Last Night daughter Morgan was part of the ninth graders presented at the Deb-u-ette ball held at the Dunn Center. Rocky Mount is a city of three public high schools basically within the city limits. We are a big town but a small city.
Between the ninth graders and seniors a cross section of our community was there. Every school was represented both public and private. In the gyms and on the ball field we are adversaries. In church we sit side by side. We work together, play together and live life together and as Northern Nash was the last surviving team in the playoffs we cheered together.
Despite fights against annexation Rocky Mount is a good place to live together.
North Carolina looks as though they will move on to the super regional next week. They still need one more win.
East Carolina's pitching doesn't look good enough to get them to next weekend. A Carolina-ECU matchup looks bleak.
Virginia has looked great and Florida State is playing well. Elon is alive today but in the losers bracket.
The Orlando Magic sure made Cleveland look like the Lebron Cavaliers as he got no help from team mates at all.
I am sorry to say this but I just have a hard time looking at Kobe Bryant and being able to admire his talent. He is selfish, takes terrible shots, and yet he makes most of them.
I guess Kobe is why I have lost interest in the NBA. I can't stand why four players go get out of his way and then he takes a twenty five foot shot. That's not good basketball to me.
I don't know whether you saw this or not but Boston College and Texas played the longest college baseball game in history last night. Twenty five inning and it took seven hours to play. Texas beat BC 3-2. Poor BC goes in the losers bracket having used up most of their pitching in one game.
You know I don't like the high school playoffs with so many teams involved. South West Edgecombe girls softball team is what the experts will point to when they say everyone has a chance. SWE got knocked out of the softball playoffs Friday night in the fourth round. They were the #4 seed from the NEW-6. They lead the entire game only to lose to Triton in the last inning. A victory and they would have made the state championship Tournament at Walnut Creek this weekend
You know what they say. When the game starts everyone has a chance.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Northern Swept Bt Eastern Wayne.
Eastern Wayne wins the Eastern 3-A Finals tonight in Red Oak 11 to 1 over the Knights of Northern Nash. In the process they avoided maybe the best left handed pitcher in North Carolina high school or college in TylerJoyner.
It is just the way the schedule dictated the pitching as Joyner having pitch seven innings Wednesday night just to get the Knight to the eastern Finals finished his high school career at first base and got one of the two hits in the game for Northern.
Northern's number two pitcher in Brandon Denton pitched 6 plus innings last night but was not involved in the pitching decision in the 6-5 lost to Eastern Wayne in Goldsboro.
Faced with an elimination game coach Eddie Loesner called on David Whitman to pitch and heading into the fourth inning I don't think any one could have asked for more from Whitman. He was down 2-1 but Northern was in the game until a five run rally in the fourth by the Warriors knocked Whitman out. He was replaced byJeremy Lucas who got six straight batter out and worked until the seventh inning.
The lone Northern run came in the second inning when Brandon Denton reached first on a throwing error advance around to third and a squeeze bunt by Mike Williams which rolled past the pitcher and Williams beat it out for an infield single.
On the night Eastern Wayne collected seven hits but were issued eight free passes five of them intentional walks and two hit batters.
Northern finishes 19-9 on the season .
I heard tonight from Don Johnson that John Haggerty of Northern Nash was behind the plate umpiring today in the LSU-Southern NCAA playoff game that was televised on ESPNU. I saw a few innings of that game but did not realize John was behind the plate.
I saw on the crawler on the bottom of the TV screen that the Denver Broncos have waived J J Arrington. J J had just signed with Denver since the Super bowl. He must have an injury. It's curious getting cut even before summer camp starts.
Congratulations to Brian Goodwin of the Rocky Mount Gryphons being named the Gatorade North Carolina High School Player of the year.
The day of June ninth is a big day for Brian. That is the day of the Major league baseball draft. Whether he plays for Mike fox next year or plays minor league baseball Will be determined by high up in the draft he is taken. There is still a good chance he will be drafted in the first round. I would suspect if he is the money will be enough to start pro ball right away but if he is second round or more he will probably wear the Carolina blue for a while.
It will be interesting to see when Tyler Joyner is drafted.
It is just the way the schedule dictated the pitching as Joyner having pitch seven innings Wednesday night just to get the Knight to the eastern Finals finished his high school career at first base and got one of the two hits in the game for Northern.
Northern's number two pitcher in Brandon Denton pitched 6 plus innings last night but was not involved in the pitching decision in the 6-5 lost to Eastern Wayne in Goldsboro.
Faced with an elimination game coach Eddie Loesner called on David Whitman to pitch and heading into the fourth inning I don't think any one could have asked for more from Whitman. He was down 2-1 but Northern was in the game until a five run rally in the fourth by the Warriors knocked Whitman out. He was replaced byJeremy Lucas who got six straight batter out and worked until the seventh inning.
The lone Northern run came in the second inning when Brandon Denton reached first on a throwing error advance around to third and a squeeze bunt by Mike Williams which rolled past the pitcher and Williams beat it out for an infield single.
On the night Eastern Wayne collected seven hits but were issued eight free passes five of them intentional walks and two hit batters.
Northern finishes 19-9 on the season .
I heard tonight from Don Johnson that John Haggerty of Northern Nash was behind the plate umpiring today in the LSU-Southern NCAA playoff game that was televised on ESPNU. I saw a few innings of that game but did not realize John was behind the plate.
I saw on the crawler on the bottom of the TV screen that the Denver Broncos have waived J J Arrington. J J had just signed with Denver since the Super bowl. He must have an injury. It's curious getting cut even before summer camp starts.
Congratulations to Brian Goodwin of the Rocky Mount Gryphons being named the Gatorade North Carolina High School Player of the year.
The day of June ninth is a big day for Brian. That is the day of the Major league baseball draft. Whether he plays for Mike fox next year or plays minor league baseball Will be determined by high up in the draft he is taken. There is still a good chance he will be drafted in the first round. I would suspect if he is the money will be enough to start pro ball right away but if he is second round or more he will probably wear the Carolina blue for a while.
It will be interesting to see when Tyler Joyner is drafted.
We haven't Seen Nothing Yet
Education is feeling the crunch of less dollars. Every county is not being asked but basically being told you must make cuts because you are not going to be getting the money that you have from the past.
Being politicians you always want to make cuts where the least people will be hurt. In the case of North Carolina where is the obvious and easiest. The double dippers. We have a system in North Carolina where we don't reward people for long tenured service. When your thirty years are up there is no incentive to stay.
So there is a teacher shortage. How does the state remedy that shortage but rehire teachers who are retired. It would make a lot of sense to me to give a gradual increase in retirement benefits for a teacher to stay thirty eight years instead of thirty. As it is now we not only pay for their retirement but also pay them to come back and teach.
I guess you are wondering what this rant is all about. John Gay the athletic director at Fike has resigned now that he has thirty years in and is leaving Fike. Fike has lost their football coach boys basketball coach and now the AD and girls basketball coach.
All of these cuts will effect sports as much as any area in the school system. Just look this year at Pat Smith at Rocky Mount. This season he had two volunteer coaches helping him. Tom and Hank Jones truly love Gryphon athletics. You know Gryphon football didn't have a full staff last year.
Cuts are coming. There is no denying that.
It would not shock me at all to hear the state say in order to save thirty million state wide that four days a week school days could happen. Think of the gas money saved it they went to a four day a week and one hour a day longer.
All of this pressure to make cuts puts stress on the lives of those who know deep in their heart that they could be one of the cuts. My industry has been under that threat since the fall of last year. It has now hit the education business.
Our economy is showing signs of recovery but in the state budget business it is how much money do we have on July 1st of each year that counts. So what ever cuts happen will last until at least next July.
Don't be surprised More cuts are coming. I can see the day just like travel league ball. If you want to play your parents must get you there, the county will not provide travel. Laugh if you will but I can assure you it has been talked about in some conference room some where.
So John Gay at Fike and Pat Smith are retiring. Don't be surprised at any other name you might hear.
Being politicians you always want to make cuts where the least people will be hurt. In the case of North Carolina where is the obvious and easiest. The double dippers. We have a system in North Carolina where we don't reward people for long tenured service. When your thirty years are up there is no incentive to stay.
So there is a teacher shortage. How does the state remedy that shortage but rehire teachers who are retired. It would make a lot of sense to me to give a gradual increase in retirement benefits for a teacher to stay thirty eight years instead of thirty. As it is now we not only pay for their retirement but also pay them to come back and teach.
I guess you are wondering what this rant is all about. John Gay the athletic director at Fike has resigned now that he has thirty years in and is leaving Fike. Fike has lost their football coach boys basketball coach and now the AD and girls basketball coach.
All of these cuts will effect sports as much as any area in the school system. Just look this year at Pat Smith at Rocky Mount. This season he had two volunteer coaches helping him. Tom and Hank Jones truly love Gryphon athletics. You know Gryphon football didn't have a full staff last year.
Cuts are coming. There is no denying that.
It would not shock me at all to hear the state say in order to save thirty million state wide that four days a week school days could happen. Think of the gas money saved it they went to a four day a week and one hour a day longer.
All of this pressure to make cuts puts stress on the lives of those who know deep in their heart that they could be one of the cuts. My industry has been under that threat since the fall of last year. It has now hit the education business.
Our economy is showing signs of recovery but in the state budget business it is how much money do we have on July 1st of each year that counts. So what ever cuts happen will last until at least next July.
Don't be surprised More cuts are coming. I can see the day just like travel league ball. If you want to play your parents must get you there, the county will not provide travel. Laugh if you will but I can assure you it has been talked about in some conference room some where.
So John Gay at Fike and Pat Smith are retiring. Don't be surprised at any other name you might hear.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Game One Heart Break
The Knights of Northern Nash with the help of faulty Eastern Wayne defense found themselves ahead 5-0 after four innings of play tonight in the opening game of the Eastern 3-A baseball championships in Goldsboro.
Through the first four playoff games and the first four innings tonight Northern pitching had allowed just one run for thirty one innings of playoff pitching.
Tonight a ghost from Rocky Mount high as John Wooten Senior first baseman for the Warriors hit a grand slam home run in the bottom of the fifth inning for Eastern Wayne. Wooten who is headed to Greenville to play for Billy Godwin at East Carolina is the son of former Rocky Mount high Great Sonny Wooten. Wooten was a member of the Rocky Mount American Legion team that won the state baseball championship in the early 70's and after playing pro baseball settle in Goldsboro.
Wooten's slammer made it 5-4 and Northern was able to hold the lead until the bottom of the seventh. After walking the leadoff runner in the seventh Northern's head coach Eddie Loesner Pulled starter Brandon Denton in Favor of senior Mike Williams who had to face John Wooten as his first batter. Wooten hit a shot to second baseman Mike Smith who knocked the ball down tossed to second and Wesley Joyner's throw to first got a double play. Two outs and no one one. The very next batter drills a home run to tie the game. Then the next two batters get back to back doubles and in a matter of a few seconds Northern's opening game victory turns into a stunning loss.
Game two is tomorrow night at Northern where the Knights find themselves in a must win to survive mode. Eddie Loesner is really in a major pickle. Having pitched Tyler Joyner last night just to get to tonight's game he must find someone to help get a win Friday and maybe pitch Joyner Saturday night.
If there was one area that the playoff game against Rocky Mount showed was that Northern had two great pitchers but were very thin looking for a third starter. That third starter must come through for Northern Friday night in order to play back in Goldsboro Saturday night.
Tonight was a good night to have played the game in Goldsboro as thunder storms rolled through Rocky Mount at what would have been about game time in Goldsboro.
If luck has any thing to do with winning right now Northern could use a rain out Friday and then play a double header if necessary at Northern on Saturday. That way they possibly could use Tyler Joyner and Brandon Denton some on Saturday.
Game two is Friday night at Northern at 7.00pm
Through the first four playoff games and the first four innings tonight Northern pitching had allowed just one run for thirty one innings of playoff pitching.
Tonight a ghost from Rocky Mount high as John Wooten Senior first baseman for the Warriors hit a grand slam home run in the bottom of the fifth inning for Eastern Wayne. Wooten who is headed to Greenville to play for Billy Godwin at East Carolina is the son of former Rocky Mount high Great Sonny Wooten. Wooten was a member of the Rocky Mount American Legion team that won the state baseball championship in the early 70's and after playing pro baseball settle in Goldsboro.
Wooten's slammer made it 5-4 and Northern was able to hold the lead until the bottom of the seventh. After walking the leadoff runner in the seventh Northern's head coach Eddie Loesner Pulled starter Brandon Denton in Favor of senior Mike Williams who had to face John Wooten as his first batter. Wooten hit a shot to second baseman Mike Smith who knocked the ball down tossed to second and Wesley Joyner's throw to first got a double play. Two outs and no one one. The very next batter drills a home run to tie the game. Then the next two batters get back to back doubles and in a matter of a few seconds Northern's opening game victory turns into a stunning loss.
Game two is tomorrow night at Northern where the Knights find themselves in a must win to survive mode. Eddie Loesner is really in a major pickle. Having pitched Tyler Joyner last night just to get to tonight's game he must find someone to help get a win Friday and maybe pitch Joyner Saturday night.
