The Rocky Mount Gryphons fresh off a shutout of Hunt on Friday night headed to Pitt County on Saturday night to take part in the Pitt County Easter Tournament. Spurred by the pitching performance of Spenser Ramsey on Friday coach Kent Cox used Will Edwards for the first time this year coming off a foot injury. Edwards who just started practicing this week pitched into the fifth inning before getting help from Sam Lilley. Lilley gave way to Cody Smith in the seventh but by the time the last out was made Rocky Mount had beaten North Pitt 7-5.
This gives the Gryphons a two game winning streak and and they will head into Monday and Tuesday Easter tournament games with all of the available pitchers healthy for the first time this year. They will tangle with West Craven at noon Monday at North Pitt High School and will play Greene Central at 10am Tuesday at Guy Smith Stadium in Greenville. The halfway point in the high school season the Gryphons stand at 6-5 and 2-1 in Big East play.
Today is the biggest church attendance day of all Sunday's during the year. Today is Easter and the Christian world celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. We have come to live in a world of Political correctness. Sin is every where and every where you turn people are denying that they know who Jesus Christ is and don't believe in him. Yet today they make their annual pilgrimage to make up for their sins because apparently they do believe or they otherwise would not show their face in any house of the Lord that they have denied.
Jesus died for all mankind sins and he told us that if you believe in him you will have everlasting life. He rose on this day to prove to the world that he was the son of God. If he proved that to the world some 2,000 years ago why are there so many who deny him today? Yet today many will be in a house of worship thinking that they can be forgiven their sins. Yes they can be forgiven as long as they truly ask forgiveness.
Asking forgiveness truly means that tomorrow you will honor God to the best of your ability not just today while you are in a church.. We all sin every day and if you really are a believer you will ask for forgiveness every day not just this Easter Sunday.
Our country and our world fall farther and farther away from Jesus. We all who believe need to tell others there is a better way. The more and more we rely on the government to give us what we need the world gets further from Christ. Today is a good day to start to stand on your own feet and bow down to a God. He can give you that inner feeling of happiness that no government can. All you have today is ask for forgiveness. Now is a good time to start!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Gryphon Trivia
Since this is Good Friday it would be a good time to talk about Gryphon Heaven. If there has ever been a player in the history of Rocky Mount sports that has done anything Charles Alston could tell you when he did it. Tonight up in Gryphon Heaven Charles Alston added the name of Trevor Hayworth to the Gryphon Honor roll as Hayworth hit the first home run ever recorded at the new Gryphon Stadium and that one run would hold up to be the winning run as Spenser Ramsey pitches a three hit shutout as the Gryphons beat Hunt 3-0.
Ramsey is considered the Gryphon #3 pitcher but it is not that he is not as good as any Gryphon pitcher but he is too valuable at shortstop so when you consider that factor he is 3rd on the pitching chart. He has had a sore arm most of the spring and with all this cold weather Kent Cox has limited his pitch count. There was nothing wrong with his arm tonight as he goes the distance gives up three hits strikes out ten walks three batters and only once was he in any trouble. When you add that Will Edwards who is considered the Gryphons #2 pitcher played left field coming off a cracked/broken foot and hopefully when conference play starts again in ten days the Gryphon pitching is set for the run in conference action.
Hayworth's home run came as the leadoff batter in the top of the second of Hunt starter Jacob Williamson who pitched well for four inning but did so with out help from his teammate batters who could scratch only three on the night. The third inning Jeremy Johnson doubled and came home on an rbi single by Micah Varnell. The third run scored when Jarrell Hunter walked was replaced by Ben Yates who scored on a two out hit by Sam Lilley.
Rocky Mount had seven hits on the night with three coming from Jeremy Johnson. The three rbi came from the Hayworth homer, singles by Micah Varnell and Sam Lilley. Spenser Ramsey capped his night off adding a double. The three hits for the Warriors two came from Jacob Williamson and the other Coltan Griffin single.
Rocky Mount is now tied with Fike at 2-1 in conference play while Hunt, Nash Central and Northern are 1-1. Southern Nash is 0-2. When conference play restarts after next week Easter break it is wide open as to who is the favorite to take the Big East regular season championship and the top seed in the playoffs. The way it has started a team that wins five conference games may not make the playoffs if the rest of the conference season is like the first week.
Just about ten minutes before game time WHIG-TV was in the house to do TV coverage which by the way this game can be seen Sunday night at 8pm on the ALL NEW SPORTS SHOW. Wes Bradshaw who was going to do play by play for TV got called away and I did both PA and TV play by play. It took a couple of innings to figure out which mic I was suppose to be talking in and at times had to have both going at once but I think everyone in the ball park survived.
Ramsey is considered the Gryphon #3 pitcher but it is not that he is not as good as any Gryphon pitcher but he is too valuable at shortstop so when you consider that factor he is 3rd on the pitching chart. He has had a sore arm most of the spring and with all this cold weather Kent Cox has limited his pitch count. There was nothing wrong with his arm tonight as he goes the distance gives up three hits strikes out ten walks three batters and only once was he in any trouble. When you add that Will Edwards who is considered the Gryphons #2 pitcher played left field coming off a cracked/broken foot and hopefully when conference play starts again in ten days the Gryphon pitching is set for the run in conference action.
Hayworth's home run came as the leadoff batter in the top of the second of Hunt starter Jacob Williamson who pitched well for four inning but did so with out help from his teammate batters who could scratch only three on the night. The third inning Jeremy Johnson doubled and came home on an rbi single by Micah Varnell. The third run scored when Jarrell Hunter walked was replaced by Ben Yates who scored on a two out hit by Sam Lilley.
Rocky Mount had seven hits on the night with three coming from Jeremy Johnson. The three rbi came from the Hayworth homer, singles by Micah Varnell and Sam Lilley. Spenser Ramsey capped his night off adding a double. The three hits for the Warriors two came from Jacob Williamson and the other Coltan Griffin single.
Rocky Mount is now tied with Fike at 2-1 in conference play while Hunt, Nash Central and Northern are 1-1. Southern Nash is 0-2. When conference play restarts after next week Easter break it is wide open as to who is the favorite to take the Big East regular season championship and the top seed in the playoffs. The way it has started a team that wins five conference games may not make the playoffs if the rest of the conference season is like the first week.
Just about ten minutes before game time WHIG-TV was in the house to do TV coverage which by the way this game can be seen Sunday night at 8pm on the ALL NEW SPORTS SHOW. Wes Bradshaw who was going to do play by play for TV got called away and I did both PA and TV play by play. It took a couple of innings to figure out which mic I was suppose to be talking in and at times had to have both going at once but I think everyone in the ball park survived.
They Are Better
Thursday night Rocky Mount High school softball team played their second conference game of the season. They are improved greatly this year but you would never know it after a 21-0 drubbing Tuesday night against rival Nash Central. One question to ask when was the last time that Rocky Mount softball was at 500 at any point in their conference season. It doesn't matter how long it has been they are there now after beating Hunt 5-3 Thursday. Now they are on a hot streak but they will not play again until April 8th.
Spring training sites are on the verge of shutting down as major league teams will begin play next week. Looks as if Former Gryphon Brian Goodwin will begin where he left off last year in Harrisburg Pa. in AA. If you were to go to the Washington Nationals website you will see that they have Brian listed as the second best prospect in their organization. The Nationals blogger states that Brian has been tagged to be the starting center fielder for the Nationals opening day in 2015. Why so long you might ask? The Nationals starting center fielder is under contract at a rather high salary until the end of 2014.
If it works out that Brian is on a 2015 path then you might expect him to be called to AAA before the end of the season and spend all of next year at AAA. As we all know everyone needs a plan B in life because plan A gets changed a lot. If Brian doesn't play well the next two years that could slow his progress up the ladder. If there is an injury at the big club and Brain is tearing it up who knows what might happen. Just remember Mike Trout didn't start out on the varsity last year for the Angels but is considered now one of the best players in Major league baseball.
Xavier Macklin former Bulldog of Nash Central is still recovering from his shoulder surgery last season and so far this spring in Arizona he has been used as a Designated hitter. It will be interesting to see if X Man will be sent to one of the A's minor league teams or stay in Zona while he heals fully.
John Wooten the Eastern Wayne product and ECU baseball player who is the son of Former Gryphon Sonny Wooten has been assigned to start the season off in Beloit Wisconsin for the A's. Wooten is playing first base now. Pirate fans remember that Wooten just about played every where in the infield for the Pirates but the A's want him at first.
Don't look now but those Fighting Camels of Campbell University are 21-3 so far this season. Former Gryphon player "Baseball" Brett Johnson who is still an assistant coach at Lander College in South Carolina so far this season Lander is #2 in the nation with a 24-5 record and lead their league at 15-3.
Tonight at 7pm Rocky Mount baseball will play their third straight home conference game of the season. Hunt will be game three. The Gryphons are 1-1 right now in conference play.
Spring training sites are on the verge of shutting down as major league teams will begin play next week. Looks as if Former Gryphon Brian Goodwin will begin where he left off last year in Harrisburg Pa. in AA. If you were to go to the Washington Nationals website you will see that they have Brian listed as the second best prospect in their organization. The Nationals blogger states that Brian has been tagged to be the starting center fielder for the Nationals opening day in 2015. Why so long you might ask? The Nationals starting center fielder is under contract at a rather high salary until the end of 2014.
If it works out that Brian is on a 2015 path then you might expect him to be called to AAA before the end of the season and spend all of next year at AAA. As we all know everyone needs a plan B in life because plan A gets changed a lot. If Brian doesn't play well the next two years that could slow his progress up the ladder. If there is an injury at the big club and Brain is tearing it up who knows what might happen. Just remember Mike Trout didn't start out on the varsity last year for the Angels but is considered now one of the best players in Major league baseball.
Xavier Macklin former Bulldog of Nash Central is still recovering from his shoulder surgery last season and so far this spring in Arizona he has been used as a Designated hitter. It will be interesting to see if X Man will be sent to one of the A's minor league teams or stay in Zona while he heals fully.
John Wooten the Eastern Wayne product and ECU baseball player who is the son of Former Gryphon Sonny Wooten has been assigned to start the season off in Beloit Wisconsin for the A's. Wooten is playing first base now. Pirate fans remember that Wooten just about played every where in the infield for the Pirates but the A's want him at first.
Don't look now but those Fighting Camels of Campbell University are 21-3 so far this season. Former Gryphon player "Baseball" Brett Johnson who is still an assistant coach at Lander College in South Carolina so far this season Lander is #2 in the nation with a 24-5 record and lead their league at 15-3.
Tonight at 7pm Rocky Mount baseball will play their third straight home conference game of the season. Hunt will be game three. The Gryphons are 1-1 right now in conference play.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Collins, Brown Leaving Gottfried Staying
Wednesday Northwestern University announce that Duke assistant basketball coach Chris Collins will be their new basketball coach at the end of the Duke basketball season. Collins has not only been a player at Duke but on coach K's staff his entire working life. You would almost expect that Duke will probably need a new basketball coach within five years as Coach K approaches 70 years old. Collins has been the point man as many half time interviews have fallen to Collins instead of K.
If the next coach of Duke will fall to one of K's assistants the only way to prove you are a legit candidate is to become a head coach and create a track record . Northwestern which is one of the worse basketball schools in the Big Ten is a safe place to be. All Collins would have to do is make the NCAA tournament one time before K leaves and his stock as the next Duke coach would go through the roof. If they don't nobody would consider it a coaching failure.
Several former assistants of Coach K lay in waiting. Johnny Dawkins at Stanford, Mike Brey at Notre Dame, or Tommy Amaker who just this year won a NCAA game with Harvard. Chris Collins comes from a basketball family as his father Doug has been in the NBA as a coach or TV annalist his entire life. He is now the head coach of the Philadelphia 76's and was the coach of the Chicago Bulls while Chris was growing up. I don't know if you remember this or not but but Chris's father was a member of the 1972 Olympic team that the Russians stole the gold metal game from back in 1972.
Expect N C State to announce soon that Lorenzo Brown will enter the NBA draft and not return to the Pack next year. He is the only player from the Triangle that is NBA ready.
Wednesday night Mark Gottfried put at end to the rumors that he was leaving N C State to be the Next coach at UCLA. He tweeted that he is as committed to N C State today as he was two years ago when he took the head basketball job. I know a lot of WolfPack fans are disappointed that they did not win the national championship this season but Gottfried is only the third ACC coach to win 20 games in his first two years on the job. Bill Guthridge and Roy Williams are the only other two. Let me ask this question. When was the last time any other school showed any interest in an N C State coach in any sport? He must be doing something right.
Miami's quest to break the all time winning streak of 33 games in the NBA is over. The Chicago Bulls beat them Wednesday night ending their 27 game winning streak. I don't care who you pull for but winning 27 in a row is a steak all to itself. Here's something for you to look up. When was the last time that Miami lost a game and the Charlotte Bobcats won all on the same night. I doubt that it has happened to often.
If the next coach of Duke will fall to one of K's assistants the only way to prove you are a legit candidate is to become a head coach and create a track record . Northwestern which is one of the worse basketball schools in the Big Ten is a safe place to be. All Collins would have to do is make the NCAA tournament one time before K leaves and his stock as the next Duke coach would go through the roof. If they don't nobody would consider it a coaching failure.
Several former assistants of Coach K lay in waiting. Johnny Dawkins at Stanford, Mike Brey at Notre Dame, or Tommy Amaker who just this year won a NCAA game with Harvard. Chris Collins comes from a basketball family as his father Doug has been in the NBA as a coach or TV annalist his entire life. He is now the head coach of the Philadelphia 76's and was the coach of the Chicago Bulls while Chris was growing up. I don't know if you remember this or not but but Chris's father was a member of the 1972 Olympic team that the Russians stole the gold metal game from back in 1972.
Expect N C State to announce soon that Lorenzo Brown will enter the NBA draft and not return to the Pack next year. He is the only player from the Triangle that is NBA ready.
Wednesday night Mark Gottfried put at end to the rumors that he was leaving N C State to be the Next coach at UCLA. He tweeted that he is as committed to N C State today as he was two years ago when he took the head basketball job. I know a lot of WolfPack fans are disappointed that they did not win the national championship this season but Gottfried is only the third ACC coach to win 20 games in his first two years on the job. Bill Guthridge and Roy Williams are the only other two. Let me ask this question. When was the last time any other school showed any interest in an N C State coach in any sport? He must be doing something right.
Miami's quest to break the all time winning streak of 33 games in the NBA is over. The Chicago Bulls beat them Wednesday night ending their 27 game winning streak. I don't care who you pull for but winning 27 in a row is a steak all to itself. Here's something for you to look up. When was the last time that Miami lost a game and the Charlotte Bobcats won all on the same night. I doubt that it has happened to often.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Bulldogs Squeeze Gryphons
Starting pitcher Tyler King squeeze bunt in the top of the fourth inning produced the only run that Nash Central would need but three unearned runs in the fourth lead Nash Central to a 4-0 shutout of Rocky Mount. King went the distance striking out 12 Gryphons and allowed four hits for the Bulldogs. Jeremy Johnson started for the Gryphons but was pulled in the fifth and the Gryphons were on the verge of getting out of a major jam when a throwing error on what would have been the third out helped produce the Bulldogs three runs. Cody Smith pitched the last 2 an one third innings for the Gryphons.
