By Ron Barry

If you’re a fan of watching great shooting on the basketball court, and you weren’t inside Emerson Memorial Gymnasium at Crockett County Tuesday night – well, consider yourself fortunate.

Those who did attend the doubleheader with Peabody High out of Trenton could be forgiven if they felt they had stumbled into a construction workers convention rather than a basketball game. A small village could have been built with all the bricks tossed around by the four teams who played in the twin bill.

If you’re a Cavalier fan, this microcosm of the night is pretty much all you need to know: (1) Crockett’s girls only made nine of 22 free throws – they lost by three points; and (2) Crockett boys only made three of 13 free throws – they lost by one.

Each contest came down to the wire. The Lady Cavaliers called a timeout with 19 seconds left in the opener, needing a three-pointer to tie the visitors. Coach Kayla Irvin’s club managed to get off three long-range attempts in that time frame, but like most of the ones they’d launched earlier, they clanked off the rim, giving Peabody a 49-46 victory – its first after three defeats. The Lady Golden Tide had lost their season opener to South Gibson by 54 points.

In the boys matchup, Crockett called a timeout with 18 seconds remaining. Any field goal would win it. But upon barely getting the ball inbounded, the Cavs had a couple of passes deflected and the ball batted around until it finally found the hands of Crockett’s Kevin Pledge, who only had a second to get off a 12-foot shot from the left side that rimmed out as the final buzzer sounded. Peabody – now 4-0 – got the triumph, 43-42.

There weren’t many bright spots in the girls duel from Crockett’s standpoint. Wesley Thornton – Crockett’s top scorer this season – picked up two quick fouls, spent almost the entire first half on the bench, and never found her rhythm afterward. Nobody really picked up the slack as far as an inside game was concerned, and the Lady Cavs’ woes from beyond the arc continued for the fourth consecutive contest.

Even with all that inaccuracy, Crockett had its chances. The hosts only trailed by one (37-36) entering the final quarter, and soon took the lead on a Thornton basket. After Peabody’s Azarriah Wells drilled a three-pointer, Keeton Holyfield put the Lady Cavs ahead again by answering it with one of her own.

Wells struck again from deep to put the Tide up 43-41, but an “And-1” three-point play by Torey Savage shoved Crockett back in front 44-43 with 4:39 to play. Trenton’s Paislee Walls knocked in a shot from the lane with 3:34 remaining and Avery Olson added a bucket at the 2:47 mark to give the visitors a 47-44 advantage.

Thornton scored again to pull Crockett back within one with 1:43 on the clock, but Walls muscled in another shot to make it 49-46 Peabody with 38 seconds remaining. The Lady Cavs got off their final flurry of long-range shots, but none came close to going down.

Keeton Holyfield netted 11 points and Halle Holyfield 10 for the hosts, who fell to 1-3.Walls and Wells each tallied 14 for the Golden Tide, with ZaKaysia Skinner adding 13.

The most remarkable thing about the guys game was that – once the contest was tied at 28-28 with 2:12 left in the third quarter – neither team led by more than a single possession the remainder of the duel. What wasn’t remarkable was the shooting, or – more truthfully – the lack of it.

With 6:24 to play in the first half, the score was 9-9. Police were probably receiving noise complaints from the school’s neighbors, wondering what all that clanging was about on campus. If the rims aren’t bent in the gym on Wednesday, it’s a miracle.

Three Crockett players were actually defying the night’s odds and making shots. The Cavs’ Kevin Pledge continued his solid season with a 14-point effort. Karson Kail came off the bench and hit both of the three-pointers he took in the third period, with the second one tying the score at 31-all with 1:12 left.

The biggest Cavalier surprise, however, was reserve Max Woods. Limited to “mop-up” duty in previous games – but showing promise with seven points in the fading minutes of Friday’s win over Lexington – Woods entered this one in the second quarter and the hosts down 15-10. Woods then tallied the game’s next five points and dished a perfect assist to Pledge for the go-ahead basket second later.

