TCB Feb. 17, 2022 — Courted by Triad City Beat

FEB 17-23, 2022 TRIAD-CITY-BEAT.COM

GUILFORD COUNTY SHERIFF’S RACE

pg. 4

FALLOUT FROM ILLEGAL DISTRICTING

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BLACK BELT SOAP CO. pg. 14

COURTED The rules according to prep school basketball by Brian Clarey | pg. 12

UP FRONT | FEB 17 - 23, 2022

Coronavirus in the Triad

(as of Wednesday, Feb. 16 ) Documented COVID-19 diagnoses

NC 2,549,339 (+39,869) Forsyth 90,139 (+1,156) Guilford 110,053 (+1,600) COVID-19 deaths NC 21,968 (+486) Forsyth 742 (+23) Guilford 998 (+25) Documented recoveries NC 2,421,943 (+108,784) Forsyth *no data* Guilford 105,041 (+4,167) Current cases NC 105,428 (-69,401) Forsyth *no data* Guilford 4,013 (-2,619) Hospitalizations (right now) NC 2,872 (-940) Forsyth *no data* Guilford 100 (-77) Vaccinations NC Partially vaccinated 6,314,853 (+15,327) Fully vaccinated 6,360,932 (61%, +21,012 Boosted: 3,056,787 (+44,783, 48% of vaccinated) Forsyth Partially vaccinated 248,137 (+544) Fully vaccinated 231,880 (61%, +859) Boosted: 108,130 (+0, 46% of vaccinated) Guilford Partially vaccinated 342,771 (+697) Fully vaccinated 322,940 (64%, +996) Boosted: 152,457 (+1,418, 47% of vaccinated)

BUSINESS PUBLISHER/EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Brian Clarey brian@triad-city-beat.com

PUBLISHER EMERITUS

Allen Broach allen@triad-city-beat.com

OF COUNSEL

Jonathan Jones

ART ART DIRECTOR

Charlie Marion charlie@triad-city-beat.com

1451 S. Elm-Eugene St. Box 24, Greensboro, NC 27406 Office: 336.681.0704 EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Carolyn de Berry, Todd Turner, MANAGING EDITOR Sayaka Matsuoka sayaka@triad-city-beat.com

STAFF WRITER

Nicole Zelniker nicole@triad-city-beat.com

CHIEF CONTRIBUTORS

Michaela Ratliff michaela@triad-city-beat.com James Douglas james@triad-city-beat.com

SALES KEY ACCOUNTS

Chris Rudd chris@triad-city-beat.com

Owens Daniels, Matt Jones, Jordan Howse, Jen Sorensen, John Cole

WEBMASTER Sam LeBlanc

COVER PHOTO BY TODD TURNER Freddie Dillion of the Word of God Holy Rams, a prep school in Raleigh, drives to the basket at the Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center on Feb. 11. DESIGN BY CHARLIE MARION

EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK Getting back to business

round this five nights a week for almost exactly time last one year. And then I resumed face-toyear, right face sales meetings, business lunchafter I got my first es, professional events. I was raring to vaccination dose go, even if it rained. — Moderna, if you Everybody knows what happened must know — I did next: mass resistance to vaccinations by Brian Clarey some shopping. ensued, enabling the formation of I bought a good, grown-up raincoat the Delta strain, which then quickly with a warm, zip-in lining, and a evolved into Omicron. But we sure sturdy umbrella that wouldn’t fold into had it good for a while there, didn’t origami at the first burst of high wind. we? I purchased these things after watchTo be clear: The pandemic is far from ing the coronavirus numbers steadily over. The numbers we’ve amassed decline after the just since the first introduction of the vaccines came out The days are getting have eclipsed those vaccines in December 2020, knowing just a bit warmer and that came before. We it would soon be will hit 1 million corothe sun seems to be time to get back to navirus deaths in this staying in the sky just a country before spring work, no matter the weather. comes to Boone, bit longer. Understand I had while in North Carospent the previous lina our positive test 12 months working from my kitchen rate is more than three times as high table, with very few sales calls to — 17.7 percent — than the 5 percent make, even fewer accounts to tend threshold we set to reopen schools in to and much of administrative load the fall of 2020. slowed down to a trickle. We even cut But this week’s numbers are trending the print edition for a couple months in the right direction. The days are at the beginning, because we had getting just a bit warmer and the sun no advertisers left except for Taylor seems to be staying in the sky just a Tire, and there was no one out on the bit longer. Spring is not here yet, but streets to pick up the paper. it’s just down the road a piece. I’m I filled my time with training in new ready for the rains when they come technology, forming strategic alliancagain. This time may they wash us es with other news outlets and writing clean. a daily coronavirus update that ran

by Michaela Ratliff

THURSDAY Feb. 17 Demola the Violinist @ Historic Magnolia House (GSO) 6:30 p.m.

