Big East baseball heads down to the wire and the weather forecast for the first few days this week could have showers in and out and all about. Most of the area has received at least an inch of rain since Sunday night and regardless of how much falls Tuesday not much has had a chance to disappear before Tuesday.
Looking at the state playoffs next week the playoffs don't start until next Thursday which puts any teams making it to the fourth round probable of having to play four games to win the East Regional. I don't understand why the state continues to not play two games the first week. If however weather prevents the completion of this weeks conference games Monday could be available. The problem there is who do you pitch Monday knowing you might start the playoffs Thursday. Especially if home home field is still up for grabs.
If games are played tonight Rocky Mount travels to Southern Nash. If you recall last year Southern beat Rocky Mount when all the Gryphons had to do was win one of their final two for a playoff spot which they did not do it. They are faced with the same scenario but two wins they just might finish in first with help. You know Southern really would love to ruin Rocky Mount's season again if Rocky Mount should lose to Southern and Northern beats Fike then Northern is still alive for a playoff spot should they beat Rocky Mount.
Northern Nash travels to Fike and a Fike victory and Northern's playoff dreams already on life support will be dashed regardless of what anybody else does. Fike like Rocky Mount can't afford to let Northern ruin their season. Should Fike beat Northern they could beat Hunt Friday and tie or win first depending on what else happens this week.
The game of Tuesday will happen at Nash Central. The Bulldogs with a victory will have a clear shot with Southern on Friday to be in the drivers seat. A lost would just about relegate the Bulldogs to a road game in the first round of the playoffs. Hunt with two victories this week against Nash Central and Fike and they are conference champs and home the first round. A loss in either game and they may be on the road next week in the first round of the playoffs.
Remember the top two get home games in the first round while three and four seed will be on the road. Remember this also, should Big East two seed and three seed win their first round games then they meet in round two.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
The Man On The Mound
Those that had tickets this weekend have had the pleasure to watch baseball on the college level between two of the top teams in the country. One of the the really big differences that I like about baseball over all other sports is every game is completely different just because of who is on the mound.
Football the same quarterback unless injury plays every game. It comes down to who makes the plays. Basketball you always play the same players and it comes down to who puts the ball in the hole the most. Baseball can be completely different every game just because of who is pitching.
Friday Carolina put Kent Immanuel on the mound and the left hander kept N C State at bay. 24 hours later home grown Benton Moss couldn't match Immanuel's dominance. The other starter kept throwing pitches that Carolina couldn't touch. Carlos Rodon not only is huge standing on the mound but when he lets it go it sometimes hits the plate in the upper 90's. Even after throwing 125 pitches he was bringing it up to the plate in the mid 90's. If you are a left handed batter Rodon has a curve that starts out behind your back and finishes up in the third base dugout.
You are scared he's going to throw that fastball past you and he tosses that slider at you instead. Carolina finally got Rodon out of the game and hit a home run off the next State pitcher. Football those quarterbacks get the big money and in baseball pitchers who only work every four or five days get a gracious plenty.
Sunday night's rain out was a disappointment because of the hype this game carried. Who it will hurt most no one will ever know because the team that a rain out hurts the most is the team that would have won the game. It is a blessing for the loser. Since we will never see a winner will will have to hope them wind up in different brackets in the ACC Tournament and play each other for the championship.
If you are a long time reader of this blog you would know from the past that my favorite Gryphon baseball player from the past is Dillon Cockrell. Dillon still plays on the Carolina club baseball team and I am proud to report in two weeks he will graduate from Carolina. He majored in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. He will graduate on time which I know makes his parents happy.
Football the same quarterback unless injury plays every game. It comes down to who makes the plays. Basketball you always play the same players and it comes down to who puts the ball in the hole the most. Baseball can be completely different every game just because of who is pitching.
Friday Carolina put Kent Immanuel on the mound and the left hander kept N C State at bay. 24 hours later home grown Benton Moss couldn't match Immanuel's dominance. The other starter kept throwing pitches that Carolina couldn't touch. Carlos Rodon not only is huge standing on the mound but when he lets it go it sometimes hits the plate in the upper 90's. Even after throwing 125 pitches he was bringing it up to the plate in the mid 90's. If you are a left handed batter Rodon has a curve that starts out behind your back and finishes up in the third base dugout.
You are scared he's going to throw that fastball past you and he tosses that slider at you instead. Carolina finally got Rodon out of the game and hit a home run off the next State pitcher. Football those quarterbacks get the big money and in baseball pitchers who only work every four or five days get a gracious plenty.
Sunday night's rain out was a disappointment because of the hype this game carried. Who it will hurt most no one will ever know because the team that a rain out hurts the most is the team that would have won the game. It is a blessing for the loser. Since we will never see a winner will will have to hope them wind up in different brackets in the ACC Tournament and play each other for the championship.
If you are a long time reader of this blog you would know from the past that my favorite Gryphon baseball player from the past is Dillon Cockrell. Dillon still plays on the Carolina club baseball team and I am proud to report in two weeks he will graduate from Carolina. He majored in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. He will graduate on time which I know makes his parents happy.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
The Rivalry Is Back
The last two nights the University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University have played baseball in front of the third largest crowd and the largest ever to watch a baseball game in Raleigh. The game Friday night was the second until last night when the crowd beat Friday.
North Carolina with a coach who has a background in Rocky Mount and State a coach from Nash County. Mike Fox won a national title for NCW while here in Rocky Mount has had Carolina on the cusp of winning the national title in Chapel Hill. I see no reason why right now Carolina can't win it this year. Elliot Avent (Northern Nash) has had a solid program in Raleigh but since Debbie Yow has been the Athletic Director baseball has stepped up the pace.
Tonight at 7pm the rubber game in the match between two bitter rivals will turn to Rocky Mount once again. Carolina a 7-1 winner Friday. State a 7-3 winner last night so who wins the series will fall for Carolina in the hands of junior left hander Hobbs Johnson. Three years removed from Rocky Mount High. Even though record crowds have been at the Doak more have been watching on ESPN3. Tonight's game will be on ESPNU.
Saturday night's match up between maybe the best pitcher in college baseball Carlos Rodon and one of Carolina's top Rocky Mount's Benton Moss came down to a simple fact of umpiring behind the plate. I found myself in a pickle rooting for Benton to pitch well and for the Wolfpack to win. My hope was that after seven innings the score would be 0-0 and Carolina change pitchers and State win by games end.
Both Rodon and Moss have curve balls that break five feet and the umpire behind the plate sets up between the batter and inside the catcher. He never called one pitch all night from the middle of the plate to outside corner a strike. The reason he never called it from where he sets up he can't see the outside part of the plate. The next time you notice on any level and umpire that works behind the plate like that they never call and outside corner pitch because they can't see it.
Moss wasn't hit that hard all night but the ump made him keep throwing more pitches. Rodon got the same treatment more pitches when batters were taking pitches over the outer corners of the plate. Benton loses his first game of the year and falls to 7-1. So far in his less than two year career at Carolina he is 13-3. There is no doubt that Carlos Rodon if he stays healthy through the end of next season will be the #1 draft pick in 2014.
Tonight I am faced with another dilemma. I want the Wolfpack to win but I want Hobbs to pitch well for Carolina. Once again I will hope for a 0-0 game through seven and a pitching change for Carolina will lead to a Wolfpack Victory.
If tonight's game is as good as the first two we got another dandy coming.
North Carolina with a coach who has a background in Rocky Mount and State a coach from Nash County. Mike Fox won a national title for NCW while here in Rocky Mount has had Carolina on the cusp of winning the national title in Chapel Hill. I see no reason why right now Carolina can't win it this year. Elliot Avent (Northern Nash) has had a solid program in Raleigh but since Debbie Yow has been the Athletic Director baseball has stepped up the pace.
Tonight at 7pm the rubber game in the match between two bitter rivals will turn to Rocky Mount once again. Carolina a 7-1 winner Friday. State a 7-3 winner last night so who wins the series will fall for Carolina in the hands of junior left hander Hobbs Johnson. Three years removed from Rocky Mount High. Even though record crowds have been at the Doak more have been watching on ESPN3. Tonight's game will be on ESPNU.
Saturday night's match up between maybe the best pitcher in college baseball Carlos Rodon and one of Carolina's top Rocky Mount's Benton Moss came down to a simple fact of umpiring behind the plate. I found myself in a pickle rooting for Benton to pitch well and for the Wolfpack to win. My hope was that after seven innings the score would be 0-0 and Carolina change pitchers and State win by games end.
Both Rodon and Moss have curve balls that break five feet and the umpire behind the plate sets up between the batter and inside the catcher. He never called one pitch all night from the middle of the plate to outside corner a strike. The reason he never called it from where he sets up he can't see the outside part of the plate. The next time you notice on any level and umpire that works behind the plate like that they never call and outside corner pitch because they can't see it.
Moss wasn't hit that hard all night but the ump made him keep throwing more pitches. Rodon got the same treatment more pitches when batters were taking pitches over the outer corners of the plate. Benton loses his first game of the year and falls to 7-1. So far in his less than two year career at Carolina he is 13-3. There is no doubt that Carlos Rodon if he stays healthy through the end of next season will be the #1 draft pick in 2014.
Tonight I am faced with another dilemma. I want the Wolfpack to win but I want Hobbs to pitch well for Carolina. Once again I will hope for a 0-0 game through seven and a pitching change for Carolina will lead to a Wolfpack Victory.
