Fourth Quarter Rally Lifts Webster to 67 - 65 Win over Greenbrier West

Down by 8 points mid-way into the fourth quarter to the host Greenbrier West Cavaliers, the Webster County Highlanders staged a dramatic comeback to win 67 to 65 Friday evening.

Fans for both schools were on the edge of their seats throughout the game, as the teams traded leads numerous times. Thanks to a buzzer beating shot by the Cavaliers, Greenbrier West led at the end of the first quarter 15 to 14.

West outscored Webster 14 to 12 in the second quarter to take a 29 to 26 lead into halftime. Mid-way into the third quarter, the Highlanders jumped ahead by 4 points, only to see that lead quickly evaporate as West led at the end of the third quarter 48 to 43.

In the fourth quarter, Webster quickly fell behind by 8 points at 57 to 49 with 4:41 remaining in the game. Then the rally began (the video accompanying this article shows the rally after Webster went down by 8 points).

Junior Dalton Davis hit a 12 foot shot for 2 and senior Tyler Anderson drilled a 3 point shot to quickly cut the West lead to 57 to 54. Then, with 3:40 remaining, Senior Brett Morris tipped in a missed free throw attempt by Davis and was fouled on the play. Morris made the free throw to tie the game at 57.

West edged ahead 61 to 58. Morris has a lot of slam dunks this season but none was more important than his slam dunk which drew Webster to within 1 at 61 to 60. He was fouled during the dunk and made the ensuing free throw to tie the game at 61. After West went ahead 63 to 61, Morris found senior Hunter Given under the basket for 2 to tie the game at 63 with 2:41 remaining. 

West made a free throw to lead 64 to 63 when Morris drilled a fade away jumper to give Webster a 65 to 64 lead. West tied the game with a free throw. Davis made a free throw for Webster and the Highlanders were back on top at 66 to 65 with less than a minute remaining in the game. After West missed a shot, Webster tried to run the clock out, but West fouled Morris. Morris made one of two free throws, giving Webster the 67 to 65 lead. 

With 6.6 seconds remaining, West had possession of the ball at mid-court. They quickly in-bounded the ball and launched a 3 point shot for the win, but it missed its mark and Given grabbed the game's most important rebound and ran off the last ticks of the clock for the dramatic come from behind win for the Highlanders.

After the game, an obviously worn out head coach Jerry Dean said that West "was a good challenge for us." Regarding the Highlanders' fourth quarter comeback, Dean said of his kids, "they gutted it out. I'm proud of our kids. They really played hard tonight."

Morris finished with 27 points, 7 blocked shots, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Davis dropped in 9 points, along with 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 blocked shot. Given also added 9 points, along with 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists.

Other Webster players on the game stat sheet include: Robbie Cogar, 7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist; Jake Thayer, 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; Hunter Williams, 4 points, 2 rebounds; Tyler Anderson, 3 points; Guy Cowger, 2 points, 4 steals, 3 assists, 1 rebound; Drew Green, 1 steal; and Logan Taylor, 1 steal.

As a team, Webster made 26 of 62 shots (41%), including 6 of 22 three point shots (27%). The foul line continued to give Webster trouble as they made only 9 of 16 free throws (56%).

Webster improved to 14 wins, 3 losses on the season. West fell to 14 wins, 5 losses on their season. Webster next travels to Pikeview (near Princeton) for a rematch on Monday evening, February 18, 2013. On Tuesday, the Highlanders return home to play Shady Spring, followed by the final regular season game against Midland Trail on Thursday at Upperglade.

Late Night Meth Arrest Lands Three People in Jail

The seemingly never ending parade of people arrested in Webster County for drug-related crimes continued late Thursday night when the West Virginia State Police arrested a Webster Springs couple on meth-related charges and one man on other drug possession charges.

Ora Richard Wisner, age 29, has been charged with 10 felony counts of Manufacturing a Controlled Substance (meth), 10 felony counts of Operating or Attempting to Operate a Clandestine Drug Laboratory, 10 felony counts of Conspiracy, 2 felony counts of Gross Child Neglect, and 1 count of Altering a Meth Precursor. Coriana Lyn Christian, age 22, has been charged with two felony counts of Gross Child Neglect. Burton Wendell McCourt, age 20, has been charged with the misdemeanor crimes of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Hydrocodone.