Peter and the Starcatcher @ Taylor Theatre (GSO) 7:30 p.m. Lots to see on the stage this week! The UNCG School of Theatre is proud to present Peter and the Starcatcher, based on the novel by Dave Perry and Ridley Pearson. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit vpa.uncg.edu. Parade @ Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance (W-S) 8 p.m.

The Historic Magnolia House is hosting an intimate evening featuring smooth sounds by violinist Demola. Purchase tickets at thehistoricmagnoliahouse.org. Coriolanus @ UNCSA (W-S) 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY Feb. 18

Etc. invites you to enjoy this high-energy hip-hop show featuring artists from near and far, like vast ness. from Nashville. Others include local talent Drew Shamir, Speak N’ Eye and Katie Blvd. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.

SUNDAY Feb. 20 Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance is excited to announce performances of Parade, based on the true story of Leo Frank who was wrongfully convicted of the death of his 13-year-old employee. Find more information and purchase tickets at theatrealliance.ws/box_office.

SATURDAY Feb. 19

UNCSA invites you to view a unique, modernized performance of Coriolanus by Shakespeare in which playwright Sean San José has transformed the play’s original language into contemporary English. Purchase tickets and see other show times on UNCSA’s website.

Hip-Hop show @ Etc. (GSO) 7 p.m.

UP FRONT | FEB 17 - 23, 2022

CITY LIFE FEB. 17-20

Heart 2 Heart Market @ Winston Junction Market (W-S) 11 a.m. Visit the Winston Junction Market for handmade items, art and more. Grab something to eat from Uptown Pizza or Brash Brownies while you’re there. If you are interested in vending, contact kristin@catbirdartandevents.com. Restorative Yoga and Sound Healing @ Willow Wellness Center (HP) 2 p.m.

TITLE Boxing Club Pop-Up @ Pig Pounder Brewery (GSO) 11 a.m. Stop by Pig Pounder Brewery for an intense 45-minute cardio boxing and kickboxing workout with TITLE Boxing Club. Visit the event page on Facebook for more information. African Arts & Culture Day @ Centennial Station Arts Center (HP) 2 p.m. In celebration of Black History Month, High Point Arts Council is hosting an African-themed event for visitors to experience food, music, clothing and more from various African cultures. There will also be a performance by the Otesha Creative Arts Ensemble. Check out the Facebook event page for more info. Scene Kid Saturday @ Bull’s Tavern (W-S) 10 p.m.

Plant Based Junk Food @ Brown Truck Brewery (HP) 4 p.m.

Pair your brews with vegan chick’n sandwiches and loaded fries courtesy of Vuture Food. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.

Balance and ground the body during this yoga and sound healing session, with Michele Trumble leading yoga and Nancy Pitkin on the Ohm tuning forks. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.

Bull’s Tavern is calling all emos for a rock music celebration. Put on your darkest clothes and graphic tees and enjoy the live music of No Scope, the Camel City Blackouts and Aim High. More information on the Facebook event page.

NEWS | FEB 17 - 23, 2022

NEWS

Republican candidates for Guilford County Sheriff focus on safety, retention and schools in latest forum by Sayaka Matsuoka

s the five men talked about their platforms, it became clear that there existed some differences of opinion on priorities, but one key goal seemed to be unanimous amongst all the Republican candidates for Guilford County Sheriff. “At the end of the day, I just want someone who can beat Danny Rogers,” said Wayne Ford, an organizer with the Guilford County Republican Party. On Tuesday afternoon, more than 50 local Republicans gathered at Kickback Jack’s in Greensboro to hear five Republican candidates for Guilford County Sheriff speak. The Guilford County Sheriff’s race is one of many that will appear on the Republican ballot during the primary election on May 17. The primary was originally scheduled for March 8 but was moved due to the ongoing battles related to redistricting. As of Dec. 8, 2021, seven candidates have filed to run for Guilford County Sheriff, includSAYAKA MATSUOKA ing incumbent Democrat Sheriff From left to right: Billy Queen, William White, Adam Moore, Phil Byrd and Lee Melvin speak at the sheriff’s candidate forum on Feb. 15 at Kickback Jack’s in Greensboro. Danny Rogers. The filing period was suspended on Dec. 8 and is scheduled to reopen on Feb. 24. Phil Byrd Currently there is only one other Democrat, Therron J. “TJ” Phipps, who has filed. “This is not a sheriff-in-training position. This is a sheriff-in-action Rogers became the first Black sheriff of Guilford County in 2018, when he beat position.” Republican incumbent BJ Barnes, who had served as sheriff for 24 years. Barnes mong the candidates, the one who was elected the mayor of Summerfield in November 2019. touted the most experience working On the Republican side, the sheriff’s race is much larger, with at least six candias part of the sheriff’s office was Phil dates who have either filed to run or expressed interest in running. Five of them Byrd. spoke to voters on Tuesday at the monthly Republican Speakers Forum: Phil Byrd, Byrd, who retired in 2014 as a senior captain EL “Lee” Melvin, Adam Moore, Billy Queen and William White. Randy Powers, of the sheriff’s office, said that during his 30-year who has also filed to run, did not attend the forum. William White has not yet filed tenure he learned how to navigate the office and to run but spoke at the event. understood the ways in which the different divisions One woman in the audience, who wished to remain anonymous, said that her worked with one another. That kind of experience is priorities for sheriff were community safety, officer support and staff retention. And necessary for the sheriff, Byrd said. as the individual candidates took their turns to address the voters, many of them “This is not a sheriff-in-training position,” he said. focused on those three issues as well as level of experience, but also how to become “This is a sheriff-in-action position.” more involved in schools. In addition to his years of service with GCSO,