If tonight's game is as good as the first two we got another dandy coming.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Bulldog Boys Gryphon Girls Dominant Track
This past week the Big East held the conference championships in Track and Field and when the sun had set Nash Central boys had stopped Rocky Mount boys from winning their third straight title and the Rocky Mount girls keep on winning. Every one who qualified will now take part in the Eastern Regional next Saturday at West Carteret High in Morehead City. The Nash County event winners were:
Shot Put:Girls- J'Kyra Brown Rocky Mount
Discus: Boys-Rissell Hilliard Nash Central---Girls J'Kyra Brown Rocky Mount
Long Jump: Boys-Mason Hines Rocky Mount---Girls Takeyra Thomas Rocky Mount
High Jump:Boys-Jaquell Bryant Rocky Mount---Girls Takeyra Thomas Rocky Mount
Long Jump:Girls Takeyra Thomas Rocky Mount
Triple Jump:Boys Mason Hines Rocky Mount---Girls Fantacy Bryant Rocky Mount
100M: Girls-Takeyra Thomas Rocky Mount
110m Hurdles:Boys-Damien Silver Nash Central---Girls Kambria Lynch Northern Nash
200m:Boys-Jarius Richardson Nash Central
300m :Girls Ivey Harris Southern Nash
300m Hurdles:Boys-Damien Silver Nash Central
800m:Boys-George Corbin Nash Central---Girls Natalie Manning Nash Central
3200m:-Boys Mason Holt Rocky Mount---GirlsMichaela Williams Nash Central
4x800 Relay:Boys-Montez Taylor,Jarius Richardson,Tyler Williams and Jarod Richardson Nash Central
Girls-Nachecia Richardson,Tashonda Brown,Tyanjia Pullen and Krystal Atkinson Nash Central
4x100 Relay: Boys- Nick Manning,Montez Taylor,Tyler Williams and Jarius Richardson Nash Central
4x200 Relay: Girls-Camille Branch,Eiquana Ferguson, Quinesha Lynch and Lashawnci Williams Northern Nash
4x400 Relay: Boys-Nick Manning,Brian Williams,Tyler Williams and Jarius Richardson Nash Central
Girls-Nachecia Richardson,Alexia Jones, Taylor Williams and Kierae Ausby Nash Central
The Most Outstanding Runner: Boys George Corbin Nash Central---Girls Takeyra Thomas Rocky Mount
Shot Put:Girls- J'Kyra Brown Rocky Mount
Discus: Boys-Rissell Hilliard Nash Central---Girls J'Kyra Brown Rocky Mount
Long Jump: Boys-Mason Hines Rocky Mount---Girls Takeyra Thomas Rocky Mount
High Jump:Boys-Jaquell Bryant Rocky Mount---Girls Takeyra Thomas Rocky Mount
Long Jump:Girls Takeyra Thomas Rocky Mount
Triple Jump:Boys Mason Hines Rocky Mount---Girls Fantacy Bryant Rocky Mount
100M: Girls-Takeyra Thomas Rocky Mount
110m Hurdles:Boys-Damien Silver Nash Central---Girls Kambria Lynch Northern Nash
200m:Boys-Jarius Richardson Nash Central
300m :Girls Ivey Harris Southern Nash
300m Hurdles:Boys-Damien Silver Nash Central
800m:Boys-George Corbin Nash Central---Girls Natalie Manning Nash Central
3200m:-Boys Mason Holt Rocky Mount---GirlsMichaela Williams Nash Central
4x800 Relay:Boys-Montez Taylor,Jarius Richardson,Tyler Williams and Jarod Richardson Nash Central
Girls-Nachecia Richardson,Tashonda Brown,Tyanjia Pullen and Krystal Atkinson Nash Central
4x100 Relay: Boys- Nick Manning,Montez Taylor,Tyler Williams and Jarius Richardson Nash Central
4x200 Relay: Girls-Camille Branch,Eiquana Ferguson, Quinesha Lynch and Lashawnci Williams Northern Nash
4x400 Relay: Boys-Nick Manning,Brian Williams,Tyler Williams and Jarius Richardson Nash Central
Girls-Nachecia Richardson,Alexia Jones, Taylor Williams and Kierae Ausby Nash Central
The Most Outstanding Runner: Boys George Corbin Nash Central---Girls Takeyra Thomas Rocky Mount
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Nearly Perfect
Wednesday night Hunt took on Southern Nash and Hunt pitcher Coltan Griffin came within one out of pitching a perfect game. He didn't make it but he did get a shutout 8-0 and with it Hunt heads down the stretch in Big East baseball in the lead by one game with two games to play. They are now 6-2 while Southern Nash drops to 0-8 in league play.
Tonight Nash Central beat Northern Nash 3-1 and with that victory they have caused a three way tie for second with Fike and Rocky Mount at 5-3. Northern's loss drops them to 3-5 and they are faced with the grim fact that if all three teams ahead of them with five conference wins get to six wins they are out of the playoffs.
If Hunt wins out they are the regular season champs so they control their own destiny. They don't get it easy next week by any means as they travel to Nash Central and Host Fike next Friday. If Hunt beats either, the loser can not win the regular season. If Hunt wins one of two then there is all kinds of possible three way ties for the top spot possible.
If Rocky Mount wins both it's games they would set at 7-3 and if Hunt loses once they have any tie breaker with Hunt. If it comes down to a three way tie it all depends who is part of the three way tie. If Nash Central beats Hunt Tuesday and win Friday a three way tie could be Hunt, Nash Central and Rocky Mount with Nash Central having split with Hunt and beat RM twice then Nash Central holds the tie breaker. If it comes down to Fike, Hunt and Rocky Mount then Rocky Mount holds that tie breaker.
There sure is a whole lot of could be's left and we will not know for sure until next Friday night when all the dust settles. If I were Nash Central I would feel good about where I stand especially if they can beat Hunt Tuesday. If is a big word but a Nash Central wins Tuesday they then get the drivers seat.
Tonight Nash Central beat Northern Nash 3-1 and with that victory they have caused a three way tie for second with Fike and Rocky Mount at 5-3. Northern's loss drops them to 3-5 and they are faced with the grim fact that if all three teams ahead of them with five conference wins get to six wins they are out of the playoffs.
If Hunt wins out they are the regular season champs so they control their own destiny. They don't get it easy next week by any means as they travel to Nash Central and Host Fike next Friday. If Hunt beats either, the loser can not win the regular season. If Hunt wins one of two then there is all kinds of possible three way ties for the top spot possible.
If Rocky Mount wins both it's games they would set at 7-3 and if Hunt loses once they have any tie breaker with Hunt. If it comes down to a three way tie it all depends who is part of the three way tie. If Nash Central beats Hunt Tuesday and win Friday a three way tie could be Hunt, Nash Central and Rocky Mount with Nash Central having split with Hunt and beat RM twice then Nash Central holds the tie breaker. If it comes down to Fike, Hunt and Rocky Mount then Rocky Mount holds that tie breaker.
There sure is a whole lot of could be's left and we will not know for sure until next Friday night when all the dust settles. If I were Nash Central I would feel good about where I stand especially if they can beat Hunt Tuesday. If is a big word but a Nash Central wins Tuesday they then get the drivers seat.
Mad Dash To The Finish
Tuesday night's Big East baseball results have made a jumbled mess of who is going to make the playoffs and who will not. All we know for sure right now is Southern Nash will not make the playoffs. Everybody else is still alive with most having three games to go starting tonight. Five are alive but only four will play beyond May 3rd.
Rocky Mount beat Hunt 3-1 and Hunt remains a top of the standings due to the fact that Fike lost to Nash Central 4-1. Northern had to win against Southern and did so 5-0. If these scores tell you one thing about Big East baseball this year is that the hitting is not as good as it has been in the past. Most teams have average to good pitching but nobody has what aI would consider on a scale of 1-10 great pitching. Most at best are 7. If that is true then you would think that teams would be having 10 run games but nobody is. Hunt stands at 5-2, Rocky Mount 5-3, Fike 5-3, Nash Central 4-3, Northern Nash 3-4 and Southern 0-7.
Everybody has a shot still to win or get a share of the Regular season top spot and with the way the schedule is yet to play out Northern Nash could still capture first place as long as they win out and get some help from others. That applies to every body except Hunt who if they win out all three of their remaining games they are the champs. The way this season has gone so far it is very hard to vision anyone winning all three for those who have three left.
Hunt controls their own destiny and they have Southern Nash Tonight, then next Tuesday travel to Nash Central and they finish up hosting Fike. They could lose two of their last three. Rocky Mount has only two left and they travel to Southern Tuesday and they have to win that game. They finish up hosting Northern on May 3rd. You would think that the Northern game is the only one they could lose but I tell you right now. Any team that allows themselves to be beaten by Southern will not make the playoffs. So Southern becomes the spoiler for those still hoping for the playoffs.
Fike only has two left and they host Northern on Tuesday and travel to Hunt the last game. Both of those games are tossups and could easily determine making the playoffs or not. Nash Central is at Northern tonight. Tuesday they host Hunt and they finish with Southern on May third. If the Bulldogs beat both Hunt and Northern they will be sitting pretty by the end of next week.