Two errors in the fifth aided the Bulldogs in their three run rally. The Bulldogs collected only five hits themselves. Colton Vaughn and Davis Johnson had two hits a piece and Kyle Taylor had the Bulldogs final hit. Jeremy Johnson singled twice and Andy Morris and Ben Yates had the Gryphons other hits. The middle of the Gryphon lineup the 4-5 and 6 hitters were a combined 0-8 with 8 strikeouts.
The Gryphons fall to 4-5 and 1-1 in Big East play while the Bulldogs have yet to lose this season as they stand 6-0. Rocky Mount plays their next game Friday night at 7pm at Gryphon Stadium against conference foe Hunt High. Surprisingly there was a nice crowd on hand considering the cold weather.
If you thought the baseball score might be bad, over on the softball field Nash Central won that game in five innings 21-0.
J'Kyra Brown keeps making All State teams as Monday NC Preps.com named Brown all State. All state teams most of the time include all classifications and this is at least the second all state team that J'Kyra has made.
The Rocky Mount booster club is having a fund raiser in the form of a golf ball drop. If you buy one golf ball for $25 or 5 for $100. The booster club will be selling 1,000 balls. May 18th on the driving range of Northgreen Country Club those 1000 balls will be dropped by helicopter and if only one ball goes in the hole that person who owns that ball will win $5,000. If more than one ball goes in they will divide the money equally. If no ball goes in the the closes ball to the hole wins. You can't win the big money if you don't buy a ticket.
I have never seen this event before but I think it would be neat to go watch the helicopter drop those balls on May 18th. Might not be to good an idea to stand under them as they are dropped.
Two errors in the fifth aided the Bulldogs in their three run rally. The Bulldogs collected only five hits themselves. Colton Vaughn and Davis Johnson had two hits a piece and Kyle Taylor had the Bulldogs final hit. Jeremy Johnson singled twice and Andy Morris and Ben Yates had the Gryphons other hits. The middle of the Gryphon lineup the 4-5 and 6 hitters were a combined 0-8 with 8 strikeouts.
The Gryphons fall to 4-5 and 1-1 in Big East play while the Bulldogs have yet to lose this season as they stand 6-0. Rocky Mount plays their next game Friday night at 7pm at Gryphon Stadium against conference foe Hunt High. Surprisingly there was a nice crowd on hand considering the cold weather.
If you thought the baseball score might be bad, over on the softball field Nash Central won that game in five innings 21-0.
J'Kyra Brown keeps making All State teams as Monday NC Preps.com named Brown all State. All state teams most of the time include all classifications and this is at least the second all state team that J'Kyra has made.
The Rocky Mount booster club is having a fund raiser in the form of a golf ball drop. If you buy one golf ball for $25 or 5 for $100. The booster club will be selling 1,000 balls. May 18th on the driving range of Northgreen Country Club those 1000 balls will be dropped by helicopter and if only one ball goes in the hole that person who owns that ball will win $5,000. If more than one ball goes in they will divide the money equally. If no ball goes in the the closes ball to the hole wins. You can't win the big money if you don't buy a ticket.
I have never seen this event before but I think it would be neat to go watch the helicopter drop those balls on May 18th. Might not be to good an idea to stand under them as they are dropped.
Who Stays ? Who Goes?
We have reached the point in the college basketball season where those that just go to college to get a college education decide whether they have had enough education and turn pro. Lets review where we are and who can we expect to turn pro.
I would like to remind everyone when all the hullabaloo about N C State winning the ACC this year my goal was that when ever the season finished that we would only have single digits losses for the season it didn't happen. The Pack finishes 24-11 which is not much better than last year when they finished 24-13. So I am disappointed that it couldn't have been 24-9. Who is leaving from the Pack?
C J Leslie? I am shocked he stayed three years. Remember when he had the news conference to announce he was coming to State and he was going to make the Pack into a national power in one year. It's three years now and where is the national power? Leslie goes but he shouldn't. He can't defend any power player down low. He can't dribble the ball at all in a crowd. He is good on help defense when he can come over and block shots. Who really wants him in the NBA? I would suggest to you it would be a good idea if Leslie came back to State next year and grew up, showed up every night and be a team player. I bet Gottfried will do every thing he can to convince him to leave. I say Leslie is the reason that State never reached any where close to their potential. I doubt there is anyone in Raleigh that wants him back. So long C J Leslie and welcome to basketball in Turkey.
Of all the players who can go early on either Carolina or State the only one ready is Lorenzo Brown. Remember he came to Raleigh as a shooting guard and has developed into a solid point guard. He is what the NBA wants in a guard. I see him as a Rondo in the NBA. NBA and first round here we come.
Last year at this time Carolina fans were worried that James Michael McAdoo just might leave early. If he is smart he will come back. Why didn't Carolina win more was they couldn't match up in the middle. Mac needs to come back. I don't buy all this potential stuff. If he leaves now it will be five years before you hear his name again.
If there is any other player on the Tar Heels that might go it would be Reggie Bullock. Reggie Bullock is like every shooting guard in the NBA. When I say that what do I mean? There are a dime a dozen players just like him in the NBA. He needs to get better in every aspect to get beyond the dime a dozen . Come back and lead the Heels to the final four and a first round pick next year.
He is a senior and is still playing but Mason Plumlee will play ten years in the NBA and you will never hear his name. Because of his size every team wants someone like him but he got pushed around Sunday night against a no name who has NBA size.
You know the Big Four in the NCAA has been just like this whole year has gone. Duke joins everyone else at home by the end of the weekend.
I would like to remind everyone when all the hullabaloo about N C State winning the ACC this year my goal was that when ever the season finished that we would only have single digits losses for the season it didn't happen. The Pack finishes 24-11 which is not much better than last year when they finished 24-13. So I am disappointed that it couldn't have been 24-9. Who is leaving from the Pack?
C J Leslie? I am shocked he stayed three years. Remember when he had the news conference to announce he was coming to State and he was going to make the Pack into a national power in one year. It's three years now and where is the national power? Leslie goes but he shouldn't. He can't defend any power player down low. He can't dribble the ball at all in a crowd. He is good on help defense when he can come over and block shots. Who really wants him in the NBA? I would suggest to you it would be a good idea if Leslie came back to State next year and grew up, showed up every night and be a team player. I bet Gottfried will do every thing he can to convince him to leave. I say Leslie is the reason that State never reached any where close to their potential. I doubt there is anyone in Raleigh that wants him back. So long C J Leslie and welcome to basketball in Turkey.
Of all the players who can go early on either Carolina or State the only one ready is Lorenzo Brown. Remember he came to Raleigh as a shooting guard and has developed into a solid point guard. He is what the NBA wants in a guard. I see him as a Rondo in the NBA. NBA and first round here we come.
Last year at this time Carolina fans were worried that James Michael McAdoo just might leave early. If he is smart he will come back. Why didn't Carolina win more was they couldn't match up in the middle. Mac needs to come back. I don't buy all this potential stuff. If he leaves now it will be five years before you hear his name again.
If there is any other player on the Tar Heels that might go it would be Reggie Bullock. Reggie Bullock is like every shooting guard in the NBA. When I say that what do I mean? There are a dime a dozen players just like him in the NBA. He needs to get better in every aspect to get beyond the dime a dozen . Come back and lead the Heels to the final four and a first round pick next year.
He is a senior and is still playing but Mason Plumlee will play ten years in the NBA and you will never hear his name. Because of his size every team wants someone like him but he got pushed around Sunday night against a no name who has NBA size.
You know the Big Four in the NCAA has been just like this whole year has gone. Duke joins everyone else at home by the end of the weekend.
Monday, March 25, 2013
2,000
Duke became the fourth team in college basketball history to win 2,000 games last night as they also advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament with a victory over Creighton 66-50. Duke trails Kentucky, Kansas and North Carolina as the only teams with more NCAA wins. The Devils survive foul trouble but take second half control and advance to the Sweet 16. This is the 21st time in Coach K's career at Duke that they have made the Sweet 16.
Miami who doesn't play too often in the NCAA tournament survived a close call against Illinois 63-59. As well as the Hurricanes have played this year since they haven't been in the NCAA tournament in years you had to worry that the top team in the ACC might not react very well in a tight game but the Canes came through.
North Carolina's season ended playing one of the teams they are chasing in the all time wins list in Kansas as the Heels lead most of the way but faded late to lose 70-58.
How about the State of Florida. Three teams in the sweet 16 as Florida Gold Coast, Florida and Miami are all in. Florida GC becomes the first 15th seed to make it to the Sweet 16. Maybe this is the year for a no name to win it all.
Can anybody tell me why now that they have gone to the four games on four different stations and all the games start at a different time when one goes to commercial why they are all in commercial. Several times this weekend I have flipped to watch another game and that game has the same commercial playing that the game I was watching had on.
Found out last night there has been a schedule change for Rocky Mount baseball this week as they play Nash Central on Tuesday at home at 7pm. They were suppose to play Hunt Thursday but I understand that Hunt has a conflict and the game has been moved to Friday. When I know the time I will pass it along.
I can tell you one rule I wish they would change right now. This season the jv's are playing just before the varsity. Last week when Rocky Mount played Fike the jv game finished right at the time limit. To me this does not give the varsity the proper time to get ready for the game. Please move the jv games either to another day or let the jv's play away while the varsity is home. If they are going to play both at the same site start the jv game a half hour earlier than they do now please.
Miami who doesn't play too often in the NCAA tournament survived a close call against Illinois 63-59. As well as the Hurricanes have played this year since they haven't been in the NCAA tournament in years you had to worry that the top team in the ACC might not react very well in a tight game but the Canes came through.
North Carolina's season ended playing one of the teams they are chasing in the all time wins list in Kansas as the Heels lead most of the way but faded late to lose 70-58.
How about the State of Florida. Three teams in the sweet 16 as Florida Gold Coast, Florida and Miami are all in. Florida GC becomes the first 15th seed to make it to the Sweet 16. Maybe this is the year for a no name to win it all.
Can anybody tell me why now that they have gone to the four games on four different stations and all the games start at a different time when one goes to commercial why they are all in commercial. Several times this weekend I have flipped to watch another game and that game has the same commercial playing that the game I was watching had on.
Found out last night there has been a schedule change for Rocky Mount baseball this week as they play Nash Central on Tuesday at home at 7pm. They were suppose to play Hunt Thursday but I understand that Hunt has a conflict and the game has been moved to Friday. When I know the time I will pass it along.
I can tell you one rule I wish they would change right now. This season the jv's are playing just before the varsity. Last week when Rocky Mount played Fike the jv game finished right at the time limit. To me this does not give the varsity the proper time to get ready for the game. Please move the jv games either to another day or let the jv's play away while the varsity is home. If they are going to play both at the same site start the jv game a half hour earlier than they do now please.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
J'Kyra Wins MVP
J'Kyra Brown has been Rocky Mount's girls basketball go to player for her three varsity years. She is the all time leading scorer in Rocky Mount history. We all can see that if she can stay healthy she still has a lot of basketball left in her life as long as those knees hold up. Last night Brown showed that even in a group of all stars that she will stand out. J'Kyra score 16 of her 19 points in the second half last night to lead the North Carolina All Stars to a 76-67 victory over South Carolina in the Carolina Classic basketball game played in Myrtle Beach South Carolina. The game was tied and went overtime before North Carolina out scored South Carolina 9-0 in the extra session.
The North Carolina baseball team is living up to the high expectations of a team that was rated #1 in the preseason. Yesterday the Heels won a double header from Boston College and ran their overall record to 21-1. Former Gryphon Benton Moss continues to lead the ACC in wins as he pitched seven inning allowing just one earned run as Carolina won the second game 5-2. Moss is now 6-0 on the season. Not bad at all for the all times wins leader in Rocky Mount history.
Both of the Triangle teams left in the NCAA Tournament play today. Carolina and Roy Williams tangle with Kansas at 5pm. That game will be on ch 5 at 5pm. Duke does not play until 9.30pm on TNT and they will take on Creighton. Miami is also in action today as the ACC has all three of their teams left in action trying to make the Sweet 16.
I realize that when I say this that I am a Wolf Pack fan but if you have missed the ESPN 30-30 program Survive and Advance this week about the 1983 teams winning of the NCAA Tournament you have missed one of the really good 30-30 that ESPN has done. It entails Jim Valvano's rise to fame being such a dynamic motivational speaker and how all of his motivation helped carry the team to victory.
How his speaking helped bring him down as coach and how his speaking helped start the V Foundation. One of the players said it best. In order for the V Foundation to start Valvano had to become a world wide celebrity. Winning the NCAA in 83 brought him that. Then he had to get cancer because he had started being an annalist for ESPN. "Wouldn't it be something that one day that the discovery of how to cure cancer is made at Duke hospital where Valvano died. The Lord works in mysterious ways"
The North Carolina baseball team is living up to the high expectations of a team that was rated #1 in the preseason. Yesterday the Heels won a double header from Boston College and ran their overall record to 21-1. Former Gryphon Benton Moss continues to lead the ACC in wins as he pitched seven inning allowing just one earned run as Carolina won the second game 5-2. Moss is now 6-0 on the season. Not bad at all for the all times wins leader in Rocky Mount history.
Both of the Triangle teams left in the NCAA Tournament play today. Carolina and Roy Williams tangle with Kansas at 5pm. That game will be on ch 5 at 5pm. Duke does not play until 9.30pm on TNT and they will take on Creighton. Miami is also in action today as the ACC has all three of their teams left in action trying to make the Sweet 16.
I realize that when I say this that I am a Wolf Pack fan but if you have missed the ESPN 30-30 program Survive and Advance this week about the 1983 teams winning of the NCAA Tournament you have missed one of the really good 30-30 that ESPN has done. It entails Jim Valvano's rise to fame being such a dynamic motivational speaker and how all of his motivation helped carry the team to victory.
How his speaking helped bring him down as coach and how his speaking helped start the V Foundation. One of the players said it best. In order for the V Foundation to start Valvano had to become a world wide celebrity. Winning the NCAA in 83 brought him that. Then he had to get cancer because he had started being an annalist for ESPN. "Wouldn't it be something that one day that the discovery of how to cure cancer is made at Duke hospital where Valvano died. The Lord works in mysterious ways"
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Roy Collects # 700
Roy Williams won his 700th basketball game as a college coach as the Tar Heels of North Carolina survived and advance to the second round of the NCAA basketball Tournament. Hot as a fire cracker on the fourth of July Carolina held a 20 point lead that melted away in the second half but the Heels were able to make enough shots to win 77-71 over Villanova. Next in line for the Tar Heels is Kansas and that game is Sunday in Kansas City.
Duke beat Albany 73-61 and have advanced to round three of the NCAA Tournament. They will meet Creighton who took down Cincinnati. Despite having only five losses on the season Duke never had Albany at any point where it looked as if a blowout was near. They had a comfortable lead but never threw a knockout punch.
There is no doubt that Friday's loss N C State had in the NCAA Tournament was a microcosm of their season. Down early because of no defense they look as bad as any team in the country. Then inspired in the second they looked as if they were as good as any body. Here is a fact to chew on. Once State beat Duke and all the TV shows by C J Leslie after saving the student in the wheel chair State went 10-9 during rest of the season. Leslie who now thought he was a star had games he failed to make an appearance in but I must say he played well Friday.
Miami is the only ACC team that acted like what we want the ACC to do. Win big against a no name. The ACC is 3-1 in this tournament. Duke Carolina and Miami will all play Sunday afternoon. I hope they work it out where all three play at different times.
Duke beat Albany 73-61 and have advanced to round three of the NCAA Tournament. They will meet Creighton who took down Cincinnati. Despite having only five losses on the season Duke never had Albany at any point where it looked as if a blowout was near. They had a comfortable lead but never threw a knockout punch.
