How Good Are These Gryphons?

Yes Rocky Mount High School is the defending State 3-A basketball Champions.  They now stand at 11-1.  I am not sure all of us guessers at how teams will be when seasons start out thought that the Gryphons were going to be this good.  Yes we all thought they had a really nice club coming back but 11-1 good?

Conference play starts Friday so the season is just starting but so far Rocky Mount has taken on four 4-A schools at won all four by double digits.  Every body knew that junior Donte Battle was becoming a man inside  as last year finished up.  Who knew that one of the other tall trees was going to be a defensive beast.  Jaquel Bryant at times looks shaky handling the ball but when you have the ball and are heading to the basket good luck if you get a shot off without his hand some where on the ball.  Then transfer big man Immanuel King  gets better every game and he too doesn't like any body trying to score in the lane.

So compared to last year , this year's front court is better than last year.  Where this team has to get better is ball handling.  Mason Hines so far has been the point guard bringing the ball up and at times  tends to not know where the ball is going when he passes to others. Despite that his defense and his driving to the basket ability make him a threat every trip down the court.  Brother Michael tends to let the game flow to him  and is a good rebounder for a guard.  When the outside shot is needed M J Gainey has been lights out so far  to help loosen up the middle for the big guys.

Those six will be able to play with anybody but in the Mike Gainey system  somebody has to step up to give quality back up.  Kenaz Cooper has started getting more playing time  and his handling of the ball has improved every time he has been on the court.  Thomas Cooper  is another player giving three or so minutes especially on defense.  You know regardless of which Gainey it is Mike or Pam you had better play defense or you may not find the court.  Austin Warner is one of those guys  that will surprise you at his couple of minutes each half.  He looks like a tackle on the football team which he was  but  he has that knack  of finding the ball when he's in.

It is still early  in the season  but every now and then this team show flashes.  If the back ups improve and become more consistent  this teams seems capable of showing more than a flash every now and then.  I don't care who you are and how good you can be there is always luck involved with every team and if this bunch stays clear of any injuries  there just might be more basketball in March this year.