Northern has no options but to win and see what else happens. They host Nash Central tonight. Travel to Fike and travel to Rocky Mount next week. They probably have the toughest of all the schedules remaining but should they run the table they are in the playoffs no question.
Do I see anyone from the Big East making it all the way to the Eastern Finals ? I doubt it,but this brutal schedule makes everyone playoff tested because if you think you can make the playoffs then you had better not lose the rest of the way which is exactly the way the playoffs are. Lose and you are out.
Rocky Mount beat Hunt 3-1 and Hunt remains a top of the standings due to the fact that Fike lost to Nash Central 4-1. Northern had to win against Southern and did so 5-0. If these scores tell you one thing about Big East baseball this year is that the hitting is not as good as it has been in the past. Most teams have average to good pitching but nobody has what aI would consider on a scale of 1-10 great pitching. Most at best are 7. If that is true then you would think that teams would be having 10 run games but nobody is. Hunt stands at 5-2, Rocky Mount 5-3, Fike 5-3, Nash Central 4-3, Northern Nash 3-4 and Southern 0-7.
Everybody has a shot still to win or get a share of the Regular season top spot and with the way the schedule is yet to play out Northern Nash could still capture first place as long as they win out and get some help from others. That applies to every body except Hunt who if they win out all three of their remaining games they are the champs. The way this season has gone so far it is very hard to vision anyone winning all three for those who have three left.
Hunt controls their own destiny and they have Southern Nash Tonight, then next Tuesday travel to Nash Central and they finish up hosting Fike. They could lose two of their last three. Rocky Mount has only two left and they travel to Southern Tuesday and they have to win that game. They finish up hosting Northern on May 3rd. You would think that the Northern game is the only one they could lose but I tell you right now. Any team that allows themselves to be beaten by Southern will not make the playoffs. So Southern becomes the spoiler for those still hoping for the playoffs.
Fike only has two left and they host Northern on Tuesday and travel to Hunt the last game. Both of those games are tossups and could easily determine making the playoffs or not. Nash Central is at Northern tonight. Tuesday they host Hunt and they finish with Southern on May third. If the Bulldogs beat both Hunt and Northern they will be sitting pretty by the end of next week.
Northern has no options but to win and see what else happens. They host Nash Central tonight. Travel to Fike and travel to Rocky Mount next week. They probably have the toughest of all the schedules remaining but should they run the table they are in the playoffs no question.
Do I see anyone from the Big East making it all the way to the Eastern Finals ? I doubt it,but this brutal schedule makes everyone playoff tested because if you think you can make the playoffs then you had better not lose the rest of the way which is exactly the way the playoffs are. Lose and you are out.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Alive And Kickin
Last week on the setup for this week's Big East Conference games I told you by having only one conference game this week Rocky Mount would throw the kitchen sink at Hunt if they needed too. Tonight all it took was Senior Jeremy Johnson as Johnson had a rocky first inning but after that he was the man. He held Hunt in check with only one run and the good news is the Gryphons score more than one. Spencer Ramsey drove in the run that tied the game and then in the top of the fifth Sam Lilley doubled home two runs to give the Gryphons the lead that they would not surrender. Rocky Mount beat Hunt at Hunt 3-1 to tighten the Big East baseball race.
Micah Varnell had two hits on the night. Joining Ramsey and Lilley with hits were Andy Morris, Trevor Hayworth and Jeremy Johnson. J Williams was the hard luck loser for Hunt as they lose to the Gryphons for the second time this year. Hunt drops to 5-2 while the Gryphons climb to 5-3. The Gryphons will need help from someone in order that they could either win or tie for the Big East regular season.
First off they would need wins in their two remaining games at Southern Nash and the home finally against Northern Nash. Hunt and Fike still meet next week but they need for Fike and Hunt both to lose to someone else before they meet the last game of the season to give the Gryphons a shot. Fike and Nash Central are meeting tonight.
Complications for Rocky Mount is if they get help from Nash Central by beating Fike Nash Central has any tie breaker with Rocky Mount . Boy the world is a whole lot more complicated in the middle of the pack than being out front.
The bottom line tonight is Rocky Mount has gotten one step closer to a playoff spot knocking off Hunt and it brings everyone back with hopes.
Micah Varnell had two hits on the night. Joining Ramsey and Lilley with hits were Andy Morris, Trevor Hayworth and Jeremy Johnson. J Williams was the hard luck loser for Hunt as they lose to the Gryphons for the second time this year. Hunt drops to 5-2 while the Gryphons climb to 5-3. The Gryphons will need help from someone in order that they could either win or tie for the Big East regular season.
First off they would need wins in their two remaining games at Southern Nash and the home finally against Northern Nash. Hunt and Fike still meet next week but they need for Fike and Hunt both to lose to someone else before they meet the last game of the season to give the Gryphons a shot. Fike and Nash Central are meeting tonight.
Complications for Rocky Mount is if they get help from Nash Central by beating Fike Nash Central has any tie breaker with Rocky Mount . Boy the world is a whole lot more complicated in the middle of the pack than being out front.
The bottom line tonight is Rocky Mount has gotten one step closer to a playoff spot knocking off Hunt and it brings everyone back with hopes.
Legion Baseball Is Right Around The Corner
There is two weeks to go until the end of the regular season in high school baseball. There are four weeks to go until the first Legion game of the summer. This year the hopes of a state tournament can't get any closer than this up coming year as the 2013 tournament will be held at Fleming Stadium in Wilson.
Hank Jones will return to skipper the Post 58 Legion team for his fourth season. I received a calendar today with hand written dates of games so you know at this point the schedule for this season is not complete. The first game as of right now will be May the 20th on the road and the first home game will be May 22nd when Cary pays us a visit. This year there will be no North and South Divisions as all the team will be in the same conference in what we have called our part of the state. What that amounts to is Greenville, Kinston and Wayne Co, they have all been in the other bracket and technically that has been a non-conference game in the past but not this year. I have heard rumors of some of our local players that have played travel league in the past might play Legion this summer which can only help the Legion squad be stronger.
Talk about must win games but both Nash Central and Rocky Mount need these games tonight to go in the win column or their chances of getting a home playoff game will just about be cooked. Nash Central is at Fike. Fike 5-2 holds second with two losses and Nash Central 3-3 hold fourth with three losses. Rocky Mount travel to Hunt. Hunt is in first 5-1 with only one loss while Rocky Mount rest in third place at 4-3. Any hope of still getting a share of first would end for the Gryphons if Hunt takes them down tonight. Both Rocky Mount and Nash Central could keep theirs hopes alive if both win tonight.
The ACC announced yesterday that all members of the ACC have signed what is called a Grant Of Rights. When I say ACC members I am talking all those still in the ACC except Maryland who leaves in July. All incoming members including Syracuse, Pittsburgh,Louisville and Notre Dame have all signed this agreement. What it amounts to if you were to leave the ACC to go to another league it is ok to go but th ACC would hold any rights from any media money you might have in that league.
I guess what that amounts to is the ACC will never break up or lose another member to any other conference because they would give up any money from tv or radio that they might be on. What does all this mean? Say hello to the ACC cable channel which is right around the corner. All that speculation about Carolina and Duke heading to the Big Ten and NC State to the Big 12 is out the door now.
Hank Jones will return to skipper the Post 58 Legion team for his fourth season. I received a calendar today with hand written dates of games so you know at this point the schedule for this season is not complete. The first game as of right now will be May the 20th on the road and the first home game will be May 22nd when Cary pays us a visit. This year there will be no North and South Divisions as all the team will be in the same conference in what we have called our part of the state. What that amounts to is Greenville, Kinston and Wayne Co, they have all been in the other bracket and technically that has been a non-conference game in the past but not this year. I have heard rumors of some of our local players that have played travel league in the past might play Legion this summer which can only help the Legion squad be stronger.
Talk about must win games but both Nash Central and Rocky Mount need these games tonight to go in the win column or their chances of getting a home playoff game will just about be cooked. Nash Central is at Fike. Fike 5-2 holds second with two losses and Nash Central 3-3 hold fourth with three losses. Rocky Mount travel to Hunt. Hunt is in first 5-1 with only one loss while Rocky Mount rest in third place at 4-3. Any hope of still getting a share of first would end for the Gryphons if Hunt takes them down tonight. Both Rocky Mount and Nash Central could keep theirs hopes alive if both win tonight.
The ACC announced yesterday that all members of the ACC have signed what is called a Grant Of Rights. When I say ACC members I am talking all those still in the ACC except Maryland who leaves in July. All incoming members including Syracuse, Pittsburgh,Louisville and Notre Dame have all signed this agreement. What it amounts to if you were to leave the ACC to go to another league it is ok to go but th ACC would hold any rights from any media money you might have in that league.
I guess what that amounts to is the ACC will never break up or lose another member to any other conference because they would give up any money from tv or radio that they might be on. What does all this mean? Say hello to the ACC cable channel which is right around the corner. All that speculation about Carolina and Duke heading to the Big Ten and NC State to the Big 12 is out the door now.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Foul Balls And Windshields
We are people who would like for every thing always to stay the same. Do you remember when we all thought the world was going to end when the telephone company announced that we would have to have a new area code 910. I will never remember my new number! That was less than twenty years ago and the area code has changed since then and I think the world still exist even with me in it with a 252 area code.
