WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 02/25/04

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=1]

Can you say snow? It could be heading this way.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A former Giles County pastor is found guilty today of molesting a girl....Tonight the jury recommends a sentence.

Plus movie goers head out to see the Passion of the Christ .. what they think of it.
And making way for new development in Roanoke.
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]

News 7 at Eleven is next.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
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(XXXXXX)
[WXPRO FULL]
A big storm is brewing to the south and it's headed our way.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=News 7 @ 11]

[WX1] [11:00pm]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=News 7 @ 11]

Good Evening. I'm Jean Jadhon.
[SS=Winter Storm Watch]

Just when we thought maybe winter was over.. yet another storm is headed our way.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Robin/WXCENTER]

Let's head right over to meteorologist Robin Reed-

[MCU] Standing Position #2

[WXPRO/FULL]WEATHER MAP

(Toss back to anchor)
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Robin/WXCENTER]

[Holcomb]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-52 TC1:41:34]
[GRAPHIC=Roger Holcomb]
[ENG#=2]

A former Giles County pastor who molested a child may spend 10 years in prison.
That's the sentence recommended by a jury tonight.
New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel DePompa has details on Roger Holcomb's conviction.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It took the jury]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Phillip Steele/Commonwealth's Attorney; :14]
[SUPER=01-Thomas DeBusk/Defense Attorney; :47]
[SUPER=@Rachel1; 1:07]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=RAchel DePompa, News 7.]
((It took a jury 7 hours to convict 53 year old Roger Holcomb of molesting a child and only one hour to sentence him. The prosecutor's very pleased with the outcome.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT4:35:40:00]
[IN Q=They served]
((PHILLIP STEELE: THEY SERVED WELL, THEY WERE VERY ATTENTIVE. I'D JUST LIKE TO THANK THEM AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO COMMEND THE CHILDREN WHO TESTIFIED AND WENT THROUGH. IT WAS VERY HARD ON THEM AND HARD ON THEIR FAMILIES. )) [RUNS:12]
[OUT Q=their families]

Holcomb, a former pastor for Pembroke Church of God was accused of molesting three children at the church parsonage. But the jury only found him guilty of molesting one child convicting him of 2 counts of aggravated sexual battery and one count of indecent liberties with a minor. Jurors sentenced Holcomb to 10 and a half years in prison.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT4:37:16:00]
[IN Q=My client]
((TOM DEBUSK:MY CLIENT HAS SAID ALL ALONG THAT HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG TO THIS CHILD. PERHAPS THERE WERE THINGS THAT WERE MISUNDERSTOOD, BUT HE FEELS VERY STRONGLY THAT HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HARM HER. )) [RUNS:14]
[OUT Q=to harm her.]

The mother of the child Holcomb molested says she's thankful for the 10 and a half year sentence, but her daughter will be scarred for life.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The judge has]
((RACHEL DEPOMPA:The judge has ordered a presentence investigation which could take up to four months. Holcomb's attorney says an appeal is also still possible. Rachel DePompa, News 7.)) [RUNS:13]
[OUT Q=Rachel DePompa,. News 7.]))

[Rice]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-02 TC1:00:39]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]
[ENG#=3]

The man suspected of killing two hikers is officially off the hook for now.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/April 25, 2002]

The murder charges against Darrell David Rice were dropped today.
Rice was accused of killing two hikers in the Shenandoah National Park in 1996.
But recent D-N-A evidence suggests someone else was at the crime scene.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I believe ]
((STEVE SPINK/RICE'S FRIEND; I BELIEVE EVENTUALLY THE FACTS WILL COME OUT AND DARRELL WILL BE SEEN IN A MUCH BETTER LIGHT THAN ANYONE INVOLVED IN THE PROSECUTION. THEY HAVE THE DNA OF THE PERPETRATOR AND IF THEY'D GO AFTER THE PERPETRATOR INSTEAD OF A CONVICTION, I THINK JUSTICE WOULD BE BETTER SERVED.)) ((TOM BONDURANT/ASSISTANT U. S. ATTORNEY; THE RESULTS OF THE TESTING DOESN'T PROCLAIM INNOCENCE, BUT IT DOES RAISE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF DOUBT WHERE IT WOULD BE UNETHICAL FOR US TO PROCEED WITH THE CASE.))
[SUPER=01-Steve Spink/Rice's Friend; :03]
[SUPER=01-Tom Bondurant/Assistant U. S. Attorney; :16]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=proceed with the case.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The charges were dropped without prejudice, which means prosecutors can continue their investigation and could re-indict Rice.
(------------)