There is no doubt that Friday's loss N C State had in the NCAA Tournament was a microcosm of their season. Down early because of no defense they look as bad as any team in the country. Then inspired in the second they looked as if they were as good as any body. Here is a fact to chew on. Once State beat Duke and all the TV shows by C J Leslie after saving the student in the wheel chair State went 10-9 during rest of the season. Leslie who now thought he was a star had games he failed to make an appearance in but I must say he played well Friday.
Miami is the only ACC team that acted like what we want the ACC to do. Win big against a no name. The ACC is 3-1 in this tournament. Duke Carolina and Miami will all play Sunday afternoon. I hope they work it out where all three play at different times.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Gryphons Sweep District Honors
Gatorade announce Wednesday the all District teams and the Player of the year across the state. J F Webb's Isaiah Hicks who the Gryphons saw up close and personal is the Gatorade player of the year state wide. The District 3 level Rocky Mount High school took all the top honors as both the boys and girls District 3 players of the year and the Gryphon's coaches also sweep the district as coaches of the year.
Donte Battle leads the all District team which is compromised by all classifications not only 3-A. Battle averaged a double double for the season 18 points and 10 rebounds per game. Joining Battle is Rocky Mount Prep player DeShawn Freeman who lead his team to the 1-A championship game. Also on the first team is Nash Central's Jaquan Wilkins.
The second team is chocked full of Big East as MJ Gainey comes from the Gryphons, Chi Ali Bunn hails from Southern Nash. Nate Pittman from Nash Central and Daniel Westbrook from Hunt.
Over on the girls side J'Kyra Brown is the District 3 Player of the year. J'Kyra who became the all time leading scorer in Rocky Mount girls history averaged 27 points per contest in leading the Gryphons. She is joined on the first team by Quinesha Lynch of Northern Nash and Alexus Hill. Khadijah Manning of Southern Nash also makes first team. The second team is lead by Carmen Richardson from the Gryphons and two Tarboro players N'Yasha Savage and Lisa Jones.
Mike Gainey is the District 3 Coach of the Year as he took his Gryphons back to the Regional finals after having lost several starters from last year's state championship team. Somewhat of a surprise is Pam Gainey won coach of the year over Grover Battle who's team lost just 3 times all year. All three of those losses were to Rocky Mount. Despite depth Gainey still lead the Gryphons to the 3rd round of the playoffs and in the last game was in it until the end on West craven's home court.
Gryphon Baseball was cold out or snowed out which ever you prefer. Right now there is no decision on any makeup date because starting next week all weeks will have two conference games except the Easter break week. The Gryphon pitching staff riddled with injuries has enough on their plate to pitch two conference per week and throwing a non-conference game in the fire which you know the back end of the staff will pitch that one that game just might never get made up.
Donte Battle leads the all District team which is compromised by all classifications not only 3-A. Battle averaged a double double for the season 18 points and 10 rebounds per game. Joining Battle is Rocky Mount Prep player DeShawn Freeman who lead his team to the 1-A championship game. Also on the first team is Nash Central's Jaquan Wilkins.
The second team is chocked full of Big East as MJ Gainey comes from the Gryphons, Chi Ali Bunn hails from Southern Nash. Nate Pittman from Nash Central and Daniel Westbrook from Hunt.
Over on the girls side J'Kyra Brown is the District 3 Player of the year. J'Kyra who became the all time leading scorer in Rocky Mount girls history averaged 27 points per contest in leading the Gryphons. She is joined on the first team by Quinesha Lynch of Northern Nash and Alexus Hill. Khadijah Manning of Southern Nash also makes first team. The second team is lead by Carmen Richardson from the Gryphons and two Tarboro players N'Yasha Savage and Lisa Jones.
Mike Gainey is the District 3 Coach of the Year as he took his Gryphons back to the Regional finals after having lost several starters from last year's state championship team. Somewhat of a surprise is Pam Gainey won coach of the year over Grover Battle who's team lost just 3 times all year. All three of those losses were to Rocky Mount. Despite depth Gainey still lead the Gryphons to the 3rd round of the playoffs and in the last game was in it until the end on West craven's home court.
Gryphon Baseball was cold out or snowed out which ever you prefer. Right now there is no decision on any makeup date because starting next week all weeks will have two conference games except the Easter break week. The Gryphon pitching staff riddled with injuries has enough on their plate to pitch two conference per week and throwing a non-conference game in the fire which you know the back end of the staff will pitch that one that game just might never get made up.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Let The Games Begin
Quite frankly as the NCAA Basketball Tournament begins today I find myself not all that excited about this years tournament mostly due to the fact I don't see any of North Carolina's team playing the last weekend.
As uninspired as I am I am sure come 12noon on Friday when Duke hits the floor I will be pumped up to pull hard for Duke. The Pack will begin play at 1:40 Friday and who knows which team will show up. Carolina gets into action Friday night. All three big Four teams should win Friday.
I can't see N C State beating Indiana in Dayton. Just North of Cincinnati practically right on the Indiana border. into Indiana. That like any North Carolina based ACC school is like playing in Charlotte for I-U. The place will be all red on Sunday but not Wolf Pack red.
Who in their right mind can pick Carolina Sunday if they play Kansas in Kansas City. Nobody should but as the ESPN Special this week on the 1983 N C State team showed the world any team can win. The best of the three Triangle teams in Duke and I have picked them to make it to the final eight but I have to tell you my confidence in them is not very strong.
If the NIT can give you a gauge then the ACC is 2-1 and Kentucky is home. Maryland and Virginia advanced while FSU is out. Kentucky played at Robert Morris and all Gryphon fans know who Robert Morris is. That Baseball's Andy Morris's Dad. Well almost any way. Robert Morris gym held an over flow crowd of three thousand fans. Kentucky's house the bathrooms holds more than that . In this day's world of college basketball it's anybody's game and we just might have a no name cutting down the nets in two and a half weeks.
Wednesday Gryphon baseball traveled to Southern Wayne. These two met two weeks ago in the season opener and the Gryphons played poorly but they gave a good accounting of themselves yesterday. Spencer Ramsey pitched five innings and he gave way to Andy Morris with the score tied 3-3. The Saints scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to win 5-3. The Gryphons are on the road again today.
As uninspired as I am I am sure come 12noon on Friday when Duke hits the floor I will be pumped up to pull hard for Duke. The Pack will begin play at 1:40 Friday and who knows which team will show up. Carolina gets into action Friday night. All three big Four teams should win Friday.
I can't see N C State beating Indiana in Dayton. Just North of Cincinnati practically right on the Indiana border. into Indiana. That like any North Carolina based ACC school is like playing in Charlotte for I-U. The place will be all red on Sunday but not Wolf Pack red.
Who in their right mind can pick Carolina Sunday if they play Kansas in Kansas City. Nobody should but as the ESPN Special this week on the 1983 N C State team showed the world any team can win. The best of the three Triangle teams in Duke and I have picked them to make it to the final eight but I have to tell you my confidence in them is not very strong.
If the NIT can give you a gauge then the ACC is 2-1 and Kentucky is home. Maryland and Virginia advanced while FSU is out. Kentucky played at Robert Morris and all Gryphon fans know who Robert Morris is. That Baseball's Andy Morris's Dad. Well almost any way. Robert Morris gym held an over flow crowd of three thousand fans. Kentucky's house the bathrooms holds more than that . In this day's world of college basketball it's anybody's game and we just might have a no name cutting down the nets in two and a half weeks.
Wednesday Gryphon baseball traveled to Southern Wayne. These two met two weeks ago in the season opener and the Gryphons played poorly but they gave a good accounting of themselves yesterday. Spencer Ramsey pitched five innings and he gave way to Andy Morris with the score tied 3-3. The Saints scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to win 5-3. The Gryphons are on the road again today.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
NCAA Brackets A Real Roll Of The Dice
I have been filling out NCAA brackets long before there was ever one printed in the paper much less go on line to any site and try to win a million dollars by picking a perfect score. This years NCAA Tournament is probably the most wide open in the history. Regardless of why but there is no Houston and Phi Slamma Jamma in the field. Yes,there are some really good teams but look the top seeds have all lost a bunch.
If there was ever a year for Butler this is it. Of the forty years or so that I have filled out brackets I think for the first time I don't have Duke or Carolina in the final four. I always have one or the other. For someone who lives on Tobacco Road I have sinned greatly and ask for forgiveness. I have waited until Tuesday night before I looked at the brackets for the first time because I wanted all the information I could find. I have every teams RPI, BPI, Victories on the road. foul shooting the last four minutes and even their blood pressure. I am armed and dangerous I as reveal my final four.
I have laid out my brackets and a funny thing happened on the way to the Final Four some team named New Mexico has become my Butler for this year. They are a #3 seed and I found myself continuing to put a check my their name in every game. I am sorry to say but I have Kansas taking out the Heels in the Sunday game and Kansas will make it to the big weekend.
Almost everyone in the Twin Counties should deep down in their heart be pulling for Louisville with North Edecombe player Montrezl Harrell on the team and thanks to him Louisville won the Big East Tournament. I have them taking out Duke in the Final eight game. There is only one spot left and that is for the ACC Champion Miami. There must be something wrong with this world when you say Miami ACC Champions but I tell ya man Miami, the Canes on back to back days took down the Pack who played rather well and North Carolina who was just as good as the Pack and they did it in Greensboro.
Those four who make it to the Elite eight are Duke,Georgetown, Indiana and Kansas State.When all is said and done on semi final Saturday Miami and Louisville will play for the national title and the Ville will win. Ok so that is my first bracket. My next one will not have any of those team making it. Let me see if I can find a Butler the second time around.
If there was ever a year for Butler this is it. Of the forty years or so that I have filled out brackets I think for the first time I don't have Duke or Carolina in the final four. I always have one or the other. For someone who lives on Tobacco Road I have sinned greatly and ask for forgiveness. I have waited until Tuesday night before I looked at the brackets for the first time because I wanted all the information I could find. I have every teams RPI, BPI, Victories on the road. foul shooting the last four minutes and even their blood pressure. I am armed and dangerous I as reveal my final four.
I have laid out my brackets and a funny thing happened on the way to the Final Four some team named New Mexico has become my Butler for this year. They are a #3 seed and I found myself continuing to put a check my their name in every game. I am sorry to say but I have Kansas taking out the Heels in the Sunday game and Kansas will make it to the big weekend.
Almost everyone in the Twin Counties should deep down in their heart be pulling for Louisville with North Edecombe player Montrezl Harrell on the team and thanks to him Louisville won the Big East Tournament. I have them taking out Duke in the Final eight game. There is only one spot left and that is for the ACC Champion Miami. There must be something wrong with this world when you say Miami ACC Champions but I tell ya man Miami, the Canes on back to back days took down the Pack who played rather well and North Carolina who was just as good as the Pack and they did it in Greensboro.
Those four who make it to the Elite eight are Duke,Georgetown, Indiana and Kansas State.When all is said and done on semi final Saturday Miami and Louisville will play for the national title and the Ville will win. Ok so that is my first bracket. My next one will not have any of those team making it. Let me see if I can find a Butler the second time around.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Gryphons Open Conference With Win
Jeremy Johnson gave the Rocky Mount Gryphons six strong innings of pitching allowing only one run on five hits while striking out ten Wilson Fike batters as Rocky Mount opens conference play with a 3-1 victory over Fike.
Andy Morris open up the game getting a triple in the right center gap and Johnson's sac fly gave the Gryphons a 1-0 lead in the first. Starting Fike pitcher Charlie Vaughn held the Gryphons in check for four inning giving up only one hit. Tyler Poythress pitched the fifth and sixth innings for Fike. Fike was quiet until the fifth when Tyler Poythress singled advance to third on a sac infield single by Sam Ellis. Poythress scored on a fly ball sac by Richard Hinton.
The bottom of the sixth inning Johnson started off with a single, Trevor Hayworth reach on an error. Ben Winstead's fly ball drove in Johnson to give the Gryphons the lead at 2-1. Jerrell Hunter drove in run #3 with a hit over second to give the Gryphons their three runs.
In somewhat of a gamble with several pitching injuries still plaguing the Gryphons coach Kent Cox brought on Cody Smith to pitch the seventh. So far this season Smith either strikes you out or walks you and Smith acted like a closer should in striking out one batter and got a three up and three down top of the seventh to record the save.
Andy Morris, Jeremy Johnson and Jerrell Hunter had the three Gryphon hits while Tyler Pouthress had two singles and he had help with a hit from Sam Ellis, a double by Charlie Vaughn and a Jordan Crumpler hit . Jeremy Johnson got the win and Tyler Poythress took the loss.
Rocky Mount record expands to 4-3 but 1-0 in Big East play while Fike suffered their first loss of the season as they stand 6-1 and 0-1 in the Big East.
Former Rocky Mount Gryphon Benton Moss was named Monday as the ACC pitcher of the week after he pitch a seven inning gem Saturday night for North Carolina. Moss allowed two hits and struck out seven batters and picked up his fifth win of the year and stands at 5-0 which is the most wins any pitcher in the ACC has. His five starts this year for the Tar Heels he has struck out at least seven in every game and 39 on the season which is fourth in the ACC.
I hope you had a chance to see ESPN's 30-30 Series Survive and Advance Sunday night. It featured the 1983 N C State WolfPack and their journey having to win nine games in a row to either get into the NCAA tournament and then survive trailing in the second in seven of them. It is not only about that team but the death of coach Jim Valvano and the spirit he gave that 83 team to never give up and even as he died from cancer he lived the spirit until his death. It was an awesome show and I hope you catch a rerun that they will show a million times in the next two weeks until the next 30-30 hits the air ways.
Andy Morris open up the game getting a triple in the right center gap and Johnson's sac fly gave the Gryphons a 1-0 lead in the first. Starting Fike pitcher Charlie Vaughn held the Gryphons in check for four inning giving up only one hit. Tyler Poythress pitched the fifth and sixth innings for Fike. Fike was quiet until the fifth when Tyler Poythress singled advance to third on a sac infield single by Sam Ellis. Poythress scored on a fly ball sac by Richard Hinton.
The bottom of the sixth inning Johnson started off with a single, Trevor Hayworth reach on an error. Ben Winstead's fly ball drove in Johnson to give the Gryphons the lead at 2-1. Jerrell Hunter drove in run #3 with a hit over second to give the Gryphons their three runs.
In somewhat of a gamble with several pitching injuries still plaguing the Gryphons coach Kent Cox brought on Cody Smith to pitch the seventh. So far this season Smith either strikes you out or walks you and Smith acted like a closer should in striking out one batter and got a three up and three down top of the seventh to record the save.
Andy Morris, Jeremy Johnson and Jerrell Hunter had the three Gryphon hits while Tyler Pouthress had two singles and he had help with a hit from Sam Ellis, a double by Charlie Vaughn and a Jordan Crumpler hit . Jeremy Johnson got the win and Tyler Poythress took the loss.
Rocky Mount record expands to 4-3 but 1-0 in Big East play while Fike suffered their first loss of the season as they stand 6-1 and 0-1 in the Big East.
Former Rocky Mount Gryphon Benton Moss was named Monday as the ACC pitcher of the week after he pitch a seven inning gem Saturday night for North Carolina. Moss allowed two hits and struck out seven batters and picked up his fifth win of the year and stands at 5-0 which is the most wins any pitcher in the ACC has. His five starts this year for the Tar Heels he has struck out at least seven in every game and 39 on the season which is fourth in the ACC.