Ora Richard Wisner

According the the criminal complaint filed against Wisner by State Police Seargant L.C. Carpenter, police were assisting Child Protective Services on a welfare check at 136 Shady Creek Road near Diana on February 14, 2013. Allegedly staying at the residence were Wisner, Christian, and McCourt, along with four minor children.

At the residence, officers located ten inactive meth labs. One of the labs was located inside the residence. Officers learned from Wisner and Christian that Wisner had been "cooking" meth at the residence, and there were four minor children present, two of whom were Wisner's children.

The criminal complaint against Wisner further states that Wisner confessed that he "cooked" outside the residence, but was unable to explain the one meth lab found inside the residence. Wisner was able to go into great detail about cooking meth, including altering pseudo ephedrine.

Coriana Lyn Christian

According to the criminal complaint filed against Christian by Seargant Carpenter, Christian resided with Wisner where the meth labs were found, along with her two children. Of the ten inactive meth labs found at the residence, police found one meth lab near the walkway leading into the residence and another inactive meth lab in a back bedroom of the residence.

Christian and Wisner allegedly admitted that the children sometimes used that bedroom. The complaint states that Christian failed to protect and neglected the welfare of the children, ages 2 and 4, from the effects of a clandestine laboratory.

According to the criminal complaint filed against McCourt by State Police Trooper S.G. Blake, officers on February 14, 2013 found two hydrocodone pills in McCourt's bedroom and McCourt admitted to ownership of the pills, for which he did not have a valid prescription. Officers also discover a marijuana pipe in McCourt's pants.

Magistrate John Stone set bail for Wisner in the total amount of $675,000.00, for Christian in the total amount of $50,000.00, and for McCourt in the total amount of $10,000.00. Wisner and Christian remain incarcerated at the Central Regional Jail at the time of the publication of this article. McCourt was released from jail after posting his bail. A criminal complaint is only an allegation and is not proof of guilt.

Making Meth Has Cowen Woman Facing Prison Time

Alicia Kay Brooks

A Cowen woman entered guilty pleas to Manufacturing a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) and to Gross Child Neglect Creating Substantial Risk of Serious Bodily Injury or Death during court proceedings Thursday afternoon before Webster County Circuit Judge Jack Alsop.

Alicia Brooks, 46, was originally charged charged by State Police Trooper S.G. Blake with 24 felony counts of Conspiracy  and 1 felony count of Gross Child Neglect. As part of her plea agreement with the State, Brooks agreed to plead guilty to two felonies in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. She pleaded guilty to an Information which charged: Count One, Manufacture of a Controlled Substance, being meth, a schedule II controlled substance; and Count Two, Gross Child Neglect Creating Substantial Risk of Serious Bodily Injury or Death in that she neglected two children by permitting the operation of a meth lab in the home where the children were living.

Trooper Blake's original criminal complaint states that he received information from Cowen Police Chief Allen Cogar that Okey Brooks was making meth in a clandestine manner on September 8, 2012. Cogar, while in a hidden location, then visually confirmed that Okey Brooks was making meth. Members of the State Police and the Webster County Sheriff's Department then responded to the Brooks' residence stated to be at 178 Hoover Hill Road in Cowen.

An active meth lab was found in plain view on the back porch of the residence. Okey Brooks then gave the officers consent to search the residence and police found coffee filters, lithium batteries, rubber tubing, Coleman fuel, and Liquid Heet, items all commonly used to make meth. Sargent Paul Kutcher of the Nicholas County Drug Task Force examined and observed 24 individual meth labs. Kutcher sampled six of the labs and was of the opinion that all 24 labs were consistent with the six sampled.

Okey Brooks advised officers that his wife, Alicia Brooks, knew that he was making meth for the past one to two months. In a recorded statement, Alicia Brooks admitted that she knew Okey was making meth along with Mark Linkous and Josh Cox. Okey also admitted he made meth with Linkous a few times. Two minor children resided with Okey and Alicia Brooks, and all of the meth labs and ingredients were accessible by the children.

