for potential revisions
• Pay attention to monthly financial records
• Manage the money going in and out — revenues and expenditures
• Search for a county manager with a strong financial background

Kinston’s boys basketball team felt a 10-point halftime lead against the defending state 4A champion wasn’t good enough.

The Vikings made sure to play to their standards in the second half.

Brandon Ingram scored 14 points and Denzel Keyes added 13 points and nine rebounds as Kinston knocked off Wilmington New Hanover 54-39 in a battle of a pair of defending state title winners at Viking Gym on Wednesday night.

Josh Dawson added 10 points and six assists and Kinston (15-2) hit its first six shots of the second half while holding the Wildcats (8-7) without a field goal in the third quarter.

“We were up big, but I felt like when you walked in our locker room you’d thought we were down by 15,” Kinston coach Perry Tyndall said.

“I think part of that is that the guys know that there’s some things defensively that could have been better.”

Last season’s 2A title-winner Kinston turned a 30-20 lead at the break into a 48-22 lead after three quarters thanks to a defense that forced New Hanover, led by Nykheinma Walker’s nine points and six rebounds, to go 0 for 10 in the third quarter.

The Wildcats’ shooting woes actually began in the first half, when they hit just 3 of 9 in the second period.

“We didn’t play defense, we didn’t make shots, we didn’t communicate, we didn’t rebound, we didn’t get loose balls, we got outplayed,” New Hanover coach Kirk Angel said.

“I don’t have a team this year that can survive an 18-2 run and expect to win a game against arguably the best 2A — nah, I wouldn’t even say 2A, they’re one of the best high school basketball teams in the state.”

The teams held their first and only tie at 2-2 before Kinston scored the next seven points to take a lead it never gave up against a team that went 30-1 a season ago and knocked off West Charlotte for the 4A state title.

At SouthWest Edgecombe on Tuesday Tyndall felt his team played lethargic for the entire 32 minutes. The first half against the Wildcats looked much of the same.

Kinston turned it over nine times in the first half but held its own on the defensive end, holding New Hanover to 34 percent (16 for 47) from the field.

“Energy-wise, I thought we were stagnant and I think that carried over from (Tuesday) night a little bit,” Tyndall said. “To come out after halftime, and to pick the energy up and to separate a little bit, I was pleased with that.”

Ryan Herman can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Ryan.Herman@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter: @KFPSports.

New Hanover 13 7 2 17—39

Kinston 19 11 18 6—54

WILDCATS (8-7) — Walker 9, Bell 6, Chaucer 6, Brown 5, Clarida 4, Doughty 4, Johnson 4, Holley 1, Hitchman, Simpson, Williams, Levy.

VIKINGS (15-2) — Brandon Ingram 14, Denzel Keyes 13, Josh Dawson 10, Dunn 6, Taylor 3, Canady 2, Lopez 2, Jackson 2, Joyner, Hart, Jones, Rouse, Williams, White.

Click here to view the MSNBC report.