I hope you had a chance to see ESPN's 30-30 Series Survive and Advance Sunday night. It featured the 1983 N C State WolfPack and their journey having to win nine games in a row to either get into the NCAA tournament and then survive trailing in the second in seven of them. It is not only about that team but the death of coach Jim Valvano and the spirit he gave that 83 team to never give up and even as he died from cancer he lived the spirit until his death. It was an awesome show and I hope you catch a rerun that they will show a million times in the next two weeks until the next 30-30 hits the air ways.
IN THE MONEY!
One of the real concerns I had for my Cousin Lauren Doughtie when she finished high enough in December to win her LPGA playing card was the fact that even though she won one tournament last year she missed the cut way too many times playing in the minor leagues and this LPGA is a big step up. Why should we think that she will ever make a cut on the LPGA and any one who follows golf knows if you don't play the weekends you don't cash a check.
This weekend the LPGA played on United states soil for the first time and fourth tournament of the year. Lauren had gone to Australia for the first one and you guessed it she didn't make the cut. This week they played in Phoenix Arizona and Lauren shot a very nice 69 in the opening round to tie for 21st at three under par. Friday another good day coming in with a 71 which is good enough at four under to make the cut by two shots and she dropped to a tie for 32nd.
Brooks Doughtie and I were texting back and forth Saturday talking about Lauren and I made the comment that she had made the cut but by Sunday she would be very lucky to finish 70th which would be the last person to get a check. Brooks response to me was "If you finish last in class in medical school what do they call you?" "A Doctor." He was right Lauren was going to be able to pay her bills for this weekend regardless of where she finished.
Saturday came and she shot a two over 74 and fell to 59th. Still two under for the tournament and yes last year on the Futures tour she would have been in the top ten. But, this is the LPGA and she finds herself 17 shots out of the lead. Then Sunday she tees off on #10 while the leaders are going off #1. She shoots a 33 on the front and replicates another 33 on the back to shoot a 66.
Eight under par her second best pro tournament of her life. Just to show you how it is going to be playing on the big tour a 66 only moved her up to a tie for 43rd. But that is still the second biggest check of her pro golfing career. Only her one win on the Futures tour last year paid her more. We all know those of us who pull for LD that next week the risk of not making the cut will still be there. Looking at the future she has to make enough money to qualify just to play on tour next year.
It sure was something to watch the Golf channel coverage and watch as the scores scroll across the bottom of the screen and see L Doughtie -5, the next time -6 then even the next time -7 and oh yes -8. Our goal now is to get close enough to the lead to see her make a shot on the TV. I might not be next week but our hopes sure have climbed this weekend.
This weekend the LPGA played on United states soil for the first time and fourth tournament of the year. Lauren had gone to Australia for the first one and you guessed it she didn't make the cut. This week they played in Phoenix Arizona and Lauren shot a very nice 69 in the opening round to tie for 21st at three under par. Friday another good day coming in with a 71 which is good enough at four under to make the cut by two shots and she dropped to a tie for 32nd.
Brooks Doughtie and I were texting back and forth Saturday talking about Lauren and I made the comment that she had made the cut but by Sunday she would be very lucky to finish 70th which would be the last person to get a check. Brooks response to me was "If you finish last in class in medical school what do they call you?" "A Doctor." He was right Lauren was going to be able to pay her bills for this weekend regardless of where she finished.
Saturday came and she shot a two over 74 and fell to 59th. Still two under for the tournament and yes last year on the Futures tour she would have been in the top ten. But, this is the LPGA and she finds herself 17 shots out of the lead. Then Sunday she tees off on #10 while the leaders are going off #1. She shoots a 33 on the front and replicates another 33 on the back to shoot a 66.
Eight under par her second best pro tournament of her life. Just to show you how it is going to be playing on the big tour a 66 only moved her up to a tie for 43rd. But that is still the second biggest check of her pro golfing career. Only her one win on the Futures tour last year paid her more. We all know those of us who pull for LD that next week the risk of not making the cut will still be there. Looking at the future she has to make enough money to qualify just to play on tour next year.
It sure was something to watch the Golf channel coverage and watch as the scores scroll across the bottom of the screen and see L Doughtie -5, the next time -6 then even the next time -7 and oh yes -8. Our goal now is to get close enough to the lead to see her make a shot on the TV. I might not be next week but our hopes sure have climbed this weekend.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Not Much Consolation BUT
I know this is not much consolation for any Rocky Mount fan but Webb won the State Title in 3-A last night beating Statesville 73-70 in overtime. Issiah Hicks the Carolina recruit who was a pain in the butt to the Gryphons scored 34 points and hauled down 30 rebounds to lead the way for Webb.
I know this is not much consolation for Rocky Mount Prep but they did beat a state champion during the regular season. Good friend Gaddis Hodges who is the play by play announcer fort Hertford County called me yesterday to tell me that Brunswick County (Lawrenceville)Virginia won the State 2-A level.
Back during the Christmas Holidays Prep played in Brunswick's tournament and beat them 57-48. It was Brunswick's first loss at home in more than three years. Brunswick if you remember is the school that former UVA player Brian Stith played for. By the way he is their coach now.
Considering that Prep gym only holds about 400 and every game was packed during the season my guess was there was about 1,000 in Reynolds yesterday pulling for the Jags. I know there are many complaints made by the public schools in Rocky Mount and other areas where Prep schools and private schools invade their territory but all of Nash county should have been in the house yesterday like they have been to support Rocky Mount High in their two state championships. Prep has only played by the rules as they exist now.
If you don't think the rules are fair for private schools or charter schools having students from just about any where change the rules or vote them out like NCHSAA members had a chance to do last year but 80 members chose not to vote on the private school issue. Private school Bishop McGuiness won their 8th straight girls 1-A title in Raleigh. They were down 10 with 3:45 to play and won by 5.
Rocky Mount High opens their conference baseball schedule Monday night as they host Fike. Game time is 7pm.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Second Quarter Dooms Prep
It was suppose to just maybe the highest scoring 1-A championship game of all time but a funny thing happened on the way to all those points two defenses showed up. Both teams looked as if they were playing in at least the 3-A title game with all the height and speed but neither could solve the others defense.
In the end Winston Salem Prep scored more and wins the title 53-41.
The second quarter will be the look back in time and Rocky Mount Prep will wish they could play the second quarter over as RMP made just 1-13 in the second. The first half they made just 6 field goals in 30 shots mostly outside shots. While they were shooting 20% WSP was hitting 44% and they had a 28-15 lead at the half.
Mike Hughes lead the second quarter charge that broke open a two point first quarter lead to 13. He was chosen the games MVP as he would finish with 12 points. WS-Prep outstanding player Coye Simmons lead all rebounders securing 13 in the game. RM-Prep's DeShawn Freeman 15 points and 9 rebounds was RM-Preps outstanding player for the game.
The second half RM-Prep improved their shooting to almost 40% but when you add it all up they shot a paultry 28.9 % for the game. Give RM-Prep credit they were able to hold WS-Prep to on 38% for the game. Take away the second quarter scoring 15-4 WS-Prep the other three quarters we 38-37 WS-Prep.
Factors in the game all during the season RM-Prep was always taller and quicker than anyone they played but today WS-Prep was there just as quick and just as tall and it did have an effect on both teams.
DeShawn Freeman 15 points and Jacob Barrett 11 points were the only double digit scorers for RMP. Donte Samuels 7, Gary Smith 6 and James Bond 4. This is the first loss of the season since Freeman was in the lineup this year for Prep as they will finish 24-4. WS Prep wins their second straight title and finish 31-1.
For the second year in a row the Big East is on the sidelines looking as Chapel Hill lost the girls 3-A title to Harding High. Last year Rocky Mount lost in the Eastern Finals to Eastern Alamance who would lose the title game. This year Northern Nash gave Chapel Hill their only other loss on the season.
In the end Winston Salem Prep scored more and wins the title 53-41.
The second quarter will be the look back in time and Rocky Mount Prep will wish they could play the second quarter over as RMP made just 1-13 in the second. The first half they made just 6 field goals in 30 shots mostly outside shots. While they were shooting 20% WSP was hitting 44% and they had a 28-15 lead at the half.
Mike Hughes lead the second quarter charge that broke open a two point first quarter lead to 13. He was chosen the games MVP as he would finish with 12 points. WS-Prep outstanding player Coye Simmons lead all rebounders securing 13 in the game. RM-Prep's DeShawn Freeman 15 points and 9 rebounds was RM-Preps outstanding player for the game.
The second half RM-Prep improved their shooting to almost 40% but when you add it all up they shot a paultry 28.9 % for the game. Give RM-Prep credit they were able to hold WS-Prep to on 38% for the game. Take away the second quarter scoring 15-4 WS-Prep the other three quarters we 38-37 WS-Prep.
Factors in the game all during the season RM-Prep was always taller and quicker than anyone they played but today WS-Prep was there just as quick and just as tall and it did have an effect on both teams.
DeShawn Freeman 15 points and Jacob Barrett 11 points were the only double digit scorers for RMP. Donte Samuels 7, Gary Smith 6 and James Bond 4. This is the first loss of the season since Freeman was in the lineup this year for Prep as they will finish 24-4. WS Prep wins their second straight title and finish 31-1.
For the second year in a row the Big East is on the sidelines looking as Chapel Hill lost the girls 3-A title to Harding High. Last year Rocky Mount lost in the Eastern Finals to Eastern Alamance who would lose the title game. This year Northern Nash gave Chapel Hill their only other loss on the season.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Pitching When They Needed It
Lauren Doughtie shot a -3 under 69 Thursday to tie for 21st spot in her second LPGA Tour event. The LPGA Tour is in Phoenix Az which is the first event of the year in the USA and 4th event of the year. The low round of the day was a 63. She tees off today at 10:40am hoping to make the cut.
Andy Morris came from behind the plate Thursday to pitch four innings of relief and then managed three hits to pace Rocky Mount to a 9-5 win over Bunn. Sam Lilley started on the hill but in two innings surrendered eight hits. The good news he walked only one batter and got a great throw from his center fielder Jeremy Johnson that saved a run at home. Morris took over in the third in a 3-3 tie but yielded two runs in the third but shut the door on the Wildcats the next three innings to get the win..
Down five 5-3 the Gryphons scored three times in the fourth when Sam Lilley reached on an error, scored a rbi triple by Andy Morris and Morris scored on a triple by Micah Varnell. The Gryphons took the lead for good on a single by Spencer Ramsey. The Gryphons scored three times in the fifth on a Sam Lilley hit he reach home on a Andy Morris single, Morris scored after Micah Varnell walked and Spencer Ramsey doubled them home. Ramsey pitched the seventh and got out of a bases loaded jam to finish off the Wildcats.
Rocky Mount record grows to 3-3 and they will begin conference play Monday night with a home game against Fike. Game time is 7pm.
The so called minor sports like volleyball, Soccer and tennis most play in the afternoons and the only people there are family members. Glad to see in the Telegram yesterday the Barry Nethercutt the Gryphons Tennis coach recorded his 600th victory as a tennis coach. Yes he coaches both the girls in fall and the boys in spring but do you realize how many matches you have to win to get to 600? Gryphon tennis in most every year is competitive and the Gryphon nation is lucky to have the dedicated service of Barry. Congratulations Coach!
Next weekend J'Kyra Brown will be playing in the Carolina Classic basketball game in Myrtle Beach. The game has been moved to Myrtle Beach High School. Game time is 6:30PM on the 23rd.
Paul Andre and yours truly will be in Raleigh Saturday bringing you the Rocky Mount Prep quest for the state 1-A basketball title. Air time is 2pm with the tip off coming at 2.30. You can hear all the action on Power 95.5. You can go on line and hear us @ powerhits95.com. You can also go on line and watch the game live at news14.com that is the Time Warner cable system web page. They have the tv rights and are showing all the games live on Time Warner systems throughout North Carolina on Saturday
Andy Morris came from behind the plate Thursday to pitch four innings of relief and then managed three hits to pace Rocky Mount to a 9-5 win over Bunn. Sam Lilley started on the hill but in two innings surrendered eight hits. The good news he walked only one batter and got a great throw from his center fielder Jeremy Johnson that saved a run at home. Morris took over in the third in a 3-3 tie but yielded two runs in the third but shut the door on the Wildcats the next three innings to get the win..
Down five 5-3 the Gryphons scored three times in the fourth when Sam Lilley reached on an error, scored a rbi triple by Andy Morris and Morris scored on a triple by Micah Varnell. The Gryphons took the lead for good on a single by Spencer Ramsey. The Gryphons scored three times in the fifth on a Sam Lilley hit he reach home on a Andy Morris single, Morris scored after Micah Varnell walked and Spencer Ramsey doubled them home. Ramsey pitched the seventh and got out of a bases loaded jam to finish off the Wildcats.
Rocky Mount record grows to 3-3 and they will begin conference play Monday night with a home game against Fike. Game time is 7pm.
The so called minor sports like volleyball, Soccer and tennis most play in the afternoons and the only people there are family members. Glad to see in the Telegram yesterday the Barry Nethercutt the Gryphons Tennis coach recorded his 600th victory as a tennis coach. Yes he coaches both the girls in fall and the boys in spring but do you realize how many matches you have to win to get to 600? Gryphon tennis in most every year is competitive and the Gryphon nation is lucky to have the dedicated service of Barry. Congratulations Coach!
Next weekend J'Kyra Brown will be playing in the Carolina Classic basketball game in Myrtle Beach. The game has been moved to Myrtle Beach High School. Game time is 6:30PM on the 23rd.
Paul Andre and yours truly will be in Raleigh Saturday bringing you the Rocky Mount Prep quest for the state 1-A basketball title. Air time is 2pm with the tip off coming at 2.30. You can hear all the action on Power 95.5. You can go on line and hear us @ powerhits95.com. You can also go on line and watch the game live at news14.com that is the Time Warner cable system web page. They have the tv rights and are showing all the games live on Time Warner systems throughout North Carolina on Saturday
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Historic Reynolds Awaits Rocky Mount Prep
This Saturday when Rocky Mount Prep takes to the court against Winston Salem Prep they will be playing in one of the most historic college basketball arenas of all time. Those youngsters don't have any idea that they will be playing in an arena that in 1999 which was the last year the N C State men played their full schedule there more people had watch college basketball in that house that any other arena in the world. Nine million people watched 50 years of Wolfpack Basketball, ACC Tournaments and Dixie Classics.
It's first year 1949 it was the largest basketball arena in the south. Those that have never been inside it if they sit anywhere in the upper deck court side will feel that they are right on top of the action because they will be. In it's hay-day it seated 12,400 but Saturday there will be about 8,600 seats available. Parking in the deck beside the arena is free and if you wait till game day to buy a ticket it is $10.
I have had the pleasure during his high school career to mention several times about the exploits of Rocky Mount Gryphon Mason Holt who has wanted to go to Campbell and it was the only place that he has applied to go to. Mason has been one the the best Cross Country runners and long distance runners for Rocky Mount all during his high school career. He was conference champion in cross country. Even as conference champion and Campbell being a division 1 school Campbell has never offered a athletic scholarship to Mason only the offer to walk on the team.
Mason Holt parents have taught him the value of getting a good education and Mason has been an excellent student while at Rocky Mount High School. Because of his value of an education Mason has won the Presidential Scholarship to Campbell for his academic ability not his athletic skills. Congratulations Mason we are all proud of you.
