By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

Paige Heverly’s volleyball teammates don’t want to hear any comments about easy wins on South Effingham’s upcoming schedule for fear of being jinxed.

“Any time we hear ‘we’re going to win this game,’ or ‘we’re going to have a great week,’ people will be hitting wood so hard,” Paige said.

In a couple of days, Friday the 13th arrives on the calendar and for those with superstitious bones in their bodies, it’s a good time to avoid broken mirrors, walking under ladders, spilling salt, and having 13 guests over for dinner.

And tell the neighbor to keep his black cat on his side of the fence.

Paige, an outside hitter for the Mustangs, wears No. 13 along with several local athletes in different sports. She doesn’t understand the fuss.

“I am superstitious in a way but I think the number 13 brings me luck,” she said.

The Bible brings attention to unlucky Fridays and the number “13.” There were 13 members at the Last Supper and Judas was the 13th to arrive.

Common superstitious beliefs hold that Eve ate the apple on a Friday; Cain murdered his brother Abel on a Friday; The temple of Solomon toppled on a Friday and Noah’s Ark set sail … on a Friday.

On the plus side, according to a story on the Internet, Taylor Swift’s favorite number is 13 and early in her career, she’d write 13 on her hand before concerts for good luck.

Actually, it’s hard to argue with Swift.

“I was born on the 13th. I turned 13 on Friday the 13th. My first album went gold in 13 weeks. My first No. 1 song had a 13-second intro,” Swift told MTV during a 2009 interview. “Every time I’ve won an award, I’ve been seated in either the 13th seat, the 13th row, the 13th section or row M, which is the 13th letter. Basically, whenever a 13 comes up in my life, it’s a good thing.”

Friday was a faithful companion to Robinson Caruso; Joe Friday, “Just the facts, ma’am” was a beloved cop on Dragnet.

But Friday the 13th brought out the worst in hockey-masked villain Jason Voorhees.

South Effingham softball catcher/infielder Alyssa Martin had a lot of success wearing No. 13 last season as a freshman, earning first-team all-region honors while helping the Mustangs to a fifth-place finish at state.

“My dad (Michael Martin) played sports when he was in high school and his number was 13, so it runs in the family,” said Alyssa, whose only superstition is avoiding stepping on a base at the end of an inning.

Effingham County’s softball pitcher Ava Wingate wears No. 13 and is having a banner senior season.

Rebel quarterback Tucker Perkins wears No. 13 and had two big nights during the first two games of the season, then had some bad luck when he suffered a shoulder injury last Friday against Brunswick.

Rebel reserve volleyball setter Abigail Goss wanted No. 13 because she was born on Feb. 13. She thought hard about her superstitions.

“If I spill some salt, I’ll throw it over my left shoulder,” said Abigail about her limited superstitions.

She’s probably not counting on ECHS’ talented team needing luck to have a strong season. Knock on wood and fingers crossed.