[Bank-Robber]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-03 TC28:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

Police are hoping someone will lead them to a suspected bank robber.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

This is a composite sketch of the man Radford Police believe robbed the Wachovia Bank on Main Street.
[SUPER=03-Radford]

Investigators say he entered the bank around 9:20 this morning and handed the teller a note saying he had a gun and demanded money.
The man got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.
(------------)

[Concept-One]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-09 TC13:41]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

Radford's loss may be Pulaski's gain.
Pulaski County is now interested in bringing a school for troubled teens to the county, a move that could create more than 70 new jobs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford/Last Month]

This week Radford City Council turned down a request by Concept One that would have turned the empty New River Industries plant into a school.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]

An N-R-I spokesperson tells News 7 that Concept One met with Pulaski County officials yesterday about several possible locations.
He says Concept One is still very interested in coming to the New River Valley.

[Social-Security]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

A suggestion today from the nation's top economist: to cut social security benefits.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is looking ahead 4 years .. the date the nation's 77 million baby boomers begin retiring.
Greenspan says rolling back the President's tax cut is not an option saying it would stunt economic growth.
He says the only choice may be to cut Social Security benefits.
But President Bush says his budget can protect both tax cuts and social security.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
((MY POSITION ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS IS THIS THOSE BENEFITS SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED FOR PEOPLE AT OR NEAR RETIREMENT.))
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=AT OR NEAR RETIREMENT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But critics fear future retirees will have to pick up the bill.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
((BARBARA KENNERLY/COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE: IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE PEOPLE RIGHT NOW, BUT THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE THE ONES WHO ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS KIND OF POLICY.))
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Barbara Kennerly/Cmte. to Preserve Social Security; ]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=this kind of policy.]
(------------)
[vo-nat]
President Bush says his plans to privatize a portion of Social Security can protect younger Americans.
(----------)

[Bath-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

An accident in Bath County this afternoon killed a Millboro woman.
(XXXXXX)
[TAKE FULL SCREEN MAP]
State troopers say her husband was driving the couple's van north on Route 42 when it ran off the road and hit two trees.
72 year old Rita Baird Walters was not wearing a seatbelt and died at the scene.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=Fatal Accident]

75 year old Edward Terrel (Tare-ul) Walters was wearing a seatbelt. He was flown to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Troopers aren't sure what caused him to run off the road.

[County-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-05 TC34:30]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
[ENG#=3]

Investigators are calling an early morning fire accidental.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Roanoke County firefighters were called to this home on Reed Mountain Road around 3 a-m.
The fire marshall determined the blaze started in the chimney and spread to the roof and walls.
Damage to the home is estimated at 50-thousand dollars.
(------------)

[Passion-Reaction]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-50 TC2:04:50]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Passion of the Christ finally opened today in theaters and it is certainly stirring passions among moviegoers.

Some have praised it, others have condemned it. Last night we heard from clergy (clur-gy,) but what do other people think? [***PASSION GRAPHIC IN MONITOR***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Justin / BAM;]

Justin McLeod was out at the theater tonight- Justin, what are people saying?
Jean, it was hard to find anyone to criticize this movie.
[LIVE= Justin /FULL BAM]
[SUPER=@justin1]

That may be because many churches bought hundreds of advance tickets.
So unless you were with a church group you probably had trouble seeing the film today.
Those who did see it are giving the movie the thumbs up.
[ENG#=4]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Natalie Schuessler/Liberty University Student; :30]
[SUPER=01-Dena Lowe/Franklin Co. Resident; :45]
[SUPER=01-Becky Childress/Buchanan Resident; :54]
[SUPER=01-Meredith Bone/Liberty University Student; 1:21]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=NEVER BEEN REAL TO ME]
((((NAT SOUND OF BUYING A TICKET))
They walked in excited.
They walked out two hours later in silence.
[SOT 21:13; 25:40]
[IN Q=Um, I'm speechless]
((ANDREW NOVELL: UM, I'M SPEECHLESS.)) ((DENA LOWE: IT WAS AN AWESOME MOVIE.)) [Runs03]
[OUT Q=AWESOME MOVIE]
((QUICK NAT SOUND OF THE MOVIE))
It is a movie that focuses on the last twelve hours of Christ's life.
It is considered the most graphic depiction of the crucifixiction ever put on film.
[SOT 17:42]
[IN Q=It is definetely]
((NICK FLOYD: IT IS DEFINITELY HARD TO WATCH.)) [Runs02]
[OUT Q=hard to watch]