Rocky Mount High baseball is home Thursday as they will take on Bunn in a non-conference game. First pitch is 4pm.
The ACC tournament begins today with only two big four members playing State and Wake. The four games that will be played today only State against Virginia Tech is favored the other three are all toss-ups. This is about as wide open as I can ever remember an ACC Tournament at least to the point of who is going to play Duke Sunday. Even that is not guaranteed.
It's first year 1949 it was the largest basketball arena in the south. Those that have never been inside it if they sit anywhere in the upper deck court side will feel that they are right on top of the action because they will be. In it's hay-day it seated 12,400 but Saturday there will be about 8,600 seats available. Parking in the deck beside the arena is free and if you wait till game day to buy a ticket it is $10.
I have had the pleasure during his high school career to mention several times about the exploits of Rocky Mount Gryphon Mason Holt who has wanted to go to Campbell and it was the only place that he has applied to go to. Mason has been one the the best Cross Country runners and long distance runners for Rocky Mount all during his high school career. He was conference champion in cross country. Even as conference champion and Campbell being a division 1 school Campbell has never offered a athletic scholarship to Mason only the offer to walk on the team.
Mason Holt parents have taught him the value of getting a good education and Mason has been an excellent student while at Rocky Mount High School. Because of his value of an education Mason has won the Presidential Scholarship to Campbell for his academic ability not his athletic skills. Congratulations Mason we are all proud of you.
Rocky Mount High baseball is home Thursday as they will take on Bunn in a non-conference game. First pitch is 4pm.
The ACC tournament begins today with only two big four members playing State and Wake. The four games that will be played today only State against Virginia Tech is favored the other three are all toss-ups. This is about as wide open as I can ever remember an ACC Tournament at least to the point of who is going to play Duke Sunday. Even that is not guaranteed.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
83 Champs Featured On ESPN's 30-30
Monday night former Rocky Mount High School basketball player George McClain was at Reynolds Coliseum as were many Wolfpack faithful as ESPN debuted it's next segment in their series called 30-30. "Survive and Advance" it will be about the 1983 N C State Wolfpack and their trip to the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament finals history and the thrity years that have passed losing Coach Valvano and even the star player who made the winning basket.
McClain a freshmen guard one year removed from winning the 4-A State basketball Championship at Rocky Mount was a member of the championship team in 83. ESPN will run it's latest segment Sunday night at 9pm right after the NCAA Selection shows and all of the talk that goes on after.
Got the word Tuesday afternoon from Paul Andre that Power 95 will be carrying the Rocky Mount Prep basketball game Saturday from Reynolds Coliseum. Last week Paul and I had made arrangements that if both Rocky Mount and Prep made it to Raleigh that I would do the play by play of the Gryphon game and Paul would do color and he would do the play by play for Prep an I will handle the color. If need you will be able to go on line from any where in the world and pick up the radio feed at powerhits95.com. I have the details later at what time we will go on the air.
Gryphon baseball had a scheduled game on Tuesday but with the forecast for rain the game was pushed up to Monday and Rose beat the Gryphons 9-3. They are at home Thursday afternoon at 4pm when they host Bunn.
If you were excited about hockey back in 2002 when the Carolina Hurricanes played for the Stanley Cup and if you were ecstatic when they won it in 2006 well you had better get ready for another Stanley Cup run. If you have been upset about the Strike/Lockout and have not been paying attention this years addition of the Carolina Hurricanes when they are healthy are really good.
Last night they beat Washington 4-0 in Washington. They had a period where they had several players out for a while but they are all getting healthy and are right now the 3rd seed in the east when the playoffs start. Cam Ward is nursing a knee injury but his two backups had been great in net and Carolina is no longer a let's score two goals and hold on team. They have three lines that can put the puck in the net.
McClain a freshmen guard one year removed from winning the 4-A State basketball Championship at Rocky Mount was a member of the championship team in 83. ESPN will run it's latest segment Sunday night at 9pm right after the NCAA Selection shows and all of the talk that goes on after.
Got the word Tuesday afternoon from Paul Andre that Power 95 will be carrying the Rocky Mount Prep basketball game Saturday from Reynolds Coliseum. Last week Paul and I had made arrangements that if both Rocky Mount and Prep made it to Raleigh that I would do the play by play of the Gryphon game and Paul would do color and he would do the play by play for Prep an I will handle the color. If need you will be able to go on line from any where in the world and pick up the radio feed at powerhits95.com. I have the details later at what time we will go on the air.
Gryphon baseball had a scheduled game on Tuesday but with the forecast for rain the game was pushed up to Monday and Rose beat the Gryphons 9-3. They are at home Thursday afternoon at 4pm when they host Bunn.
If you were excited about hockey back in 2002 when the Carolina Hurricanes played for the Stanley Cup and if you were ecstatic when they won it in 2006 well you had better get ready for another Stanley Cup run. If you have been upset about the Strike/Lockout and have not been paying attention this years addition of the Carolina Hurricanes when they are healthy are really good.
Last night they beat Washington 4-0 in Washington. They had a period where they had several players out for a while but they are all getting healthy and are right now the 3rd seed in the east when the playoffs start. Cam Ward is nursing a knee injury but his two backups had been great in net and Carolina is no longer a let's score two goals and hold on team. They have three lines that can put the puck in the net.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Donte Battle Big East Player Of The Year
Rocky Mount High School Junior Donte Battle has been named the Big East Player of the year in basketball. Battle averaged 18.8 point and almost 11 rebounds per game leads two other Gryphons who join him on the All Conference team. M J Gainey Jr. a senior who on the season averaged 12.1 points per game and Mason Hines a senior rounds out the Gryphons on the all Conference team. Hines average 6.2 points per game 5.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds and proved that you don't have to be a big scorer to be all conference. Michael Hines made the Honorable Mention all conference team.
Rocky Mount baseball plays at home today against Greenville Rose at 4pm weather permitting.
Rocky Mount Prep is the only team from the area that will be playing Saturday and they will be in Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh for the 2.30 tapoff. They will be playing Winston Salem Prep. First Media is trying to get sponsors to be able to carry the game Saturday which we hope to be able to tell you that we will have the game on the radio but we are not able to yet.
Those who don't make the trip can go on line to Time Warner Cable at their North Carolina website and be able to watch the game on line as it is feed to all the Time Warner Cable systems in North Carolina.
Sitting on press row Saturday as Prep was destroying East Carteret there was mumbling about how unfair it is for the Prep and Charter schools to be playing in the public school playoffs. Sounds just like the roar last spring when member of the NCHSAA almost voted out all the the Private school because they are dominating in most cases all of the so called minor sports.
The issue for for charter schools like RM Prep they have no school boundary as to where your school district is. You can actually live in Raleigh and if you want to drive all this way could go to school at Prep and play athletics there. That is where the public schools are seething. I can tell you that there in no member of the Tar-Roanoke wanting Prep to be in their conference because a student who lives in Leggett right in the back yard of North Edgecombe can go to Prep. I suspect this spring the Private school issue will come up again since 80% voted the private school out but just enough school voted present to not get the required votes to oust.
Prep plays Saturday against Winston Salem Prep a team that during the playoffs beat their opening opponent 100-37. their second round game 97-43. Sounds a lot like the scores RM Prep was winning by doesn't it. I would suspect in due time as more charter school open there will at some point be a Charter school league and all the charter schools will have their own playoffs. That is not much consolation for a team like East Carteret who possibly won the state championship without two Prep schools in their way.
Right now at this time this is the way the rules are set up and right or wrong Rocky Mount Prep has done every thing that they needed to do to get themselves in this position to win their first State Championship. I hope everyone in Rocky Mount will be there to cheer them on.
Rocky Mount baseball plays at home today against Greenville Rose at 4pm weather permitting.
Rocky Mount Prep is the only team from the area that will be playing Saturday and they will be in Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh for the 2.30 tapoff. They will be playing Winston Salem Prep. First Media is trying to get sponsors to be able to carry the game Saturday which we hope to be able to tell you that we will have the game on the radio but we are not able to yet.
Those who don't make the trip can go on line to Time Warner Cable at their North Carolina website and be able to watch the game on line as it is feed to all the Time Warner Cable systems in North Carolina.
Sitting on press row Saturday as Prep was destroying East Carteret there was mumbling about how unfair it is for the Prep and Charter schools to be playing in the public school playoffs. Sounds just like the roar last spring when member of the NCHSAA almost voted out all the the Private school because they are dominating in most cases all of the so called minor sports.
The issue for for charter schools like RM Prep they have no school boundary as to where your school district is. You can actually live in Raleigh and if you want to drive all this way could go to school at Prep and play athletics there. That is where the public schools are seething. I can tell you that there in no member of the Tar-Roanoke wanting Prep to be in their conference because a student who lives in Leggett right in the back yard of North Edgecombe can go to Prep. I suspect this spring the Private school issue will come up again since 80% voted the private school out but just enough school voted present to not get the required votes to oust.
Prep plays Saturday against Winston Salem Prep a team that during the playoffs beat their opening opponent 100-37. their second round game 97-43. Sounds a lot like the scores RM Prep was winning by doesn't it. I would suspect in due time as more charter school open there will at some point be a Charter school league and all the charter schools will have their own playoffs. That is not much consolation for a team like East Carteret who possibly won the state championship without two Prep schools in their way.
Right now at this time this is the way the rules are set up and right or wrong Rocky Mount Prep has done every thing that they needed to do to get themselves in this position to win their first State Championship. I hope everyone in Rocky Mount will be there to cheer them on.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Time To Leave Fayetteville
The Eastern Regional has been in Fayetteville three years now and they still don't know how to do it right. Friday night's game the PA man was awful. He looked like he had 20 sheets of paper in front of him and he didn't know which one he was suppose to read. Every time there was a foul on one team or the other he fumbled looking for the name of fouler or shooter and by the time he found it he started talking after the shooter had the ball in his hands and talked the whole time they were shooting. Shut up please and get organized. We had the same one for Saturday and he did a much better job.
Here we are in this big huge arena and they can not put the fouls up on the board. Those of you that went to the Prep game in the little building the top three players from both teams were listed on the score board so you would know how many fouls were on the players with the most fouls. Not in the big house, they listed team fouls but not individual fouls and who it was on.
Those of you from the past know I complained last year about not hearing the PA on the floor that was better this year but still not great. If you sit on the floor on media row as the refs go to the scorers table to call out who committed fouls you get blocked out by players on the court and have to depend on the PA to tell you because it is not put up on the score board. If you miss one you lose your tracking ability for the entire game or until that player fouls again and if you can hear the announcement next time.
While over in the small arena to watch Prep any one who has ever been to a game knows the opposite side from the scorers table is press row. It runs completely from one base line down to the other baseline. If there is a chair in every space from baseline to baseline you can probably sit 50 people. In the little arena they had 30 chairs for 50 people. Is there a chair shortage or something? People on the first row that bought tickets don't want to have to stand up because somebody on press row has to stand causing everyone behind them to stand.
Here is my biggest grip which is a NCHSAA problem not a Host city problem. If you went to see any game in one building like if you went to see Prep play at 2pm you had to buy a ticket to get in the little arena. If you came back across the parking lot to watch Rocky Mount play you had to pay another nine dollars to get in there. That is not right. People from Rocky Mount were punished more because if you wanted to see our two teams play you had to pay $18. One ticket should give you the ability to see any game you want to see.
Yes Fayetteville is nice having two buildings and one parking lot when it use to be in Greenville the girls played at Rose High and the boys at ECU. I read with interest in the Telegram Sunday of the possible 5,000 seat all purpose building that Rocky Mount is looking to build. Who says that one city has to host both?
Our light bills are already out of sight but the timing is not right for tax payers to build something that will never make money. Why build anything that will never make a profit where the tax payers will never finish paying for it. I wish we could build such a place but unless a private firm uses their own money or we had a pro sports team like Fayetteville has the Fireants hockey team where they play 40 or 50 times a year the building will never turn a profit. Sure would love to see such a place in Rocky Mount but before you build the building have a tenant like minor league hockey, indoor football or NBA developmental League team. Don't build it and hope they come.
Who says that the boys and girls regional has to be in the same city. If Rocky Mount was able to build such a place just maybe one of the regional could be in Rocky Mount. Since the boys and girls from each school don't play the same night there is no reason boys could play Fayetteville and the girls in another city or vice versa.
As far as I am concerned Fayetteville in the three years the tournament has been there they have not proven to me that when ever their contract runs out they deserve to get it back. Our only problem is where else can it go?
Here we are in this big huge arena and they can not put the fouls up on the board. Those of you that went to the Prep game in the little building the top three players from both teams were listed on the score board so you would know how many fouls were on the players with the most fouls. Not in the big house, they listed team fouls but not individual fouls and who it was on.
Those of you from the past know I complained last year about not hearing the PA on the floor that was better this year but still not great. If you sit on the floor on media row as the refs go to the scorers table to call out who committed fouls you get blocked out by players on the court and have to depend on the PA to tell you because it is not put up on the score board. If you miss one you lose your tracking ability for the entire game or until that player fouls again and if you can hear the announcement next time.
While over in the small arena to watch Prep any one who has ever been to a game knows the opposite side from the scorers table is press row. It runs completely from one base line down to the other baseline. If there is a chair in every space from baseline to baseline you can probably sit 50 people. In the little arena they had 30 chairs for 50 people. Is there a chair shortage or something? People on the first row that bought tickets don't want to have to stand up because somebody on press row has to stand causing everyone behind them to stand.
Here is my biggest grip which is a NCHSAA problem not a Host city problem. If you went to see any game in one building like if you went to see Prep play at 2pm you had to buy a ticket to get in the little arena. If you came back across the parking lot to watch Rocky Mount play you had to pay another nine dollars to get in there. That is not right. People from Rocky Mount were punished more because if you wanted to see our two teams play you had to pay $18. One ticket should give you the ability to see any game you want to see.
Yes Fayetteville is nice having two buildings and one parking lot when it use to be in Greenville the girls played at Rose High and the boys at ECU. I read with interest in the Telegram Sunday of the possible 5,000 seat all purpose building that Rocky Mount is looking to build. Who says that one city has to host both?
Our light bills are already out of sight but the timing is not right for tax payers to build something that will never make money. Why build anything that will never make a profit where the tax payers will never finish paying for it. I wish we could build such a place but unless a private firm uses their own money or we had a pro sports team like Fayetteville has the Fireants hockey team where they play 40 or 50 times a year the building will never turn a profit. Sure would love to see such a place in Rocky Mount but before you build the building have a tenant like minor league hockey, indoor football or NBA developmental League team. Don't build it and hope they come.
Who says that the boys and girls regional has to be in the same city. If Rocky Mount was able to build such a place just maybe one of the regional could be in Rocky Mount. Since the boys and girls from each school don't play the same night there is no reason boys could play Fayetteville and the girls in another city or vice versa.
As far as I am concerned Fayetteville in the three years the tournament has been there they have not proven to me that when ever their contract runs out they deserve to get it back. Our only problem is where else can it go?
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Step Back And Reflect
Winning is habit forming just like losing. Losers always find a way to lose another game. We have all heard the phrase "Here we go again" when ever that losing team makes that mistake that they make every game and it results in a lost. Winning is the same teams that know how to win seem to make the play needed which puts you over the top. Then there are the times when two winners meet and both who know how to win do what it takes to win . When that happens you are witness to great athletic skill and some where along the way one or the other will make one more good play than the other. That's what happened last night. The Gryphons were one more good play from winning.