There was a time when Gryphon baseball was played in the old Memorial Stadium. Because of the grand stands not many balls ever made it outside the ball park unless it was hit as a home run. The stadium was torn down and baseball went on with a new problem. Foul balls down the right field line just might hit a window in a house across Howell Street or worse one of the kids may pick the ball up and run hide with it. Oh yea there now was the occasional foul ball in the parking lot behind home plate or behind third base and the crack of a windshield.
Times have moved on and now Rocky Mount baseball is played on campus for the first time ever. You can even sit in you seat at the baseball game and look at the softball game directly behind the baseball. There is a nice cement mezzanine between the two fields where you will never get your feet muddy. There is lots of room for folding chairs except for one problem. The brick backstop is about one row of bricks to high to see over if you are sitting in a folding chair right at the backstop. A foul ball if it hits the cement can go flying in any direction so everyone has to be alive on any foul ball. Especially those watching the softball game.
The high school parking lot runs all the way down the right field line and every car is subject to a cracked windshield. Other than that the new field is ok.
Hunt has come away from the pack and remains with only one conference loss with two weeks to go in the regular season. Last year Rocky Mount only had to win one of their last two games to make the playoffs and failed to do so. They stand 4-3. Right now that is good for third and Nash Central is 3-3 but Nash Central holds the tie breaker with them since they swept the Gryphons. Northern right now at 2-4 is out of the playoffs at this moment at 2-4. The Knights still have one game a piece with Nash Central and Rocky Mount and if they are to have any hope to move up to fourth they need to win both of those games.
I would think at this point five conference wins will get who ever at least fourth place so since the Gryphons already own four conferences wins with three to play they should be able to get the job done to finish at least fourth. Beating Hunt Tuesday would almost insure them a playoff spot but a loss with put them in that same scenario as last year needing to win one of their last two to get in.
There was a time when Gryphon baseball was played in the old Memorial Stadium. Because of the grand stands not many balls ever made it outside the ball park unless it was hit as a home run. The stadium was torn down and baseball went on with a new problem. Foul balls down the right field line just might hit a window in a house across Howell Street or worse one of the kids may pick the ball up and run hide with it. Oh yea there now was the occasional foul ball in the parking lot behind home plate or behind third base and the crack of a windshield.
Times have moved on and now Rocky Mount baseball is played on campus for the first time ever. You can even sit in you seat at the baseball game and look at the softball game directly behind the baseball. There is a nice cement mezzanine between the two fields where you will never get your feet muddy. There is lots of room for folding chairs except for one problem. The brick backstop is about one row of bricks to high to see over if you are sitting in a folding chair right at the backstop. A foul ball if it hits the cement can go flying in any direction so everyone has to be alive on any foul ball. Especially those watching the softball game.
The high school parking lot runs all the way down the right field line and every car is subject to a cracked windshield. Other than that the new field is ok.
Hunt has come away from the pack and remains with only one conference loss with two weeks to go in the regular season. Last year Rocky Mount only had to win one of their last two games to make the playoffs and failed to do so. They stand 4-3. Right now that is good for third and Nash Central is 3-3 but Nash Central holds the tie breaker with them since they swept the Gryphons. Northern right now at 2-4 is out of the playoffs at this moment at 2-4. The Knights still have one game a piece with Nash Central and Rocky Mount and if they are to have any hope to move up to fourth they need to win both of those games.
I would think at this point five conference wins will get who ever at least fourth place so since the Gryphons already own four conferences wins with three to play they should be able to get the job done to finish at least fourth. Beating Hunt Tuesday would almost insure them a playoff spot but a loss with put them in that same scenario as last year needing to win one of their last two to get in.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Living Up To Expectations
This college baseball season is in full swing and in the preseason much of the speculation was how could State be the preseason pick to win the ACC baseball title when Carolina was picked #1 in the country? Good question.
State baseball like almost all sports for State this year (football,Basketball) were highly thought of but turned disappointing during the season. Baseball started the season and at one point was 5-7 in conference play. Don't look now but the Pack is playing the last three weeks like the team everyone predicted or hoped they be. Starting today they have swept their last two weekend series and only need a win today to sweep Georgia Tech in Atlanta. This is the Pack everyone thought they saw in preseason. They have won 13 IN row and their RPI which has been in the thirties as of this morning is 10th.
North Carolin has started out winning 16 in a row and after they finally lost a game have slumped to only win 20 of 21. Carolina has played from the beginning like the #1 team in country and have continued to do so all year. The Rocky Mount duo of Benton Moss (7-0) and Hobbs Johnson (1-0)continue to give Carolina two thirds of the starting weekend pitching rotation.
Next weekend Carolina and State will meet in Raleigh combined together as of Saturday night's results they are 69-12 on the season. In the long history of playing against each other I don't know whether next weekends series at any time both been playing this well as they both are now. Carolina leads their division by a mile and as of today State is tied at the top with Florida State and Clemson in theirs.
The series is sold out so I hope you have your tickets or know someone who can get you one but I would suspect next weekend series will be the highest attended games in a weekend series ever in Raleigh. Who wins next week only matters in the regular season standings because both will then have to turn around and try to win the ACC Tournament in late May. I would then suspect that the ACC Tournament with both State and Carolina expecting to win it will be the most attended ACC Tournament ever.
If you saw the Carolina game last night on ESPN3 during the broadcast they talked about how talented Benton Moss was. If you have not seen it yet Benton played the National Anthem on a piano behind the pitcher mound yesterday afternoon. I don't know after what has gone on this week in this country his Anthem could have been more timely. then he pitched the second game and won his 7th game on the year without a loss.
I just don't know who I will pull for next Saturday night when Benton pitches for Carolina. I just may sit and enjoy the good times, Then we will have to do it all over again Sunday when Hobbs pitches. Can't wait till next weekend.
State baseball like almost all sports for State this year (football,Basketball) were highly thought of but turned disappointing during the season. Baseball started the season and at one point was 5-7 in conference play. Don't look now but the Pack is playing the last three weeks like the team everyone predicted or hoped they be. Starting today they have swept their last two weekend series and only need a win today to sweep Georgia Tech in Atlanta. This is the Pack everyone thought they saw in preseason. They have won 13 IN row and their RPI which has been in the thirties as of this morning is 10th.
North Carolin has started out winning 16 in a row and after they finally lost a game have slumped to only win 20 of 21. Carolina has played from the beginning like the #1 team in country and have continued to do so all year. The Rocky Mount duo of Benton Moss (7-0) and Hobbs Johnson (1-0)continue to give Carolina two thirds of the starting weekend pitching rotation.
Next weekend Carolina and State will meet in Raleigh combined together as of Saturday night's results they are 69-12 on the season. In the long history of playing against each other I don't know whether next weekends series at any time both been playing this well as they both are now. Carolina leads their division by a mile and as of today State is tied at the top with Florida State and Clemson in theirs.
The series is sold out so I hope you have your tickets or know someone who can get you one but I would suspect next weekend series will be the highest attended games in a weekend series ever in Raleigh. Who wins next week only matters in the regular season standings because both will then have to turn around and try to win the ACC Tournament in late May. I would then suspect that the ACC Tournament with both State and Carolina expecting to win it will be the most attended ACC Tournament ever.
If you saw the Carolina game last night on ESPN3 during the broadcast they talked about how talented Benton Moss was. If you have not seen it yet Benton played the National Anthem on a piano behind the pitcher mound yesterday afternoon. I don't know after what has gone on this week in this country his Anthem could have been more timely. then he pitched the second game and won his 7th game on the year without a loss.
I just don't know who I will pull for next Saturday night when Benton pitches for Carolina. I just may sit and enjoy the good times, Then we will have to do it all over again Sunday when Hobbs pitches. Can't wait till next weekend.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Fly The American Flag Proudly
I don't know why so many other countries hate us. Yes we are self serving, what is in it for me society. Any time someone slaps us in the face we as a nation respond. Remember the Maine. Pearl Harbor, 9/11. There is something breed into us that we are a generous people. We will give the shirt off our backs to those that need help.
When tragedy strikes I worked with a man during Hurricane Floyd that rode his motorcycle from Chicago to help in a relief center. Many from this area went to New Orleans in 05. Many from our area went to Jersey last fall. Many of you that had a brother or sister fought with them many times growing up. When the bully down the street threatened you brother you were there to defend him. There is something deep within our makeup as Americans that we will allow just about anybody come and enjoy the life we have as Americans. But, you let somebody do something to us and the whole country will take action.
All of the TV coverage within the last week about the bombing of the Boston Marathon it was said that between 11am and the bombing about 600,000 people were either in the area or had been there at some point in time. With all that many people we have been able to pin point two individuals that tried to harm many people. Here is where we as Americans take action. Yes Boston may have been the target this time but the bottom line is that America was the target. These extremist want to bring down America. So all America has been up in arms. While the Boston Metro area has held their breath this week looking for the criminals all of us have witnessed their pain and feel it with them. Boston was the point on a map for the attack but Rocky Mount was targeted too.
Tonight I celebrate that about 100 hours after two thugs thought they could drop off two bags and walk away free one is dead and the other bloodied and will talk at some point. I am proud to be an American as I watched those people in Watertown Mass a town that I have visited crowd the street with American flags in hand. Not only did they cheer the forces who made the capture but they stood right there on main street USA and told the next set of extremist that you are not going to keep us lock up in our homes.