But in the fourth period, Woods maneuvered for three more buckets, each one giving the Cavs a two-point lead. The third one made it 42-40 with only 1:26 to play, and it looked like Coach Spencer Bursey’s troops were on the verge of the upset.

The Golden Tide dagger came when LaTavean Cannon drilled a three-pointer from the right wing with 1:05 to go. Neither team would score again, despite the frenzied finish.

Both Crockett teams will resume their seasons December 2, hosting Chester County in a 6 p.m. doubleheader.

CCHS Girls GM 4: Nov 25 at Alamo

Peabody             11           19             7           12  -  49

Crockett              15           12             9           10  -  46

Crockett – Keeton Holyfield 11, Halle Holyfield 10, Wesley Thornton 7, Audrey Whitby 5, Ellie Henderson 4, Torey Savage 4, Ruth Gourley 3, Alice Luten 2, Callie Freeman 0. 2-Pt FG: 11. 3-Pt FG: 5 (H Holyfield 2, Whitby, K Holyfield, Gourley). FT: 9-22. Record: 1-3.

Peabody – Paislee Walls 14, Azarriah Wells 14, ZaKaysia Skinner 13, Avery Olson 8, Kyleigh Welch 0, Jayda Ramos 0, Jayci Browning 0, Emauni Pharms 0, 2-Pt FG: 14. 3-Pt FG: 5 (Wells 4, Skinner). FT: 6-11. Record: 1-3.

CCHS Boys GM 4: Nov 25 at Alamo

Peabody               9             6           19             9  -  43

Crockett                7           10           17             8  -  42

Crockett – Kevin Pledge 14, Max Woods 11, Karson Kail 6, Cortland Reddick 5, Jayden Frye 4, Corey Savage 2, Andre Garduno 0, Amarion Hobson 0, Squirt Pickens 0, Ben Burgess 0. 2-Pt FG: 15. 3-Pt FG: 3 (Kail 2, Reddick). FT: 3-13. Record: 1-3.

Peabody – Emmanuel Cannon 17, LaTavean Cannon 10, Max Hammond 5, Jayden Jennings 3, Zay Jelks 2, Noah Wolfork 2, Edward Agnew III 2, Ontario Agnew II 1, Jamarcus Haynes 1, Tavarious Ross 0. 2-Pt FG: 6. 3-Pt FG: 8 (E Cannon 3, L Cannon 3, Jennings, Hammond). FT: 7-10. Record: 4-0.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Crockett County Middle School completed its pre-Thanksgiving schedule Monday against Humboldt, with the girls winning 37-25 behind a 21-point performance from Addie Whitby before the boys suffered a lopsided defeat, 47-19. Humboldt raced to a 19-0 lead, holding the Cavs scoreless in the opening period.

CCMS resumes play December 1, hosting Haywood.

Crockett Girls 37, Humboldt 25 (Nov 24)

Crockett – Addie Whitby 21, Khylee Cobb 10, Lynlee King 4, Addison Ward 2. 2-Pt FG: 12. 3-Pt FG: 4 (Cobb 2, Whitby, King). FT: 1-3. Record: 7-6.

Humboldt – Jeremie Seward 15, Zendaya Thomas 6, Ariona Meadows 3, MaKenzi Whitney 1. 2-Pt FG: 9. 3-Pt FG: 0. FT: 7-21.

Humboldt 47, Crockett Boys 19 (Nov 24)

Crockett – Jaylen Frye 6, Brendan Green 5, Ryder Sanderlin 3, Messiah McCurry 2, Easten Stephens 2, Reese Jones 1. 2-Pt FG: 3. 3-Pt FG: 3 (Green, Frye, Sanderline). FT: 4-6. Record: 5-8.

Humboldt – Bryce Duvall 11, Edward Agnew 10, Jaden Patterson 10, Joshua Pankey 4, Keylin Wedley 3, Andrew Ivy 3, Kylan Pettigrew 2, James Donald Jr 2, Que Brooks 2. 2-Pt FG: 21. 3-Pt FG: 0. FT: 5-11. 