There is no need to hang their heads they have proven to be winners. They played like winners last night. When ever you have the success that Rocky Mount basketball has had especially the last four years you meet up with teams just as good as yourselves. Last night that happened. We lost to an outstanding team it took a supreme effort from Webb to beat the Gryphons.
We can all look back and what if any game to death. 11 for 19 at the free throw line, 19 turnovers the most in any game during the playoffs. I thought for the most part the officials did a good job. We just scored four points less than Webb. Something we have not spoken about which has become a trend in Rocky Mount sports. 2008 baseball, 2010 basketball, 2012 basketball. We are on the even year cycle for winning championships and this is the odd year. It seems the planets were not lined up right.
Mike Gainey has brought Rocky Mount High School basketball to a powerhouse level. Two state titles in the past four years and 103 victories. I don't have enough fingers and toes to count all the wins. I do have enough to count the losses 16. That is an average of 26-4 during this run. It is news any time anybody beats Rocky Mount.
I would like to remind all Gryphon fans that during our two trips to Chapel Hill in these last four years every other school in the area got behind us and were there supporting us in our quest. There are a lot of Gryphons fans in this world but the throng of people in Chapel Hill have been Rocky Mount people not just Gryphon fans. Don't forget Prep come next Saturday.
Once again this year there will be a Gryphon playing in the Carolina Classic Basketball game held between North and South Carolina.J'Kyra Brown will represent Rocky Mount in the game to be played March 23rd at Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach SC. Game time is 6:30pm.
There is no need to hang their heads they have proven to be winners. They played like winners last night. When ever you have the success that Rocky Mount basketball has had especially the last four years you meet up with teams just as good as yourselves. Last night that happened. We lost to an outstanding team it took a supreme effort from Webb to beat the Gryphons.
We can all look back and what if any game to death. 11 for 19 at the free throw line, 19 turnovers the most in any game during the playoffs. I thought for the most part the officials did a good job. We just scored four points less than Webb. Something we have not spoken about which has become a trend in Rocky Mount sports. 2008 baseball, 2010 basketball, 2012 basketball. We are on the even year cycle for winning championships and this is the odd year. It seems the planets were not lined up right.
Mike Gainey has brought Rocky Mount High School basketball to a powerhouse level. Two state titles in the past four years and 103 victories. I don't have enough fingers and toes to count all the wins. I do have enough to count the losses 16. That is an average of 26-4 during this run. It is news any time anybody beats Rocky Mount.
I would like to remind all Gryphon fans that during our two trips to Chapel Hill in these last four years every other school in the area got behind us and were there supporting us in our quest. There are a lot of Gryphons fans in this world but the throng of people in Chapel Hill have been Rocky Mount people not just Gryphon fans. Don't forget Prep come next Saturday.
Once again this year there will be a Gryphon playing in the Carolina Classic Basketball game held between North and South Carolina.J'Kyra Brown will represent Rocky Mount in the game to be played March 23rd at Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach SC. Game time is 6:30pm.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Only One Goes To Raleigh
The dream of a third trip in four years to the State finals for the Rocky Mount Gryphons fell short tonight in Fayetteville as Carolina signee Isaiah Hicks scores 22 points 12 in the 4th quarter to send the Gryphons home. Webb wins 68-64. It's not like he was all Webb had as Devonte Williams added 18.
The Gryphons countered with their own stars as Donte Battle lead all scorers with 27 and the only player for either side to get double digit rebounds with 11. He got plenty of help from M J Gainey playing his last game for his father Mike Gainey. as he poured in 19.
The Gryphons came out of the tunnel forcing turnovers as Webb had seven in their first seven trips down court but the Gryphons had five of their own. A major deciding point in this game was the third foul on Mason Hines in the early second quarter as he had to ride the bench for the rest of the second and almost all of the third. His being out of the line up so did the harassing defensive pressure that had caused 10 turnovers by Webb in the early stages. Webb would wind up with 20 on the game while the Gryphons had 19.
Webb won the rebounding 37-35, made 21-24 free throws while the Gryphons were 11-19. Points in the paint was dead even at 20 each. Points off turnovers was in the Gryphons favor 21-14. Hicks was named the outstanding player while Donte Battle and M J Gainey made the all tournament team.
If you walked out of the gym disappointed that's ok but if you thought it was a sorry game I don't know which game you saw but this was a great game. Depending on which side of the score you stand makes it great or not but this was a gem but the Gryphons come up short.
Rocky Mount Prep's 77-69 win over East Carteret sets up a trip to Raleigh as Prep will play for their first state championship in the school's history. DeShawn Freeman 26 points and 16 rebounds earned the MVP in the 1-A East regional game. Jacob Barrett also made the all tournament team from Prep.
Prep will play for the 1-A State Title at 2.30 next Saturday afternoon as they take on Winston Salem Prep who was a 59-43 winner tonight. We are hoping to carry Prep game on one of the stations of First Media radio next weekend.
The Gryphons countered with their own stars as Donte Battle lead all scorers with 27 and the only player for either side to get double digit rebounds with 11. He got plenty of help from M J Gainey playing his last game for his father Mike Gainey. as he poured in 19.
The Gryphons came out of the tunnel forcing turnovers as Webb had seven in their first seven trips down court but the Gryphons had five of their own. A major deciding point in this game was the third foul on Mason Hines in the early second quarter as he had to ride the bench for the rest of the second and almost all of the third. His being out of the line up so did the harassing defensive pressure that had caused 10 turnovers by Webb in the early stages. Webb would wind up with 20 on the game while the Gryphons had 19.
Webb won the rebounding 37-35, made 21-24 free throws while the Gryphons were 11-19. Points in the paint was dead even at 20 each. Points off turnovers was in the Gryphons favor 21-14. Hicks was named the outstanding player while Donte Battle and M J Gainey made the all tournament team.
If you walked out of the gym disappointed that's ok but if you thought it was a sorry game I don't know which game you saw but this was a great game. Depending on which side of the score you stand makes it great or not but this was a gem but the Gryphons come up short.
Rocky Mount Prep's 77-69 win over East Carteret sets up a trip to Raleigh as Prep will play for their first state championship in the school's history. DeShawn Freeman 26 points and 16 rebounds earned the MVP in the 1-A East regional game. Jacob Barrett also made the all tournament team from Prep.
Prep will play for the 1-A State Title at 2.30 next Saturday afternoon as they take on Winston Salem Prep who was a 59-43 winner tonight. We are hoping to carry Prep game on one of the stations of First Media radio next weekend.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Gryphons Advance
The Rocky Mount Gryphons have survived their worse shooting night of the season and have advanced to the East Regional 3-A finals with a 62-50 victory over West Craven. They will meet J F Webb who dumped Eastern Alamance 65-56 in the night cap. Tap time for the Regional final is 6pm Saturday night.
Rocky Mount defense gave them a quick lead in the first quarter but hot outside shooting by the Eagles gave them the half time lead at 28-27. The Eagles Josh Cuthbertson top player once again this year was limited by the Gryphons as his near 30 points per game was about 11 below average as he finished with 19 points. However the Gryphons never could keep him off the boards as Cuthbertson pull down 18 boards which was over half of all of WC's rebounds.
Where the Gryphons controlled the game was Cuthbertson loves to drive to the basket from the top of the key and if he made it to the rack Donte Battle, Immanuel King or Jaquel Bryant were there to stop his penetration but what hurt worse for WC is the Hines brother were like nats and Cuthbertson had ten turnovers in the game. The Gryphons force 23 in the game while once again the Gryphons protected the ball for the most part only committing 13 themselves.
Rocky Mount made their move in the third quarter behind the shooting of Broderick Caudle who saw lots of action in the third quarter with Michael Hines on the bench with three first half fouls. Caudle had two threes and a bucket to give the Gryphons a 45-36 lead at one point. Nursing a 4th quarter lead the Gryphons didn't do themselves any favors as they misssed more ft's in the fourth than they made finishing 21-36 for the game.
Despite shooting only 36% for the game the Gryphons win their 10th double digit playoff game in a row. The stat of the game is the Gryphons caused 23 turnovers and scored 23 points off those to's while the 13 Gryphon miscues only gave WC 9 points. A 14 point difference in a 12 point win.
Broderick Caudle off the bench lead the Gryphons in scoring with 15. Mason Hines and Michael Hines followed with 12 and 11 and many of their points came off steal and lay ups. The Gryphons win by 12 with their two top scorers Battle and M J Gainey only getting 7 and 8 points each. Cuthbertson scored 18 and Demetres Abrams 16 lead the way for the Eagles.
This is the fourth straight year that Rocky Mount has dumped WC from the playoffs. It also sets up that two of the four games that will be played in the Crown Coliseum Saturday will have Rocky Mount teams playing. Rocky Mount Prep plays at 2pm against Eastern Carteret and Rocky Mount plays Webb at 6pm with the winner in both heading to Reynold Coliseum Saturday March 16th for the State Finals
The victory was #25 on the season for the Gryphons. The Gryphons outscored West Craven 26-22 in the paint. Fast break points were even at 12 but the Gryphons outscored WC 19-10 in bench scoring 15 of that coming from Broderick Caudle tonight's player of the game.
Rocky Mount defense gave them a quick lead in the first quarter but hot outside shooting by the Eagles gave them the half time lead at 28-27. The Eagles Josh Cuthbertson top player once again this year was limited by the Gryphons as his near 30 points per game was about 11 below average as he finished with 19 points. However the Gryphons never could keep him off the boards as Cuthbertson pull down 18 boards which was over half of all of WC's rebounds.
Where the Gryphons controlled the game was Cuthbertson loves to drive to the basket from the top of the key and if he made it to the rack Donte Battle, Immanuel King or Jaquel Bryant were there to stop his penetration but what hurt worse for WC is the Hines brother were like nats and Cuthbertson had ten turnovers in the game. The Gryphons force 23 in the game while once again the Gryphons protected the ball for the most part only committing 13 themselves.
Rocky Mount made their move in the third quarter behind the shooting of Broderick Caudle who saw lots of action in the third quarter with Michael Hines on the bench with three first half fouls. Caudle had two threes and a bucket to give the Gryphons a 45-36 lead at one point. Nursing a 4th quarter lead the Gryphons didn't do themselves any favors as they misssed more ft's in the fourth than they made finishing 21-36 for the game.
Despite shooting only 36% for the game the Gryphons win their 10th double digit playoff game in a row. The stat of the game is the Gryphons caused 23 turnovers and scored 23 points off those to's while the 13 Gryphon miscues only gave WC 9 points. A 14 point difference in a 12 point win.
Broderick Caudle off the bench lead the Gryphons in scoring with 15. Mason Hines and Michael Hines followed with 12 and 11 and many of their points came off steal and lay ups. The Gryphons win by 12 with their two top scorers Battle and M J Gainey only getting 7 and 8 points each. Cuthbertson scored 18 and Demetres Abrams 16 lead the way for the Eagles.
This is the fourth straight year that Rocky Mount has dumped WC from the playoffs. It also sets up that two of the four games that will be played in the Crown Coliseum Saturday will have Rocky Mount teams playing. Rocky Mount Prep plays at 2pm against Eastern Carteret and Rocky Mount plays Webb at 6pm with the winner in both heading to Reynold Coliseum Saturday March 16th for the State Finals
The victory was #25 on the season for the Gryphons. The Gryphons outscored West Craven 26-22 in the paint. Fast break points were even at 12 but the Gryphons outscored WC 19-10 in bench scoring 15 of that coming from Broderick Caudle tonight's player of the game.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Jaguars Apply Pressure To Gryphons
They are making their 4th straight trip to the Eastern Regional in hopes of making their third trip to the State Finals. Two of those three years the Rocky Mount Gryphons shared the stage with either the Northern Nash girls or the Lady Gryphons. The Rocky Mount Gryphons head into their Friday night showdown with West Craven already knowing that in the 1-A division and right in Rocky Mount the Jags of Rocky Mount Prep have already earned their way into the Regional final Saturday at 2pm. Prep made it to the Regional final last year but Rocky Mount had already earn their trip before Prep even played their Friday Semi final game.
Rocky Mount doesn't have the entire city of Rocky Mount on their side like it has been in the past. They have to share it with Prep. As it stands now their job to get to Raleigh is tougher as they still have to win twice while Prep is just one game away. The Gryphons will play in Fayetteville at 7pm Friday night against West Craven a team they have played as much in the past four years as any in the Big East squad. They know us as well as we know them which makes it seem like a conference game.
Rocky Mount baseball won today at home against Tarboro. Senior pitcher Jeremy Johnson pitched the first four innings giving up a single hit while striking out seven and walking but a single batter. Cody Smith pitched the final three innings not allowing a hit striking out five but gave away six free passes but none came home to score. Gryphons 8- Tarboro 0 You basic one hit seven walk shutout.
The Gryphons collect eight hits lead by Andy Morris who went 2 for 2 with 2 rbi. Trevor Hayworth had two singles with a single rbi. Spencer Ramsey, Nick Carrier, Kalido Jackson Davis, Josh Carter all added singles. Tarboro defense aided the Gryphon scoring committing five errors while the Gryphons had a single miscue. Rocky Mount is now 2-2 on the season and they will be home twice next week Tuesday against Rose and Thursday against the Wildcats of Bunn.
The Lady Gryphon softball team has equaled their entire win out put from last year winning twice as they beat Tarboro 16-1. Biggest improvement this season is the Lady Gryphon pitching as Brittany Stallings has developed into a very good pitcher and if you are going to compete in softball you have to have a pitcher first of all that can get it across the plate. Then they have to have enough speed to strike most of the batters out. if you have a good defense with a pitcher that can dominate then you can be really good in softball..
Tonight Florida State has beaten Virginia to move N C State into 4th place in the ACC basketball race. They can clinch 4th by winning Saturday afternoon. I wonder the last time State, Carolina and Duke all three finished in the top four in the ACC?
Rocky Mount doesn't have the entire city of Rocky Mount on their side like it has been in the past. They have to share it with Prep. As it stands now their job to get to Raleigh is tougher as they still have to win twice while Prep is just one game away. The Gryphons will play in Fayetteville at 7pm Friday night against West Craven a team they have played as much in the past four years as any in the Big East squad. They know us as well as we know them which makes it seem like a conference game.
Rocky Mount baseball won today at home against Tarboro. Senior pitcher Jeremy Johnson pitched the first four innings giving up a single hit while striking out seven and walking but a single batter. Cody Smith pitched the final three innings not allowing a hit striking out five but gave away six free passes but none came home to score. Gryphons 8- Tarboro 0 You basic one hit seven walk shutout.
The Gryphons collect eight hits lead by Andy Morris who went 2 for 2 with 2 rbi. Trevor Hayworth had two singles with a single rbi. Spencer Ramsey, Nick Carrier, Kalido Jackson Davis, Josh Carter all added singles. Tarboro defense aided the Gryphon scoring committing five errors while the Gryphons had a single miscue. Rocky Mount is now 2-2 on the season and they will be home twice next week Tuesday against Rose and Thursday against the Wildcats of Bunn.
The Lady Gryphon softball team has equaled their entire win out put from last year winning twice as they beat Tarboro 16-1. Biggest improvement this season is the Lady Gryphon pitching as Brittany Stallings has developed into a very good pitcher and if you are going to compete in softball you have to have a pitcher first of all that can get it across the plate. Then they have to have enough speed to strike most of the batters out. if you have a good defense with a pitcher that can dominate then you can be really good in softball..
Tonight Florida State has beaten Virginia to move N C State into 4th place in the ACC basketball race. They can clinch 4th by winning Saturday afternoon. I wonder the last time State, Carolina and Duke all three finished in the top four in the ACC?