As a result of her guilty pleas, Alicia Brooks faces prison terms of not less than one but not more than five years on the Manufacturing a Controlled Substance charge, and not less than one but not more than five years on the Gross Child Neglect charge, for a possible combined maximum prison term of not less than two years but not more than ten years. Judge Alsop ordered a pre-sentence investigation. Brooks remains out on bond pending her sentencing hearing. She was represented by Buckhannon lawyer Dennis Willett.

Hacker Valley Woman Pleads Guilty to Wanton Endangerment

A Hacker Valley woman pleaded guilty to the felony crime of Wanton Endangerment in court proceedings before Judge Jack Alsop Thursday morning.

Katrina Mae Brown

Katrina Mae Brown, age 44, was originally charged with five counts of Wanton Endangerment, but as part of her plea agreement with the State, she agreed to plead guilty to one count in exchange for a dismissal of the other counts. The plea agreement further provides that the State will make a non-binding recommendation to the Judge that Brown be placed on probation, with in-patient substance abuse treatment as a condition of the probation. The penalty for Wanton Endangerment is a definite prison term of not less than one nor more than five years, or, in the discretion of the court, confined in the county jail for not more than one year, or fined not less than $250.00 nor more than $5,000.00, or both.

According to the original criminal complaint filed by State Police Trooper E.E. Bostic against Brown, Bostic obtained a recorded statement from Brown's sister, Karla Coley, who told Bostic that Brown came to their parents' residence on November 27, 2012 at 3:30 a.m. in a highly intoxicated state and loaded a .270 Remington rifle. According to Coley's statement, Brown pointed the gun at Coley and their mother, Vella Brown, and said that she would kill everyone in the residence and blow the place up. 

Coley told Bostic she was scared for the safety of herself and her children. Bostic also obtained a recorded statement from Vella Brown. Vella told Bostic that Brown loaded the gun, pointed it at her and Coley, and stated that she would blow the house up with the children in the residence. The residence was occupied by Kenneth Brown, Vella Brown, Coley, and the three children.

Brown has been incarcerated since her arrest on November 29, 2012 and she remains in jail pending a pre-sentence report and a sentencing hearing. She was represented by Weston attorney James Clevenger.

WV State Board of Education Reviews Webster's School Budget Deficit Reduction Plan

At its meeting Wednesday evening in Charleston, the West Virginia State Board of Education approved the Webster County Board's plan to address the county's school budget deficit now being discussed locally as one of the reasons in support of Superintendent Martha Dean's school consolidation plan.

Eight county Board of Education budgets were reviewed by the State Board. Five of those budgets were considered critical because of their large budget deficits. Three budgets were termed "casual," including Webster County. When a county board has more than a "casual" deficit and action is not taken to correct it, the State Board can take over the county school system. Since Webster does not have more than a casual deficit, a State take over is not allowed under the law. 

West Virginia law defines a "casual" deficit as one that is "not more than three percent of the approved levy estimate or a deficit that is nonrecurring from year to year." According to the figures presented to the State Board, Webster's most recent deficit is both less than three percent of the levy estimate and is nonrecurring (Webster County's Board of Education budget is in excess of $17.7 million in the last fiscal year). Here are the Webster County budget figures reviewed by the State Board: 

• June 30, 2008, budget deficit of $196,533.00
• June 30, 2009, budget surplus of $446.278.00
• June 30, 2010, budget surplus of $518.842.00
• June 30, 2011, budget surplus of $101,404.00
• June 30, 2012, budget deficit of $58,980.00

Of the eight county budgets reviewed by the State Board, Webster's $59,980.00 budget deficit was the second lowest deficit (Pendleton County had a $19,793.00 deficit).

Webster's deficit of $59,980.00 as presented to the State Board was corrected to be only $1,897.99, according to a letter presented at the State Board's meeting Wednesday. That letter, which Save Our School committee leader LaCosta Westfall read at Tuesday's Webster County Board meeting, was authored by Superintendent Dean on January 9, 2013.