Hard to watch but many Christians say it needs to be shown.
[SOT 21:45; 19:05]
[IN Q=Forget how graphic]
((ANDREW NOVELL: FORGET HOW GRAPHIC IT IS, THAT IS THE TRUTH.)) ((NATALIE SHCUESSLER/LIBERTY UNIVERSITY STUDENT: YOU GUYS LIKE MEDIA AND EVERYONE IS SAYING IT'S SO GRAPHIC BUT IN OUR MINDS WE CAN'T THINK OF SOMETHING LIKE THAT CAUSE WE'RE STUPID HUMAN BEINGS BUT IT'S REAL.)) [Runs10]
[OUT Q=BUT IT'S REAL]

It so real in fact that many including director Mel Gibson have said no children should see this movie.
[SOT 25:49]
[IN Q=Children fifteen and]
((DENA LOWE: CHILDREN FIFTEEN AND UNDER 12 AND UNDER THEY WOULDN'T WANT TO.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=WOULDN'T WANT TO]

But some are bringing their kids anyway.
[SOT 23:34]
[IN Q=I pray that all]
((BECKY CHILDRESS/BUCHANAN RESIDENT: I PRAY THAT ALL TEENAGERS CAN SEE IT. IF THEY CAN SIT THROUGH SOME OF THE GORE THAT THEY SEE IN SCI FI MOVIES AND THE THINGS THEY SHOW IN EVERYDAY THEN THEY CAN SIT THROUGH THIS.)) [Runs12]
[OUT Q=SIT THROUGH THIS]

Many did sit through it on opening day.
Demand was so high here at the Valley View Grande in Roanoke, the theater added a second show in the early evening.

Many came with their church group and left with a better understanding of their faith.
[SOT 16:11]
[IN Q=I'm a christian]
((MEREDITH BONE/LIBERTY UNIVERSITY STUDENT: THE BIBLE SAYS BY HIS WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED AND I'M A CHRISTIAN AND I'VE BEEN SAVED FOR ELEVEN YEARS AND IT'S JUST NEVER BEEN REAL TO ME.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=BEEN REAL TO ME]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Justin /FULL BAM]

Before you go to see this film, you may want to call ahead.
There are a lot of specific shows that are sold out because of advance tickets sales by church groups.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Justin /BAM;]

Jean, it is esimated the movie made nearly twenty million dollars in its first day of release.
[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]
[ENG#=V10]

Still ahead on News 7, the latest round in Virginia's budget fight. Can the house and senate reach an agreement?

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And as the trouble in Haiti continues, refugees are taking to the sea, hoping for a better life in the U-S.
(-------------)

[Sports-preview]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

[ENG#=1]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=in sports."]
((Hey, everybody. Travis Wells, News 7 Sports office. Coming up later, regional hoops action from Region C and Region Three. Steve Mason gets up close and personal with the Heritage Pioneers in Hometown Hoops Weekly, and the ODAC hands out some post season hardware on the eve of the women's tourney. All that and more on the way in sports.))
[Freighter]

(MINI OPEN)

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

The trouble in Haiti is reaching close to the American shore.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Off Miami, FL]

U-S Coast Guard officials boarded a ship carrying 21 Haitians about seven miles off the Miami shore.
It's believed the Haitians were trying to reach the U-S shore.
Armed officers jumped aboard the vessel- taking the Haitians into U-S Custody.
This comes just hours after President Bush urged Haitians not to flee their country-
(------------)

[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[Haiti]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=2]

[wipe wipe wipe]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Port au Prince, Haiti;]

There are signs the violence will end in Haiti.
Rebels leader now say they will give peace a chance.
Opposition leaders are demanding the ouster of President Jean Bertrand Aristide accusing he and his loyalists of widespread corruption.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
((CHARLES BAKER/OPPOSITION LEADER: WELL ARMED, HOODED CIVILIANS ARE TERRORIZED, MONIES HAVE TO GIVEN TO GO THROUGH CHECKPOINTS.))
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Charles Baker/Opposition Leader;]
[RUNS=]
[OUTQ=through checkpoints.]
(------------)
[vo-nat]
Today France proposed a five point plan including an international police force to try and reign in the violence.
It would also provide international assistance for Presidential Elections under a transition government.
The plan would have to be approved by the United Nations.
(--------------)