No Problem For Prep
I don't think any one who knows anything about high school basketball that has seen Rocky Mount Prep play had any thought what so ever of this game with Camden would be close. It wasn't Rocky Mount Prep has advanced to the Regional 1-A Finals besting Camden 72-41. They will play Saturday at 2:00pm against East Carteret who beat Pamlico 77-55 who won in game two last night.
Camden didn't have any size to compete and even lacked the speed to play the Jags. Saturday will be a better game but unless the Jags completely fall flat they will advance to the Championship game on Saturday March 16th. The state championship game will not be a bed of roses but that will be determined after we know who they play if they win Saturday.
The Western Regional Wednesday night was 3-A and there is now only six teams left that can win the 3-A State Title. Statesville beat Harding University 70-52 and the other game went Hunter Huss's way knocking off Gastonia Ashbrook 73-57.
Jeff Filkovski has become the third football coach in North Carolina Wesleyan College history. He arrives late and right now since division 1 signing is over all of the other players in II and III are picking where they want to play now. I guess we will have to call him Coach Fil.
If you have not seen it you have to go on line and see the story that TV 5 did on Lee Winstead of Nashville. Lee is the little leaguer who was hit with the thrown ball on the sidelines a couple of summers ago and had to have the brain operation. He is now playing for Nash Central Middle school baseball team. You can see the video on line at WRAL.COM.
Coach K passed Dean Smith for second place on the all time list of wins by a coach at the same school. If K stays around he is of course 66 years old I think he will pass #1 Jim Beiheim of Syracuse. I have a feeling as much bad mouthing Beiheim has done talking about not wanting to go to the ACC he will probably retire this year. He is 69 years old.
Hard to believe this stat that I heard on the Raycon game last night. Last night was the first time since 1989 that State has beaten Wake, Duke and Carolina at home all three in the same year. Just hard to believe.
Miami's Bubble has finally burst. Last night they blew a big lead at home and lost to Georgia Tech 71-69 on a shot at the buzzer. Duke can still tie for first if they beat Carolina Saturday night.
Today the Gryphon baseball team plays at 5pm. If you have a schedule is shows 4pm so mark the change. That is of course if it does rain any more.
Camden didn't have any size to compete and even lacked the speed to play the Jags. Saturday will be a better game but unless the Jags completely fall flat they will advance to the Championship game on Saturday March 16th. The state championship game will not be a bed of roses but that will be determined after we know who they play if they win Saturday.
The Western Regional Wednesday night was 3-A and there is now only six teams left that can win the 3-A State Title. Statesville beat Harding University 70-52 and the other game went Hunter Huss's way knocking off Gastonia Ashbrook 73-57.
Jeff Filkovski has become the third football coach in North Carolina Wesleyan College history. He arrives late and right now since division 1 signing is over all of the other players in II and III are picking where they want to play now. I guess we will have to call him Coach Fil.
If you have not seen it you have to go on line and see the story that TV 5 did on Lee Winstead of Nashville. Lee is the little leaguer who was hit with the thrown ball on the sidelines a couple of summers ago and had to have the brain operation. He is now playing for Nash Central Middle school baseball team. You can see the video on line at WRAL.COM.
Coach K passed Dean Smith for second place on the all time list of wins by a coach at the same school. If K stays around he is of course 66 years old I think he will pass #1 Jim Beiheim of Syracuse. I have a feeling as much bad mouthing Beiheim has done talking about not wanting to go to the ACC he will probably retire this year. He is 69 years old.
Hard to believe this stat that I heard on the Raycon game last night. Last night was the first time since 1989 that State has beaten Wake, Duke and Carolina at home all three in the same year. Just hard to believe.
Miami's Bubble has finally burst. Last night they blew a big lead at home and lost to Georgia Tech 71-69 on a shot at the buzzer. Duke can still tie for first if they beat Carolina Saturday night.
Today the Gryphon baseball team plays at 5pm. If you have a schedule is shows 4pm so mark the change. That is of course if it does rain any more.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Prep Takes The Court Tonight
The Eastern Regional basketball Tournament got under way last night in Fayetteville. Tuesday was 4-A, tonight the 1-A, Thursday belongs to the 2-A and the 3-A is Friday. Every division rotates year to year and the winners on Tuesday will play their regional Championship game at noon Saturday right on up to the 3-A final as the last game on Saturday. Next year the 3-A will rotate to Tuesday.
If Prep can win the game they lost last year they would play at 2 pm Saturday looking for the right to play the West Regional Champion in Raleigh at 2:30 on March 16th in Reynolds Coliseum. If Prep can come back to earth after beating the team that knocked them out last year on Plymouth's home court last Friday they have an excellent chance of making it to Raleigh. They have their entire team back from last year including DeShawn Freeman who last year was on the sideline with a knee injury during the Regional. Freeman at 6 feet eight inches is a load for any team.
Rocky Mount waits to Friday night at 7:00pm before they hit the hard wood and should they survive and beat West Craven they will have less than 24 hours to get ready for the championship game Saturday but guess what who ever they play will have less time to get ready. The second game of the night is the first game Friday's opponent Saturday.
Regardless of the outcome for either team this week both Prep and Rocky Mount have had tremendous year only losing five games between them. Hope we have two Rocky Mount teams playing the next two Saturdays.
Rocky Mount baseball traveled to Rose Tuesday and were in the middle of a tight game most of the way. Spencer Ramsey pitched the first five innings and Rose lead 2-1. However Rose scored 5 in the bottom of the 6th to win 7-1. The Gryphons play again Thursday barring snow if we get any today or tonight.
Duke was a winner last night so they held up their end to make the Duke/ North Carolina game Saturday is the battle for the outright second place finish this year to Miami. The last RPI standing as of Monday had Duke #1, Carolina 20# and N C State 24th. I would think that all three are automatics in the upcoming NCAA Tournament regardless of what they do rest of the season and ACC Tournament.
If Prep can win the game they lost last year they would play at 2 pm Saturday looking for the right to play the West Regional Champion in Raleigh at 2:30 on March 16th in Reynolds Coliseum. If Prep can come back to earth after beating the team that knocked them out last year on Plymouth's home court last Friday they have an excellent chance of making it to Raleigh. They have their entire team back from last year including DeShawn Freeman who last year was on the sideline with a knee injury during the Regional. Freeman at 6 feet eight inches is a load for any team.
Rocky Mount waits to Friday night at 7:00pm before they hit the hard wood and should they survive and beat West Craven they will have less than 24 hours to get ready for the championship game Saturday but guess what who ever they play will have less time to get ready. The second game of the night is the first game Friday's opponent Saturday.
Regardless of the outcome for either team this week both Prep and Rocky Mount have had tremendous year only losing five games between them. Hope we have two Rocky Mount teams playing the next two Saturdays.
Rocky Mount baseball traveled to Rose Tuesday and were in the middle of a tight game most of the way. Spencer Ramsey pitched the first five innings and Rose lead 2-1. However Rose scored 5 in the bottom of the 6th to win 7-1. The Gryphons play again Thursday barring snow if we get any today or tonight.
Duke was a winner last night so they held up their end to make the Duke/ North Carolina game Saturday is the battle for the outright second place finish this year to Miami. The last RPI standing as of Monday had Duke #1, Carolina 20# and N C State 24th. I would think that all three are automatics in the upcoming NCAA Tournament regardless of what they do rest of the season and ACC Tournament.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Look Out Gryphon Softball Is Improved
When you had a season when you didn't even win a game like a couple of years back and you followed that up with winning only once then it will not take much to be improved. Friday in their season opener at Tarboro the Lady Gryphons beat the Vikings 20-0. Monday they made a visit to SouthWest Edgecombe and the game was tied at 9-9 and it had to be stopped because of darkness. The game will be finished when SouthWest comes to Rocky Mount later on to finish that game and then play the regularly schedule game with the Cougars. The Lady Gryphons play their first home game Tuesday in their new on campus field.
The baseball team is on the road Tuesday playing at Rose High School trying to improve on their 1-1 record. If you have not been out to the baseball/softball complex at Rocky Mount High you will find that the home plates of both are back to back to each other. All the area between the two fields is completely cemented so you will not have to worry about ever sloshing through mud as you might have had to do in the past. There is a concession stand and bathrooms connected where you can almost watch both games at the the same time. Both bleachers behind home plate will hold about forty people and the backstop area between the dugouts is low enough that you can bring your folding chair and camp out between the dugouts.
The Big East schedule this year will have all conference games played together. Both Softball and baseball jv teams will play before the varsity games. So there will be an opportunity to see both varsity teams playing at the same time. I only see one problem with the idea of softball and baseball having games at the same time. Foul balls from the boys game just might land on the softball field.
You know we are a people of instance opinion and by early January Carolina people were in a panic that the Tar Heels just might not make the NCAA tournament this year. Look at them now. Just maybe the hottest team in the country.
Duke got Ryan Kelly back and he may have played the best game any player in the country has played this year. Duke has had several games at home that they were lucky to win. They had a ten point lead on Miami with two minutes to play Saturday and almost had to go to overtime.
Everyone keeps right on bad mouthing N C State. People have complained that the Pack just did win at BC and I have to ask the question who else has? They lost at the buzzer at Maryland and Wake and once again not everyone else has played at those places any better. My goal of the Pack finishing the season with single digit losses is still possible but they might have to win the ACC Tournament or the NCAA for that to happen.
By the way when was the last time Duke, North Carolina and N C State all three had 20 wins seasons by the end of the regular season. There have been many years it took both the ACC Tournament and NCAA to accumulate enough wins to get to 20.
The baseball team is on the road Tuesday playing at Rose High School trying to improve on their 1-1 record. If you have not been out to the baseball/softball complex at Rocky Mount High you will find that the home plates of both are back to back to each other. All the area between the two fields is completely cemented so you will not have to worry about ever sloshing through mud as you might have had to do in the past. There is a concession stand and bathrooms connected where you can almost watch both games at the the same time. Both bleachers behind home plate will hold about forty people and the backstop area between the dugouts is low enough that you can bring your folding chair and camp out between the dugouts.
The Big East schedule this year will have all conference games played together. Both Softball and baseball jv teams will play before the varsity games. So there will be an opportunity to see both varsity teams playing at the same time. I only see one problem with the idea of softball and baseball having games at the same time. Foul balls from the boys game just might land on the softball field.
You know we are a people of instance opinion and by early January Carolina people were in a panic that the Tar Heels just might not make the NCAA tournament this year. Look at them now. Just maybe the hottest team in the country.
Duke got Ryan Kelly back and he may have played the best game any player in the country has played this year. Duke has had several games at home that they were lucky to win. They had a ten point lead on Miami with two minutes to play Saturday and almost had to go to overtime.
Everyone keeps right on bad mouthing N C State. People have complained that the Pack just did win at BC and I have to ask the question who else has? They lost at the buzzer at Maryland and Wake and once again not everyone else has played at those places any better. My goal of the Pack finishing the season with single digit losses is still possible but they might have to win the ACC Tournament or the NCAA for that to happen.
By the way when was the last time Duke, North Carolina and N C State all three had 20 wins seasons by the end of the regular season. There have been many years it took both the ACC Tournament and NCAA to accumulate enough wins to get to 20.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Regional Will Be Tougher for Rocky Mount Than Prep
Two teams from Rocky Mount will make the trip this week to Fayetteville. Rocky Mount Prep it will be their second straight venture south. Already they have disposed of the team that knocked them out last year. Wednesday night at 7pm they will play Camden and should they win that one will meet the winner of the Wednesday 8:30 game East Carteret and Pamlico. If I were a betting man I would give Prep better than a 75% chance of winning twice this week. Now let me remind you any time anyone makes a prediction it is of course counting on no one getting hurt and when and if that happens all bets are off.
Rocky Mount making their fourth straight Regional and all three that have been held in Fayetteville will be favored in their Friday night affair with West Craven. West Craven has found it hard to advance in the state playoffs because it always seems they are in Rocky Mount's bracket and in the past three years that is not a good bracket to be placed. That is how ever the past and an all that counts now is what happens Friday. Standing in the way should they win Friday is Webb/Eastern Alamance and that will be no picnic.
We are looking with First Media Radio that if either team or both make it to Raleigh for the March 16th we are going to be doing every thing we can to see that our teams from Rocky Mount are covered.
Alex Knight for the second year in a row has finished second in the state in the 145 pound class in wrestling. He was the only wrestler from this area to make the top six in each weight class. Rocky Mount finished 12th with 34 points in the team competition and Southern Nash 51st with 12
Rocky Mount baseball won Friday night at Tarboro in extra innings 4-3. They are now 1-1 and head to Rose Tuesday. Their next home game at Thursday afternoon with Tarboro.
The Gryphon Cheerleading squad finished second in the Big East cheer leading championships Saturday at Southern Nash. Hunt was the winner.
Girls soccer opened their season Friday at Jacksonville and lost 5-0. Now that girls basketball is over they will have a couple of new players added to the lineup.
Benton Moss won his third game of the season for North Carolina on Saturday pitching in a tournament in Houston Texas. Carolina is unbeaten and ranked #1 in baseball. Hobbs Johnson was taken out of the lineup last Sunday with an injury but he did get his regular start yesterday in Houston. He did not make it out of the third inning but no problem Carolina won anyway.
N C State lost opening day and has not lost since. They won all three of their tournament games in Myrtle Beach this weekend. Campbell has lost only once this season and they head to Raleigh Wednesday night to meet the Pack. Just might be there for that one.
Rocky Mount making their fourth straight Regional and all three that have been held in Fayetteville will be favored in their Friday night affair with West Craven. West Craven has found it hard to advance in the state playoffs because it always seems they are in Rocky Mount's bracket and in the past three years that is not a good bracket to be placed. That is how ever the past and an all that counts now is what happens Friday. Standing in the way should they win Friday is Webb/Eastern Alamance and that will be no picnic.
We are looking with First Media Radio that if either team or both make it to Raleigh for the March 16th we are going to be doing every thing we can to see that our teams from Rocky Mount are covered.
Alex Knight for the second year in a row has finished second in the state in the 145 pound class in wrestling. He was the only wrestler from this area to make the top six in each weight class. Rocky Mount finished 12th with 34 points in the team competition and Southern Nash 51st with 12
Rocky Mount baseball won Friday night at Tarboro in extra innings 4-3. They are now 1-1 and head to Rose Tuesday. Their next home game at Thursday afternoon with Tarboro.
The Gryphon Cheerleading squad finished second in the Big East cheer leading championships Saturday at Southern Nash. Hunt was the winner.
Girls soccer opened their season Friday at Jacksonville and lost 5-0. Now that girls basketball is over they will have a couple of new players added to the lineup.
Benton Moss won his third game of the season for North Carolina on Saturday pitching in a tournament in Houston Texas. Carolina is unbeaten and ranked #1 in baseball. Hobbs Johnson was taken out of the lineup last Sunday with an injury but he did get his regular start yesterday in Houston. He did not make it out of the third inning but no problem Carolina won anyway.
N C State lost opening day and has not lost since. They won all three of their tournament games in Myrtle Beach this weekend. Campbell has lost only once this season and they head to Raleigh Wednesday night to meet the Pack. Just might be there for that one.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Have We Seen The Best
There were rumors going around four years ago of this 8th grade kid that was going to basketball camps and had all the coaches woozy at what they were seeing. There was this girl who could dribble and shoot with the best of the boys and she was going to start her ninth grade year at Rocky Mount. All those hopes and dreams were dashed as while attending one of those camps she blew out her knee and had to sit an entire year.