Byrd said that he wanted to build trust and loyal-

ty within the department again and to make sure that employees felt supported, although he did not give any specifics as to how to raise morale. In addition to increasing officer retention, Byrd touched on his intentions to support those who speak out at school board meetings. “I will be the sheriff that goes to school board meetings,” Byrd said. “We need the sheriff to go to school board meetings and lay out the problems, lay out the proposals and let the school board answer the problems through the sheriff.”

Lee Melvin

“It wasn’t an insurrection.”

ee Melvin, the only Black candidate in the pool of Republicans, also worked for the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department but for only three months in 2018, when he resigned “due to the unstable environment the sheriff was creating with the officers and staff,” according to his LinkedIn profile. Prior to working for GCSO, Melvin worked for 24 years as a state trooper, the last 18 of those stationed in Guilford County. He, like many of the other candidates who spoke on Tuesday, stated how morale in the sheriff’s office had declined under Sheriff Rogers’ leadership and pointed to Rogers as the main problem. “Danny Rogers has managed to destroy the solid foundation of the sheriff’s office,” Melvin said. “I left after 11 weeks.” Melvin was also the only candidate who touched directly on the Jan. 6 insurrection, noting that it wasn’t an insurrection. “They call it an insurrection. We all know what it was; it wasn’t an insurrection,” Melvin said. “But how do we combat these forces that are trying to take away your God-given rights?” Echoing Trump’s playbook, Melvin instead, cast blame on “extremist groups” who “destroy[ed] our property, [burned] our buildings” during the 2020 uprisings following the murder of George Floyd. “And because they’re a certain race, we have to say, ‘Well, we can step back,’ like we did in 2020,” Melvin said. “That will not happen on my watch.” Adding to Byrd’s support for those speaking out at school board meetings, Melvin took it one step further. “If I’m sheriff, you can stand on top of the desk and scream from the top of your lungs about what’s right for your child’s education,” Melvin asserted. “That’s your First Amendment right.” While the sheriff’s office may provide deputies to monitor school board meetings, the school board members have the right to have any individuals removed from meetings if they so choose. Melvin also said that if he were elected, he would decrease the amount of time to get a gun permit to “six weeks or less.” The current process notes that applicants are informed within 14 days whether their permits would be granted or denied. Lastly, Melvin argued that there weren’t enough law enforcement officers in schools, promising to double or triple the number of officers if elected. While the rise of gun violence across the country has affected every county in the state, studies such as the Congressional Research Service report from 2013 which looked at the effectiveness of police in schools, showed little connection between the presence of officers and changes in crime or student discipline rates. However, multiple studies have shown that the presence of officers in schools lead to an increase in suspensions and arrests and disproportionately impact students of color.

Adam Moore

“I want to bring the small-town approach to law enforcement to the county.”

dam Moore has worked in law enforcement since 2014 and also pointed to the importance of employee morale and staff retention. Moore, who appeared to be the youngest candidate at the forum along with William White, pointed to an increase in community policing as a way to bring the “smalltown approach to the county.” According to his LinkedIn, Moore has worked as a police officer for the Haw River Police Department and said how many of the officers there know at least 75 percent of the people in the community. Because of that, Moore said that, were he elected, he would have his deputies working in the communities where they live as much as possible. He also repeatedly pushed for the importance of the sheriff and deputies having a presence in all parts of the county, not just in Greensboro. “Community police is having a sheriff’s office that is in the community and also a part of the community,” Moore said. “We can’t just have someone that sits in Greensboro.” Later in the forum, Moore said that he’s worked for two small agencies that had a small staff and that he wants to bring “the small-town approach to law enforcement to the county.”