In her letter, Dr. Dean states that "as per your request, I am submitting the following corrective action plan to address the deficit in unrestricted fund balances in Webster County School's General Current Expense fund as of June 30, 2012. Since that report came final, we received e-rate funds due us for FY'12 in the amount of $58,082.01. This receipt reduces the deficit for Webster County to $1,897.99."

Dr. Dean proposed four strategies in her letter to address the small deficit to ensure that the county does not have a deficit in the future:

1. Request funds due us in a more timely manner;
2. Address energy-saving strategies in all our schools;
3. Employ only those employees paid for through the State Funding formula; and
4. Postpone costly repair items until funds are readily available.

Dr. Dean concludes her letter by stating that "I trust these strategies employed by the Webster County Board of Education will be sufficient to resolve the deficit notes at the end of FY'12."

As Westfall noted at the Tuesday meeting, no where in her letter (that was approved by the State Board) does Dr. Dean mention school consolidation as a strategy necessary to address the $1,897.99 budget deficit. 

Before the Webster Board elected to take no action on Dr. Dean's consolidation plan at Tuesday's meeting, Westfall questioned why the Board would even consider closing the Diana Elementary School or any other school in the County given the very small budget deficit. Westfall even offered to cash in part of her retirement plan to come up with the "$2,000.00 to stop this [consolidation plan]."

Previously, the Commentator reported that the Webster Board's deficit to be significantly greater. The Commentator has in its possession the "Annual Financial Statements of the Webster County Board of Education as of and for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2012." That Statement was signed under oath by Board President Paula Mae Tanner and Dr. Dean on September 25, 2012. That Statement lists revenues and expenditures, and concludes with a fund balance ending in a deficit of $288,608.00.

The Commentator along with the editor of the Webster Echo interviewed Dr. Dean in December, 2012, and Dr. Dean said in the interview that the county's school budget deficit was approximately $300,000.00, which is consistent with the sworn Financial Statement. Dr. Dean listed that larger budget deficit as one of the main reasons for the school consolidation plan.

Now, for whatever reason, the deficit stands at a paltry $1,897.99. Many are seriously questioning the need for a school consolidation plan in light of these revised figures, particularly considering that the State Board just approved Dr. Dean's plan which does not mention school consolidation as a strategy to address the now relatively insignificant budget deficit.

Link to West Virginia State Board of Education minutes discussing budget deficits of all eight counties (including, at very end, the letter from Dr. Dean to the Office of School Finance):

http://wvde.state.wv.us/minutes/current/gpenixExecSumFin.Deficit&Rpts.-Agenda.pdf

Link to the February 13, 2013 Charleston Gazette article mentioning Webster County's school budget:

http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201302130251

Link to law defining budget deficit as "casual":

http://www.legis.state.wv.us/WVCODE/Code.cfm?chap=18&art=1

Link to law stating when a State take over can occur if budget deficit is more than "casual":

http://www.legis.state.wv.us/legisdocs/code/18/WVC%2018%20%20-%20%202%20E-%20%20%205%20%20.htm

Link to our prior interview with Dr. Dean:

http://webstercommentator.blogspot.com/2012/12/superintendent-martha-dean-responds-to.html

Understanding the Highlanders' Playoff Picture

With just four regular season games remaining on the Highlanders boys' basketball schedule, thoughts of many fans are turning to the upcoming playoffs.

All teams play in the playoffs.

Webster is one of the 10 teams in Region 1 (there are four regions in Class AA). Region 1 is broken down into two sections and Webster is part of Section 2, which includes Braxton County, Ravenswood, Ritchie County, and Roane County. Region 1, Section 1 teams include East Fairmont, Fairmont Senior, North Marion, Oak Glen, and Weir. Webster has beaten all teams in Section 2 except for Ritchie County, whom they do not play in the regular season. Webster has not played any of the teams in Section 1. Fairmont Senior is currently ranked third in Class AA. North Marion has received a number of votes by the Associated Press ("AP") writers.