If there was one area that the playoff game against Rocky Mount showed was that Northern had two great pitchers but were very thin looking for a third starter. That third starter must come through for Northern Friday night in order to play back in Goldsboro Saturday night.
Tonight was a good night to have played the game in Goldsboro as thunder storms rolled through Rocky Mount at what would have been about game time in Goldsboro.
If luck has any thing to do with winning right now Northern could use a rain out Friday and then play a double header if necessary at Northern on Saturday. That way they possibly could use Tyler Joyner and Brandon Denton some on Saturday.
Game two is Friday night at Northern at 7.00pm
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Joyner pitches gem
Tyler Joyner pitch a two hit shut out as the New-6 will return to the eastern finals in baseball for the third year in a row as Northern Nash Smacks Webb high 6-0. Brandon Denton supplied the muscle hitting a three run homer. Tyler Clark and Tyler Joyner also double for the Knights.
In four playoff games so far this year Northern Pitching has allowed only one run.
Due to last nights rain out Northern will not have any practice time as they travel to Eastern Wayne Thursday night to open a two out of three playoff series against the Warriors. Game two will be Friday night in Red Oak. If necessary a third game will be played Saturday back in Goldsboro.
This is the second time in three years that Northern has played in the eastern finals losing to C B Aycock in three games in 2007.
I think we can all assume that Brandon Denton will pitch Thursday for the Knights and the big question is there any chance that Tyler Joyner can pitch any more this week after pitching seven inning complete game tonight.
Good Luck Knights!
As Northern carries the banner for Nash County and the NEW-6 word comes that Pat Smith has resigned as baseball coach at Rocky Mount.
The seven years that Smith has been in charge of Gryphon baseball he has lead them to four conference titles and a State title.
I am surprised but not shocked at the announcement. In fact I was surprised that he came back this year after winning the title last season.
Looking back at those first two seasons when it looked like the grizzly old veteran coach was not going to get the players to play his way but in the end averaged over twenty wins a season the last four and won the state title.
Good luck on the golf course Pat.
In four playoff games so far this year Northern Pitching has allowed only one run.
Due to last nights rain out Northern will not have any practice time as they travel to Eastern Wayne Thursday night to open a two out of three playoff series against the Warriors. Game two will be Friday night in Red Oak. If necessary a third game will be played Saturday back in Goldsboro.
This is the second time in three years that Northern has played in the eastern finals losing to C B Aycock in three games in 2007.
I think we can all assume that Brandon Denton will pitch Thursday for the Knights and the big question is there any chance that Tyler Joyner can pitch any more this week after pitching seven inning complete game tonight.
Good Luck Knights!
As Northern carries the banner for Nash County and the NEW-6 word comes that Pat Smith has resigned as baseball coach at Rocky Mount.
The seven years that Smith has been in charge of Gryphon baseball he has lead them to four conference titles and a State title.
I am surprised but not shocked at the announcement. In fact I was surprised that he came back this year after winning the title last season.
Looking back at those first two seasons when it looked like the grizzly old veteran coach was not going to get the players to play his way but in the end averaged over twenty wins a season the last four and won the state title.
Good luck on the golf course Pat.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
There's No Cardiac Canes
Trying their best to stave off eliminations the Carolina Hurricanes ran into a team that is improving every time they step on the ice.
Eric Staal's early goal gave Cane's fans hope but a relentless offensive push by the Pittsburgh Penguins proved to be too much as the Pens sweep the Canes 4-0 with a 4-1 win tonight in Raleigh.
The Canes played their best game of the series but it was no match for a Pittsburgh team who will be returning to the Stanly Cup Finals for the second year in a row.
Northern Nash never got an opportunity to play round four in the high school baseball playoffs as tonight's game was rained out in Oxford. They will try again Wednesday night at Webb High School.
If Northern can win over Webb they would be forced to start the Eastern Finals Thursday night in Wayne county against Eastern Wayne who was a 6-4 winner of West Brunswick.
Way back during the football playoffs I complained there were too many games in order to win the championship and it is even worse in baseball. There is no reason any team should be forced to play four games in one week for the sake of making money for the NCHSAA.
Ever since they made the eastern finals a two out of three all teams have been forced to play with this format. Last Thursday night at the Rocky Mount sports banquet Pat Smith had a novel idea. Let the eight conference champions play a two out of three each round.
What that would have meant that the playoff game between Northern and Rocky Mount would have meant you are in or out so both would have used their aces to just get in the playoffs.
This format makes a lot of sense to me. It means that you would only play three games per but the negative would be it might take twelve games to win the title if every series took three games to win.
There is no perfect answer but the the format now smells.
Eric Staal's early goal gave Cane's fans hope but a relentless offensive push by the Pittsburgh Penguins proved to be too much as the Pens sweep the Canes 4-0 with a 4-1 win tonight in Raleigh.
The Canes played their best game of the series but it was no match for a Pittsburgh team who will be returning to the Stanly Cup Finals for the second year in a row.
Northern Nash never got an opportunity to play round four in the high school baseball playoffs as tonight's game was rained out in Oxford. They will try again Wednesday night at Webb High School.
If Northern can win over Webb they would be forced to start the Eastern Finals Thursday night in Wayne county against Eastern Wayne who was a 6-4 winner of West Brunswick.
Way back during the football playoffs I complained there were too many games in order to win the championship and it is even worse in baseball. There is no reason any team should be forced to play four games in one week for the sake of making money for the NCHSAA.
Ever since they made the eastern finals a two out of three all teams have been forced to play with this format. Last Thursday night at the Rocky Mount sports banquet Pat Smith had a novel idea. Let the eight conference champions play a two out of three each round.
What that would have meant that the playoff game between Northern and Rocky Mount would have meant you are in or out so both would have used their aces to just get in the playoffs.
This format makes a lot of sense to me. It means that you would only play three games per but the negative would be it might take twelve games to win the title if every series took three games to win.
There is no perfect answer but the the format now smells.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Heels, Pirates To Host Regionals
The North Carolina Tar heels will enter the NCAA baseball playoffs as the #4 seed in this years tournament. By being a top 16 team they have earned the right to host three other schools this weekend in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels will play Dartmouth while Kansas will play Coastal Carolina. The double elimination tourney start Friday in blue heaven.
The Pirates of East Carolina will host their first regional ever in Greenville Friday when they play host Binghamton. South Carolina and George Mason round out the field in Greenville. This is the fifth time that ECU has ever been the #1 seed in a regional and the second time that they have ever hosted. They hosted in 2004 in Wilson while Clark-LeClair was being remodeled.
Should Carolina and ECU win their regional they would square off in the super regional in Chapel Hill the first weekend in June.
Rocky Mount has major connections to both Mike Fox and Billy Godwin. Fox having coached North Carolina Wesleyan for eleven years before moving to Chapel Hill and Billy Godwin being a Rocky Mount resident now and drives back and forth each day to Greenviile as well as being a Northern Nash graduate.
Speaking of Northern Nash. Round four is Tuesday night in Oxford as the Knights play Webb high school. Regardless of whether you lovem, hatem or could care less the Knight represent us all now that they are the only team left from this area and conference.
I'm pulling for Northern,Carolina and ECU. GO Knights, Heels and Pirates.
The Carolina Hurricanes are on life support tonight as they rest up for their final home game of the season. Regardless of whether they win or lose I doubt they can win game five and get another game in Raleigh should they even win Tuesday night.
I'll be watching.
The Pirates of East Carolina will host their first regional ever in Greenville Friday when they play host Binghamton. South Carolina and George Mason round out the field in Greenville. This is the fifth time that ECU has ever been the #1 seed in a regional and the second time that they have ever hosted. They hosted in 2004 in Wilson while Clark-LeClair was being remodeled.
Should Carolina and ECU win their regional they would square off in the super regional in Chapel Hill the first weekend in June.
Rocky Mount has major connections to both Mike Fox and Billy Godwin. Fox having coached North Carolina Wesleyan for eleven years before moving to Chapel Hill and Billy Godwin being a Rocky Mount resident now and drives back and forth each day to Greenviile as well as being a Northern Nash graduate.
Speaking of Northern Nash. Round four is Tuesday night in Oxford as the Knights play Webb high school. Regardless of whether you lovem, hatem or could care less the Knight represent us all now that they are the only team left from this area and conference.
I'm pulling for Northern,Carolina and ECU. GO Knights, Heels and Pirates.
The Carolina Hurricanes are on life support tonight as they rest up for their final home game of the season. Regardless of whether they win or lose I doubt they can win game five and get another game in Raleigh should they even win Tuesday night.
I'll be watching.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Canes Down On Their Knees
The last series for the Canes I told you that the Canes were better than Boston even though it went seven games. There is no doubt Pittsburgh is better the the Hurricanes.
The Penguins charge to the net and the Hurricane defenders are on their heels. Cam Ward is under attack practically one on one. Carolina offense is designed to shoot long shots and look for the rebound in close. They might have a big game and score four goals. Pittsburgh charges the net can score four times on a bad night.
The Crosby/Maulkin duo may be the Gretsky/Messier pair of this decade. I hope the Canes can win Tuesday at home. I don't see this going past five games.
The TV networks are still breathing today as Kobe made a three point shot with a hand in his face and Lebron made a miracle shot at the buzzer Friday night to keep both LA and Cleveland alive in the playoffs.
I still have a feeling one of them will not make it. I hope if one doesn't that it is LA.
The Southern Nash boys tennis team has lost the State boys tennis title to Lake Norman. The only local team still alive in any sports is Northern Nash's baseball team.
Northern travels to Webb high school Tuesday. If they win the Eastern Finals start Thursday which is a two out of three. That is a potential four games this week. That is way too much for any team They need to change the schedule where the eastern finals are the only thing this week so three games would be the most.
This is the third year in a row a Nash county team has advance to round four.
The state has a budget crisis and county's are beginning to tell employees of their status for next year. I was in Ahoskie on Saturday and heard that Hertford County has eliminated the PE job of football coach Diego Hasty. His only job will be football coach if he decides to return under those conditions next year.
Unfortunately this only may be the first we hear of many more reductions to a world as we know it.
The Penguins charge to the net and the Hurricane defenders are on their heels. Cam Ward is under attack practically one on one. Carolina offense is designed to shoot long shots and look for the rebound in close. They might have a big game and score four goals. Pittsburgh charges the net can score four times on a bad night.
The Crosby/Maulkin duo may be the Gretsky/Messier pair of this decade. I hope the Canes can win Tuesday at home. I don't see this going past five games.
The TV networks are still breathing today as Kobe made a three point shot with a hand in his face and Lebron made a miracle shot at the buzzer Friday night to keep both LA and Cleveland alive in the playoffs.
I still have a feeling one of them will not make it. I hope if one doesn't that it is LA.
The Southern Nash boys tennis team has lost the State boys tennis title to Lake Norman. The only local team still alive in any sports is Northern Nash's baseball team.
Northern travels to Webb high school Tuesday. If they win the Eastern Finals start Thursday which is a two out of three. That is a potential four games this week. That is way too much for any team They need to change the schedule where the eastern finals are the only thing this week so three games would be the most.
This is the third year in a row a Nash county team has advance to round four.
The state has a budget crisis and county's are beginning to tell employees of their status for next year. I was in Ahoskie on Saturday and heard that Hertford County has eliminated the PE job of football coach Diego Hasty. His only job will be football coach if he decides to return under those conditions next year.
Unfortunately this only may be the first we hear of many more reductions to a world as we know it.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Knights Move To the Fourth Round
Brandon Denton tried to act like Nolan Ryan and struck out the first six batters. Denton goes the distance and strike out ten and allows only three hits leading the way as Northern Nash advances to round four of the NCHSAA 3-A baseball playoffs with a 7-0 whipping of Western Guilford.
Tyler Clark tried to do his Alex Rodriquez imitation as he went 4-4 including a three run homer and a two run double and added two singles for good measure.
Northern awaits the winner of the Webb/South Granville game and I will let you know when I find out. If Webb wins Northern travels there Tuesday. If South Granville wins Northern will host them on Tuesday.
The news is not good for Fike as they ran into a hornets nest in West Brunswick losing 16-4.
In the you need to know column Eastern Wayne got a walk off home run in the eighth inning to beat South Central 4-3.
I must tell you what I have heard of the sports banquet last night. I told you last night I had to leave early so I was not there for the big awards and the special presentation that was a surprise for everyone.
The booster club presented Grant Wilson's family a framed wrestling Jersey. I hear the tears were flowing by all as his family was there to receive it. Since this was the first dinner that Rocky Mount has had for the sports awards this tribute to Grant made the whole evening very special.
The Male and Female athletes of the year were:
Brian Goodwin and Erika Wesonga.
The Juan Chesson Sportsmanship award was won by:
Chris Pittman.
The scholastic Athletes of the year were:
Erika Wesonga and Richard Deans
I think the sports banquet was a big hit and would love to see it again next year.
Tyler Clark tried to do his Alex Rodriquez imitation as he went 4-4 including a three run homer and a two run double and added two singles for good measure.