We celebrate tonight that in the battle for freedom we lost some of our soldiers on the streets of Boston this week and many more will carry scars the rest of their lives. We once again we will walk the streets of America a free people!
When tragedy strikes I worked with a man during Hurricane Floyd that rode his motorcycle from Chicago to help in a relief center. Many from this area went to New Orleans in 05. Many from our area went to Jersey last fall. Many of you that had a brother or sister fought with them many times growing up. When the bully down the street threatened you brother you were there to defend him. There is something deep within our makeup as Americans that we will allow just about anybody come and enjoy the life we have as Americans. But, you let somebody do something to us and the whole country will take action.
All of the TV coverage within the last week about the bombing of the Boston Marathon it was said that between 11am and the bombing about 600,000 people were either in the area or had been there at some point in time. With all that many people we have been able to pin point two individuals that tried to harm many people. Here is where we as Americans take action. Yes Boston may have been the target this time but the bottom line is that America was the target. These extremist want to bring down America. So all America has been up in arms. While the Boston Metro area has held their breath this week looking for the criminals all of us have witnessed their pain and feel it with them. Boston was the point on a map for the attack but Rocky Mount was targeted too.
Tonight I celebrate that about 100 hours after two thugs thought they could drop off two bags and walk away free one is dead and the other bloodied and will talk at some point. I am proud to be an American as I watched those people in Watertown Mass a town that I have visited crowd the street with American flags in hand. Not only did they cheer the forces who made the capture but they stood right there on main street USA and told the next set of extremist that you are not going to keep us lock up in our homes.
We celebrate tonight that in the battle for freedom we lost some of our soldiers on the streets of Boston this week and many more will carry scars the rest of their lives. We once again we will walk the streets of America a free people!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Error Filled
If you went tonight to Nash Central hoping to see a clinic on how to play defense then you went to the wrong game. Nash Central beat Rocky Mount 6-5 and all eleven runs were unearned. Each team kept giving the other side another chance and when the smoke had cleared the Bulldogs did more with their opportunities than Rocky Mount did.
Tyler King went the distance on the mound for the Bulldogs and I do not keep up with the pitch count but surely he had over 100 pitches and the darker the sky got the cooler the temperatures fell. King walked only two batters but he had to keep pitching when he should have been out of the innings but five Bulldog errors kept King tossing another pitch to the plate.
Spenser Ramsey started for Rocky Mount but failed to get through the 3rd inning. Will Edwards took the Gryphons through the fifth but is hung with the loss after Rocky Mount put extra runners on base with errors. The Gryphons only had three but those help the Bulldogs score six times.Cody smith pitch the sixth inning for the Gryphons. Gryphon pitching did not walk a batter.
The Bulldogs were led by Khalil Macklin with a triple and single, Kyle Taylor a double and a single with an rbi, Garrison Vick a triple and Game winning rbi, Christian Perry a single, Tyler King a single and Davis Johnson a single. Sam Lilley led Rocky Mount with a hit and a double and two rbi. Trevor Hayworth a double and two rbi. Jeremy Johnson collect the only other hit.
Nash Central with two victories this week have played themselves into playoff contention while Rocky Mount was back into a virtual tie for third.
Up the hill at the softball field the Nash Central softball team beat Rocky Mount 11-6. This is one of the closes games the Gryphons have had with Nash central in quite a while.
Tyler King went the distance on the mound for the Bulldogs and I do not keep up with the pitch count but surely he had over 100 pitches and the darker the sky got the cooler the temperatures fell. King walked only two batters but he had to keep pitching when he should have been out of the innings but five Bulldog errors kept King tossing another pitch to the plate.
Spenser Ramsey started for Rocky Mount but failed to get through the 3rd inning. Will Edwards took the Gryphons through the fifth but is hung with the loss after Rocky Mount put extra runners on base with errors. The Gryphons only had three but those help the Bulldogs score six times.Cody smith pitch the sixth inning for the Gryphons. Gryphon pitching did not walk a batter.
The Bulldogs were led by Khalil Macklin with a triple and single, Kyle Taylor a double and a single with an rbi, Garrison Vick a triple and Game winning rbi, Christian Perry a single, Tyler King a single and Davis Johnson a single. Sam Lilley led Rocky Mount with a hit and a double and two rbi. Trevor Hayworth a double and two rbi. Jeremy Johnson collect the only other hit.
Nash Central with two victories this week have played themselves into playoff contention while Rocky Mount was back into a virtual tie for third.
Up the hill at the softball field the Nash Central softball team beat Rocky Mount 11-6. This is one of the closes games the Gryphons have had with Nash central in quite a while.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Weather Coming Friday/Games Moved to Thursday
High school sports have done the way of college baseball. The past few years if a game was scheduled for 6pm and the weatherman said rain by 7pm colleges have started moving up the times in order to get the game in. If you don't have a hot line to get the information the game could already be over by the time you get there. The weather doesn't look so hot for Friday night so the Rocky Mount at Nash Central softball and baseball games have been moved up to Thursday night. Game time will be 7pm Thursday night.
Interesting turn of events in the Big East baseball race as Hunt gave Fike their second loss on the season Tuesday night. Hunt who has played five games stands in first at 4-1. Rocky Mount and Fike are next at 4-2. Rocky Mount has already beaten Hunt in the first cycle so Tuesday night just maybe the battle for first place in the Big East when Rocky Mount travels to Hunt. Now next week can only be speculation since there is a game Thursday night with Nash Central who if they could finish out without another loss 2-3 right now could be tied at the top.
Any body remember that the last two years Weather has brought on two years in a row that Rocky Mount had to play Hunt on a Saturday and it was their third game of the week by then. Rocky Mount the last two years has simply not had enough pitching to play three conference games in one week especially the last one being against Hunt.
Well just look at next week's schedule. Rocky Mount has two games next week but only one conference game and that is Hunt on Tuesday. They play at Bunn on Wednesday and whether they beat Bunn doesn't amount to a hill of beans. Rocky Mount will be able to toss the kitchen sink at Hunt . So what does this do for Thursday's game at Nash Central. rocky Mount needs to look at this game as the game of the year for without a win against the Bulldogs the Hunt game Tuesday doesn't mean nearly as much.
Tonight Campbell University beat App St and with it their record on this baseball season is 32-8. Former Gryphon Ben Fish who is a senior this season has found less playing time tthan I am sure that he would like. So far this season Ben had been to bat 34 times and has 7 hits for a 206 batting average. You may remember at Rocky Mount Fish was known as Mr. RBI, well not much has changed. Ben's 7 hits have produced 10 ribbies this season.
Brian Goodwin after a very slow start the first ten days playing in Harrisburg Pa has found his hitting stroke and is up to 255 for the season. He has three doubles and two triples already this season and that speed still has him listed as the #2 Washington National prospect in the National's minors.
Interesting turn of events in the Big East baseball race as Hunt gave Fike their second loss on the season Tuesday night. Hunt who has played five games stands in first at 4-1. Rocky Mount and Fike are next at 4-2. Rocky Mount has already beaten Hunt in the first cycle so Tuesday night just maybe the battle for first place in the Big East when Rocky Mount travels to Hunt. Now next week can only be speculation since there is a game Thursday night with Nash Central who if they could finish out without another loss 2-3 right now could be tied at the top.
Any body remember that the last two years Weather has brought on two years in a row that Rocky Mount had to play Hunt on a Saturday and it was their third game of the week by then. Rocky Mount the last two years has simply not had enough pitching to play three conference games in one week especially the last one being against Hunt.
Well just look at next week's schedule. Rocky Mount has two games next week but only one conference game and that is Hunt on Tuesday. They play at Bunn on Wednesday and whether they beat Bunn doesn't amount to a hill of beans. Rocky Mount will be able to toss the kitchen sink at Hunt . So what does this do for Thursday's game at Nash Central. rocky Mount needs to look at this game as the game of the year for without a win against the Bulldogs the Hunt game Tuesday doesn't mean nearly as much.
Tonight Campbell University beat App St and with it their record on this baseball season is 32-8. Former Gryphon Ben Fish who is a senior this season has found less playing time tthan I am sure that he would like. So far this season Ben had been to bat 34 times and has 7 hits for a 206 batting average. You may remember at Rocky Mount Fish was known as Mr. RBI, well not much has changed. Ben's 7 hits have produced 10 ribbies this season.
Brian Goodwin after a very slow start the first ten days playing in Harrisburg Pa has found his hitting stroke and is up to 255 for the season. He has three doubles and two triples already this season and that speed still has him listed as the #2 Washington National prospect in the National's minors.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Pitching Duel
Tonight on the plains of Northern Nash High School Rocky Mount and Northern took part in a game that the pitchers were the most valuable players on both sides. Derrick Carter pitched a complete game 2 hitter for Northern striking out six batters and walked but two. His team mates committed four errors and the second one proved to be devastating to Carter and the Knights. Two outs and no one on in the fourth inning a simple ground ball to second base and a wide throw to first and the Gryphons had their second runner of the game on base. That runner Micah Varnell would score when the next batter Trevor Hayworth hit a one bounce shot off the wall in right field and Rocky Mount had scored the only run of the game.
Gryphon Jeremy Johnson had his control early as he gave up four hits but those that didn't hit it struck out as 13 Knights whiffed on the night. Johnson walked two batters back to back in the sixth for his only walks in the game and Northern only twice all night had two runners on at the same time. Johnson pitches the second straight shutout for Rocky Mount in conference play.