NEWS | FEB 17 - 23, 2022

NEWS

Billy Queen

“[The bad guys] have to be treated with respect also.”

hile he has never worked for the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, Billy Queen has worked for more than 30 years in law enforcement, including in positions with the US Border Patrol and as a special agent in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Because of that, Queen said that he has outside, national-level experience that he could bring to a local department. “What you need to be looking for in your sheriff, is not necessarily your experience in the jail,” Queen said. “Experience is important but that’s not the determining factor that you need to be looking for. Look at that individual’s leadership ability, his ability to deal with people inside the agency and outside that agency, look at his ability to make the right command decisions at the right time.” One of the most striking parts of Queen’s experience came later in the event when an audience member asked about how each candidate would make sure they knew what was going on in the community. To that, Queen said that he had experience working as an undercover agent which gave him a personal view of how law enforcement officers treat criminals. “When I was undercover, I got to see how the police treat the bad guys out there, I got to see it first-hand,” Queen said. “I don’t think there’s anybody in here that

NEWS | FEB 17 - 23, 2022

felt like he had to keep his hands on the steering wheel or he was gonna get shot…. Well, listen, there’s a part of our community that does feel that way. And I’ve been there and I’ve seen it and felt it. I know how to approach that, I know how to tell my people, ‘This is what is going on in that community over there.’” As an undercover agent, Queen said he was subjected to aggressive behavior by the police including being kicked. “I know there are bad guys out there, but they’ve got to be treated with respect also,” Queen said. “If you want respect, you have to treat them with respect.” In addition to bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community, Queen said that he would use his national experience to communicate with the different agencies around Guilford County and Greensboro such as city council, the county commissioners and district attorneys. “My experience didn’t stop at the borders of Guilford County, I worked at the borders of the United States of America,” Queen said. “I can bring here what I’ve learned working throughout the United States.”

William White

“We have to reach across the aisle… but hold true to our values.”

s one of the youngest candidates running, along with Adam Moore, White doesn’t have as many years of professional experience but did come with specific policy plans for if he’s elected as sheriff. White, who served in the Marine Corps and has worked as an officer with the Greensboro Police Department, said that if he were to be elected, he would work with the county commissioners to increase all deputies’ annual salary to $60,000 per year. He also expressed an interest in utilizing technology, such as developing an app where citizens can request calls for service and communicate directly with sheriff’s deputies. This, White said, will work to increase community awareness, because the idea of going back to an “Andy Griffith” era where all officers know each citizen isn’t possible anymore because of “urban sprawl.” White also echoed other candidates’ concerns about safety in schools, promising that if he were elected, that none of the deputies under his watch would be “cowards” who “sit outside while children are murdered.” White was likely alluding to the police officer who was accused of hiding during the Parkland School Shooting in 2018. Lastly, White pointed to the importance of working with Democrats to make changes. Earlier in his statement, White listed the number of registered voters by party, alluding to the fact that the Republican party is outnumbered by both Democrats and independents. “We have roughly 89,000 registered Republicans right now, and we have almost 170,000 registered Democrats and about 120,000 registered unaffiliated,” White said. The numbers on the State Board of Elections site as of Feb. 12 showed that the number of registered Democrats at 159,653. “We are in the battle of our life, and we are in a position that we have to reach across the aisle and be willing to sacrifice a little but to hold true to our values and our morals,” White said. “We have to reach across and get more people on our side or we will not win November, period. It is mathematically impossible. I am willing to make that jump.”

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NEWS | FEB 17 - 23, 2022

NEWS New grants would help W-S be more accessible for residents with disabilities by Nicole Zelniker

