After a five year break, New Washington head coach Terry White found himself in a very familiar place, cutting down a Sectional net.
    The Lady Mustangs enjoyed the 57-54 Sectional championship victory over defending Class A Champion South Central.
    The team was back in the gym on Monday to prepare for the next step of the 32^nd Annual State Tournament.
    New Washington traveled to the Shelbyville Regional to battle No. 7 Jac-Cen-Del (18-4) in the second game of the morning session.
    The Lady Eagles and Lady Mustangs battled to a 67-58 overtime New Washington victory. The win set up the Regional championship against Northeast Dubois.
    In the nightcap the Lady Mustangs started off slow only tallying four points in the first eight minutes while the Lady Jeeps put up 15 points.
    The second quarter proved to belong to New Washington. The Lady Mustangs added seven points to the scoreboard. Their defense only allowed a single bucket in the stanza for the Lady Jeeps.
    Northeast Dubois held the six point advantage heading into the locker room for the halftime break, 17-11.
    The halftime breather seemed to be what the Lady Mustangs needed. New Washington added a huge 17 points in the third quarter. The scoring burst proved to knot the ballgame at 28 heading into the final eight minutes of action.
    The Lady Mustangs and Jeeps gave the fans all they could handle in the final stanza. New Washington overtook the lead. The Lady Mustangs held a four point advantage with three minutes left in the contest and looked to be on their way to a regional title.
    However, New Washington could not hold on as Northeast Dubois took the 44-40 victory in the closing minute of action. The Jeeps won their second Regional title in the past three years.
    New Washington had one player reach double digits. Junior center Jillian Charlet led the Lady Mustangs with 16 points. Kaelin Tuell added nine points on three from behind the arc.
    Northeast Dubois was led by Allie Matheis with 20, including four from behind the arc.
    The Lady Mustangs ended their season with an 18-9 record including their first Sectional crown since 2001.
    Northeast Dubois will battle Wood Memorial for the Semi-State crown. The game will tip at 12 noon this Saturday at Jeffersonville High School.
    Scoring for New Washington- Charlet 16, Tuell 9, Burgin 8, Ivers 5, Burch 2,
    Scoring for Northeast Dubois- Matheis 20, L. Stemle 8, Wineinger 6, Terwiske 4, Heeke 2, M. Stemle 2.
    3-point goals: Matheis 4, Tuell 3, Ivers 1, Burgin 1.

    There is a lot to be excited about if you support school football programs in Southern Indiana. After many months o work with football boosters, school board member Doug Coffman proposed, and fellow board members agreed, to make Silver Creek Middle School the pilot school for the football program in West Clark Community School District.
    The middle school program will begin this coming season and, with the expected success of the middle school program, a junior varsity program will follow in Fall 2008. The two other schools in the district, Borden and Henryville, are committed to supporting and developing their community youth football programs in order to follow with successful school programs.
    The Silver Creek Middle School administrators, students, parents and football boosters are all very excited about putting together a successful football program. Within just a few days of getting the go ahead, Silver Creek had already scheduled some of their games. The phenomenal quality coaches who are lining up to coach is extremely exciting. Silver Creek has the opportunity to develop a middle school coaching staff that rivals many of the top varsity programs around the state.
    Beginning in March, the West Clark Football Boosters will be sponsoring a comprehensive training and conditioning program for athletes at Silver Creek Middle and Senior High Schools. As part of their fund raising activities, the boosters will also be holding training camps, open to players in all communities, to help area players sharpen their skills and become physically fit for the season.
    There are uniforms, field and training equipment, bleachers and several other items still to be purchased. Some of the new local fund raising activities that you will see throughout the communities area car wash a thon and a $400 tire raffle. Watch for details on area signs and flyers. You can purchase hoodies, t-shirts, support signs, ball caps and window clings for all three schools on the booster website at www.westclarkfootball.com. If you would like to make a donation towards the football programs, you may also do that on the website or you can mail your contribution to West Clark Football Boosters, P.O. Box 318, Sellersburg, 47172. All donations are tax deductible.