Crockett's Kevin Pledge managed to get this shot off with about a second left on the clock, but it rimmed out as the Cavs fell to Peabody 43-42. (Photo by Ron Barry) 

The expressions on these faces reflect the Lady Cavalier shooting woes. Head coach Kayla Irvin is flanked by Brent Fronabarger and Tyler Gadlen as they watch Crockett shots fail to find the net. (Photo by Ron Barry) 

Even with all the missed shots, cheer team member Kennedy Henning continued encouragement through the pair of nail-biting games. (Photo by Ron Barry) 

Max Woods scored 11 points in impressive minutes for the Cavaliers against Peabody Tuesday night. (Photo by Ron Barry) 

Wesley Thornton eyes the basket as Crockett engages the Lady Golden Tide in the frenzied fourth quarter. (Photo by Ron Barry) 

Karson Kail nailed this three-pointer -- his second of the third quarter -- to give Crockett its biggest lead of the night, a five-point advantage at 26-21. (Photo by Ron Barry) 

Halle Holyfield checks the scoreboard before completing a three-point play that briefly gave the Lady Cavaliers the lead Tuesday night. (Photo by Ron Barry) 

Crockett cheerleader Jentry Elmore keeps the crowd revved up during a timeout. (Photo by Ron Barry) 

Andre Garduno (24) appears to be going up strong for this shot in the early stages of Tuesday's game with Peabody ... (Photo by Ron Barry) 

... but the Golden Tide's Ontario Agnew II had other ideas, viciously swatting it away. (Photo by Ron Barry) 

Ellie Henderson snuck into the lane for an early bucket in the Lady Cavs' duel with Peabody. (Photo by Ron Barry) 

Lady Cav Keeton Holyfield applies defensive pressure to Peabody's ZaKaysia Skinner (12) as Crockett tries to rally in the fourth quarter. (Photo by Ron Barry) 

Crockett's Amy Mena keeps hoping some of the home team's shots will fall during Tuesday's doubleheader. (Photo by Ron Barry) 

Peabody's LaTavean Cannon (12) celebrates his three-pointer -- which would end up being the game-winner Tuesday night -- as the Golden Tide bench joins in his joy. (Photo by Ron Barry) 

Audrey Whitby drives for the basket as the Lady Cavs try to make something happen in the final period of Tuesday's narrow loss. (Photo by Ron Barry) 

Resource from: Cherrydale Elementary (Greenville, SC)

Parent's Guide to Internet Safety

RECOGNIZE techniques used by online predators to deceive.

REFUSE requests for personal information
RESPOND assertively if you are ever in an uncomfortable situation online.  Exit the program, log off turn off the computer, tell a trusted adult, or call the police.
REPORT to a trusted adult any suspicious or dangerous contact that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Most studies agree that over 77 million people are on the internet within the day.  Almost as many students as there are things to do online.  The internet has many possibilities, and it is easy to get lost.  You must protect yourself from the pitfalls lurking online.  To help you feel safe while using the internet please follow a few of these tips listed below:

• Guard your identifying information (name, sex, age, address, school, phone numbers, etc)
• Always remember, responsible adults do not pursue relationships with kids.
• Make you username and/or online profile generic and anonymous.
• Know how to exit an inappropriate website.
• Attachments in emails from strangers can contain viruses and worms.
• Do not send pictures over the internet to a so called friend.
• Chat room “friends” are not always who they say they are.
• Know the rules about downloading etc (Do not illegally download music and movies)

Children today will be the first generation to grow up with the internet.  Technology changes the advantages our children have, it doesn’t change the way you parent.  The rules on the internet change daily, but ultimately you are the one still making them.  If you are Internet illiterate or computer savvy, the tips listed will help protect your children and are easy to understand, follow, and implement:

• Always keep your child’s computer in an open area.  Never allow a computer with Internet access in your child’s bedroom.  
• Communicate with your child daily about their computer use.
• Regularly review your computer files.
• Teach your child the responsible use of online resources.
• Talk to your child about online dangers.  Let them know you are there to help them get out of a bad situation.
• Educate yourself on the ins and outs of the Internet.
• Talk to other parents about your experiences.  It will help everyone help our children.