ark Steele knows plenty of people who struggle to get around in Winston-Salem. He’s the executive director at Solutions for Independence, a Winston-Salem-based organization devoted to empowering people in the community who live with disabilities. Steele, who lives with a disability himself, says that there are several barriers to getting around downtown for those with mobility-related conditions. A recent study by WalletHub ranked Winston-Salem among the worst cities to live in for people with disabilities. The study ranked 182 cities based on economy, quality of life and healthcare. Winston-Salem came in at 176. “We have a lot of individuals here that access public transportation,” said Steele. “Winston-Salem really tries to make it meet the needs of people as much as they can, but with what they deal with and the money they have, there’s not much room for improvement. There’s a lot of bus stops that aren’t fully accessible. It can take a whole day just to go to one doctor’s appointment, waiting for transportation.” Steele was thrilled to learn the city had recently applied for two grants that would improve accessibility for people using public transportation in Winston-Salem. “We’d been in touch with the city a while back about the city doing accessibility studies with our organization, so this ADOBE STOCK is an improvement if they can get these grants,” he said. “In a city the size of Winston-Salem, you need more ridother things. ers to make it efficient, but then how do you build up more riders to make it more Right now, the Winston-Salem Transit Authority serves Winston-Salem hospiefficient?” he added. “Our transportation, that is a big barrier for individuals just tals, educational facilities, shopping centers and attractions. TransAID, which is getting out and having a full, independent life. Just the wait to get a ride and the WSTA’s para-transit service, goes to other areas and serves elderly and disabled accessibility of getting to the bus stops can be quite a challenge.” populations, specifically. The funding would come from a $320,000 Innovative “Fixed-route buses and paratransit vehicles operate on a Coordinated Access Grant and $360,000 Enhancing Mofrequent basis to often meet demand, but there is certainly bility Innovation Grant. If approved, both grants would be Accessibility is of utmost room for improvement in terms of scheduling, on-time supplemented by local funds. performance and buses carrying few passengers on a too The Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Grant importance because frequent basis,” said Matt Duchan, the city’s transportation will fund GPS notifications, mobile scheduling and ticket project planner. many people’s livelihoods enhancements to fixed-route services, all of which would “The Department of Transportation has an essential reallow people to better track and therefore access public depend upon public sponsibility of ensuring that everyone has reasonable ability transportation. to access transit,” said Duchan. “Accessibility is of utmost “This would help individuals who receive door-to-door transportation. importance because many people’s livelihoods depend service through transportation to be able to look on an Matt Duchan, W-S transportation upon public transit.” app to be able to determine when vehicles are close to project planner The city hopes to hear back about the grants by the end their home, and it could make a difference for an indiof February and the beginning of March, respectfully. vidual sitting at their door waiting for the bus to come for Duchan says they anticipate a year and a half to two years 20 minutes verses waiting for five minutes,” said Toneq’ to implement the projects. McCullough, Winston-Salem’s Director of Transportation, in a recent city council “With funding potentially provided by these grants, Winston-Salem would meeting. benefit from the technological innovation that would allow for the city to catch up “It would also help as far as the list of services with missed trips and no-shows,” with its contemporaries in providing exceptional service to its riders,” said Duchan. she said. “We think that by individuals knowing how long it will take for the busses “These programs, if implemented, would address a lot of the safety, security and to show up, that will help with that type of service.” timeliness concerns that riders have had in the past with WSTA as these projects The second grant, called the Enhancing Mobility Innovation Grant would fund would be timeand money-savers in the long term.” wireless capabilities on public transportation, including consistent wifi, among

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OPINION | FEB 10 - 16, 2022

EDITORIAL

OPINION

After illegal districts, clawbacks for the NC GOP?

n argument we amendments that also discrimihave been making nate against Black voters?” since 2018 has Martin Warf, lawyer for the party finally made it to the of states’ rights, argues “whether North Carolina Suthe legislature has popular soverpreme Court. So by the end of the eignty is political question,” which week — hopefully — we will have he says the highest court in NC an answer to the question: Does does not have authority to resolve. an illegitimately elected General He does this while emphatiAssembly have the authority to cally insisting that the architects amend the state Constitution? of these bad districts were not The NAACP brought the suit “usurpers,” and that there is no against two amendments passed effective difference between in 2018: a voter ID law, which the session laws and constitutional suit insists inoramendments. dinately affects It is perhaps It is perhaps the Black people, the height of irony and the 7 percent height of irony that that this same income-tax cap, this same court filed court filed opinwhich also harms ions on Monday opinions on Monday Black people they about our current argue, because it about our current illegal districts, starves the public illegal districts, while while still sorting school system for out the damage still sorting out the resources. done by the last In its arguones. damage done by the ments, lawyers And it’s almost last ones. for the NC GOP surreal to see a have not denied lawyer make the these two accusations, which, takcase that his clients were within en in conjunction with the illegal their rights to repeatedly disenracial gerrymander that created franchise Black voters and then the Republican supermajority, use policy to make things harder constitute the heart of the matter. for those same voters. As Chief Justice Anita Earls put Meanwhile, the General Assemit on Monday: “But don’t those bly has until Friday to draw new findings of fact relate to the quesmaps for the 2022 election, which tion of whether or not a General begins with a primary in May, Assembly that was elected from though there is always the chance districts that were found to be that the US Supreme Court will intentionally racially discriminaintervene because that’s what tory against Black voters, should they do now. be able to pass constitutional

QUOTE OF THE WEEK They call it an insurrection. We all know what it was; it wasn’t an insurrection. 10

Lee Melvin | pg. 5

Jen Sorensen jensorensen.com/subscribe

CULTURE | FEB 17-23, 2022

CULTURE

Courted: The rules according to prep school basketball by Brian Clarey | photos by Todd Turner