Northern awaits the winner of the Webb/South Granville game and I will let you know when I find out. If Webb wins Northern travels there Tuesday. If South Granville wins Northern will host them on Tuesday.
The news is not good for Fike as they ran into a hornets nest in West Brunswick losing 16-4.
In the you need to know column Eastern Wayne got a walk off home run in the eighth inning to beat South Central 4-3.
I must tell you what I have heard of the sports banquet last night. I told you last night I had to leave early so I was not there for the big awards and the special presentation that was a surprise for everyone.
The booster club presented Grant Wilson's family a framed wrestling Jersey. I hear the tears were flowing by all as his family was there to receive it. Since this was the first dinner that Rocky Mount has had for the sports awards this tribute to Grant made the whole evening very special.
The Male and Female athletes of the year were:
Brian Goodwin and Erika Wesonga.
The Juan Chesson Sportsmanship award was won by:
Chris Pittman.
The scholastic Athletes of the year were:
Erika Wesonga and Richard Deans
I think the sports banquet was a big hit and would love to see it again next year.
Awards Dinner Brings A Full House
Rocky Mount High school held the winter and spring sports award program last night in the gym. Gardner's Barbecue set up their serving line in the hallway in front of the cafeteria and all who ate dined in the gym. The bleachers were pulled out for those who only came to see their kids receive awards could sit while the others ate.
My guess is nearly 400 ate and another 125 watched from the stands. I hope this can become an annual event.
I had a very busy night last night as the Tar River Children's Chorus had their season ending concert and had to leave to watch Morgan sing. Check the Rocky Mount high web site today as Charles Alston will post all of the year end awards handed out last night.
The Carolina Hurricanes when they lose most of the time is turnovers by the defense giving the otherside quick shots. That again last night was a big issue as the Pittsburgh Penquins scored three times in the third period to beat Carolina 7-4.
I hope you were still up to see Evgeni Maulkin's third goal of the game a back handed no look shot that went in the net at the only possible place he could have gotten the shot by Cam Ward. It is the greatest shot I have every seen in my very short hockey watching career.
Game six is Saturday night in Raleigh.
Is it possible that the TV networks executives may be getting ready to jump off a bridge. The two glamor players in the NBA Kobe Bryant and Lebron James the two teams that everyone predicts will play for the NBA title have both lost at home early in their series.
Denver looks better to me than LA. If I was Cleveland I would really be worried. Lebron goes 20 for 30 shooting and they still lose. Lookout Orlando just might play Denver for the title.
That is a TV executive's nightmare when they could get Kobe versus Lebron.
Tonight the Knights of Northern Nash and the Golden Demons of Fike High School try to continue in the baseball playoffs.
How a bout those Firebirds. The boys tennis team from Southern Nash has made it again to the state championship match.
Good luck to all still playing
My guess is nearly 400 ate and another 125 watched from the stands. I hope this can become an annual event.
I had a very busy night last night as the Tar River Children's Chorus had their season ending concert and had to leave to watch Morgan sing. Check the Rocky Mount high web site today as Charles Alston will post all of the year end awards handed out last night.
The Carolina Hurricanes when they lose most of the time is turnovers by the defense giving the otherside quick shots. That again last night was a big issue as the Pittsburgh Penquins scored three times in the third period to beat Carolina 7-4.
I hope you were still up to see Evgeni Maulkin's third goal of the game a back handed no look shot that went in the net at the only possible place he could have gotten the shot by Cam Ward. It is the greatest shot I have every seen in my very short hockey watching career.
Game six is Saturday night in Raleigh.
Is it possible that the TV networks executives may be getting ready to jump off a bridge. The two glamor players in the NBA Kobe Bryant and Lebron James the two teams that everyone predicts will play for the NBA title have both lost at home early in their series.
Denver looks better to me than LA. If I was Cleveland I would really be worried. Lebron goes 20 for 30 shooting and they still lose. Lookout Orlando just might play Denver for the title.
That is a TV executive's nightmare when they could get Kobe versus Lebron.
Tonight the Knights of Northern Nash and the Golden Demons of Fike High School try to continue in the baseball playoffs.
How a bout those Firebirds. The boys tennis team from Southern Nash has made it again to the state championship match.
Good luck to all still playing
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Sports Awards
Tonight in the gym the winter and spring sports awards will be handed out. It has been a while but there will be a dinner served. I like having dinner with the awards, it just adds something to it.
Back in my day living in Ahoskie football always had a banquet that was always a sell out. All other sports we had assembly programs where you got your letter in front of the whole school. It was nothing more than getting out of class. Hopefully there will be enough there to as least break even on the food since the athletes are free.
The NEW-6 still has two teams alive. Northern and Fike are playing on. This being the last year of the NEW-6 this conference has proven to be a very good league when ever the playoffs have started in any sport. This is the second year in a row the conference has put two teams in the third round of the baseball playoffs.
The Rocky Mount Gryphons have had a marvelous overall record during the four years of the of the NEW-6. But during the playoffs their only real splash was last year winning the State title. The first two years they were first round losers and this year out in the second round.
Northern is on the road to Western Guilford in Greensboro Friday night while Fike travels to West Brunswick. Whenever their is a direction in a school you would think you could find the school by it's name. West Brunswick is near Shallotte which is east of highway 17 which is called the ocean highway. George Kelly former Gryphon Principal, athletic director and coach is the the principal at West Brunswick.
Now that Michael Vick is out of Prison talk is now being of which team wants him as their quarterback. I wish that who ever takes him would take him for minimum salary. Make him earn the big dollars.
I am shocked this morning to hear that Lebron and the Cleveland Caviliers lost last night. I watched maybe two minutes before I changed the channel to watch good TV Andy Griffith
Back in my day living in Ahoskie football always had a banquet that was always a sell out. All other sports we had assembly programs where you got your letter in front of the whole school. It was nothing more than getting out of class. Hopefully there will be enough there to as least break even on the food since the athletes are free.
The NEW-6 still has two teams alive. Northern and Fike are playing on. This being the last year of the NEW-6 this conference has proven to be a very good league when ever the playoffs have started in any sport. This is the second year in a row the conference has put two teams in the third round of the baseball playoffs.
The Rocky Mount Gryphons have had a marvelous overall record during the four years of the of the NEW-6. But during the playoffs their only real splash was last year winning the State title. The first two years they were first round losers and this year out in the second round.
Northern is on the road to Western Guilford in Greensboro Friday night while Fike travels to West Brunswick. Whenever their is a direction in a school you would think you could find the school by it's name. West Brunswick is near Shallotte which is east of highway 17 which is called the ocean highway. George Kelly former Gryphon Principal, athletic director and coach is the the principal at West Brunswick.
Now that Michael Vick is out of Prison talk is now being of which team wants him as their quarterback. I wish that who ever takes him would take him for minimum salary. Make him earn the big dollars.
I am shocked this morning to hear that Lebron and the Cleveland Caviliers lost last night. I watched maybe two minutes before I changed the channel to watch good TV Andy Griffith
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Time Of Reflection
Conversation in the press box last night was some what reflective before the game. Not only is there always a chance of losing any game but last night possibly was going to be the last home game of the year regardless of whether they could have won the game or not. We knew for sure the next game was on the road and as it turned out it was the last game of the year.
Can you name the short stops for the Gryphons for the past eleven years? Actually there have only been three.
Adam Weaver called the six position home from 1999-2002. Will Johnson patrolled between second base and third 2003-2005 and Dillon Cockrell has been there ever since other than when he pitched.
Dillon Cockrell has played more baseball games for Rocky Mount than any player in history. Pat Smith put the skinny kid out at shortstop the first game of his freshman year.
Other team members are going to college to play ball or maybe even pro ball, others have had more press clipping than him. Trying to think back I not sure if Dillon ever even missed one inning in his career. I'm sure he has but right now I can't remember him not in the lineup.
There lies the story of Dillon Cockrell. Mr. dependability. You didn't have to check the lineup to see who was playing short, maybe if you thought he might pitch other wise you knew he was there.
He's not flashy, but when you needed a big defensive play Dillon delivered. If you needed a big hit Dillon delivered. If you needed a leader #10 did it quietly.
Like all the seniors Dillon will never wear #10 for the Gryphons again. I hear he wants to go to Carolina to be a doctor. That sounds like Dillon.
Whether you realize it or not Rocky Mount will try to find a new short stop next year and he will be hard to replace. Dillon Cockrell has done his job both in the classroom and on the ball field.
For me since I have be living in Rocky Mount since 1995 Dillon is my favorite player. I was some what like him but no where near as good but we are a like in Dillon has a lot of the stay with the plan regardless of the consequence attitude. That's why he showed up every day. That was the plan.
Good Luck Dillon
Can you name the short stops for the Gryphons for the past eleven years? Actually there have only been three.
Adam Weaver called the six position home from 1999-2002. Will Johnson patrolled between second base and third 2003-2005 and Dillon Cockrell has been there ever since other than when he pitched.
Dillon Cockrell has played more baseball games for Rocky Mount than any player in history. Pat Smith put the skinny kid out at shortstop the first game of his freshman year.
Other team members are going to college to play ball or maybe even pro ball, others have had more press clipping than him. Trying to think back I not sure if Dillon ever even missed one inning in his career. I'm sure he has but right now I can't remember him not in the lineup.
There lies the story of Dillon Cockrell. Mr. dependability. You didn't have to check the lineup to see who was playing short, maybe if you thought he might pitch other wise you knew he was there.
He's not flashy, but when you needed a big defensive play Dillon delivered. If you needed a big hit Dillon delivered. If you needed a leader #10 did it quietly.
Like all the seniors Dillon will never wear #10 for the Gryphons again. I hear he wants to go to Carolina to be a doctor. That sounds like Dillon.
Whether you realize it or not Rocky Mount will try to find a new short stop next year and he will be hard to replace. Dillon Cockrell has done his job both in the classroom and on the ball field.
For me since I have be living in Rocky Mount since 1995 Dillon is my favorite player. I was some what like him but no where near as good but we are a like in Dillon has a lot of the stay with the plan regardless of the consequence attitude. That's why he showed up every day. That was the plan.
Good Luck Dillon
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Defending Champs Ousted
Ethan Cockren Stroked three hits in the game to out hit Rocky Mount who could only get two. Then he turns in a complete game pitching victory over the Gryphons who's hopes of back to back State titles dies.
Tonight would be a night of opportunity of not to be as Three innings the Gryphons left runners on third base including the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded and only one out the Falcon's turn a 4-6-3 double play to end the game.
Brian Goodwin led off the bottom of the first with a hit and the Gryphons went hitless until the seventh inning when Hobbs Johnson got number two.
Benton Moss loses his first varsity game in taking the loss for the Gryphons. He will finish the season 7-1.
After hitting the leadoff batter in the fourth inning and down 4-1 Pat Smith brought in Hobbs Johnson who held South Central scoreless the rest of the way.
Gryphons finish the season 20-3 while South Central plays in Round three against Eastern Wayne.
The news is better for Northern Nash as Tyler Joyner pitches a five hitter striking out ten batters as Northen Nash the #2 seed in the NEW-6 knocks off the #1 seed home team Southern Alamance 4-1
Northern Nash is still alive and a waits the winner of the Triton Western Guilford game Friday. Western Guilford is the #1 seed and Triton is a #2 seed. If Western wins then Northern travels to Them but if Triton wins and both teams are #2 seeds the NEW-6 has the seeding priority and they would get a home game against Triton.
Tonight would be a night of opportunity of not to be as Three innings the Gryphons left runners on third base including the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded and only one out the Falcon's turn a 4-6-3 double play to end the game.
Brian Goodwin led off the bottom of the first with a hit and the Gryphons went hitless until the seventh inning when Hobbs Johnson got number two.
Benton Moss loses his first varsity game in taking the loss for the Gryphons. He will finish the season 7-1.
After hitting the leadoff batter in the fourth inning and down 4-1 Pat Smith brought in Hobbs Johnson who held South Central scoreless the rest of the way.
Gryphons finish the season 20-3 while South Central plays in Round three against Eastern Wayne.
The news is better for Northern Nash as Tyler Joyner pitches a five hitter striking out ten batters as Northen Nash the #2 seed in the NEW-6 knocks off the #1 seed home team Southern Alamance 4-1
Northern Nash is still alive and a waits the winner of the Triton Western Guilford game Friday. Western Guilford is the #1 seed and Triton is a #2 seed. If Western wins then Northern travels to Them but if Triton wins and both teams are #2 seeds the NEW-6 has the seeding priority and they would get a home game against Triton.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Right Where They Want Them
The Carolina Hurricanes have lost the opening game of the Eastern Conference finals in Pittsburgh tonight 3-2. This is the third straight series in which the Canes have lost the opening game and by doing so have the Penguins right where they want them down one game to none.
I am a Johnny come lately to hockey since I never even watch hockey until cable TV brought Wayne Gretsky and the Edmonton Oilers to my home in the mid 80's. So I don't under stand certain rules and I didn't see why Carolina got an interference penalty when a defensive player for Pittsburgh bowls over the Pittsburgh goalie and Carolina score practically with and empty net. Not only was the goal taken away but Carolina got a penalty on the deal.