A new danger for our children is spreading quickly and it grows with just the click of the mouse.  Sites like myspace.com, facebook.com, etc are cyber sites that many children today keep a secret from their parents.  Children do not take the time to realize that everyone including sexual predators that go on the Internet today will see the pictures and personal information that they post.  Sergeant Brian Donnelly of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office has seen the dangers that cyber sites provide to your children.  Mr. Donnelly says “To keep our children safe, we must discourage them from posting any personal information.  Simply telling our children to not post personal information and to refrain from talking to strangers is not enough.  Parents should teach their child that relationships with adults are both illegal and will lead to failure.  Many parents may feel as if though looking on their child’s cyber site is violating their personal space, but this is not the case as parents we must view this material to ensure that our kids are staying safe at all times. 

Social Networking sites are easy targets for predators.  If a predator has access to the internet they can and will find your child’s profile and messenger information with the simple click of a button.  If your child wants to have any cyber sites it is important that you tell them you must have their password and username at all times.  We can tell our children not to do certain things on the internet until we are blue in the face, but if their friends think that it is cool they will probably try to do it behind your back.  It is important that parents monitor their child’s internet activity daily. 

In order to keep your child safe online follow these simple six steps listed below:

• Place the computer in an open public room in your home.
• Come up with an Internet use policy for home and have your child sign this policy.
• Tell your child no personal information is to be given to anyone without your permission.
• Spending time surfing the website with your child.
• Children should never respond to email or chat messages that make them feel uncomfortable or that come from someone they do not know.
• If someone is asking them for information, they need to report it to you immediately

Internet Safety Programs and Monitoring Software are two programs that will help keep your child safe from Predators.  We would like to take the time to recommend a few of these programs.

Internet Safety Programs

• Norton Internet Security 
• Defender Pro
• McAfee Privacy Service
• Cybersitter
• Net Nanny
• CyberPatrol

Monitoring Software

• eBlaster
• Child Safe
• Parents Tools for AIMSpector 
• Sentry PC    

Parents Guide to Cyberbullies

A cyberbully is someone who uses technology to harass, embarrass, intimidate, or stalk someone else.  The methods used can include emails, instant messaging, text messages sent via cell phones, digital photos and all other means of electronic communications. 

The methods a cyberbully could use to harass the victim include the following:

• Posting of secrets or embarrassing information, including pictures, for everyone to see.
• Posting of gossip or rumors for the explicit purpose of damaging the person’s reputation.
• Distribution of message pretending to be the victim in an attempt to damage that person’s friendships.
• Alienation of the victim from online groups

If your child exhibits the following, it may be a warning sign:

• Displaying signs of depression, sadness, anxiety of fear, particularly if these signs intensify after your child uses the cell phone or after being online.
• Avoiding friends, activities, or school.
• Experiencing difficulty with school or a drop in grades for no apparent reason.
• Expressing subtle comments that indicate your child is disturbed or upset

Retaliation may only escalate the problem.  If you feel the need to respond to the cyberbully, help your child develop an appropriate response, asking the cyberbully to stop the behavior.  By filtering email, instant messages and text messages, you can cut off many of the ways the cyberbullies contact your child.  By having your child avoid the sites and groups where the attacks occur, he/she can ignore the bully.  If the harassment continues, then you can change your child’s email address, Internet account, and username(s).

If none of these steps are successful, you may need to take additional action as follows:

• Compile a copy of all harassing messages and posting.  Save the addresses of web sites where other hostile information, embarrassing pictures or negative messages are posted.  The more documentation you have the better.
• Contact your child’s school.  Even if the cyberbullying is not occurring in school, officials might be able to assist.
• If possible, contact the bully’s parents.  Send them a registered letter detailing the messages and asking them to make the bullying stop.  They could be held liable for financial and emotional damages.
• Finally, if the situation in not resolved, or if physical threats are made, contact the police.

REMEMBER IT IS OUR DUTY AS PARENTS AND EDUCATORS TO MONITOR OUR CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES ON THE COMPUTER.  WE DON’T WANT OUR CHILDREN TO BECOME AN INNOCENT VICTIM OF PREDATORS.