Clockwise from left: Jordan Butler of Cross Christian Academy in Seaford, Del., rode for hours on a bus with his teammates to face of against Moravian Prep, the best high school program in North Carolina. Nigel Vincent of Piedmont Classical drives to the hoop as Brent Randleman looks on. Junior Mekhi Grant of the Word of God Holy Rams put on a dunking exhibition against Lake Norman Christian. Randleman drives for two points.

n paper anyway, things did not look good for the Piedmont Classical High School Bobcats varsity team on Friday. Just a couple years into the program at the Guilford County charter school, they’d come off a losing season of 15-17. Though it was good enough to get them second place in their conference, and to earn them an invite to today’s exhibition matches, they stood at No. 125 in the state’s high-school basketball rankings going in. It was perhaps a foregone conclusion that they’d lose to Combine Academy, a basketball factory out of Lincolnton that, according to its website, “offers High School and Post Graduate athletes an all-inclusive and comprehensive solution for obtaining a prestigious academic education.” Combine’s varsity team, the Goats, is ranked 11th in the state. And Piedmont Classical’s mission statement doesn’t mention sports at all. But! During warmups the Bobcats team looks a lot bigger and more seasoned than the Goats squad this afternoon, with a deeper bench and maybe — maybe — just a bit more team chemistry. And the Goats’ jersey numbers don’t quite match up with the roster on Max Preps. “That’s their regional team,” explains Jeremy Treatman, the man behind the Scholastic Play by Play Classics, which has booked the Special Events Center at the Greensboro Coliseum for the event while a Billy Strings show sets up in the main venue. Treatman and his crew are essentially barnstormers who tour the country to find the best high school players and teams and then have them play

each other in exhibition matches. The allure of events like this has always been especially strong for prep schools, so many of which have superstar scholarship students on their squads who need to perform before college and NBA recruiters. Huge NBA stars have played in this series — Kobe, Lebron, Dwight. Coaches and scouts know about Treatman’s eye for furrowing out talent, particularly at the prep school level. But in the last 20 years or so, a new sort of prep school has arisen, of the sort that is only about the sports. Like Word of God, out of Raleigh, currently No. 12 in the state, founded 20 years ago by Pastor Dr. Frank Summerfield, who played on a Weequahic High team in Newark, NJ that won two state championships. In the first game, their best prospect, junior Mekhi Grant, put on a dunking exhibition against Lake Norman Christian. Grant, a recent transfer from Combine Academy, has already got scholarship offers from powerhouses NC State, Cincinnati and Wichita State. among others, though he remains uncommitted to any college program. Combine Academy, as its name implies, is such a place: a boarding school founded by former Clemson coach Jonah Baize, where students spend as much time training for baseball, basketball, golf or soccer as they do in the classroom. Treatman would never call this Combine squad the “scrubs” — all of them likely had starting spots on their youth teams — but in this context, that’s what they are: a B squad putting in their time while the A team answers another obligation.

CULTURE | FEB 17-23, 2022

L to R: Junior Mikey Williams of Vertical Academy s one of the hottest prospects in the nation. Abdul Beyah Jr. drives against the Burlington School team. Jondale Stanley of PIedmont Classical takes the underhanded layup.

This Greensboro event has been like this from the beginning. Originally Greensboro Day School, the No. 6 team in the state, featured prominently on the schedule, but they had to make up a regular-season game lost to weather, so Piedmont Classical got the call. High Point Wesleyan, No. 129 in the state, got replaced by LaMelo Ball’s 1 of 1 Prep Academy, which in turn got swapped out for Cross Christian Academy out of Delaware, who would later face North Carolina’s No. 2 high school basketball team, Moravian Prep out of Hudson. But right now, Piedmont Classical Coach Cardes Brown shows some swagger on the sidelines as his team hangs within 10 points of the Goats through three quarters, then pulls ahead at the 3-minute mark of the 4th to finish with a win: 75-68. That’s why they play the game. It’s hard to believe, for instance, that Moravian Prep out of Hudson is No. 2 in the state — they look like little boys compared to the Cross Christian Academy squad, currently No. 11 in the state of Delaware, who have facial hair, tattoos, the weathered countenance of seasoned road dogs. Indeed, one of Moravian’s stars is freshman guard Eli Ellis, who averaged 21.9 points per game this season. His little brother Isaac, who is in 8th grade, is also on the team. But there’s only seven of them from Cross Christian, who rode a bus together from Delaware for hours just to get here. And the Moravian squad has another ace in the hole: Mayar Wol, a 6-foot-8 junior from Fuquay Varina who can shoot, rebound and pass, and who has already got one scholarship offer from Ohio. Moravian breaks ahead 9-2 in the first minute or so of the game and proceeds to drop 14 more 3-pointers in the first half — 25 overall — to score an astonishing 116 points to Cross Christian’s 66. The last game of the day goes to the biggest prospect: Mikey Williams of