Regardless of whether you are disappointed with the score or not this was an up and down hockey game when both team had chances to score ten goals a piece.
Game two is not until Thursday night due to the fact that Bruce Springsteen has concerts in the Igloo both Tuesday and Wednesday night. All games for the remainder of this series are on the Versus Network which is hard to find.
Playoffs are a matter of who loses who you might have played but you don't have to because they are knocked out. If you understand all of that then Fike might have the easiest game in round two Tuesday in high school baseball.
Fike's upset of C B Aycock has set up a home game for them against the #4 seed from the Coastal Conference in Washington. Fike is now the higher seed despite being the #3 from the NEW-6.
Northern Nash on the other hand has to travel to Graham to take on the #1 seed from the Mid States in Southern Alamance. Not an easy draw.
For those of you who think Rocky Mount should have a breather , think again. South Central is much like Fike is in our conference. Dangerous! Once again the Gryphons had better bring the bats to the game or this will not be an easy one. Central is only 13-10 but they beat Rose once which we were not able to do.
Sorry that it has taken me until today to mention this but the girls soccer team was knocked out of the playoffs by Burlington Williams Friday in round two of the playoffs. The Lady Gryphons did not go quietly as they fell in overtime by a 2-1.
Both the boys and girls soccer team were very competitive this year and first year coach Drew Nick can be proud of his first year coaching the Gryphons.
I am a Johnny come lately to hockey since I never even watch hockey until cable TV brought Wayne Gretsky and the Edmonton Oilers to my home in the mid 80's. So I don't under stand certain rules and I didn't see why Carolina got an interference penalty when a defensive player for Pittsburgh bowls over the Pittsburgh goalie and Carolina score practically with and empty net. Not only was the goal taken away but Carolina got a penalty on the deal.
Regardless of whether you are disappointed with the score or not this was an up and down hockey game when both team had chances to score ten goals a piece.
Game two is not until Thursday night due to the fact that Bruce Springsteen has concerts in the Igloo both Tuesday and Wednesday night. All games for the remainder of this series are on the Versus Network which is hard to find.
Playoffs are a matter of who loses who you might have played but you don't have to because they are knocked out. If you understand all of that then Fike might have the easiest game in round two Tuesday in high school baseball.
Fike's upset of C B Aycock has set up a home game for them against the #4 seed from the Coastal Conference in Washington. Fike is now the higher seed despite being the #3 from the NEW-6.
Northern Nash on the other hand has to travel to Graham to take on the #1 seed from the Mid States in Southern Alamance. Not an easy draw.
For those of you who think Rocky Mount should have a breather , think again. South Central is much like Fike is in our conference. Dangerous! Once again the Gryphons had better bring the bats to the game or this will not be an easy one. Central is only 13-10 but they beat Rose once which we were not able to do.
Sorry that it has taken me until today to mention this but the girls soccer team was knocked out of the playoffs by Burlington Williams Friday in round two of the playoffs. The Lady Gryphons did not go quietly as they fell in overtime by a 2-1.
Both the boys and girls soccer team were very competitive this year and first year coach Drew Nick can be proud of his first year coaching the Gryphons.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
A Day Of Rest
Pretty slow day on the home front today as the only sport of any interest going on is two game sevens in the NBA. They don't really interest me that much.
The Carolina Hurricanes ready themselves to start a new series Monday Night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. If the Canes hold form they will lose 4-1 Monday night and then turn around and win the second game in the series.
They really do play better when their backs are to the wall. There worse games in the entire playoffs were when they lead the series 3-1 and lost two in a row.
There are a few athletes still doing their thing this spring other than baseball and that is the track team members who qualified for the state meet. The state championships are this week.
Baseball plays at home Tuesday night against South Central. The Coastal conference still has four teams alive if you include Rose who is in the 4-A bracket. Conley and Washington join Central as still alive in the playoffs.
Tiger Woods after having been off for nine months is not having his way in the golf world as he did prior to injury. Finishing in the top ten isn't bad but we have all become accustomed to him winning every time he plays. His long layoff has brought back an old old problem. His tee shot. He can't keep it in the fairway. His putting has only been average and has not saved him like it has in the past.
I think last Sunday was Tiger's first time ever of playing in the last group and coming up the 18th hole where he was irrelevant.
There is an old saying in NASCAR that if you run up front enough you are going to win every once in a while. Tiger still runs up. Finishing first may not come as often as in the past.
Don't forget to get your ticket to the sport banquet Thursday night. Dinner is $10 and all winter and spring sports will be in the spot light.
The Carolina Hurricanes ready themselves to start a new series Monday Night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. If the Canes hold form they will lose 4-1 Monday night and then turn around and win the second game in the series.
They really do play better when their backs are to the wall. There worse games in the entire playoffs were when they lead the series 3-1 and lost two in a row.
There are a few athletes still doing their thing this spring other than baseball and that is the track team members who qualified for the state meet. The state championships are this week.
Baseball plays at home Tuesday night against South Central. The Coastal conference still has four teams alive if you include Rose who is in the 4-A bracket. Conley and Washington join Central as still alive in the playoffs.
Tiger Woods after having been off for nine months is not having his way in the golf world as he did prior to injury. Finishing in the top ten isn't bad but we have all become accustomed to him winning every time he plays. His long layoff has brought back an old old problem. His tee shot. He can't keep it in the fairway. His putting has only been average and has not saved him like it has in the past.
I think last Sunday was Tiger's first time ever of playing in the last group and coming up the 18th hole where he was irrelevant.
There is an old saying in NASCAR that if you run up front enough you are going to win every once in a while. Tiger still runs up. Finishing first may not come as often as in the past.
Don't forget to get your ticket to the sport banquet Thursday night. Dinner is $10 and all winter and spring sports will be in the spot light.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
NEW-6'S Top Three Advance
When ever the playoffs begin you never know how good your conference is until you meet the others in the playoffs.
Rocky Mount was 10-1 in conference play this year. They scored 84 runs to average almost eight runs per game. They gave up only six which is a paltry half a run per game. How will that compare when the playoffs start.
Remembering back to 2006 the entire conference went down in the first round. In 2007 Northern Advance to the eastern Finals. Last year Fike and Rocky Mount met in the third round with Rocky Mount winning it all. I think how good the league is can be judged by the opening round.
If it can be judged by what happened in the opening round then the last edition of the NEW-6 is a good baseball league.
Nash Central not even knowing they were playing until Wednesday faced Coastal Foe D H
Conley and as expected the Bulldogs fell to the Vikings 14-4.
Southern Nash playing as the #four seed traveled to Triton high and gave a good showing before falling 4-0.
A couple of days ago I told you that if you have that one pitcher who can beat any body you can be dangerous. Fike has that pitcher William Prince. Last night Prince pitched a one hitter and that hit never left the infield while he struck out 13 batters. Fike scored four times in knocking off C B Aycock 4-0. It was only the fourth win of the season for Prince who also has four losses.
He has lost twice to Rocky Mount and twice to Northern.
Fike upset victory gets them a home Game Tuesday against Washington who is the #4 from the Coastal who shocked Hertford County 2-1.
Northern Nash's 6-0 victory on Thursday over Bartlett Yancy will not be as rewarding as they must now travel to Southern Alamance the #1 seed from the Mid State.
Rocky Mount's 4-1 victory over Southern Wayne gives them one more home game as they will now defend the home turf against South Central who took out White Oak Friday night 8-1.
So the top three are alive in the NEW-6 and will play another day.
Friday in Burlington Alex Durham playing in the quarter finals in the state singles tennis championship was part of what was the best match of the day. In the end Alex fell 0-6,7-6, 6-7
to Jared Bryant of Western Alamance. Set two and three were settled in sudden death after they were even in regulation.
The doubles team of Ross Bradley and Kayshap Kaul also lost in the quarters 6-1,6-1 to Burlington Williams.
All other spring sports teams are now finished and only baseball is left to finish the playoffs. The defending state champs are still alive.
Rocky Mount was 10-1 in conference play this year. They scored 84 runs to average almost eight runs per game. They gave up only six which is a paltry half a run per game. How will that compare when the playoffs start.
Remembering back to 2006 the entire conference went down in the first round. In 2007 Northern Advance to the eastern Finals. Last year Fike and Rocky Mount met in the third round with Rocky Mount winning it all. I think how good the league is can be judged by the opening round.
If it can be judged by what happened in the opening round then the last edition of the NEW-6 is a good baseball league.
Nash Central not even knowing they were playing until Wednesday faced Coastal Foe D H
Conley and as expected the Bulldogs fell to the Vikings 14-4.
Southern Nash playing as the #four seed traveled to Triton high and gave a good showing before falling 4-0.
A couple of days ago I told you that if you have that one pitcher who can beat any body you can be dangerous. Fike has that pitcher William Prince. Last night Prince pitched a one hitter and that hit never left the infield while he struck out 13 batters. Fike scored four times in knocking off C B Aycock 4-0. It was only the fourth win of the season for Prince who also has four losses.
He has lost twice to Rocky Mount and twice to Northern.
Fike upset victory gets them a home Game Tuesday against Washington who is the #4 from the Coastal who shocked Hertford County 2-1.
Northern Nash's 6-0 victory on Thursday over Bartlett Yancy will not be as rewarding as they must now travel to Southern Alamance the #1 seed from the Mid State.
Rocky Mount's 4-1 victory over Southern Wayne gives them one more home game as they will now defend the home turf against South Central who took out White Oak Friday night 8-1.
So the top three are alive in the NEW-6 and will play another day.
Friday in Burlington Alex Durham playing in the quarter finals in the state singles tennis championship was part of what was the best match of the day. In the end Alex fell 0-6,7-6, 6-7
to Jared Bryant of Western Alamance. Set two and three were settled in sudden death after they were even in regulation.
The doubles team of Ross Bradley and Kayshap Kaul also lost in the quarters 6-1,6-1 to Burlington Williams.
All other spring sports teams are now finished and only baseball is left to finish the playoffs. The defending state champs are still alive.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Games Will Only Get Tougher
The baseball team this year has made a habit of being a second time around team. Very few times this season have the Gryphons come out put a game away early hitting.
Last night once again the bats waited to the fifth inning before becoming electric.
If I had to guess I think this years team is better than last year. However I thought the 2007 team was better than the state champs.
Hobbs Johnson's arrival has added depth to a pitching staff that was going to be good without him. This team cannot keep depending on the pitchers to win the game every time out. Even though once again Southern Wayne failed to score more than two runs on this team.
Next week's dilemma is who will start Tuesday. You have to win the second round before you can play in the third. My choice is pitch Benton Moss Tuesday. Why not? He is only 14-0 in his high school career. He has proven in last years playoffs to be a big game pitcher.
These Gryphons cannot keep relying on the pitchers to win every game. It's their time to step up.
I never thought the Hurricanes had a chance in game seven in Boston last night. Getting in my truck after the baseball game I am thinking to myself that when I hear the score and they are only behind by one they still have a chance.
I thought that Boston would score twice early and the Canes would never catch up. Was I suprised when I hear it is one-one near the end of the first period?
I knew then they had it in the bag.
The Hurricanes have been in North Carolina since 1997 and during that time thay have been as good as most NHL teams. If somehow they win the cup this year the Carolina Hurricanes will move up in status in the NHL as one of the elite franchises.
Eight more wins to go.
Last night once again the bats waited to the fifth inning before becoming electric.
If I had to guess I think this years team is better than last year. However I thought the 2007 team was better than the state champs.
Hobbs Johnson's arrival has added depth to a pitching staff that was going to be good without him. This team cannot keep depending on the pitchers to win the game every time out. Even though once again Southern Wayne failed to score more than two runs on this team.
Next week's dilemma is who will start Tuesday. You have to win the second round before you can play in the third. My choice is pitch Benton Moss Tuesday. Why not? He is only 14-0 in his high school career. He has proven in last years playoffs to be a big game pitcher.
These Gryphons cannot keep relying on the pitchers to win every game. It's their time to step up.
I never thought the Hurricanes had a chance in game seven in Boston last night. Getting in my truck after the baseball game I am thinking to myself that when I hear the score and they are only behind by one they still have a chance.
I thought that Boston would score twice early and the Canes would never catch up. Was I suprised when I hear it is one-one near the end of the first period?
I knew then they had it in the bag.
The Hurricanes have been in North Carolina since 1997 and during that time thay have been as good as most NHL teams. If somehow they win the cup this year the Carolina Hurricanes will move up in status in the NHL as one of the elite franchises.
Eight more wins to go.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Survive and Advance
The Rocky Mount Gryphons pounded out ten hit against Southern Wayne but it didn't seem as if they had that many. The Saints had only six but it seemed they had more.
After a sluggish start the Gryphons finally get it together enough to take down Southern Wayne 4-1.
It was the fifth inning before the Gryphons could muster enough hits together to score two runs. Carter Varnell reached on a throwing error and came home to score on back to back hits by Brian Goodwin and Michael Whitehead loaded the bases and Collins Cuthrell sent a fly ball to the wall in center field and scored Varnell. Advancing to third on the Sac fly by Cuthrell. Brain Goodwin scored on a solid hit up the middle by Mr, RBI Ben Fish who just keeps adding to his all time RBI record.