Now a sophomore in her very first game she was timid on her knee not trusting that she could really let it all out. Despite that she scored 13 points in her first varsity game and would average nearly 15 that year. By her junior year all the fear of a wobbly knee gone her average ballooned to 22 and by her senior year 27 per contest.
When you look at the basketball career of J'Kyra Brown points per game is not her most important stat. There is always a controversy about the term Most Valuable player. My concept is if she wasn't there what would the team do. We all saw what a MVP was this year that on that night at Hunt when J'Kyra went down so did the hopes of the Lady Gryphons in 2013. During her absence or in some cases her limited court time the Gryphons not only lost that Hunt game but went down at Nash Central, Southern Nash and Fike was about to get their turn whipping up on the Gryphons until J'Kyra came in.
The last leg of her high school basketball career she had to lug this extended knee brace which will make a 4.5 runner in the forty take at least 5 seconds to maneuver. Slower and yet still a scoring machine and surely Northern Nash will be glad to never have to play again.
But J'Kyra is not about scoring, She tries to get everyone involved in the offense but many times her team mates would say why should I shoot when we have J'Kyra can do it better? I think she is a natural shooting guard but he is able to handle the ball well enough that she can play the point. She is tall enough in the high school level that she can rebound with the best of them. Up until her latest knee injury she could defend the other teams best player.
J'Kyra is one of those players that makes everyone around her better. If the truth be told both Nash Central and Northern were better teams just because in order to compete with her they had to be better. We as fans have had a three year run that you needed to be in the gym at tip time of the girls game to watch J'Kyra and not wait until halftime so you could be there to watch the boys.
I suspect there will be many homes games in Greenville (ECU) next year that there will be a group from Rocky Mount there just to watch J'Kyra. The funny thing is what we have seen for three years we don't know what it could have been if she didn't have that dreaded injury as a freshman and the last month of her senior year.
There are two banners hanging in the rafters at Rocky Mount which any team that comes into gym can stare at those greats of the past. They hang in the rafters because of what they did after they left Rocky Mount. I think there is room for one more. I hope that as J'Kyra Brown moves on to ECU that she can get healthy and play at that level up to her potential.
You have to give credit to her parents. J'Kyra is well rounded that team comes first, she is polite and not the center of the world off the court. It has been a pleasure to watch this treasure both on and off the court. I mean this with all sincerity if you didn't see J'Kyra Brown play you may have missed the the best basketball player from Rocky Mount High school since Phil Ford. See Next Year J'Kyra!
Now a sophomore in her very first game she was timid on her knee not trusting that she could really let it all out. Despite that she scored 13 points in her first varsity game and would average nearly 15 that year. By her junior year all the fear of a wobbly knee gone her average ballooned to 22 and by her senior year 27 per contest.
When you look at the basketball career of J'Kyra Brown points per game is not her most important stat. There is always a controversy about the term Most Valuable player. My concept is if she wasn't there what would the team do. We all saw what a MVP was this year that on that night at Hunt when J'Kyra went down so did the hopes of the Lady Gryphons in 2013. During her absence or in some cases her limited court time the Gryphons not only lost that Hunt game but went down at Nash Central, Southern Nash and Fike was about to get their turn whipping up on the Gryphons until J'Kyra came in.
The last leg of her high school basketball career she had to lug this extended knee brace which will make a 4.5 runner in the forty take at least 5 seconds to maneuver. Slower and yet still a scoring machine and surely Northern Nash will be glad to never have to play again.
But J'Kyra is not about scoring, She tries to get everyone involved in the offense but many times her team mates would say why should I shoot when we have J'Kyra can do it better? I think she is a natural shooting guard but he is able to handle the ball well enough that she can play the point. She is tall enough in the high school level that she can rebound with the best of them. Up until her latest knee injury she could defend the other teams best player.
J'Kyra is one of those players that makes everyone around her better. If the truth be told both Nash Central and Northern were better teams just because in order to compete with her they had to be better. We as fans have had a three year run that you needed to be in the gym at tip time of the girls game to watch J'Kyra and not wait until halftime so you could be there to watch the boys.
I suspect there will be many homes games in Greenville (ECU) next year that there will be a group from Rocky Mount there just to watch J'Kyra. The funny thing is what we have seen for three years we don't know what it could have been if she didn't have that dreaded injury as a freshman and the last month of her senior year.
There are two banners hanging in the rafters at Rocky Mount which any team that comes into gym can stare at those greats of the past. They hang in the rafters because of what they did after they left Rocky Mount. I think there is room for one more. I hope that as J'Kyra Brown moves on to ECU that she can get healthy and play at that level up to her potential.
You have to give credit to her parents. J'Kyra is well rounded that team comes first, she is polite and not the center of the world off the court. It has been a pleasure to watch this treasure both on and off the court. I mean this with all sincerity if you didn't see J'Kyra Brown play you may have missed the the best basketball player from Rocky Mount High school since Phil Ford. See Next Year J'Kyra!
Run Of Greatness
Rocky Mount High's Alexander Knight lost in the state championship match at 145 pounds 4-2 in overtime to finish second today in the NCHSAA State Wrestling Championships. It was only Knight's second lost all season
I use to have this argument with the late Charles Alston all the time. Charles loved the fact that Rocky Mount High was a 4-A school. He loved all those State Championship banners had 4-A Champs on them. I told him that the only important words on any banner was State Champs and it would not matter if it said 1-A.
Rocky Mount High will be making their 4th consecutive trip to the 3-A Eastern Regional next Friday and I don't hear anyone complaining. Mike Gainey has built this basketball program into almost Rock Star status. Just Wednesday night after winning game two Gainey loaded up his Gryphons for the trip to Northern Nash to root on the girls against the Lady Knights. Once the Gryphon fans saw the team down at the stage end a roar erupted of excitement that the Gryphons were in the house. Not one Northern fan booed them whether out of respect for the defending State Champs or the shock that Elvis was in the house. That Saturday night every year when the brackets come out everyone looks to see whether they are lined up in Rocky Mount's bracket.
During this four year run to this point Rocky Mount has played 12 sectional games. How important is winning the conference title and a really good over all record? Rocky Mount has played 11 of those games in their own gym. The average margin of victory has been 24 points. The very first game of this four year run against Jacksonville in 2010 was the closes 64-54. The lone road game was in 2011 in the second game had to travel to Southern Wayne and come home with a 77-73 win. It helps playing at home in the playoffs.
The Gryphons are 4-1 in the Regional winning both games in 2010 by a total of four points. 65-62 over Northern Guilford and 83-82 over NE Guilford in overtime. 2012 two victories by 20 and 15. Their two State Titles 84-79 and 68-54.
After last night Rocky Mount as far as polls are concern is the top team left as the #1 team Concord fell. Next week in Fayetteville Rocky Mount will play West Craven a team that has fallen to the Gryphons all three years heading up to next Friday. 2010 in the second round at RM the Gryphons won 94-66. 2011 in RM the sectional final 101-85 and in the Regional Semi last year 73-53. You know the coaching staff at WC will not have any problem at all getting the Eagles focused for next Friday. They have got to be tired of Rocky Mount and will do everything to finally beat the Gryphons.
Their lone loss in this run was in the 2011 semi's at Fayetteville to South Central 70-67.Since 2010 Rocky Mount is 18- 1 in the playoffs. This has been a great run Mike Gainey has put together and we all hope the run continues but there is one thing about playoffs. It can end so quickly.
Next week's games in Fayetteville will have Webb High featuring a UNC recruit playing Eastern Alamance. Rocky Mount and West Craven. Out west Hunter Huss of Gastonia will meet up with another Gastonia school in Ashbrook. Statesville will play Harding University.
The Gryphons are no lock to make it to Raleigh. They will have to be ready. Rocky Mount now has the target on their back that Coach K at Duke and Roy at UNC always talk about. They get the supreme effort from everyone that beats them. The only way to counter another teams supreme effort is to play your very best. If the Gryphons do that we all should be happy win or lose
I use to have this argument with the late Charles Alston all the time. Charles loved the fact that Rocky Mount High was a 4-A school. He loved all those State Championship banners had 4-A Champs on them. I told him that the only important words on any banner was State Champs and it would not matter if it said 1-A.
Rocky Mount High will be making their 4th consecutive trip to the 3-A Eastern Regional next Friday and I don't hear anyone complaining. Mike Gainey has built this basketball program into almost Rock Star status. Just Wednesday night after winning game two Gainey loaded up his Gryphons for the trip to Northern Nash to root on the girls against the Lady Knights. Once the Gryphon fans saw the team down at the stage end a roar erupted of excitement that the Gryphons were in the house. Not one Northern fan booed them whether out of respect for the defending State Champs or the shock that Elvis was in the house. That Saturday night every year when the brackets come out everyone looks to see whether they are lined up in Rocky Mount's bracket.
During this four year run to this point Rocky Mount has played 12 sectional games. How important is winning the conference title and a really good over all record? Rocky Mount has played 11 of those games in their own gym. The average margin of victory has been 24 points. The very first game of this four year run against Jacksonville in 2010 was the closes 64-54. The lone road game was in 2011 in the second game had to travel to Southern Wayne and come home with a 77-73 win. It helps playing at home in the playoffs.
The Gryphons are 4-1 in the Regional winning both games in 2010 by a total of four points. 65-62 over Northern Guilford and 83-82 over NE Guilford in overtime. 2012 two victories by 20 and 15. Their two State Titles 84-79 and 68-54.
After last night Rocky Mount as far as polls are concern is the top team left as the #1 team Concord fell. Next week in Fayetteville Rocky Mount will play West Craven a team that has fallen to the Gryphons all three years heading up to next Friday. 2010 in the second round at RM the Gryphons won 94-66. 2011 in RM the sectional final 101-85 and in the Regional Semi last year 73-53. You know the coaching staff at WC will not have any problem at all getting the Eagles focused for next Friday. They have got to be tired of Rocky Mount and will do everything to finally beat the Gryphons.
Their lone loss in this run was in the 2011 semi's at Fayetteville to South Central 70-67.Since 2010 Rocky Mount is 18- 1 in the playoffs. This has been a great run Mike Gainey has put together and we all hope the run continues but there is one thing about playoffs. It can end so quickly.
Next week's games in Fayetteville will have Webb High featuring a UNC recruit playing Eastern Alamance. Rocky Mount and West Craven. Out west Hunter Huss of Gastonia will meet up with another Gastonia school in Ashbrook. Statesville will play Harding University.
The Gryphons are no lock to make it to Raleigh. They will have to be ready. Rocky Mount now has the target on their back that Coach K at Duke and Roy at UNC always talk about. They get the supreme effort from everyone that beats them. The only way to counter another teams supreme effort is to play your very best. If the Gryphons do that we all should be happy win or lose
Friday, March 1, 2013
Bitter Sweet Night
The Rocky Mount boys are headed south down I-95 for the fourth straight year as on their home floor tonight they have taken down their third foe of the week by at least 20 beating C B Aycock 72-43. 80 miles southeast of here the Lady Gryphons trying to hold on to the emotional high after the upset of their top rival Northern Nash on Wednesday ran out of gas in the 4th quarter and fell 56-52 to West Craven. 70 miles due east down highway 64 Rocky Mount Prep got revenge from the team the team that knocked them out of the Regional 1-A playoffs last year winning in Plymouth 60-57. The game at Plymouth an hour before game time the door was locked as the place was packed for these two 1-A titans clash.
J'Kyra Brown playing in her last game for the Lady Gryphons scored 27 Points in a losing effort as the Lady Gryphons jumped out to a 14-9 first quarter lead. The Eagles fought back to lead 23-21 at the half but a big push by the Lady Gryphons gave them the third quarter lead at 42-33. West Craven started the 4th quarter with a 10-2 run to cut the lead to 44-43 and it was down to the wire from there.
Let me refresh your memory. If there is one team that wanted revenge tonight it was West Craven. Last year in the Regional Semi's our Lady Gryphons knocked them off the block of an unbeaten team. Tonight UNC bound Jamie Cherry pumped in 20 to lead the way for the Lady Eagles. Carmen Richardson aided Brown with 15 . Takeyra Thomas had five, Kelsey Daniels three and Sekeya Battle two for the Lady Gryphons they finish the season at 16-10.
I would like to thank James Silver one of the team managers for Rocky Mount basketball as his text of the scores back to the gym kept everyone watching the boys play informed about the girls game. He also text me the final numbers tonight so I could let you know about our Ladies. Thank James. He would like for me to tell everyone how proud he is of our Ladies team with all the injuries they had this year to make it all the way to the Sectional Finals.
As expected the Rocky Mount Gryphons disposed of C B Aycock Falcons 72-43. It was a solid continuation of building of the lead the entire night. It was not the best performance of the week by far but it was the the 9th straight state playoff game that Rocky Mount has won by at least double digits.
Rocky Mount won the boards 31-23 and their defense caused 23 turnovers while Rocky Mount once again protected the ball rather well with only 11 turnovers. Donte Battle lead the scoring parade with 20 followed by Emanuel King with 16, MJ Gainey 13. Battle swiped 11 rebound to lead there too. Mike Williams score 15 for the Falcons and A J Munden got 25% of their rebounds getting 6.
Rocky Mount will play Friday game time is let to be determined but they will play West Craven as they beat Havelock 66-57. Rocky Mount Prep will play in 1-A Regional Wednesday night. The other game Friday will be Webb against Eastern Alamance
J'Kyra Brown playing in her last game for the Lady Gryphons scored 27 Points in a losing effort as the Lady Gryphons jumped out to a 14-9 first quarter lead. The Eagles fought back to lead 23-21 at the half but a big push by the Lady Gryphons gave them the third quarter lead at 42-33. West Craven started the 4th quarter with a 10-2 run to cut the lead to 44-43 and it was down to the wire from there.
Let me refresh your memory. If there is one team that wanted revenge tonight it was West Craven. Last year in the Regional Semi's our Lady Gryphons knocked them off the block of an unbeaten team. Tonight UNC bound Jamie Cherry pumped in 20 to lead the way for the Lady Eagles. Carmen Richardson aided Brown with 15 . Takeyra Thomas had five, Kelsey Daniels three and Sekeya Battle two for the Lady Gryphons they finish the season at 16-10.
I would like to thank James Silver one of the team managers for Rocky Mount basketball as his text of the scores back to the gym kept everyone watching the boys play informed about the girls game. He also text me the final numbers tonight so I could let you know about our Ladies. Thank James. He would like for me to tell everyone how proud he is of our Ladies team with all the injuries they had this year to make it all the way to the Sectional Finals.
As expected the Rocky Mount Gryphons disposed of C B Aycock Falcons 72-43. It was a solid continuation of building of the lead the entire night. It was not the best performance of the week by far but it was the the 9th straight state playoff game that Rocky Mount has won by at least double digits.
Rocky Mount won the boards 31-23 and their defense caused 23 turnovers while Rocky Mount once again protected the ball rather well with only 11 turnovers. Donte Battle lead the scoring parade with 20 followed by Emanuel King with 16, MJ Gainey 13. Battle swiped 11 rebound to lead there too. Mike Williams score 15 for the Falcons and A J Munden got 25% of their rebounds getting 6.
Rocky Mount will play Friday game time is let to be determined but they will play West Craven as they beat Havelock 66-57. Rocky Mount Prep will play in 1-A Regional Wednesday night. The other game Friday will be Webb against Eastern Alamance
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