Vertical Academy, a team unlisted in state rankings, devoid of a conference or division, playing under the auspices of Lake Norman Christian Academy but not quite a part of it. Williams is being prospected by LSU, Hampton, Alabama State, NC Central, Texas Southern, Kansas, Tennessee State, Memphis, USC, Arizona State and San Diego State, among others, but at 17 he’s already a star, with his own player pages on ESPN.com, 247Sports and Wikipedia. This is his third high school in as many seasons, starting his career as a freshman in San Ysidro, Calif., outside San Diego, before coming to NC to play for Lake Norman Christian as a sophomore. As beautiful as his play is, Williams has an off night against the Burlington School, a more traditional prep school in Alamance ranked No. 4 in the state and No. 34 in the country. They went 26-7 this year, losing only to non-conference opponents that included Word of God, here today, and Carmel Christian, the No. 1 high school basketball program in the state coming into the day. And though he’s missing his threes and not able to penetrate, Williams gets in some key passes and sinks a buzzer-beater at the end of the first half to tie the game 57-57. The Burlington School runs through its entire bench in the struggle against Vertical Academy, hanging in until the last minute before succumbing 75-73.

In the last 20 years or so, a new sort of prep school has arisen, of the sort that is only about the sports.

EPILOGUE

After Friday’s tournament, Moravian Prep moves up in the rankings to No. 1 in NC, pushing Carmel Christian to No. 3 and Greensboro Day School to No. 5 and the Burlington School to No. 4. Combine Academy moves to No. 7, and Word of God moves to No. 12.

CULTURE | FEB 17-23, 2022

CULTURE

You are what you lather at GSO’s Black Belt Soap Company by Michaela Ratliff

emeka L. Carter, her white-rubber gloves tainted orange with turmeric, waves excitedly as she emerges from her workspace in the back of

her store. “Would you like to try some products?” she asks each customer that enters her shop. She leads patrons to a sink that serves as the washing area for hands and faces. On a nearby table rests organic facial washes, soaps and body oils for customers to test. She explains the benefits of each product and how to use it, always starting with the grapefruit and Himalayan pink salt-sugar body scrub to encourage the removal of dead, dry skin before moving on to the various butters and oils. Carter owns and operates the Black Belt Soap Company on E. Market St. in Greensboro. She’s from the Black Belt area of Alabama, a region recognized for its rich, black topsoil, perfect for cultivating cotton. Although Carter moved to Greensboro more than 20 years ago to attend NC A&T State University and UNCG, she pays homage to her home state through the company’s name and logo, the cotton flower. Her husband and business partner, artist Jeff Petrishen, designed all the packaging for the company. Carter’s skincare venture began with a visit to the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss. several years ago. The hotel provided seaweed soap in each bathroom, revealing a new shower experience to Carter. “When I used the soap, I noticed the extra moisturizing, silky lather,” she says. She was so impressed with the product that she contacted the supplier and placed her first wholesale order. “From that time, I became a connoisseur of natural soaps and products,” She continues, “and eventually felt the urge to make my own.” Carter furthered her skills during a honeymoon in Bali at the end of 2019. In addition to romantic dates and dinners, the 30-day trip was spent familiarizing herself with ingredients indigenous to the island, learning how to make coconut oil and perfecting her soap-making . “The teacher kind of knew I knew my stuff,” she says. “She was like, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s another soaper in the house!’ But I just sit back and was like ‘I’m here to watch you.’” Carter’s soaps are created with fruit- and spice-inspired scents, like patchouli and orange, lavender and vanilla latté. “My favorite soap to make is one of our top sellers: green tea, lemongrass and honey. It smells citrusy and uplifting to the senses and feels silky on your skin,” Carter says. She takes pride in her cold-processed gourmet soaps, which are made with lye and take approximately four to six weeks to cure. They’re offered in shapes like bars, cubes and cupcakes, which have sometimes been mistaken for food. “We’ve heard stories that our cupcake soaps are so edible looking that kids have tried to take a bite,” Carter says. She opts for carrier oils and essential oils like rose, Jamaican black castor and grapeseed oil to add to her products. “I like rosehip seed oil because it is not greasy feeling and you can apply it directly on the skin as a carrier oil that helps to regenerate and heal the

MICHAELA RATLIFF

Temeka L. Carter named her business after the Black Belt area of Alabama, a region recognized for its rich soil.