The third run scored on a pitch hit home run by Chris Pittman in the sixth inning. The second run in the sixth scored on a wild pitch with Brian Goodwin on third and he trouted home for the fourth and final run.
The Saints scored on back to back hits in the sixth as the second hit was a double by Jordan Williams who scored Zach Grantham who had singled.
Hobbs Johnson gets a complete game six hitter but as Hobbs has done all year he has not hurt himself by walking batters. He had a lone hit batter as his only free pass of the game. He struck out 14 Saints batters during the game.
Brian Goodwin had two hits,Michael Whitehead two, Collins Cuthrell one single and the big sac fly, Ben Fish an RBI single, Thomas Berry a double,Parker Helms a single and Carter Varnell had a single and scored twice. Pittman had his pitch hit blast.
The Gryphons play at home Tuesday against the winner of the South Central-White Oak game Friday night.
Northern Nash made the top two seeds in the New-6 advancing as Tyler Joyner pitch Northern to round two with a 6-0 victory over Bartlett Yancy.
Friday is the State Championship in singles and doubles tennis. Alex Durham has made the final eight for the Gryphons in singles and the doubles team of Ross Brady and Kayshap Kaul will try to win the doubles.
Those Cardiac Caniacs are at it again. Scott Walkers over time goal with less than two minutes to play in the first over time send the Hurricanes to their third Eastern Finals in this decade.
For the second series in a row the Canes lose game one and manage to beat the higher seed twice at their place. The Boston Bruins are the victim tonight. In overtime Canes 3-Bruins 2
After a sluggish start the Gryphons finally get it together enough to take down Southern Wayne 4-1.
It was the fifth inning before the Gryphons could muster enough hits together to score two runs. Carter Varnell reached on a throwing error and came home to score on back to back hits by Brian Goodwin and Michael Whitehead loaded the bases and Collins Cuthrell sent a fly ball to the wall in center field and scored Varnell. Advancing to third on the Sac fly by Cuthrell. Brain Goodwin scored on a solid hit up the middle by Mr, RBI Ben Fish who just keeps adding to his all time RBI record.
The third run scored on a pitch hit home run by Chris Pittman in the sixth inning. The second run in the sixth scored on a wild pitch with Brian Goodwin on third and he trouted home for the fourth and final run.
The Saints scored on back to back hits in the sixth as the second hit was a double by Jordan Williams who scored Zach Grantham who had singled.
Hobbs Johnson gets a complete game six hitter but as Hobbs has done all year he has not hurt himself by walking batters. He had a lone hit batter as his only free pass of the game. He struck out 14 Saints batters during the game.
Brian Goodwin had two hits,Michael Whitehead two, Collins Cuthrell one single and the big sac fly, Ben Fish an RBI single, Thomas Berry a double,Parker Helms a single and Carter Varnell had a single and scored twice. Pittman had his pitch hit blast.
The Gryphons play at home Tuesday against the winner of the South Central-White Oak game Friday night.
Northern Nash made the top two seeds in the New-6 advancing as Tyler Joyner pitch Northern to round two with a 6-0 victory over Bartlett Yancy.
Friday is the State Championship in singles and doubles tennis. Alex Durham has made the final eight for the Gryphons in singles and the doubles team of Ross Brady and Kayshap Kaul will try to win the doubles.
Those Cardiac Caniacs are at it again. Scott Walkers over time goal with less than two minutes to play in the first over time send the Hurricanes to their third Eastern Finals in this decade.
For the second series in a row the Canes lose game one and manage to beat the higher seed twice at their place. The Boston Bruins are the victim tonight. In overtime Canes 3-Bruins 2
Nash Central Makes baseball Playoffs
Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!
If you have ever seen the Christian football movie "Facing the Giants" then you know that the movie shows about a team knocked out of the playoffs getting back in when a team is caught with ineligible players. I am not sure who but a team that had qualified for the state baseball playoffs failed to get the paperwork in on time to the NCHSAA. Their penalty they were taken out of their bracket and Nash Central being the first alternate gets in.
So Wednesday becomes their first practice this week for the Bulldogs as they travel to D H Conley in hopes of pulling off the the movies miracle.
Rocky Mount high starts defense of their 2008 state title as they play host to Southern Wayne tonight. Wes Bradshaw the long time baseball PA announcer for the Gryphons who has recently found employment in Pinetops will miss tonights game. Yours truly will be behind the mike
.
Urgent-urgent-urgent
If you have ever seen the Christian football movie "Facing the Giants" then you know that the movie shows about a team knocked out of the playoffs getting back in when a team is caught with ineligible players. I am not sure who but a team that had qualified for the state baseball playoffs failed to get the paperwork in on time to the NCHSAA. Their penalty they were taken out of their bracket and Nash Central being the first alternate gets in.
So Wednesday becomes their first practice this week for the Bulldogs as they travel to D H Conley in hopes of pulling off the the movies miracle.
Rocky Mount high starts defense of their 2008 state title as they play host to Southern Wayne tonight. Wes Bradshaw the long time baseball PA announcer for the Gryphons who has recently found employment in Pinetops will miss tonights game. Yours truly will be behind the mike
.
Urgent-urgent-urgent
Trying to beat Friday's weather forecast Northern Nash has moved their opening round playoff game up to tonight instead of Friday
Northern Nash starts their quest in the baseball playoffs at home to Bartlett Yancy. Fike will have a short ride but a tough test as they travel to C B Aycock. Southern Nash is on the road to Harnett county playing Triton.
After their opening round soccer victory the Lady Gryphons travel Friday night to Burlington Williams.
Also on Friday three players from the tennis team have made it to the State Finals lead by Alex Durham who will play in the singles.
Finally tonight the Carolina Hurricanes try not to make history by losing a 3-1 games advantage to the Boston Bruins. Boston is one of the orginal six team that started the National Hockey league. In all their glorious history they have never come back after being down three games to one. In their short history the Canes have never lost a game seven.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Girls Soccer Advances
Rocky Mount High has advanced to the second round of the state playoffs beating Northern Guilford 3-1.
The winter/spring sports awards will be handed out at a banquet in the gym on May 21st at 6.00pm. There will be a meal served so tickets are $10.
Opening round of the baseball playoffs start Thursday. You know one of the reasons that I like baseball so much is that unlike other sports every game is different because there is a different pitcher on the mound every game.
Despite their record of 12-14 Southern Wayne may have one pitcher who can beat any body. You know playing only one game this week they will throw the best they have against Rocky Mount. The Gryphons lost two years in a row in the opening round 2006 as the #1 seed and 2007 as a #2 seed.
Just because they are 19-2 compared to 12-14 for the Saints they had better be ready for the first pitch. This is not football where you are playing a 2-8 team in the first round.
Wilson Fike finished second in the state golf championships while Northern Finished in the top ten. Daniel Claytor of Northern finished eleventh in the individual.
Just as I expected the Hurricanes came out trying not to be too aggressive and get penalties in the early going and what did it get them? Boston jumped on them feet first and had a 2-0 lead before the Canes started playing hockey.
Game seven is Thursday night. The start time is 8.00 pm on Fox Sports South. The key for the Hurricanes winning Thursday is they have to score first. If they blow this 3-1 series lead that they had against Boston then they will wasted the win with .2 tenths of a second left and the seventh game where they scored two goals the last 1.20 of the game. You would think a team that can win games like that should win the Stanly Cup.
There is a report out that John Wall has trimmed his list to two teams who he will play for Kentucky and Miami. Thank goodness he has scrapped the Wolfpack, Carolina, and Duke from his list. Wall is a probaton waiting to happen for someone. I hear through the grapevine that Miami is the leading team because Kentucky is telling him to leave his entourage home.
The winter/spring sports awards will be handed out at a banquet in the gym on May 21st at 6.00pm. There will be a meal served so tickets are $10.
Opening round of the baseball playoffs start Thursday. You know one of the reasons that I like baseball so much is that unlike other sports every game is different because there is a different pitcher on the mound every game.
Despite their record of 12-14 Southern Wayne may have one pitcher who can beat any body. You know playing only one game this week they will throw the best they have against Rocky Mount. The Gryphons lost two years in a row in the opening round 2006 as the #1 seed and 2007 as a #2 seed.
Just because they are 19-2 compared to 12-14 for the Saints they had better be ready for the first pitch. This is not football where you are playing a 2-8 team in the first round.
Wilson Fike finished second in the state golf championships while Northern Finished in the top ten. Daniel Claytor of Northern finished eleventh in the individual.
Just as I expected the Hurricanes came out trying not to be too aggressive and get penalties in the early going and what did it get them? Boston jumped on them feet first and had a 2-0 lead before the Canes started playing hockey.
Game seven is Thursday night. The start time is 8.00 pm on Fox Sports South. The key for the Hurricanes winning Thursday is they have to score first. If they blow this 3-1 series lead that they had against Boston then they will wasted the win with .2 tenths of a second left and the seventh game where they scored two goals the last 1.20 of the game. You would think a team that can win games like that should win the Stanly Cup.
There is a report out that John Wall has trimmed his list to two teams who he will play for Kentucky and Miami. Thank goodness he has scrapped the Wolfpack, Carolina, and Duke from his list. Wall is a probaton waiting to happen for someone. I hear through the grapevine that Miami is the leading team because Kentucky is telling him to leave his entourage home.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Playoff Game Moved To Thursday
The final New-6 baseball playoffs start Thursday night as the Rocky Mount Gryphons host the Saints of Southern Wayne.
As soon as Pat Smith knew who his opposition would be for the first round game he got Mike Gainey Rocky Mount athletic director get in touch with them to move the game to Thursday night.
There are several advantages playing Thursday over Friday, but the most important one is in case of rain Thursday then Friday becomes a backup day without having to have to play Saturday. You don't want to have to play the first round Monday night and turn around Tuesday and play the second round. This playing on Thursday should insure that the Gryphons will get practice time in for round two if they win the opening round game.
Northern Nash plays at home Friday night as they will host Northern Guilford in the first round.
Wilson Fike the #3 seed from the New-6 starts the playoffs at C B Aycock and Southern Nash the #4 seed hit the road in the opening round.
The New-6 conference is the only conference that they have had a team play in the eastern finals or further the last two seasons. Northern having advanced to the Eastern finals in 2007 and Rocky Mount having won the championship last season.
Tonight the girls soccer team starts their playoffs as they host a match at 5.00pm.
Game six in round two for the Carolina Hurricanes is tonight in Raleigh. I am pulling hard for the Canes but I don't see how they can recover from that awful game they played Sunday night.
They need to win tonight badly because I see no way to beat Boston in a game seven in Boston.
Roger Clemens who has been in the closet for the last couple of years is tooting his horn again claiming the he has never used any type of steroid in his life. I believe him just like I believe OJ is Innocent.
When this academic school year ends Charlie Adams who is the head of the North Carolina Athletic Association is retiring. I have been in the media business since 1971 and even back then Charlie Adams was the man who you applied to to get a high school media pass.
I have talk with him many years before I met him for the first time in the 80's. Years and years ago he was the man that you would see when you went to a Carolina Football game and you had to go to his gate to get in.
The NCHSAA has grown to over 700 schools and Charlie has led the way and he will be missed in Chapel Hill.
As soon as Pat Smith knew who his opposition would be for the first round game he got Mike Gainey Rocky Mount athletic director get in touch with them to move the game to Thursday night.
There are several advantages playing Thursday over Friday, but the most important one is in case of rain Thursday then Friday becomes a backup day without having to have to play Saturday. You don't want to have to play the first round Monday night and turn around Tuesday and play the second round. This playing on Thursday should insure that the Gryphons will get practice time in for round two if they win the opening round game.
Northern Nash plays at home Friday night as they will host Northern Guilford in the first round.
Wilson Fike the #3 seed from the New-6 starts the playoffs at C B Aycock and Southern Nash the #4 seed hit the road in the opening round.
The New-6 conference is the only conference that they have had a team play in the eastern finals or further the last two seasons. Northern having advanced to the Eastern finals in 2007 and Rocky Mount having won the championship last season.
Tonight the girls soccer team starts their playoffs as they host a match at 5.00pm.
Game six in round two for the Carolina Hurricanes is tonight in Raleigh. I am pulling hard for the Canes but I don't see how they can recover from that awful game they played Sunday night.
They need to win tonight badly because I see no way to beat Boston in a game seven in Boston.
Roger Clemens who has been in the closet for the last couple of years is tooting his horn again claiming the he has never used any type of steroid in his life. I believe him just like I believe OJ is Innocent.
When this academic school year ends Charlie Adams who is the head of the North Carolina Athletic Association is retiring. I have been in the media business since 1971 and even back then Charlie Adams was the man who you applied to to get a high school media pass.
I have talk with him many years before I met him for the first time in the 80's. Years and years ago he was the man that you would see when you went to a Carolina Football game and you had to go to his gate to get in.
The NCHSAA has grown to over 700 schools and Charlie has led the way and he will be missed in Chapel Hill.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Gryphons Win #1 Seed
I have told you that this Gryphon team has proven that against average pitching they are capable of double digits runs in any game.
