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.