    A new year can bring new faces into different administrative offices. This was the case for the Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department when they held their first meeting of 2007.
    The meeting brought a new Chief along with new faces in other elected positions.
    According to Lee Slaughter, the new Chief of the CVFD, the department is now in a revamping phase.
    "It’s really a revamping phase. Believe it or not, we are upgrading to the 21^st century. We are updating responses in accordance with OSHA that haven’t been done since the 70's," Slaughter stated.
    Slaughter was elected to a two year term as Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department’s Chief.
    Slaughter said the department is brining a new compressed air foam system on line.
    "It uses AAA foam instead of water. It’s a quicker extinguishing agent and saves on water," Slaughter explained.
    Another aspect Slaughter is concentrating on this year is departmental training.
    "We have just dove into the training. We doubled the budget for it. We are using more than just department training. We are using outside sources from all over the state. Right now were are doing a Master and Fire Tactics Class," Slaughter added.
    The Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department officials are also working on getting an ambulance contract.
    "We are working on the contract with Clark County so there will not be any delayed responses. You know sometimes they may be covered up out of town. We’re working on the contract so people don’t have to wait 15 minutes for a run," Slaughter continued.
    The revamping of the department is also seeing changes in the operating procedures and the moral.
    "We are working on the moral. The moral within the department has come way up," Slaughter said.
    Slaughter has a long ties to the department. He started as a Cadet at Station 2 in Otisco when he was 13 years old. Slaughter, now 43, has held every office but the Property Officer, who hands out gear and inventories the gear, and he has never held a business officers position.
    When Slaughter turned 18 he became a fire fighter and now is one of the longest members with 25 years of active service to the department.
    Growing up in Otisco Slaughter seen first hand what a volunteer fire fighter did. His father was one of the first three fire fighters at Station 2 in the late 1970's. His uncle was the Chief for 16 years and one of the founding members.
    "My mom has always been a big supporter. She’s the number one fire wife. She always got the boots ready and placed them by the door, gave words of encouragement and held the door open to get out of the house quicker," Slaughter continued.
    He added, "It means a lot to us to have someone at home that understands what we are doing. They’re our backbone. My wife really helped out a lot. She knew when I took this job it would be every night and every day. She has now joined the Auxiliary."
    When Slaughter and members of the department were fighting a recent fire, Slaughter was greeted by some familiar faces when he tried to warm up from the frigid weather conditions.
    "When we were fighting the fire the other night both kids and my wife were at the rehab trying to warm all of us up," Slaughter stated.
    Slaughter has been married to his wife, Susan, for almost 17 years. They have two children, a 13-year old daughter, Kelsey, who is a seventh grader at Charlestown Middle School and Trevor, an eight-year old second grader at Pleasant Ridge Elementary School.
    Along with his immediate family being involved with the department, Slaughter’s brother-in-law is a District Chief and his sister, mother and wife are all members of the Auxiliary, his dad is retired while Kelsey is in the Cadets program and Trevor attends all the training sessions for the Cadets.
    Slaughter’s niece, Kadie Coyne, was also recently named Miss Flame for District 16.
    Coyne,16, will represent the district in June in Evansville. Coyne is also a Cadet for the department and an EMT/First Responder. She recently received mandatory basic fire fighter training.
    Former President of the Department, Charlie Moon, who is now the District 16 IVFA Chairman, stated "Lee has done an outstanding job so far this year. He is ready to take us in a new direction."
    Moon, as the District 16 Indiana Volunteer Fire Fighters Association Chairman, is the voice for the local area.
    "Basically I am somebody in the area that can voice the concerns for the entire area at the state level," Moon stated.
    District 16 includes the counties of Clark, Jefferson, Jackson, Scott, Bartholomew.. Moon was appointed the District Chairman in August. The term is for one year, unless elected again by a majority vote in the district.
    When explaining what his duties include, Moon stated, "I am in charge of the funerals. It’s part of the job to visit the fire departments and let them know what’s going on in the funds and grants. I award the 25 year pins and 50 year gold cards."
    Moon explained the number of volunteer fire fighters who actually earn those awards.
    "Statistically 40 percent make it to 25 years in Indiana. The 50 year award, there are very few in the state of Indiana. Our own department has had several of the honorees," Moon smiled. "The late George Morgan and Arnold Hall both received the 50 year Gold Cards. Arnold, he was active until the very end. Also we’ve had Joe Eberle, Art Voght and L.E. Trump receive the 50 year honor."
    Also, as the Chairman Moon sits on the 22-member Board of Directors for the state. According to Moon, the Board of Directors controls the money for the Indiana Volunteer Fire Fighters Association and makes the executive decisions. The board meets once a quarter in Columbus.
    Moon is the second member of the Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department to hold the position of District 16 Chairman. In the late 1980's Steve Nelson represented the district as the chairman.
    "Basically, the biggest thing is a voice to represent the district at the state level," Moon said. "I attend conferences and voice the concerns."
    Moon will attend the National Fire Council next month in Washington, D.C. He is one of 12 from the state heading to D.C. for the conference.
    "When something happens in the district I am the one that gets the phone call. I have an Officer team below me that is scattered through the district," Moon stated.
    Slaughter was quick to praise the efforts of Moon.
    "He’s making us proud. Although he is the District Chairman, that reflects on our department with his professionalism. He’s doing a good job. I’m proud of him. He let’s us know what’s going on in the state," Slaughter added.
    The Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department recently held elections. The newly elected officers are:
    Chief- Lee Slaughter
    The four stations of the department have appointed District Chiefs and officers.