Tonight Pat Smith and Eddie Loesner both kept their thoroughbreds in the barn and came out with their #3 pitchers in order to save their star pitchers for playoff action on Friday. Rocky Mount feasted on Northern's pitching.
Tonight Rocky Mount proved to have better pitching depth as Nick Hahula pitch three innings as the starting pitcher as Pat Smith had promised and Benton Moss tossed two inning in what proved to be all the Gryphons needed as they pound Northern Nash in the conference playoff game at Northern 13-1. The game lasted but five innings.
Nick Hahula gets credit for the victory which is his fourth of the season. That is his personal best as a varsity pitcher.
Tyler Joyner provided the only Northern run with a solo homer to right field but only three more hits were all the Knights could muster against Hahula and Moss.
Collins Cuthrell broke the game open with a three run home run and Dillon Cockrell also had a three run shot to provide the left side of the infield with home runs. The Gryphons scored ten runs in the fourth inning to salt the game away.
Rocky Mount had fifteen hits with Cuthrell and Thomas Berry getting three hits each.
The Gryphon pitching has now completed their entire conference season never allowing more than two runs in any game.
Rocky Mount opens defense of their State Championship URGENT-URGENT-URGENT Friday night at Home hosting Southern Wayne.
Due to possible thunderstorms predicted for Friday night the Rocky Mount-Southern Wayne game has been bumped up to Thursday night at Gryphon Stadium. game time 7.00pm
The Saints are 12-14 on the season. Northern also has a home game Friday but at this time I am unsure of their opponent.
If both were to win Friday Northern more than likely would have to hit the road where Rocky Mount would be in line for at least one more home game in the playoffs next week.
Once the playoffs start and as you move through your bracket being home or away is based on a predetermined format. Rocky Mount as the #1 seed is schedule to play Eastern Wayne in the third round at Eastern Wayne if both advance that far.
Luckily for both teams there were no injuries to either team that would effect the playoffs.
I still question whether the game was worth playing considering neither team chose to pitch their aces in what amounted to a championship game but in reality the #1 seed is all that was won. A bonus, a second home game could go to Rocky Mount for the victory if they win this Friday.
As it turns out this becomes a scrimmage game for both team.
Rocky Mount finishes the regular season 19-2 . Not a bad follow up at all to last years 27-6 State championship. The final totals are yet to be scripted for this years Gryphon team.
Last year it took nine playoff games to win the title. Rocky Mount swept the Eastern Finals which could have gone one more game. So whoever wins the title this year technically there is 1/3 of the season left to play. A loss at any time during the first four rounds and the season can end in one game.
Tonight Pat Smith and Eddie Loesner both kept their thoroughbreds in the barn and came out with their #3 pitchers in order to save their star pitchers for playoff action on Friday. Rocky Mount feasted on Northern's pitching.
Tonight Rocky Mount proved to have better pitching depth as Nick Hahula pitch three innings as the starting pitcher as Pat Smith had promised and Benton Moss tossed two inning in what proved to be all the Gryphons needed as they pound Northern Nash in the conference playoff game at Northern 13-1. The game lasted but five innings.
Nick Hahula gets credit for the victory which is his fourth of the season. That is his personal best as a varsity pitcher.
Tyler Joyner provided the only Northern run with a solo homer to right field but only three more hits were all the Knights could muster against Hahula and Moss.
Collins Cuthrell broke the game open with a three run home run and Dillon Cockrell also had a three run shot to provide the left side of the infield with home runs. The Gryphons scored ten runs in the fourth inning to salt the game away.
Rocky Mount had fifteen hits with Cuthrell and Thomas Berry getting three hits each.
The Gryphon pitching has now completed their entire conference season never allowing more than two runs in any game.
Rocky Mount opens defense of their State Championship URGENT-URGENT-URGENT Friday night at Home hosting Southern Wayne.
Due to possible thunderstorms predicted for Friday night the Rocky Mount-Southern Wayne game has been bumped up to Thursday night at Gryphon Stadium. game time 7.00pm
The Saints are 12-14 on the season. Northern also has a home game Friday but at this time I am unsure of their opponent.
If both were to win Friday Northern more than likely would have to hit the road where Rocky Mount would be in line for at least one more home game in the playoffs next week.
Once the playoffs start and as you move through your bracket being home or away is based on a predetermined format. Rocky Mount as the #1 seed is schedule to play Eastern Wayne in the third round at Eastern Wayne if both advance that far.
Luckily for both teams there were no injuries to either team that would effect the playoffs.
I still question whether the game was worth playing considering neither team chose to pitch their aces in what amounted to a championship game but in reality the #1 seed is all that was won. A bonus, a second home game could go to Rocky Mount for the victory if they win this Friday.
As it turns out this becomes a scrimmage game for both team.
Rocky Mount finishes the regular season 19-2 . Not a bad follow up at all to last years 27-6 State championship. The final totals are yet to be scripted for this years Gryphon team.
Last year it took nine playoff games to win the title. Rocky Mount swept the Eastern Finals which could have gone one more game. So whoever wins the title this year technically there is 1/3 of the season left to play. A loss at any time during the first four rounds and the season can end in one game.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Playoff game Monday?
There will be a playoff for the third straight year Monday night at Northern to decide the #1 seed in the New-6. Is it necessary? I don't think so.
The playoffs start Friday night and the worse possible happening would be someone gets hurt for either side. I say flip a coin when the tie breakers are still equal like this year.
Head to head: Rocky Mount won at Northern 2-0. Northern won at Rocky Mount 2-0. Both teams beat the third place team as well as everyone else in the conference twice.
Rocky Mount proved last year that the number one seeding is not necessary to win the championship.
The Lady Gryphon soccer team lost the tournament championship to Fike. What's new Fike has never lost a NEW-6 match to any body in the history of the league.
Cousin Lauren Doughtie's college golfing career is over. She shot 82 and 85 in rounds two and three and failed to make the Nationals. It is the first time since her freshman year that she has had back to back 80's.
I have just witnessed the Carolina Hurricanes give away the second round hockey series to the Boston Bruins. Boston played like a team down 3 games to one and needed a win. Carolina played like a team that wanted to win the series in Raleigh.
Carolina had so many in the penalty box at one point that one was able to get out early to let a new penalty get in. The final score was 4-0 Boston but Carolina played like it was 10-0. I think not being ready to play has given the advantage back to Boston. If they don't win Tuesday's game six the Canes don't have a chance back in Boston for game seven.
I have had one of those weekends that you hate see end. This weekend our church hosted Jeff Slaughter who writes all the music for Lifeway Ministries. Yes the Lifeway store at Cobbs Corner has his music If since 1997 you have attended a vacation bible school which was produced by lifeway Jeff is the man.
Jeff lead a children's concert at my church Sunset Avenue Baptist Church Saturday and provided
special music during both of our morning services today. My wife Pat is chairman this year of our children's council and shearheaded the effort to get Jeff here.
We picked him up at RDU Friday morning and except for sleeping in a hotel we were with him the whole weekend. If you have children going to Ridgecrest this summer they will have a great time listening to Jeff and interacting with him.
We went Saturday night to the American Music Jubilee in Selma and along the way showed him what eastern North Carolina Barbecue was at Parkers in Wilson.
Jeff is a Godly man who God has given a talent to inspire children. Man can he sing!
The playoffs start Friday night and the worse possible happening would be someone gets hurt for either side. I say flip a coin when the tie breakers are still equal like this year.
Head to head: Rocky Mount won at Northern 2-0. Northern won at Rocky Mount 2-0. Both teams beat the third place team as well as everyone else in the conference twice.
Rocky Mount proved last year that the number one seeding is not necessary to win the championship.
The Lady Gryphon soccer team lost the tournament championship to Fike. What's new Fike has never lost a NEW-6 match to any body in the history of the league.
Cousin Lauren Doughtie's college golfing career is over. She shot 82 and 85 in rounds two and three and failed to make the Nationals. It is the first time since her freshman year that she has had back to back 80's.
I have just witnessed the Carolina Hurricanes give away the second round hockey series to the Boston Bruins. Boston played like a team down 3 games to one and needed a win. Carolina played like a team that wanted to win the series in Raleigh.
Carolina had so many in the penalty box at one point that one was able to get out early to let a new penalty get in. The final score was 4-0 Boston but Carolina played like it was 10-0. I think not being ready to play has given the advantage back to Boston. If they don't win Tuesday's game six the Canes don't have a chance back in Boston for game seven.
I have had one of those weekends that you hate see end. This weekend our church hosted Jeff Slaughter who writes all the music for Lifeway Ministries. Yes the Lifeway store at Cobbs Corner has his music If since 1997 you have attended a vacation bible school which was produced by lifeway Jeff is the man.
Jeff lead a children's concert at my church Sunset Avenue Baptist Church Saturday and provided
special music during both of our morning services today. My wife Pat is chairman this year of our children's council and shearheaded the effort to get Jeff here.
We picked him up at RDU Friday morning and except for sleeping in a hotel we were with him the whole weekend. If you have children going to Ridgecrest this summer they will have a great time listening to Jeff and interacting with him.
We went Saturday night to the American Music Jubilee in Selma and along the way showed him what eastern North Carolina Barbecue was at Parkers in Wilson.
Jeff is a Godly man who God has given a talent to inspire children. Man can he sing!
Friday, May 8, 2009
There Will Be a Playoff Again
The four year history of the New-6 the Rocky Mount High school Gryphons baseball team has either won (one) the championship out right or Shared the title. This will mark the third year in a row the Gryphons will be involved in a playoff to figure who is the #1 seed from our conference for the playoffs. The last two seasons RM lost to Northern in 07, and lost to Fike in 08.
Tonight Northern finished off a week in which they had to win twice to hang with the Gryphons and they did beating Nash Central 10-0. Last night the Knights dusted of SWE 14-0.
The one game playoff for first place will be at 7.00pm Monday night at Northern Nash. The Saturday game with Rose has been cancelled in order that the Gryphons give their full attention to the playoff game Monday. The State playoffs begin next Friday and both teams regardless of which one wins Monday get a home game each. Round two is where the #2 seed would hit the road while the #1 seed would be home for a second game iffing they both win.
Pat Smith has already announced that he will pitch his top three pitchers Hobbs Johnson, Benton Moss and Nick Hahula in the game Monday not wishing to use up any one pitcher Monday night and not be able to use them Friday when the playoffs start.
There is no doubt that since Eric Cole and Jussi Jokinen joined the Carolina Hurricanes the Canes have been a different team. Cole lit a fire for the Hurricanes the very first game he played in but Jokinen has been a player that you have to watch him in action to appreciate him. Jokinen scored one goal and had ten assists in the twenty seven games he played in the regular season for the Canes. In the playoffs he has eight goals and two assists in eleven playoff games.
Boston beat the Hurricanes all four times they played during the regular season but the Bruins never saw the new Hurricane team with Cole and Jokinen added to the lineup. Boston is getting an eye full now as the Hurricanes dominate the Bruins 4-1 tonight and take a 3-1 series lead to Boston Sunday night.
Boston was the #1 seed in the east and Carolina was #6 but there is no doubt that the Hurricanes are the better team. I think Boston will hold serve Sunday but it would not shock me if the Canes finish them off Sunday in Boston.
Boy baseball just cannot get out of it's own way. The Manny Ramirez fifty game bust for using a performance enhancer. MLB does need to change the name of the policy. MLB Joint Drug prevention and treatment program. Sounds to me like they think everybody is smoking Marijuana(Joint).
Tonight Northern finished off a week in which they had to win twice to hang with the Gryphons and they did beating Nash Central 10-0. Last night the Knights dusted of SWE 14-0.
The one game playoff for first place will be at 7.00pm Monday night at Northern Nash. The Saturday game with Rose has been cancelled in order that the Gryphons give their full attention to the playoff game Monday. The State playoffs begin next Friday and both teams regardless of which one wins Monday get a home game each. Round two is where the #2 seed would hit the road while the #1 seed would be home for a second game iffing they both win.
Pat Smith has already announced that he will pitch his top three pitchers Hobbs Johnson, Benton Moss and Nick Hahula in the game Monday not wishing to use up any one pitcher Monday night and not be able to use them Friday when the playoffs start.
There is no doubt that since Eric Cole and Jussi Jokinen joined the Carolina Hurricanes the Canes have been a different team. Cole lit a fire for the Hurricanes the very first game he played in but Jokinen has been a player that you have to watch him in action to appreciate him. Jokinen scored one goal and had ten assists in the twenty seven games he played in the regular season for the Canes. In the playoffs he has eight goals and two assists in eleven playoff games.
Boston beat the Hurricanes all four times they played during the regular season but the Bruins never saw the new Hurricane team with Cole and Jokinen added to the lineup. Boston is getting an eye full now as the Hurricanes dominate the Bruins 4-1 tonight and take a 3-1 series lead to Boston Sunday night.
Boston was the #1 seed in the east and Carolina was #6 but there is no doubt that the Hurricanes are the better team. I think Boston will hold serve Sunday but it would not shock me if the Canes finish them off Sunday in Boston.