Sam Lilley had an infield hit and the Hayworth double was all the damage the Gryphons could do to Carter. Jacob green had two singles for Northern as well as Dimaggio Silver and Garth Daniel.
Rocky Mount now stands at 4-2 and Northern drops to 2-3. The Gryphons find themselves tied with Fike who lost 11-1 to Hunt. Hunt at the halfway point in the conference race is 4-1 with their only loss coming to Rocky Mount. Fike and Rocky Mount are 4-2 so tonight's win puts Rocky Mount right back in the hunt for the conference crown as well as a home playoff game if they can finish 1st or 2nd in the regular season.
J'Kyra Brown has shown everyone that she is just not a pretty face on the basketball court. This past Saturday during the track meet in Fayetteville called the Bill Carver Classic Brown won the discus and the shot put competition. You could never look at J on the basketball court and think that she would be strong enough to win two strength events. I think you will find that she is such an athlete that she is good at both these events on technique over raw power. She was named the MVP of the event with the two wins. Mason Holt won the 2 mile run in the same classic.
Gryphon Jeremy Johnson had his control early as he gave up four hits but those that didn't hit it struck out as 13 Knights whiffed on the night. Johnson walked two batters back to back in the sixth for his only walks in the game and Northern only twice all night had two runners on at the same time. Johnson pitches the second straight shutout for Rocky Mount in conference play.
Sam Lilley had an infield hit and the Hayworth double was all the damage the Gryphons could do to Carter. Jacob green had two singles for Northern as well as Dimaggio Silver and Garth Daniel.
Rocky Mount now stands at 4-2 and Northern drops to 2-3. The Gryphons find themselves tied with Fike who lost 11-1 to Hunt. Hunt at the halfway point in the conference race is 4-1 with their only loss coming to Rocky Mount. Fike and Rocky Mount are 4-2 so tonight's win puts Rocky Mount right back in the hunt for the conference crown as well as a home playoff game if they can finish 1st or 2nd in the regular season.
J'Kyra Brown has shown everyone that she is just not a pretty face on the basketball court. This past Saturday during the track meet in Fayetteville called the Bill Carver Classic Brown won the discus and the shot put competition. You could never look at J on the basketball court and think that she would be strong enough to win two strength events. I think you will find that she is such an athlete that she is good at both these events on technique over raw power. She was named the MVP of the event with the two wins. Mason Holt won the 2 mile run in the same classic.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Eye For An Eye
Monday during a holiday celebration in Boston a terrorist attack occurred. It happened during one of the most notable races in America the Boston Marathon. As it stands right now if law enforcement knows who did it they are not telling. It may have been some middle east extremist group or it may have been some racer who application to run in the marathon was received late and as an act of revenge he got even with the race.
It doesn't matter to me if it is some guy dressed up in army fatigues who opens fire in a crowded movie theater, or a student who opens fire on a college campus these people are terrorist whether they represent any kind of organization or are mad because they broke up with their girl friend. I would have no problem with a public hanging in the middle of the street in which the terrorism happened. One problem with our country today is we make excuses for those who do wrong and we will find a way to let the killers live.
We live in a country where we can do almost any thing we want as long as we don't disturb others. Recently kids in a school were murdered. A mass murder has taken place in a movie house. This may prove out to be Middle East terrorist but my guess it could just as easily be someone who got fired from his job and he was just getting even.
I think I have walked the street where this act has been perpetrated but I am not sure. Tuesday night I will attend a public event at Northern Nash. We must carry on with our lives for if we give one inch the terrorist win. Right now no one knows for sure what kind of bomb or what kind of container was use. I may have been in a trash can on in some body's back pack. There is no way under the sun to stop random acts. 99% of the time law enforcement catches the perpetrators before the event ever happens. It is that 1% as a free country we must endure.
I hope and pray that the killers are caught and I pray for the families who have been touched by terrorism today. We can not as a people go into hiding because they might strike here next or in Raleigh or where ever we might go. If we are afraid to step out of our doors then this place or any other is not worth living in. Let us all continue to live our lives and to show who ever thinks they can keep us in fear that this is America and we all will die trying to to keep her free,.
It doesn't matter to me if it is some guy dressed up in army fatigues who opens fire in a crowded movie theater, or a student who opens fire on a college campus these people are terrorist whether they represent any kind of organization or are mad because they broke up with their girl friend. I would have no problem with a public hanging in the middle of the street in which the terrorism happened. One problem with our country today is we make excuses for those who do wrong and we will find a way to let the killers live.
We live in a country where we can do almost any thing we want as long as we don't disturb others. Recently kids in a school were murdered. A mass murder has taken place in a movie house. This may prove out to be Middle East terrorist but my guess it could just as easily be someone who got fired from his job and he was just getting even.
I think I have walked the street where this act has been perpetrated but I am not sure. Tuesday night I will attend a public event at Northern Nash. We must carry on with our lives for if we give one inch the terrorist win. Right now no one knows for sure what kind of bomb or what kind of container was use. I may have been in a trash can on in some body's back pack. There is no way under the sun to stop random acts. 99% of the time law enforcement catches the perpetrators before the event ever happens. It is that 1% as a free country we must endure.
I hope and pray that the killers are caught and I pray for the families who have been touched by terrorism today. We can not as a people go into hiding because they might strike here next or in Raleigh or where ever we might go. If we are afraid to step out of our doors then this place or any other is not worth living in. Let us all continue to live our lives and to show who ever thinks they can keep us in fear that this is America and we all will die trying to to keep her free,.
Round And About
Had one of those weekends with a lot going on and only drove by Wesleyan Saturday afternoon and there was a good crowd watching the USA-South Tennis action at the new tennis venue at NCW. Rode on in to town and as I passed the Sports Complex was amazed at the amount of cars there until I realized that there was a little league tournament going on while USA-South Softball was at the other end of complex. More people watching the little league.
College volley ball is going through spring drills just like football and Sunday Campbell VB took part in a beach volleyball tournament in Fort Fisher State Park. UNCW. Campbell, UNCG and Winthrop all had two person teams there and there was a day of interesting VB. Beach VB is more athletic because those big people who would normally just work the net had to cover all the space. Much more different strategy in beach as there is not as much blocking as in the gym with six people on each side. Very nice day and didn't get burnt to a frazzle since the temp never got above 70.
Gone all day Sunday and had to watch the Masters replay once I got home. It is hard to skipped the commercials when the Masters doesn't have many. I like Adam Scott and glad he finally won a big one.
The latest RPI rankings after this weekends college baseball and Carolina is #3. Florida St is 6th,Virginia is 7th. Virginia Tech loses six games in the last two weekends but when it is to Carolina and State their RPI only dropped to 13th. Miami 15th, Georgia Tech 17th, Clem 18 and N C State 20th. Interesting State sweep BC this weekend but BC RPI is under 200 so State fell further in the RPI than Va Tech.
Tuesday night is rivalry night in the Big East as right now the top two square off with Fike and Hunt. One of those will lose and Rocky Mount and Northern Nash both with two losses the winner will join the loser tied with two losses. Nash Central and Southern Nash both need wins or the playoffs will be slipping away for the loser.
College volley ball is going through spring drills just like football and Sunday Campbell VB took part in a beach volleyball tournament in Fort Fisher State Park. UNCW. Campbell, UNCG and Winthrop all had two person teams there and there was a day of interesting VB. Beach VB is more athletic because those big people who would normally just work the net had to cover all the space. Much more different strategy in beach as there is not as much blocking as in the gym with six people on each side. Very nice day and didn't get burnt to a frazzle since the temp never got above 70.
Gone all day Sunday and had to watch the Masters replay once I got home. It is hard to skipped the commercials when the Masters doesn't have many. I like Adam Scott and glad he finally won a big one.
The latest RPI rankings after this weekends college baseball and Carolina is #3. Florida St is 6th,Virginia is 7th. Virginia Tech loses six games in the last two weekends but when it is to Carolina and State their RPI only dropped to 13th. Miami 15th, Georgia Tech 17th, Clem 18 and N C State 20th. Interesting State sweep BC this weekend but BC RPI is under 200 so State fell further in the RPI than Va Tech.
Tuesday night is rivalry night in the Big East as right now the top two square off with Fike and Hunt. One of those will lose and Rocky Mount and Northern Nash both with two losses the winner will join the loser tied with two losses. Nash Central and Southern Nash both need wins or the playoffs will be slipping away for the loser.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
The Masters And Two Shot Penalty
Spring is in the air and HD TV makes the Masters Golf Tournament look like I am sitting in the middle of the golf course having the time of my life. CBS's Masters piano music truly means that spring is here. There is no doubt that the Augusta National Golf Club walks to their own beat. They have told TV this is the way we run our tournament and if you want to cover it you will cut down on commercials. If you don't like it we don't need TV coverage. They told the women's lib movement you can protest all you want as to us not having women members but if you do it will be down the road not here.
The Masters is not a PGA event nor is it a USGA or the Royal and Ancient event. So basically if they wanted to create a new way of scoring for this event they could do so. You have to be invited to play there. If they wanted to they could make up any rule at any time to "who do" the event and could make sure who ever they wanted to win would.
Despite walking to their own beat the Masters has stuck to the rules of golf in the tradition of the man that started the Masters Bobby Jones. They have created as the ad says a tournament like no other. It is called a Major golf event and is the only Major every year played on the same course. This year only 90 some were invited to play.