skin,” she says. Spruce is a clarifying facial wash and shaving cream, jokingly referred to as the “kitchen sink” by Carter. It consists of a plethora of ingredients, including activated charcoal, African black soap, shea butter, Jamaican black castor oil, turmeric, witch hazel and more. The space has been transformed to an area where customers are treated to a spa-like experience, with an array of products lining the walls and Afrobeats pulsing through the air. Carter and Petrishen lead a healthy lifestyle, believing the notion “you are what you eat” to be true. They affectionately refer to topical skincare as “skin food,” as the products provide nourishment to the skin, like food to the body. “I look for ingredients that have skin soothing, healthy properties such as avocado, sweet potato, bananas, flax seed gel and so forth,” Carter says. Carter and Petrishen operated the business from home at first, deciding against a brick-and-mortar as they enjoyed having a flexible schedule, making it to trade shows and host pop-up shops. Carter says many customers assumed the business already had a store or was part of a franchise. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company’s online sales boosted, increasing the demand for extra containers and ingredients, causing the couple to run out of space in their home. “Customers wanted to come to our home or meet us to pick up products and it became a chore trying to constantly arrange meetings,” Carter says. “I looked at my husband one day and said, ‘I think it’s time to get a store.’” Carter and Petrishen contacted a friend for information on available spaces. “My friend invited me to view her business space that day, and we contacted the leasing office for the property and signed a lease for a space next to her business,” Carter says. “Everything happened quickly, with little effort.”

Black Belt Soap Company is located at 416 E Market St. in Greensboro. Learn more at blackbeltsoapco.com. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @theblackbeltsoapcompany.

SHOT IN THE TRIAD | FEB 16-23, 2022

SHOT IN THE TRIAD Yanceyville Street, Greensboro

CAROLYN DE BERRY

Construction is underway at the old self-storage facility in the Mill House building of Greensboro’s Revolution Mill. The property will consist of apartments, retail and restaurants and is currently expected to be completed in summer 2022.

PUZZLES | FEB 16-23, 2022

CROSSWORD

“These Go To Eleven”--and five down. by Matt Jones

Across 1. Toning result 12. Celebrity gossip website 15. 1993 Mary J. Blige hit that reached #5 on the R&B Singles Chart 16. Elvis’s longtime label 17. Bitter almond, as seen in French desserts 18. Acne wash maker 19. It’s posed for passersby 21. Radcliffe’s group 22. Dear one? 23. Violinist Menuhin 27. Throws out 30. Eldest von Trapp child in “The Sound of Music” 35. Pet Shop Boys’ longtime label 36. Locates 37. Comparable 39. Tomei of Spider-Man movies 40. Where Will Shortz is the “Puzzlemaster” 43. Dish with grapes, walnuts, and mayo 50. Bookstore category that features the town’s authors 53. Squishee purveyor on “The Simpsons” 54. Record the meeting, in a way 55. Blues guitarist Mahal 56. Place where it’s hard to pass 57. “Hold On Tight” group 58. Words before “of smell,” “of self,” and “of right and wrong”

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS:

30. On the ___ (running) 31. Garten who had a 2022 moment responding to Reese Witherspoon 32. Canal zone? 33. Guardian Angel Curtis who was the Republican nominee for NYC mayor in 2021 34. Northern Silicon Valley city 38. “Highlights for Children” do-gooder 40. Vacuum hater? 41. Igneous rock that solidifies deep in the earth (like a god of the underworld) Down 42. ___ hen’s teeth 44. Scottish builder of stone walls (not Dutch, 1. Cat scratch sources surprisingly) 2. Friends, ‘90s-style 45. Work alongside “El rey Lear,” “La tempes3. Russian infant emperor of 1740-41 (too tad,” and “Ricardo III” young to be the “terrible” one) 46. Furnish a new crew 4. E-mail writer 47. “Breaking Bad” businessman/drug lord Gus 5. ___ a positive note 48. Neurobiologist Joshua who developed the 6. Chain that merged with AMC Theatres “brainbow” by mapping neurons with different 7. Boy’s name that means “God is my nation” colored proteins (and whose name uses letters © 2022 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com) in Hebrew (A MILE anag.) from “synapse”) 8. “San ___ High School football rules!” 49. “___ un Principio: From the Beginning” (1999 (shouted line near the end of “Bill & Ted’s Marc Anthony greatest-hits album) LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS: Excellent Adventure”) 50. In the wee hours 9. Pearl Jam bassist Jeff 51. Birthstone that shares a first letter with its 10. Actors Reed and Meredith Baxter (when month she took a husband’s surname) 52. “... a Saint Bernard in his prime, five years 11. Pilots old, nearly two hundred pounds in weight ...” 12. Apparel that gets “dropped,” facetiously 13. CI times XI 14. Former groupmate of Harry and Liam 20. Decoy vessel used as early as WWI 24. Actor Kier of “Dancer in the Dark” 25. Morse code component 26. Provisional terms 27. Old Prizm automaker 28. Australian coat of arms bird 29. Frank McCourt’s sequel to “Angela’s Ashes”

SUDOKU