Boy baseball just cannot get out of it's own way. The Manny Ramirez fifty game bust for using a performance enhancer. MLB does need to change the name of the policy. MLB Joint Drug prevention and treatment program. Sounds to me like they think everybody is smoking Marijuana(Joint).
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Gryphons Bang out Title
Brian Goodwin lead off the game tonight with Nash Central and let everyone know from the get go that the Rocky Mount Gryphons came to win a championship. Goodwin Homered to start the game but what he did was start the leak that others followed.
Ben Fish, Carter Varnell and Chris Pittman took Bulldog pitching deep as the Gryphons grab at least a share of the Last NEW-6 baseball title. Four home runs in a game is a Rocky Mount baseball record.
Rocky Mount pounds out 17 hits as a team.
Benton Moss pitches the the first four innings and Nick Hahula the fifth. Moss it is his seventh win of the season and 14th of his career without loss
Gryphon pounds Nash Central 15-0
Gryphon pitching and defense went the entire conference play of ten games and never game up more than two runs. Need to get Charles Alston on the record books for that one.
Northern Nash kept pace with the Gryphons whipping Southwest Edgecombe 14-0. You know that most of the team will be at Northern today when they play Nash Central.
The Gryphons are now 18-2 and 9-1 in conference play. There is a scheduled game, the makeup game of the opening game of the season scheduled for Saturday with Rose that was washed out. I have a feeling if there is a playoff game Monday the Rose game Saturday could get cancelled. If a playoff game is needed it would be Monday night at Northern Nash.
Rumors are flying that the playoff game could be dropped and a coin flip to determine the #1 seed for the playoffs. Right now that is all conjecture depending on what Northern can due in the next twenty four hours.
Boys tennis has regional tomorrow at Barton College. This is for the individual players.
Somewhere I got my days mixed up and Lauren Doughtie began her quest in the NCAA Women's regional golf championship in Columbus.
Lauren found herself five over after four holes getting bogies at1,2, a double Bogey at three and a Bogey at #four. After the nerves settled down Lauren Birdied the 17th and 18th holes to finish at five over 77. She is eight shots out of the lead.
In order to qualify for the National championships in two weeks N C State has to either finish in the top eight teams in the 21 team field. State is 13th after round one. If the Wolfpack fails to qualify as a team then the top five players who's teams failed to make the tournament will get in.
Last year Lauren finished twelfth but after the other top performers got in with their team she made the top five. After round one she is tied for 47th place.
Hurricanes can put a strangle hold on the second round against Boston if they can win Friday night in Raleigh. That would give them a 3-1 in the series knowing there is one game back in Raleigh next week.
Ben Fish, Carter Varnell and Chris Pittman took Bulldog pitching deep as the Gryphons grab at least a share of the Last NEW-6 baseball title. Four home runs in a game is a Rocky Mount baseball record.
Rocky Mount pounds out 17 hits as a team.
Benton Moss pitches the the first four innings and Nick Hahula the fifth. Moss it is his seventh win of the season and 14th of his career without loss
Gryphon pounds Nash Central 15-0
Gryphon pitching and defense went the entire conference play of ten games and never game up more than two runs. Need to get Charles Alston on the record books for that one.
Northern Nash kept pace with the Gryphons whipping Southwest Edgecombe 14-0. You know that most of the team will be at Northern today when they play Nash Central.
The Gryphons are now 18-2 and 9-1 in conference play. There is a scheduled game, the makeup game of the opening game of the season scheduled for Saturday with Rose that was washed out. I have a feeling if there is a playoff game Monday the Rose game Saturday could get cancelled. If a playoff game is needed it would be Monday night at Northern Nash.
Rumors are flying that the playoff game could be dropped and a coin flip to determine the #1 seed for the playoffs. Right now that is all conjecture depending on what Northern can due in the next twenty four hours.
Boys tennis has regional tomorrow at Barton College. This is for the individual players.
Somewhere I got my days mixed up and Lauren Doughtie began her quest in the NCAA Women's regional golf championship in Columbus.
Lauren found herself five over after four holes getting bogies at1,2, a double Bogey at three and a Bogey at #four. After the nerves settled down Lauren Birdied the 17th and 18th holes to finish at five over 77. She is eight shots out of the lead.
In order to qualify for the National championships in two weeks N C State has to either finish in the top eight teams in the 21 team field. State is 13th after round one. If the Wolfpack fails to qualify as a team then the top five players who's teams failed to make the tournament will get in.
Last year Lauren finished twelfth but after the other top performers got in with their team she made the top five. After round one she is tied for 47th place.
Hurricanes can put a strangle hold on the second round against Boston if they can win Friday night in Raleigh. That would give them a 3-1 in the series knowing there is one game back in Raleigh next week.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Gryphon Comeback
This afternoon's rains force another postponement at Northern Nash, but not at Rocky Mount and Senior Night went off without a hitch.
Three and a half innings into tonight's game William Prince and Fike High held a 2-0 lead on the Gryphons. In what may have been the at-bat of the night, Dillon Cockrell, with two outs and two strikes, slapped a single over first base to tie the game at 2-all.
Five of the six hits that Rocky Mount got tonight drove in a runs as Brian Goodwin, Mr. RBI himself Ben Fish, Chris Berry and Cockrell with a second hit produced four more runs.
Three weeks ago at Fike, Hobbs Johnson held Fike to one hit, tonight three and had 11 strikeouts as the Gryphons, for the moment, have the lead again in the NEW 6 baseball race.
The Gryphons beat Fike 5-2.
They finish up the regular season Thursday night at Nash Central. Northern is now faced with playing on the road Thursday at SouthWest Edgecombe and turning around Friday at home against Nash Central.
There is no doubt that the Gryphons had the harder week in order to win two games having to face Fike as one of the games, but tonight's victory is a momentum grabber for the Gryphons.
Speaking of momentum, Jussi Jokinen's rebound shot in overtime has given the Carolina Hurricanes a victory in Game 3 of the second round against Boston tonight in Raleigh.
Game 1, maybe you can say, the 'Canes still had a hangover from the Cardiac Game 7 thriller against New Jersey. Maybe game 2, Boston, now having beaten the 'Canes five straight times thought this series like the Montreal series, would win in four games.
Tonight both teams came out and butted heads. Eric Staal and Sergei Samsonov scored second- period goals for the 'Canes.
Game 4 is Friday night in Raleigh.
You all know from reading this column that I am very proud of cousin Lauren Doughtie. Monday she was named to the All-ACC women's golf team for the second straight year. Women's golf at State has only been around for about 10 years and she has become the first women's golfer to be All- ACC twice.
Lauren begins NCAA regional play Friday in Columbus, Ohio. As a senoir, she must qualify for the national championship as one of the top medalists or this weekend is her last college tournament.
GO Lauren!
Three and a half innings into tonight's game William Prince and Fike High held a 2-0 lead on the Gryphons. In what may have been the at-bat of the night, Dillon Cockrell, with two outs and two strikes, slapped a single over first base to tie the game at 2-all.
Five of the six hits that Rocky Mount got tonight drove in a runs as Brian Goodwin, Mr. RBI himself Ben Fish, Chris Berry and Cockrell with a second hit produced four more runs.
Three weeks ago at Fike, Hobbs Johnson held Fike to one hit, tonight three and had 11 strikeouts as the Gryphons, for the moment, have the lead again in the NEW 6 baseball race.
The Gryphons beat Fike 5-2.
They finish up the regular season Thursday night at Nash Central. Northern is now faced with playing on the road Thursday at SouthWest Edgecombe and turning around Friday at home against Nash Central.
There is no doubt that the Gryphons had the harder week in order to win two games having to face Fike as one of the games, but tonight's victory is a momentum grabber for the Gryphons.
Speaking of momentum, Jussi Jokinen's rebound shot in overtime has given the Carolina Hurricanes a victory in Game 3 of the second round against Boston tonight in Raleigh.
Game 1, maybe you can say, the 'Canes still had a hangover from the Cardiac Game 7 thriller against New Jersey. Maybe game 2, Boston, now having beaten the 'Canes five straight times thought this series like the Montreal series, would win in four games.
Tonight both teams came out and butted heads. Eric Staal and Sergei Samsonov scored second- period goals for the 'Canes.
Game 4 is Friday night in Raleigh.
You all know from reading this column that I am very proud of cousin Lauren Doughtie. Monday she was named to the All-ACC women's golf team for the second straight year. Women's golf at State has only been around for about 10 years and she has become the first women's golfer to be All- ACC twice.
Lauren begins NCAA regional play Friday in Columbus, Ohio. As a senoir, she must qualify for the national championship as one of the top medalists or this weekend is her last college tournament.
GO Lauren!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Bad Weather Postpones Baseball
I have a routine in my life that changes from time to time based on my schedule at work. Right now for about the last three months I get off at 3 p.m. That means by 4 I can be in front of the TV to watch the "Young and the Restless."
Today at about 4:17 WRAL broke in the story to advise tornado warnings were all over our area. To the credit of WRAL, they stayed on the air until 7.45 p.m. and never once broke for a commercial. Do you realize how much income WRAL lost by not running those high price car ads during the 6 p.m. news.
They still consider the public interest over profit. As you know last week, I railed about our local media being only concerned about their profit. What the local media fails to realize is that because they WRAL tries to make sure we all know what is a need to know for all of us, that they are almost double in viewers who watch them over the other local stations in the Raleigh market.
They will not only make up what they lost today, but will increase it in the future. Our local media needs to realize that we all want to see and hear what is important to the area not what makes a profit for our media.
This weather has sent tonight's baseball game with Fike to Wednesday night at 7 p.m.. It is Senior Night so all spring sports team seniors will be honored before the game.
The team portion of the boys tennis season has ended. The Gryphons lost to Cameron Union Pines in the opening round.
The regional for individual players is Friday at Barton college.
I must pass along a hardy congratulation to Fike and Northern Nash as their golf teams have qualified for the state golf championships. Northern's Daniel Claytor shot a 72 to lead the way for Northern who finished third in the regional. Fike finished first.
Last weekend Julius Peppers missed the Carolina Panthers' mini-camp. Julius still is set on playing for someone else next year. I know Julius is local and a hero in our area, but what in the world is he thinking. I doubt if the Panthers are going to budge, so it looks to me like Peppers will have to sit out the season if he holds to his demands. If he sits out, he loses $16 million.
Lawyers play games in order to get the right deal for their players. I don't know how he can get much better than that kind of deal.
Today at about 4:17 WRAL broke in the story to advise tornado warnings were all over our area. To the credit of WRAL, they stayed on the air until 7.45 p.m. and never once broke for a commercial. Do you realize how much income WRAL lost by not running those high price car ads during the 6 p.m. news.
They still consider the public interest over profit. As you know last week, I railed about our local media being only concerned about their profit. What the local media fails to realize is that because they WRAL tries to make sure we all know what is a need to know for all of us, that they are almost double in viewers who watch them over the other local stations in the Raleigh market.
They will not only make up what they lost today, but will increase it in the future. Our local media needs to realize that we all want to see and hear what is important to the area not what makes a profit for our media.
This weather has sent tonight's baseball game with Fike to Wednesday night at 7 p.m.. It is Senior Night so all spring sports team seniors will be honored before the game.
The team portion of the boys tennis season has ended. The Gryphons lost to Cameron Union Pines in the opening round.
The regional for individual players is Friday at Barton college.
I must pass along a hardy congratulation to Fike and Northern Nash as their golf teams have qualified for the state golf championships. Northern's Daniel Claytor shot a 72 to lead the way for Northern who finished third in the regional. Fike finished first.
Last weekend Julius Peppers missed the Carolina Panthers' mini-camp. Julius still is set on playing for someone else next year. I know Julius is local and a hero in our area, but what in the world is he thinking. I doubt if the Panthers are going to budge, so it looks to me like Peppers will have to sit out the season if he holds to his demands. If he sits out, he loses $16 million.
Lawyers play games in order to get the right deal for their players. I don't know how he can get much better than that kind of deal.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Forfeit Bug Bites Again
The girls softball team has had to give a victory back after it was discovered that a JV player had played in too many games last week.
I have not been a fan of the new rules where JV players can go back and forth each week. In basketball for several years JV players have been used to fill in while basketball players who were still playing football finished the playoffs. But once the football players arrived the JV players went back to the JVs.
I like the old rule where you were either a JV player this week or Varsity player but not both in the same week.
Jim Valvano use to say" the more you win the more important the next game was". For baseball the next game is here. Fike is in the house Tuesday night and in order to either tie or win the conference regular season a win is vital against Fike. There is no conference baseball tournament this year so the only championship is the regular season.
I watch the Hurricanes and the Bruins on Versus network last night. John Forslund the Canes TV announcer did the play by play. I don't know if you understand how hard it is to cheer for one team all year and then be thrown into a game where you have to be neutral.
John is one of the best TV hockey announcers and did a great job being as neutral as possible. I would suspect John is not far from becoming a network guy whenever there is a national game. Mike Emrick does all the NBC games on the weekends is during the week the play by play voice of the New York Rangers.
The John Wall saga continues. Wall who has the potential to be a great college guard has had a entourage of people hanging with him for a couple of years now. Some in his entourage have made demands to colleges which have cool many teams from recruiting him.