Since there is an odd number of teams in each section, the two lowest rated teams meet in what is known as a "play-in" game. The winner of the "play-in" game meets the top seed in the section, and the two and three ranked teams play each other. Then, the two winners meet for the sectional championship.

The ranking of the teams for the sectional games is by vote of the coaches. As such, there is no guarantee as to Webster's eventual ranking. Webster and Roane are currently ranked within the top 10 in Class AA, and Ritchie County has received a number of votes by the AP writers. At this point, either Webster, Roane, or Ritchie could receive the top ranking in Section 2. The top ranking guarantees home court advantage.

The sectional games, including the sectional championships, are required by the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission to be played between February 25, 2013 and March 2, 2013.

The winner of the Section 2 championship game will play the loser of the Section 1 championship game, and the winner of the Section 1 championship game will play the loser of the Section 2 championship game. Those two winners from Region 1 then advance to the State Tournament in Charleston.

The regional games are required to be played between March 5, 2013 and March 7, 2013.

Prior to the regional games, all of the coaches of the teams playing for the regional championships (16 total) rank all teams except their own, with the highest rankings for the winning teams setting the rankings for the 8 teams that advance to the State Tournament (2 teams from each of the 4 regions in Class AA).

The State Tournament is scheduled to be played between March 13, 2013 and March 16, 2013. Class AA teams play on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (championship game).

So, how many playoff games would Webster have to play to advance to the State Tournament?

Answer: most likely, three games (assuming Webster is not ranked four or five among the five Region 1, Section 2 teams). These three games would include an opening round sectional game, a sectional championship game, and a regional championship game. To guarantee home court advantage in these three games, Webster may likely need to win its last four games against Greenbrier West, Pikeview, Shady Spring, and Midland Trail.

To win a State Championship, Webster would have to win three more games in the State Tournament.

Board Takes No Action on School Consolidation Proposal

After hearing from three Diana area residents who oppose Superintendent Martha Dean's school consolidation plan, the Webster County Board of Education at its meeting Tuesday evening took no action on the consolidation proposal.

Above: LaCosta Westfall asked Board members to delay 
taking any action on the proposed school consolidation plan.

Denise Clevenger, Dwayne Green, and LaCosta Westfall, the leader of the Diana Save Our School committee, all addressed Board members about Dean's revived school consolidation plan. After hearing from the three speakers, the Board took a ten minute recess and then took up new business, which included Dean's request to set public hearing dates for the consolidation plan.

Board President Paula Tanner inquired of Dean if Dean could compile certain enrollment data before the Board took any action on the plan. Dean responded by stating that she could supply the requested information. Tanner then asked if any Board members had any objection to taking no action on the plan until the information was provided, and no Board member objected. The Board then went on to consider other new business.

When she spoke to Board members, Westfall dropped what could only be described as a "bombshell" on those in attendance at the standing room only meeting. Westfall read a January 9, 2013 letter authored by Superintendent Dean sent to the Office of School Finance. In that letter, Dean stated that at the end of the 2012 school year, the Webster County Board had a $58,000.00 operating deficit, and Dean explained in the letter how the Board was going to address the deficit by looking at four separate areas designed to reduce or eliminate the deficit. 

"No where in that letter do I see anything concerning the closure of any school in the county," Westfall emphasized. In fact, due to recent funds obtained by the Board, the deficit as of the date of the letter was only $1,897.99.  "I don't see how we need to cut five teaching positions, all these part time secretaries, all these part time cooks, to cover that balance. I'll tell you now, I'll get my 401(k) and I'll give you $2,000.00 if that's what it takes to stop this," she said.

Given that the Board's budget is approximately $17 million per year, the stated deficit of $1,897.99 amounts to just over one/one-hundreth of one percent of the total budget. When she heard that number, Guardian resident Denise Clevenger said she was "stunned" and "angry" because she was told completely different figures, a deficit that supposedly numbered in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Also on the Board's agenda was the elimination of certain part-time jobs in the County, which Westfall addressed when she spoke to the Board. After an executive session, the Board approved the reductions in work force and transfers of professionals.