Best prizes this week include one that may expire

For a retired match teacher from Shelby in Gaston County, a second chance added up to $200,000. Gerald Weathers, who taught math for 35 years, beat odds of 1 in 6.6 million in the Holiday Second-Chance Promotion to win the prize.

“I was really shocked,” he said at lottery headquarters. “I’m tickled to death.” Weathers said he planned to share some of his winnings with his church and family, and put the rest in savings.

A couple from Duplin County says their $100,000 lottery win will help them recover after a fire destroyed their home four years ago. Tammy and Alex Phipps of Warsaw won the prize on the Millionaire Bucks ticket they bought at the New Dixie Mart on Julian Allsbrook Highway in Roanoake Rapids.

Another $100,000 prize could go unclaimed unless someone comes forward before 5 p.m. on Monday, March 6. A Powerball ticket sold at the Lowe's Foods on Peters Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem won the prize in the Sept. 7 drawing.

Six players won $50,000:

- Mary Williams of Dunn (10X The Cash)
- Joyce Anliker of Indian Land, S.C. (Extreme Millions)
- Jon-Christopher Watkins of Huntersville (10X The Cash)
- Thomas Smoke of Huntersville (2/18 Powerball draw)
- Michael Green of Charlotte (2/22 Powerball draw)
- Jaime Vasquez of Forest City (2/22 Powerball draw)

Nigel Johnson of Greensboro won the top prize of $40,000 on a $2 ticket for the Double Match game. Two top prizes remain to be claimed. Shelbia Jarrell of Lexington won $20,000 playing Ultimate Millions.

Eleven players scratched their way to $10,000:

- Judy Bailey of Lincolnton (Ruby Red 7's)
- Scott Bowman of Taylorsville ($200 Million Blowout)
- Cuthbert Cruickshank of Charlotte ($1,000,000 Bonus Cash)
- Tanya Glover of Dunn (Ruby Red 7's)
- Maureen Heavner of Lawndale (20X The Cash)
- Trassie Hewlin of Warrenton (5X The Cash)
- Tracy Johnson of Climax (20X The Cash)
- Shanna Maiden of Chadbourn (Carolina Millions)
- Wanda Mathis of Clemmons ($1,000,000 Bonus Cash)
- Patricia Procanyn of Concord (50X The Cash)
- Clifford Roseboro of Salisbury (5X The Cash)

Demonica Hines of Winston-Salem won the top prize of $7,000 on a $1 Lucky 7's ticket. Nine top prizes are still in the game.

Sixteen prizes of $5,000 were awarded to players from: Cary, Charlotte, Claremont, Concord, Durham, Garner, Henderson, Hillsborough, Holly Ridge, Lumberton, Marion, Mooresville, Sanford, Stanfield, and Winston-Salem.

Until next time, have a fun and safe weekend!