Last week Wall was arrested for breaking and entering. I predict Wall will join Chris Washburn within five years in jail. His entourage are nothing but leaches telling him how good he is instead of trying to lead him down a good path. Which ever school gets him if any go after him now are only asking for trouble. Please Sidney Lowe let Old Roy Williams have him.
LeBron wins the NBA MVP. I think Bron is a player in the Michael Jordan mold that doesn't need great players with him in order to win the title. OH yes his helpers need to be good. In fact LaBron makes his teammates better.
Kobe Bryant has had a hard time winning a title without a good big man in the middle because Kobe doesn't make other players around him better. If Kobe meets Labron I'll take Labron to win the title.
I have not been a fan of the new rules where JV players can go back and forth each week. In basketball for several years JV players have been used to fill in while basketball players who were still playing football finished the playoffs. But once the football players arrived the JV players went back to the JVs.
I like the old rule where you were either a JV player this week or Varsity player but not both in the same week.
Jim Valvano use to say" the more you win the more important the next game was". For baseball the next game is here. Fike is in the house Tuesday night and in order to either tie or win the conference regular season a win is vital against Fike. There is no conference baseball tournament this year so the only championship is the regular season.
I watch the Hurricanes and the Bruins on Versus network last night. John Forslund the Canes TV announcer did the play by play. I don't know if you understand how hard it is to cheer for one team all year and then be thrown into a game where you have to be neutral.
John is one of the best TV hockey announcers and did a great job being as neutral as possible. I would suspect John is not far from becoming a network guy whenever there is a national game. Mike Emrick does all the NBC games on the weekends is during the week the play by play voice of the New York Rangers.
The John Wall saga continues. Wall who has the potential to be a great college guard has had a entourage of people hanging with him for a couple of years now. Some in his entourage have made demands to colleges which have cool many teams from recruiting him.
Last week Wall was arrested for breaking and entering. I predict Wall will join Chris Washburn within five years in jail. His entourage are nothing but leaches telling him how good he is instead of trying to lead him down a good path. Which ever school gets him if any go after him now are only asking for trouble. Please Sidney Lowe let Old Roy Williams have him.
LeBron wins the NBA MVP. I think Bron is a player in the Michael Jordan mold that doesn't need great players with him in order to win the title. OH yes his helpers need to be good. In fact LaBron makes his teammates better.
Kobe Bryant has had a hard time winning a title without a good big man in the middle because Kobe doesn't make other players around him better. If Kobe meets Labron I'll take Labron to win the title.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Canes Strike Back
In dominating fashion the Carolina Hurricanes win game two of their second round series with the Boston Bruins 3-0.
Carolina scored twice in the second period once on a short handed goal to seal the deal. The Canes tried their best to score with less than a second to play in the second period but after an eight minute delay the ruling was no goal. TV had several angles on the shot by Chad Larose and depending which replay each told a story that the play could have gone either way. Live action the refs had ruled no goal while on the ice and there was not enough evidence to over rule it.
Carolina got an empty netter late in the game to square the series at 1-1. Game three is Wednesday in Raleigh.
High school tennis is confusing once the playoffs roll around because there is a team event and then on another day there is an individual event. The eastern regionals are Friday at Barton.
Big week of high school baseball this week for the co-leaders Northern Nash and Rocky Mount. Both are home on Tuesday and finish on the road Thursday. If each wins both games there will be a playoff game but that is still a long iffy chance.
Tiger Woods has been back on tour now for about two months. He like all golfers as they hit the mid-30's and have children at home seem other priorities take over their life. In no way am I saying Tiger is done because he was all over the course and still finished three back today.
Tiger has always been a long driver but you never knew where it was going. He could always count on his putter to same him on anything twelve feet or less. Tiger is showing signs that the holes are getting smaller for him because he didn't make anything today. In fact after shooting a 65 on Thursday he managed only two under for the final three days.
I am sure he will win a Major or two but Jack Nicklaus's 18 majors is still a long ways away.
This weekend our church Sunset Avenue Baptist is hosting a children's rally at our church on Saturday featuring Jeff Slaughter. You may never have heard the name but Slaughter writes all the music for Vacation bible schools for Lifeway.
My wife Pat is our children's leader at Sunset so she is spearheading the Jeff Slaughter visit. We are picking him up at RDU Friday Morning and will be his driver for the weekend. We may carry him to the State-Carolina Baseball game or to the American Jubilee in Selma Saturday. His choice.
Carolina scored twice in the second period once on a short handed goal to seal the deal. The Canes tried their best to score with less than a second to play in the second period but after an eight minute delay the ruling was no goal. TV had several angles on the shot by Chad Larose and depending which replay each told a story that the play could have gone either way. Live action the refs had ruled no goal while on the ice and there was not enough evidence to over rule it.
Carolina got an empty netter late in the game to square the series at 1-1. Game three is Wednesday in Raleigh.
High school tennis is confusing once the playoffs roll around because there is a team event and then on another day there is an individual event. The eastern regionals are Friday at Barton.
Big week of high school baseball this week for the co-leaders Northern Nash and Rocky Mount. Both are home on Tuesday and finish on the road Thursday. If each wins both games there will be a playoff game but that is still a long iffy chance.
Tiger Woods has been back on tour now for about two months. He like all golfers as they hit the mid-30's and have children at home seem other priorities take over their life. In no way am I saying Tiger is done because he was all over the course and still finished three back today.
Tiger has always been a long driver but you never knew where it was going. He could always count on his putter to same him on anything twelve feet or less. Tiger is showing signs that the holes are getting smaller for him because he didn't make anything today. In fact after shooting a 65 on Thursday he managed only two under for the final three days.
I am sure he will win a Major or two but Jack Nicklaus's 18 majors is still a long ways away.
This weekend our church Sunset Avenue Baptist is hosting a children's rally at our church on Saturday featuring Jeff Slaughter. You may never have heard the name but Slaughter writes all the music for Vacation bible schools for Lifeway.
My wife Pat is our children's leader at Sunset so she is spearheading the Jeff Slaughter visit. We are picking him up at RDU Friday Morning and will be his driver for the weekend. We may carry him to the State-Carolina Baseball game or to the American Jubilee in Selma Saturday. His choice.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Life Moves With Or Without Us
I hear this all the time: "the paper can't even come cover the biggest game of the year."
Let me start off by saying this is not a "bash the paper" column. Being a radio guy, you will find there is not one station in Rocky Mount willing to try to put local sports on the air anymore unless you drop the money in their lap.
Today's corporate America is the by word. There was a time when local people owned the radio and newspapers. Not anymore. There was a time when you could hear the tobacco market opening on the radio or see on the front page a picture of the Rotary Club meeting.
There was a time when Planters Bank was the hometown bank, but that is even gone. I was talking with one of our local magistrates just recently and he was telling me of a group of police officers were in a room where they were having a meeting a someone said something about that's across the street from where Tarrytown Mall was and more than half the officers there didn't know where Tarrytown use to be.
Life goes forward. Everyday something changes from the way it use to be. The Internet has about killed newspapers. In fact, in 20 years newspapers will probably only be on the Internet ,of course, unless something has replaced the Internet by then.
I wish I could tell you I knew of a way to have a channel devoted to anything local that happens of interest that you could have live access to it when it happens. But, unfortunately, I don't have the ability to make it happen. I bet some corporation someday will.
I went to the Relay for Life in Tarboro last night so I missed the 'Canes loss to Boston. Being the lower seeded means that at some point you have to win one game on the higher seeds' iIce. In fact, because New Jersey won once in Raleigh, the Canes had to win twice in Jersey.
The loss last night is not the end of the world. In fact, the Devils beat the 'Canes by the same score in the first game of that series of 4-1. I do think the Bruins are a lot better than the Devils, so Sunday's game is vital for the Hurricanes.
Game time Sunday is at 7.30 on the Versus Network.
Let me start off by saying this is not a "bash the paper" column. Being a radio guy, you will find there is not one station in Rocky Mount willing to try to put local sports on the air anymore unless you drop the money in their lap.
Today's corporate America is the by word. There was a time when local people owned the radio and newspapers. Not anymore. There was a time when you could hear the tobacco market opening on the radio or see on the front page a picture of the Rotary Club meeting.
There was a time when Planters Bank was the hometown bank, but that is even gone. I was talking with one of our local magistrates just recently and he was telling me of a group of police officers were in a room where they were having a meeting a someone said something about that's across the street from where Tarrytown Mall was and more than half the officers there didn't know where Tarrytown use to be.
Life goes forward. Everyday something changes from the way it use to be. The Internet has about killed newspapers. In fact, in 20 years newspapers will probably only be on the Internet ,of course, unless something has replaced the Internet by then.
I wish I could tell you I knew of a way to have a channel devoted to anything local that happens of interest that you could have live access to it when it happens. But, unfortunately, I don't have the ability to make it happen. I bet some corporation someday will.
I went to the Relay for Life in Tarboro last night so I missed the 'Canes loss to Boston. Being the lower seeded means that at some point you have to win one game on the higher seeds' iIce. In fact, because New Jersey won once in Raleigh, the Canes had to win twice in Jersey.
The loss last night is not the end of the world. In fact, the Devils beat the 'Canes by the same score in the first game of that series of 4-1. I do think the Bruins are a lot better than the Devils, so Sunday's game is vital for the Hurricanes.
Game time Sunday is at 7.30 on the Versus Network.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Down The Stretch We Go
Here we are with one week to go and the Rocky Mount Gryphon baseball team is in the middle of a battle for first place again.
In the four-year history of the NEW 6, Rocky Mount has one outright championship and two ties in which they lost playoff games for the No. 1 seeding in the high school playoffs.
Two games are left in the season an the Gryphons are tied with Northern Nash with the opportunity to share another title if they take care of business next week.
I remember interviewing Pat Smith his first year here as the team was going 8-13 that year. He told me and anyone listening that that team had a lot of seniors, but it didn't have a lot of baseball experience.
Has that changed or what! Brian Goodwin and Dillon Cockrell have been four-year starters. That right there tells you the condition of the program at the time having to rely on freshmen.
Ben Fish took over at catcher his sophomore year replacing Jonathan Tyndall, who had been a three-year starter.
Followed by records of 19-6, 20-5, 27-6, we are in the middle of a 16-2 campaign. Rocky Mount baseball has to be in one of its best stretches ever.
Smith loves old timey baseball. Do those little fundamental plays. Bunt, steal, play good defense. It is a winning combination.
Sometimes the best coaching is the coach who has the talent but doesn't mess it up. Smith has the talent and he has helped them improve. That's a good coach.
There is good news for Lady Gryphon softball as it beat SouthWest Edgecombe last night 4-1. Laura Alford struck out 11.
The Ladies are about where the baseball team was when Smith arrived. Alan Hess has the girls showing inprovement each game. They are not ready to play for the championship, but are now in every game for the most part. They might be a spoiler when the conference softball tournament starts.
Tonight the Carolina Hurricanes try out a new team in the playoffs as they play the Boston Bruins in the second round of the playoffs. The magic seems to be in the air for the 'Canes but the Stanley Cup is still 12 wins away. In professional hockey, 12 wins would take another month and a half. That's a lot of puck off shins, checks into the boards.
The Canes right now are injury free. If they stay that way ,Raleigh might be the home of a new Stanley Cup.
In the four-year history of the NEW 6, Rocky Mount has one outright championship and two ties in which they lost playoff games for the No. 1 seeding in the high school playoffs.
Two games are left in the season an the Gryphons are tied with Northern Nash with the opportunity to share another title if they take care of business next week.
I remember interviewing Pat Smith his first year here as the team was going 8-13 that year. He told me and anyone listening that that team had a lot of seniors, but it didn't have a lot of baseball experience.
Has that changed or what! Brian Goodwin and Dillon Cockrell have been four-year starters. That right there tells you the condition of the program at the time having to rely on freshmen.
Ben Fish took over at catcher his sophomore year replacing Jonathan Tyndall, who had been a three-year starter.
Followed by records of 19-6, 20-5, 27-6, we are in the middle of a 16-2 campaign. Rocky Mount baseball has to be in one of its best stretches ever.
Smith loves old timey baseball. Do those little fundamental plays. Bunt, steal, play good defense. It is a winning combination.
Sometimes the best coaching is the coach who has the talent but doesn't mess it up. Smith has the talent and he has helped them improve. That's a good coach.
There is good news for Lady Gryphon softball as it beat SouthWest Edgecombe last night 4-1. Laura Alford struck out 11.
The Ladies are about where the baseball team was when Smith arrived. Alan Hess has the girls showing inprovement each game. They are not ready to play for the championship, but are now in every game for the most part. They might be a spoiler when the conference softball tournament starts.
Tonight the Carolina Hurricanes try out a new team in the playoffs as they play the Boston Bruins in the second round of the playoffs. The magic seems to be in the air for the 'Canes but the Stanley Cup is still 12 wins away. In professional hockey, 12 wins would take another month and a half. That's a lot of puck off shins, checks into the boards.
The Canes right now are injury free. If they stay that way ,Raleigh might be the home of a new Stanley Cup.
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