Golf has found that TV and social media can see every move made within the lens of the camera and they can go back and replay shots over and over in a 24 hour period. Do you remember not long ago a player playing in one of those desert tournament laid a towel down on in a sandy rough area to hit a shot from his knees and someone on TV called the network to advise them that was a penalty. TV has brought on rules officials that sit in front of the TV and watch in HD.
David Feherty on the CBS late night coverage questioned Tiger Woods ball spot on the replay of his unfortunate shot that hit the flag stick and kicked in the water. According to the rules Tiger should have placed his ball as close as possible to where his first shot was.
He had three options and it looks as if he combined two options together which created the rules violation. The Masters Penalized him two shots before play began Saturday which is also the proper way to penalize anyone after the round is over. The Masters had the option to disqualify him or penalize him. Knowing how the Masters organization runs itself I doubt if they were worried about Tiger not being in the final two rounds. They have shown in the past that they could care less if the TV is there so whether Tiger is playing Saturday and Sunday for TV ratings is not a Masters concern.
I am sure you like me have looked at every rules angle there is and I see that the Masters followed the rules of golf in penalizing Tiger before Saturday's round. Whether Tiger was there or not I would have been glued to the TV watching who ever wins. It is true the Masters is like no other and only if I could go just once.
The Masters is not a PGA event nor is it a USGA or the Royal and Ancient event. So basically if they wanted to create a new way of scoring for this event they could do so. You have to be invited to play there. If they wanted to they could make up any rule at any time to "who do" the event and could make sure who ever they wanted to win would.
Despite walking to their own beat the Masters has stuck to the rules of golf in the tradition of the man that started the Masters Bobby Jones. They have created as the ad says a tournament like no other. It is called a Major golf event and is the only Major every year played on the same course. This year only 90 some were invited to play.
Golf has found that TV and social media can see every move made within the lens of the camera and they can go back and replay shots over and over in a 24 hour period. Do you remember not long ago a player playing in one of those desert tournament laid a towel down on in a sandy rough area to hit a shot from his knees and someone on TV called the network to advise them that was a penalty. TV has brought on rules officials that sit in front of the TV and watch in HD.
David Feherty on the CBS late night coverage questioned Tiger Woods ball spot on the replay of his unfortunate shot that hit the flag stick and kicked in the water. According to the rules Tiger should have placed his ball as close as possible to where his first shot was.
He had three options and it looks as if he combined two options together which created the rules violation. The Masters Penalized him two shots before play began Saturday which is also the proper way to penalize anyone after the round is over. The Masters had the option to disqualify him or penalize him. Knowing how the Masters organization runs itself I doubt if they were worried about Tiger not being in the final two rounds. They have shown in the past that they could care less if the TV is there so whether Tiger is playing Saturday and Sunday for TV ratings is not a Masters concern.
I am sure you like me have looked at every rules angle there is and I see that the Masters followed the rules of golf in penalizing Tiger before Saturday's round. Whether Tiger was there or not I would have been glued to the TV watching who ever wins. It is true the Masters is like no other and only if I could go just once.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Three Weeks To Go
The Big East baseball season has three weeks to go and at the so called half way point Fike stands at 14-1 on the season and 4-1 in Big East. Hunt winning two games this weeks is next at 3-1. Rocky Mount is 3-2. Northern Nash stands 2-2 and Nash Central is now 1-3 after winning their opener they have now lost three in a row. Southern Nash is at the bottom at 0-4.
Fike doesn't really scare you when you look at their lineup but who does in the Big East this year. Hunt the past few years has been offensive but this year not as heavy with the bats as in the past. Rocky Mount's pitching is rounding into shape but pitchers don't shake in their boots when facing their offense. Northern has their moments and can create trouble for anybody. Nash Central has maybe the best pitcher but in two conference games a week can only pitch him once. Seems as if Southern is a player a two short of making trouble for anybody.
Right now looks like five teams going down to the last game of the season to come up with four teams in the playoffs. I think as even as all these teams looks like 7-3 or 8-2 is probably the record somebody needs to finish first with. Fike could go 3-2 the last five games and get 7-3. Hunt would have to go 4-2 to hit that mark. Rocky Mount would have to play the second half at 4-1 but they have four roads games on the back side. Northern would have to win five of six to hit 7-3. Nash Central can't lose again if they want to finish at least 7-3. Southern would need to win five of six to get in the playoff race.
Why is this season so close? No one has what I would call that ace pitcher that when they step on the mound the other team knows they are only going to score one run at best. There is not a flame thrower who can even get close to 90 miles per hour on any staff. Yes, there are several pitchers in this league that are good but with two strikes on you there is no one who can throw it by anybody. Without that fire baller this race is up for grabs. Any body can lose on any night.
Every race there is always someone who improves as the season goes on and steps forward while somebody will step back. The team that steps back just might not have another game after May 3rd. Fike, Hunt Rocky Mount and Northern could probably win one and lose one the rest of the way and get in Nash Central will have to do better than that and Southern even better than that.
Fike doesn't really scare you when you look at their lineup but who does in the Big East this year. Hunt the past few years has been offensive but this year not as heavy with the bats as in the past. Rocky Mount's pitching is rounding into shape but pitchers don't shake in their boots when facing their offense. Northern has their moments and can create trouble for anybody. Nash Central has maybe the best pitcher but in two conference games a week can only pitch him once. Seems as if Southern is a player a two short of making trouble for anybody.
Right now looks like five teams going down to the last game of the season to come up with four teams in the playoffs. I think as even as all these teams looks like 7-3 or 8-2 is probably the record somebody needs to finish first with. Fike could go 3-2 the last five games and get 7-3. Hunt would have to go 4-2 to hit that mark. Rocky Mount would have to play the second half at 4-1 but they have four roads games on the back side. Northern would have to win five of six to hit 7-3. Nash Central can't lose again if they want to finish at least 7-3. Southern would need to win five of six to get in the playoff race.
Why is this season so close? No one has what I would call that ace pitcher that when they step on the mound the other team knows they are only going to score one run at best. There is not a flame thrower who can even get close to 90 miles per hour on any staff. Yes, there are several pitchers in this league that are good but with two strikes on you there is no one who can throw it by anybody. Without that fire baller this race is up for grabs. Any body can lose on any night.
Every race there is always someone who improves as the season goes on and steps forward while somebody will step back. The team that steps back just might not have another game after May 3rd. Fike, Hunt Rocky Mount and Northern could probably win one and lose one the rest of the way and get in Nash Central will have to do better than that and Southern even better than that.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Much Needed
If Spencer Ramsey had any thoughts of pitching a perfect game tonight for Rocky Mount that went out the door on the first batter of the game when the Gryphons dropped a line drive. The second batter reached base on an error and Ramsey is in hot water and the ball has not gone out of the infield. No problem, as Ramsey would proceed to strike out the next three batters and nine on the night as the Gryphons take down Southern Nash 10-0 in five innings.
I don't know how anyone didn't know but you know taking the mound in the top of the fifth Ramsey had to look at the score board and saw a zero by the Firebirds score and zero beside their hits. If he had any thought of a no hitter pitch hitter Jordan Sauls did an end to that thought with a lead off hit to right field. The hit didn't phase Ramsey one bit as he proceeded to get the next three batters out and a Gryphon win.
The Gryphon batters did their share getting ten hits. Center fielder Jeremy Johnson lead the way with three. Ben Yates, Trevor Hayworth and Sam Lilley each had two. Micah Varnell had the tenth hit. Sam Lilley lead the rbi parade as he had two while Johnson, Yates, Varnell and Hayworth had one a piece.
Southern didn't help their pitching at all as they committed five errors and three of those occurred after a hit they that they let get away. Jarrett Browning was hung as the losing pitcher. Rocky Mount committed three but Ramsey didn't get effected by the miscues.
Rocky Mount hits the halfway point in the conference season at 3-2 and they begin the back side of their conference schedule Tuesday night at Northern Nash. Southern drops to 0-4 in conference play.
If the weather holds out the USA South Spring Sports Festival gets in high gear Friday as Softball starts at the Sports Complex. Lacrosse cranks up at the City football stadium. Baseball continues at Five County stadium and tennis is on campus at NCW. Golf will take place at Benvenue CC. I don't know if Rocky Mount has been on display like this since the ACC Golf Championships use to be held at Northgreen Counry Club. If you get the chance check out the action.
I don't know how anyone didn't know but you know taking the mound in the top of the fifth Ramsey had to look at the score board and saw a zero by the Firebirds score and zero beside their hits. If he had any thought of a no hitter pitch hitter Jordan Sauls did an end to that thought with a lead off hit to right field. The hit didn't phase Ramsey one bit as he proceeded to get the next three batters out and a Gryphon win.
The Gryphon batters did their share getting ten hits. Center fielder Jeremy Johnson lead the way with three. Ben Yates, Trevor Hayworth and Sam Lilley each had two. Micah Varnell had the tenth hit. Sam Lilley lead the rbi parade as he had two while Johnson, Yates, Varnell and Hayworth had one a piece.
Southern didn't help their pitching at all as they committed five errors and three of those occurred after a hit they that they let get away. Jarrett Browning was hung as the losing pitcher. Rocky Mount committed three but Ramsey didn't get effected by the miscues.