[VA-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Budget]

A House of Delegates committee today killed two Senate bills that would have raised 3-point-8 billion dollars by adding higher income tax brackets and boosting the sales, cigarette and fuel taxes.
The action came on a day when business interests warned a Senate panel that a House proposal to end their sales tax exemptions threatens thousands of jobs.
A C-S-X vice president said the loss of the sales tax exemptions could devastate rail hubs such as Richmond.
He said locomotives take on nearly five million gallons of fuel in the capital city each year -- but could just as easily get that fuel in neighboring states that still allow the tax exemptions.

[Lake-Car]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-53 TC1:17:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

Authorities are investigating the death of an Amherst County woman who was found in her car submerged in water.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst Co.]

47-year-old Caroline Farmer's husband had reported her missing last night.
She reportedly had driven up to the Blue Ridge Parkway to read.. and that's where he spotted her car in about ten feet of water in Otter Creek Lake.
It took dive crews about four hours to recover the car and her body.
[SOT 3:41:36]
[IN Q=We had divers]
((PETER GIVENS/PARK RANGER: WE HAD DIVERS I THINK FROM TWO DIFFERENT RESCUE SQUADS HERE. WATER WAS COLD, THEY WERE NOT REAL EXPERIENCED AT THIS IN THIS COLD WEATHER AND IT JUST A MATTER OF GETTING DOWN UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, GETTING THE CABLES SECURELY ATTACHED AND PRETTY STEEP BANK PULLING IT UP.))
[SUPER=01-Peter Givens/Park Ranger]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=pulling it up.]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

Authorities say there are "no" signs of foul play.
An autopsy will be performed.
(---------------)

[Tease2]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[SS=None]
[ENG#=1]

Another winter storm's headed our way.
Robin has the forecast when News 7 returns
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=They position]
((THEY POSITION THEMSELVES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY BUT ARE PAY-DAY LOAN COMPANIES PREYING ON OUR MILITARY? I'M STACY CASE IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. THAT STORY IS COMING UP.))
[SUPER=@Case1;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=is coming up.]

[Commercial]

[Military-Scams]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[***ANCHOR TAG***]
[ENG#=2]

There's growing concern in all branches of the military about financial strain within the ranks.
Three quarters of active duty members make between 20 and 30-thousand dollars a year... and sometimes take out loans to stretch that budget.
Stacey Case report that's when the trouble can really start.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Jacksonville, FL; :00]
[SUPER=01-Justin Dennis/U. S. Navy; :20]
[SUPER=01-Joe Gallagher/Florida Treasurer; 1:03]
[SUPER=@Case1; 1:32]
[RUNS=2:05]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS JACKSONVILLE, FL]
((DRIVE BY ANY MILITARY BASE IN THE COUNTRY AND YOU CAN'T MISS THEM--- QUICK CASH, PAY DAY LOAN COMPANIES OPEN FOR BUSI
NESS SUPER; JUSTIN DENNIS/NAVY 00:04:43 I borrowed I think it was $200 TRACK: FOR THIS U-S SAILOR, JUST BACK FROM THE GULF, THAT $200.00 SNOWBALLED INTO HUNDREDS MORE. I noticed myself in a spiral going back every time getting more money. TRACK: DOZENS OF THESE COMPANIES STRATEGICALLY POSITION OFFICES OUTSIDE INSTALLATIONS. MANY USE MILITARY SOUNDING NAME
S--- FORCE ONE LENDING, MILITARY FINANCIAL. THEY KNOW THE MILITARY DEMANDS ORDERLY FINANCES.
SUPER: JUSTIN DENNIS/NAVY you can actually lose more money by losing a rank.and possibly worst case scenario they can kick you out of the navy for it. GRAPHIC/TRACK: A TYPICAL SCENARIO? A $100 LOAN COSTS $15.00. (graphic shows $115.00)
IF THE SOLDIER ROLLS IT OVER JUST THREE TIMES, VERY COMMON-- WITH A 400 PERCENT ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE--- THE SOLDIER
PAYS $60 OR MORE JUST TO BORROW $100. SUPER: JOE GALLAGHER/FLORIDA TREASURER we have seen in the past where a person's total borrowing was only $2,000 but yet they had $20K in what they owed back. an impossible situation for a young soldier. TRACK: AN INDUSTRY SPOKESMAN SAYS MILITARY PERSONNEL MAKE UP JUST 2% OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. (GRAPHIC) "AS FOR THE MILITARY, IT'S THEIR JOB TO REDUCE THE NEED FOR THE EMERGENCY LOANS SUCH AS PAYING THEIR SOLDIERS MORE." STAND UP BRIDGE: STACY CASE/CBS NEWS THERE ARE SPOTTY REGIONAL EFFORTS TO REIGN IN SOME OF THESE COMPANIES NEAR BASES, BUT THE PATCHWORK OF LOCAL LAWS DOESN'T REALLY GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. TRACK: THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS AN AGGRESSIVE NEW LAW. IT LIMITS LOANS TO $500.00 MAX AND LIMITS INTEREST. A STATE CONTROLLED DATABASE MAKES ENFORCEMENT EASY. SUPER: JOE GALLAGHER/FLORIDA TREASURER no other lender can make you a loan until that loan has been paid. SUPER: JUSTIN DENNIS/NAVY it felt like I was trying to dig my way out. TRACK: THE MILITARY WARNS MEMBERS ABOUT THESE COMPANIES IN SEMINARS. THIS SAILOR GOT OFF THE SINKING LOAN SHIP AND PLANS TO STAY ON DRY FINANCIAL GROUND. STACY CASE CBS NEWS JACKSONVILLE, FL))
(-------------)