    Station 1
    District Chief- Jason Doss
    Captain- Chuck Deaton
    Lieutenant- Rusty Hall
    Sergeant- John Arnold
    Sergeant- Chris Upton

    Station 2
    District Chief- Gary Woods
    Captain- Mike Perry
    Lieutenant- Jason Whalin
    Sergeant- Matt Fight

    Station 3
    District Chief- John Heal
    Captain- Andre! Heal
    (Station 3 is the new station on Highway 62 at Gate 19)

    Station 4
    District Chief- Larry Wampler
    Captain- Bob Jenkins
    Lieutenant- Matt Whalin
    (Station 4 is located on Highway 62 past Salem-Church Road before Bull Creek Road).

    "We have several within our department that are related. We have brothers that are both volunteering," Slaughter stated.
    The Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department has 50 active members with a total roster of 125 including Cadets, active, Auxiliary and retired.
    The department business is conducted by newly elected officers:
    President- Harold Goodlett Jr.
    Treasurer- Mark Goodlett
    Secretary- David Wampler
    Property Officer- Bruce Pigman
    If you are interested in becoming a volunteer fire fighter for the Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department or would like to become a Cadet, or would like more information, stop by Station 1 located at 800 Park Street in Charlestown or call 256-6202 and leave a message.

    The Lady Pirate faithful traveled through the snowy conditions last Saturday morning en route to Ferdinand. The destination in the small town was one that has become familiar to the Lady Pirates and their fans. The destination was Forest Park High School for the Class 2A Regional.
   The No. 10 Lady Pirates of Charlestown battled with No. 5 Southridge in the opening game for the right to play in the nightcap for the Regional title.
   The Lady Raiders started the ballgame with a 7-0 run. The early deficit proved to be too much as Charlestown never led in the ballgame. Southridge took the 56-46 victory to end the Lady Pirates’ season.
   The Lady Raiders started off fast with back-to-back treys from Jill Underhill and Jill Matthews. Southridge’s Abby Steckler added one from the charity stripe to give the Lady Raiders the early 7-0 advantage.
   The Lady Pirates cut the lead to four with an old-fashioned three point play, at the 3:24 mark, from senior center LaTonya Lloyd.
   Southridge went on a 9-1 run before Charlestown’s Jennifer Carlisle nailed a triple to close out the quarter.
   The Lady Raiders led 16-7 after the first eight minutes of play.
   Charlestown cut the lead to four again. This time on a bucket from senior guard Lindsey Davis and another bomb from behind the arc from Carlisle. Southridge held the 16-12 advantage.
   The Lady Raiders would hold Charlestown scoreless the remainder of the half. Southridge tacked on eight points the remainder of the half. They held the 24-12 advantage heading into the locker room for the halftime break.
   The third quarter proved to belong to Lloyd. She battled for eight of Charlestown’s 13 points in the quarter. The Lady Raiders also added 13 points to their side of the scoreboard in the eight minute quarter.
   The final quarter of play seen two seniors for Charlestown tally 16 of the Lady Pirates’ 21 as they battled to try to continue their season. Sheila Meredith fought for eight points including an old-fashioned three point play while Lloyd tallied seven in the stanza. She also recorded an old-fashioned three point play in the quarter.
   Charlestown outscored Southridge in the fourth quarter 21-19. The Lady Raiders went 16-of-25 from the charity stripe to finish the ballgame and capture the 56-46 victory.
   "I’m so proud of our girls. They battled back. Southridge is a tough team to come back on," stated Lady Pirate head coach Tony Hall. "I think the bad shooting was from the hardest shot in basketball, that’s the wide open shot with the crowd screaming shoot it."
   The Lady Pirates six seniors laced up their basketball shoes and proudly wore their away royal blue uniforms for the last time. Charlestown will loose guards Jennifer Carlisle and Lindsey Davis, forwards Chelsie Ettel, Sheila Meredith and Whitney Zollman and center LaTonya Lloyd.
   "I’m proud of our senior class. We won three Sectionals and a Regional in the past three years. I’m really going to miss them," Hall added.
   He concluded, "These seniors and the girls playing for the last three years have set the bar pretty high. These girls hate to loose and right now we have a lot of girls hurting."
   Scoring for Charlestown: Lloyd 18, Meredith 11, Carlisle 9, Davis 6, Ettel 2.
   Scoring for Southridge: Underhill 15, Steckler 15, Weber 12, Matthews 5, Souders 5, Loehr 2, Ferguson 1.
   3-point goals: Weber 3, Underhill 2, Carlisle 2, Matthews 1.