Now let's be honest with each other for a moment. The night Rocky Mount scorched Northern Nash at home to complete the first round of the Big East play Rocky Mount was playing at a level that you had to say,"man they just might be good enough to win the state". Since then have come eight games and tonight is the first time since that Northern Nash game that the Gryphons have come any where close to the Northern game level.
Being the best team doesn't guarantee you any thing just look at our football in 08. Luck has a hand and tonight for the second time in the playoffs the Gryphons played a #4 seed at home. Darius McKnight got the Gryphons off to a early lead with a barrage of threes in fact three in the first quarter and the Gryphons never looked back downing West Craven 94-65.
RMHS had three players with at least 18 as Detrail Jenkins had 13 rebounds to go with his scoring. Tashawn Mabrey had 20 and McKnight poured in 24. As I was walking out of the gym one of the assistant coaches for the Eagles was over heard saying they were too quick and long for us.
This sets up the sectional final Friday night at home for the Gryphons as they will play C B Aycock who tonight beat D H Conley 71-51. Earlier this week Aycock dispose of Nash Central by 20 after the Bulldogs had just beaten the Gryphons last Wednesday. Friday night's game if this was football would be a Thanksgiving Friday game and if you have ever heard me say this before Only the real teams are left now. Aycock will come to town sporting a 24-3 record.
The only other Big East team still alive coming into tonight will also play Friday as Fike traveled to Hertford County and came home with a 75-66 victory. Fike will travel South Central who now stands at 26-1.
The Lady Gryphons went all the way to Brunswick County and failed to survive the playoffs as they lose tonight to West Brunswick 52-47. Fikes girls played Hertford County and when Friday night comes they will be playing as they beat the Lady Bears 54 to 35. Their draw next is Havelock who beat Hunt 68-50 to end the Warrior season.
Let's talk NFL for just a moment. Today is the first day of the NFL combines in Indianapolis. Among those players that will be there looking to impress NFL scouts will be Stephan Virgil who on this blog was named Rocky Mount's #1 football player for the decade and Virginia Tech Hokie. All of the experts who you might hear talking about the NFL draft position are labeling Stephan as the 11th best defensive back in the draft which would put him near the 4th round. This combine could move him up or down depending on his performance.
Missing from the combine is Terrell Hudgins the all time leading pass receiver in College football history. Despite his college record his best 40 yard runs are on in the 4.6 range and that was not good enough to get invited with other receivers. Not is all lost for the Former Gryphon. More than ten scouts have committed to come to Elon's Pro day. Those experts we were talking about a minute ago are saying Terrell is going somewhere near the 7th round.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
A Parents View
I made a promise to myself when my children were born that I would not be in the booth calling games on the radio if they were playing in that game. I also chose not to coach any sport that they played in because I wanted to watch them and being a coach you watch everyone. I just felt as a parent I wanted to be able to watch them from the parent’s point of view over a broadcaster or coach’s view.
I found that when video cameras became the thing that I hated them. I found myself trying to make sure the camera was focused or I had the camera pointed in the right direction instead of enjoying the event as it happened. I had to go back and watch the video to enjoy it. You kind of miss out on it from behind the camera while it is going on live.
Time has passed and only once did I go against my promise. Stephanie’s last year in little league back when we lived in Ahoskie the team had no coach and I took the job. As it turned out none of my children played in a sport where I would have done one of their games from behind the microphone.
My grandfather Doughtie once he hit eighty years old at his birthday parties would always make a little speech and would always finish up by saying I may not be here next year and tear up. He made it to seventeen more parties and teared up at the end of each one.
The older I get the more I get just like him. Monday night, Morgan the last of the Doughtie clan (Stephanie, Brooks, Amy) sang the National Anthem before the start of the Gryphon girl’s basketball playoff game.
Some of you know that Morgan has some health issues right now that are a concern for our family. The doctors say that they are not life threatening. Her health problems can be embarrassing for her but she is a trooper, has missed very little school. She is trying to get to five feet tall which means she is slow a foot which does not lend itself to being athletic. Instead of playing sports she has been team managers in several sports so far in her year an a half of high school life.
I know now why I decided almost thirty years ago not to be behind the mic in any of their games. I wanted to be able to enjoy the moment and not worry about when the next commercial needs to play.
I have in the past had a moment or two that you are so happy for those on the field of play that a choked up moment occurs. It passes quickly and you continue on with the broadcast.
As I stood with my hand over my heart and listened to her sing, I know I could never have described it from behind a mic. She was there doing her best. She may not run fast but from a father’s perspective she ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. If great grandfather Roy had of been there he would have probably had a tear. I know I did.
A proud one!
I found that when video cameras became the thing that I hated them. I found myself trying to make sure the camera was focused or I had the camera pointed in the right direction instead of enjoying the event as it happened. I had to go back and watch the video to enjoy it. You kind of miss out on it from behind the camera while it is going on live.
Time has passed and only once did I go against my promise. Stephanie’s last year in little league back when we lived in Ahoskie the team had no coach and I took the job. As it turned out none of my children played in a sport where I would have done one of their games from behind the microphone.
My grandfather Doughtie once he hit eighty years old at his birthday parties would always make a little speech and would always finish up by saying I may not be here next year and tear up. He made it to seventeen more parties and teared up at the end of each one.
The older I get the more I get just like him. Monday night, Morgan the last of the Doughtie clan (Stephanie, Brooks, Amy) sang the National Anthem before the start of the Gryphon girl’s basketball playoff game.
Some of you know that Morgan has some health issues right now that are a concern for our family. The doctors say that they are not life threatening. Her health problems can be embarrassing for her but she is a trooper, has missed very little school. She is trying to get to five feet tall which means she is slow a foot which does not lend itself to being athletic. Instead of playing sports she has been team managers in several sports so far in her year an a half of high school life.
I know now why I decided almost thirty years ago not to be behind the mic in any of their games. I wanted to be able to enjoy the moment and not worry about when the next commercial needs to play.
I have in the past had a moment or two that you are so happy for those on the field of play that a choked up moment occurs. It passes quickly and you continue on with the broadcast.
As I stood with my hand over my heart and listened to her sing, I know I could never have described it from behind a mic. She was there doing her best. She may not run fast but from a father’s perspective she ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. If great grandfather Roy had of been there he would have probably had a tear. I know I did.
A proud one!
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