[S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=V10]

Coming up, regional hoops highlights as the boys from Region C and the girls from Region Three take the hardwood in the Valley, Steve Mason checks in with Hometown Hoops weekly, and ACC wars continue, but first tonight's extra point,

(------------)
[VO-NAT]

the ODAC women's tourney gets underway tomorrow in Salem and tonight, Randolph-Macon's Megan Silva was named the league's player of the year. Silva is a sophomore who averaged 19 points a game this season, a year after capturing rookie of the year honors. Bridgewater's Jean Willey was named Coach of the Year.
(------------)
[go to scores] [go to break]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=x5027;]
[SUPER=0097-/Parry McCluer/56/j/George Wythe/57//Region C Semis//Bath Co./48/j/Radford/73//Region C Semis/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0097-j/Northside/49//Blacksburg/45//Region III Girls Semis//Hidden Valley/39/j/Lord Botetourt/52//Region III Gir
ls Semis/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-/Virginia Tech/48/j/Boston College/56///j/High Point/76//VMI/75///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-/Radford/71/j/Birm.-Southern/84////Liberty/63/j/UNC-Greensboro/74///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/N.C. State #14/79//Georgia Tech #18/69////Florida State/87/j/Wake Forest #11/90//Final in OT/;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUTCU=last score."]
(-------------------)

[S-Maroons]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-172 TC304]
[GRAPHIC=Region C]
[ENG#=1]

Let's start tonight with the boys Region C semifinals at Northside High School. The opener pitted sideline tacticians Nelson Fox of Parry McCluer and Al Copenhaver of George Wythe.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Blues vs. Maroons; :00]

The Maroons faithful made the hour trek up Interstate 81 tonight.
George Wythe's William Seltzer gets his team off on the right foot in the second half, taking the inbounds pass and scoring in the paint, but Wythe trailed by 8.
The Fightin' Blues play some defense. Adam Gilbert takes advantage of the turnover by scoring two in transition to extend the lead.
But the Maroons rallied late.
[SUPER=33-Parry McCluer/56/George Wythe/57/;]
Trey Smith lays in the game winner with 12 seconds left as George Wythe advances 57 to 56.
(------------)

[S-Bobcats]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-173 TC215]
[GRAPHIC=Region C]
[ENG#=2]

In the nightcap, Radford continued its quest to reach another state tournament against an upstart bunch of Bath County Chargers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Chargers vs. Bobcats; :00]

West Virginia bound Daris Nichols did his part for the Bobcats in this one. He swipes the rock and converts it into points as Radford was up by 4 early.
Bath County's Nathan Stevenson answered with the long jumper from just inside the arc on the wing, as the Chargers hung tough.
But Radford allowed just 4 Bath County points in the first quarter. Neal Manor then strikes from the
[SUPER=33-Bath Co./48/Radford/73/;]
perimeter as Radford went on to win it 73 to 48.
(------------)

[S-Northside]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-154 1:56:14]
[GRAPHIC=region III]
[ENG#=3]

The Region III girls semis tipped off last night at the Salem Civic Center.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Region III Semifinals; :00]
the Northside Lady Vikings were playing right in their backyard but that advantage would be put to the test against a tough Blacksburg team.
In the fourth quarter, watch Northside's Dana Powell dish to Emery Wallace who finds the range from in close, [SUPER=
33-Blacksburg/45/Northside/49 ;]she also gets the foul.
The Bruins come back. Corey Tucker gives to Haley Stephens who hits the quick jumper, Northside still had the lead.
The Vikings Corrie Fertitta makes the nice move in the post and scores. Northside hung on to win 49-45 in overtime.

(------------)

[S-Cavaliers]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-167 TC1734]
[GRAPHIC=Region III]
[ENG#=4]

The Vikings will now meet Lord Botetourt for a fifth time this season after the Cavs took care of Hidden Valley in the nightcap.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Cavaliers vs. Titans; :00]

Chuck Pound's team had little trouble with the pesky Titans.
Nicci Moats was a force down low just as she has been all season, putting in two off the nice ball movement.
Rebecca Danahy tried to keep the Titans close.
[SUPER=33-Hidden Valley/39/Lord Botetourt/52/;]
She penetrates and buries the short jumper but Botetourt was too tough winning it 52 to 39.
(------------)

[S-Hoops]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-163 ]
[GRAPHIC=Hometown Hoops]
[ENG#=1]

The Heritage High School boys take the floor in tomorrow night's Region Three semis. Steve Mason has more on the Pioneers in this edition of Hometown Hoops Weekly.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Donnie Foster/Heritage Sixth Man; :20]
[SUPER=01-Pierre Penn/Heritage Point Guard; :47]
[SUPER=01-Quin Chilton/Heritage Shooting Guard; 1:03]
[SUPER=01-Dan Stephens/Heritage Head Coach; 1:15]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:30]
[RUNS=1:47]
[OUT Q=....hometown hoops weekly"]
(--------------)
((8 of the Pioneers 15 names on the Heritage roster play football. Donnie Foster is one of those 8. He was a back up to Wayne Ford and wasn't supposed to play at all. But an injury to Ford forced him into the spotlight. He finds himself again in a back up roll as the Pioneers sixth man. ((:))
Its attidutes like Fosters that help make this team two time seminole District champs. It's also a big plus that Ford, reciever and point guard Peirre Penn wide out Donny Alexander are as good at basketball as they are at football. Penn has won a gridiron state title, but a hoops crown has alluded him. ((:)) Last year, Cave Spring knocked the Pionees out of the Regionals, aset back that has only made this team hungrier.)) ((:)) ((:)) ((STEVE MASON:HERITAGE HAS NEVER WON A BOYS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE FARTHEST THE PIONEERS HAVE GONE IS THE STATE SEMIFINALS BACK IN 2001. HERITAGE'S NEXT STEP IS THE REGION THREE FINAL FOUR AGAINST A TOUGH MARK HANKS PULASKI TEAM THURSDAY NIGHT . ))

[S-ACC]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-164 TC12243]
[GRAPHIC=Tech Hoops]
[ENG#=2]

Virginia Tech led Boston College by five tonight at halftime on the road, but gave up a 17-oh run to the Eagles midway thru the second half, losing 56-48. Bryant Matthews led the Hokies with 21 points and 8 boards. [TAKE ACC OTS]
In the ACC, Wake Forest trailed much of the game against Florida State in Winston-Salem, but rallied to win 90 to 87 in overtime.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA/ESPN; :00]

In Atlanta, NC State's Julius Hodge poured in 23 points and grabbed 8 rebounds as the Pack took care of Georgia Tech 79 to 69.
(------------)

[S-Tiger]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-170 TC613]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

[WIPE to ENG!!]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Tiger Woods won his match at the World Match play event today over John Rollins, but he's had some free time lately to make his newest commercial for American Express. Woods chases the same gopher that Bill Murray did in the Caddyshack movies. The commercial debuts this weekend during the Grammy's.
(------------)

[TOSS TO BREAK]