Rocky Mount hits the halfway point in the conference season at 3-2 and they begin the back side of their conference schedule Tuesday night at Northern Nash. Southern drops to 0-4 in conference play.
If the weather holds out the USA South Spring Sports Festival gets in high gear Friday as Softball starts at the Sports Complex. Lacrosse cranks up at the City football stadium. Baseball continues at Five County stadium and tennis is on campus at NCW. Golf will take place at Benvenue CC. I don't know if Rocky Mount has been on display like this since the ACC Golf Championships use to be held at Northgreen Counry Club. If you get the chance check out the action.
Big East Basketball Heading To Rocky Mount
The Big East Athletic Directors held their monthly meeting on Wednesday and part of the days calendar of events was making out the basketball schedule for next year. Next year Rocky Mount High will host the 2014 Big East basketball Tournament which will start on Monday February 17th and conclude on that following Friday night.
Tonight Rocky Mount now with two conference losses will host Southern Nash who will come into the game 0-3 in Big East play. No one at this point is mathematically out but three losses this early puts any team in jeopardy that the season is headed into the wrong direction. Rocky Mount with two wins to go with those two losses only has one more home game after Thursday but will be faced with four conference road games. They surely can not afford another loss this early with mostly road games rest of the way.
The best laid plans of mice and men. It wasn't all that long ago I was spouting about how good the Carolina Hurricanes were doing this year and a deep run in the playoffs looked imminent. A season ending knee injury to goalie Cam Ward and the Canes simply can not keep the other team from scoring.
Any team at any time has to have several things go their way in order to live up to any teams expectations. First of all the healthiest always have a better chance to win than a team that is deep into their bench just to put enough bodies on the floor to play. Luck, That puck or ball needs to bounce your way every now and then in order to you to continue. It always helps that every player understands his roll and what he has to do to make the team work the best. When they understand that to win doesn't always mean that they have to take the shot to win the game and become team players it makes the entire unit stronger.
During the flow of any event the coach has to pull the trigger at the right time to put another player in or in some cases decide which is the best way to proceed. When all of these factors go your way there is a great chance to win. When one or more fail any teams chances of winning a playoff goes down quickly. The Carolina Hurricanes case they have become a 100 pile car crash in fog and cars keep piling into the crash.
Tonight Rocky Mount now with two conference losses will host Southern Nash who will come into the game 0-3 in Big East play. No one at this point is mathematically out but three losses this early puts any team in jeopardy that the season is headed into the wrong direction. Rocky Mount with two wins to go with those two losses only has one more home game after Thursday but will be faced with four conference road games. They surely can not afford another loss this early with mostly road games rest of the way.
The best laid plans of mice and men. It wasn't all that long ago I was spouting about how good the Carolina Hurricanes were doing this year and a deep run in the playoffs looked imminent. A season ending knee injury to goalie Cam Ward and the Canes simply can not keep the other team from scoring.
Any team at any time has to have several things go their way in order to live up to any teams expectations. First of all the healthiest always have a better chance to win than a team that is deep into their bench just to put enough bodies on the floor to play. Luck, That puck or ball needs to bounce your way every now and then in order to you to continue. It always helps that every player understands his roll and what he has to do to make the team work the best. When they understand that to win doesn't always mean that they have to take the shot to win the game and become team players it makes the entire unit stronger.
During the flow of any event the coach has to pull the trigger at the right time to put another player in or in some cases decide which is the best way to proceed. When all of these factors go your way there is a great chance to win. When one or more fail any teams chances of winning a playoff goes down quickly. The Carolina Hurricanes case they have become a 100 pile car crash in fog and cars keep piling into the crash.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Fike Moves Into First
It's still early but Fike has the early lead in Big East baseball after they beat Rocky Mount 6-4 Tuesday night. They are 3-1 in conference while Rocky Mount drops to 2-2. Rocky Mount is home Thursday night as they host Southern Nash. this game was scheduled for Friday night but the weather forecast is calling for rain late Thursday and Friday morning so it has been moved up a day. 7pm Thursday night please take note*. In other Big East action Hunt beat Southern Nash 11-2 and Northern Nash had a 7-5 win over Nash central.
North Carolina State beat ECU in baseball Tuesday night 2-0. Billy Godwin is in a lot of trouble in Greenville as the Pirates are below 500 on the season and there is plenty of grumbling going on from the Pirate faithful. The former Northern Nash grad needs to get a winning streak going. You know there is a new athletic director in town and when you are not one of his picks then a poor season and with the quality of ECU baseball has been for over 30 years this has to be classified as a poor season.
The news conference after the national championship game coach John Beilein of Michigan admitted that he didn't know how many fouls they had committed and it cost them seconds in the game when they let precious second go off the clock. The coach has been murdered on talk radio for his mistake. I can assure you John Beilein is my kind of coach. I can tell you the head coach is the last person who would know what the foul situation is or how many time outs they have left. That is an assistants job. The coach didn't throw anybody under the bus and as captain of the Michigan Basketball ship he is in charge of every thing that happens. I applaud the coach.
This brings on another point. I think we all fail to realize that athletic events are not won but most of the time lost. The team that makes the less mistakes wins. If you see a 40 yard run for a touchdown most of the time somebody was not where they were suppose to be on defense. An open three point shot to win the game is suppose to have somebody covering that guy. Sporting events are live action. This is not chess where you have two minutes to react the the previous play.
The desire to help double team in basketball often leaves the open shot from someone not double teamed. It is decided in practice when certain players get the ball whether to double team or not. But, as the clock is winding down and the game on the line sometimes players forget what they are suppose to do in their anxiety
to help out they do the wrong thing.
North Carolina State beat ECU in baseball Tuesday night 2-0. Billy Godwin is in a lot of trouble in Greenville as the Pirates are below 500 on the season and there is plenty of grumbling going on from the Pirate faithful. The former Northern Nash grad needs to get a winning streak going. You know there is a new athletic director in town and when you are not one of his picks then a poor season and with the quality of ECU baseball has been for over 30 years this has to be classified as a poor season.
The news conference after the national championship game coach John Beilein of Michigan admitted that he didn't know how many fouls they had committed and it cost them seconds in the game when they let precious second go off the clock. The coach has been murdered on talk radio for his mistake. I can assure you John Beilein is my kind of coach. I can tell you the head coach is the last person who would know what the foul situation is or how many time outs they have left. That is an assistants job. The coach didn't throw anybody under the bus and as captain of the Michigan Basketball ship he is in charge of every thing that happens. I applaud the coach.
This brings on another point. I think we all fail to realize that athletic events are not won but most of the time lost. The team that makes the less mistakes wins. If you see a 40 yard run for a touchdown most of the time somebody was not where they were suppose to be on defense. An open three point shot to win the game is suppose to have somebody covering that guy. Sporting events are live action. This is not chess where you have two minutes to react the the previous play.
The desire to help double team in basketball often leaves the open shot from someone not double teamed. It is decided in practice when certain players get the ball whether to double team or not. But, as the clock is winding down and the game on the line sometimes players forget what they are suppose to do in their anxiety
to help out they do the wrong thing.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Only Four Will Make Playoffs
Starting tonight the Big East get serious with all conference games from here on to the end. Five teams with one conference loss already and one of those five will not make the playoffs. Who that will be will be determined on the field in the next four weeks.
The top seed from the Big East will get a home game in the first round. #2 also is home. Here is where the brackets are going to be screwy again. The #3 seed hits the road and if both #2 and #3 win their opening round games they meet in round two. The Coastal Conference will have the same scenario but not against the Big East in Round one. Big East #1 will play the Coastal #5 in round one. Big East #4 will be at the Coastal #1.
I think we would all like to see every team put in a different bracket and keep all conferences away from other conference members until there is no one left but others in your conference. I have a hard time understanding why we need to be matched up with other conference teams so early. It truly hurts any conference in order to advance in the playoffs you have to knock off every team in your own conference to advance again.
To say the least I think we can all say that the ACC is the best baseball conference in America this year. The latest RPI released on Monday the ACC was #4 North Carolina, #5 Florida State,#6 Virginia, #9 Virginia Tech, #10 N C State, #17 Miami, #19 Georgia Tech, #21 Clemson.
If these eight teams are the top eight and play in the ACC Tournament in late May then the World Series may not have this good a field. Maryland, Wake, and Duke are all in the top 100 and Boston College who has won only five games all year is rated 177.
The ACC Tournament is once again in Durham and if these ratings keep going for the rest of the year this may turn out to be the best tournament ever.
Campbell who is having a great season is #35. I would almost bet the bank Campbell will be playing in Chapel Hill, Raleigh or some other ACC Regional this year.
Louisville and Montrezl Harrell of North Edgecombe High win the NCAA National Championship 82-76 over Michigan. It was one of the best played championship games in quite a while.
The top seed from the Big East will get a home game in the first round. #2 also is home. Here is where the brackets are going to be screwy again. The #3 seed hits the road and if both #2 and #3 win their opening round games they meet in round two. The Coastal Conference will have the same scenario but not against the Big East in Round one. Big East #1 will play the Coastal #5 in round one. Big East #4 will be at the Coastal #1.
I think we would all like to see every team put in a different bracket and keep all conferences away from other conference members until there is no one left but others in your conference. I have a hard time understanding why we need to be matched up with other conference teams so early. It truly hurts any conference in order to advance in the playoffs you have to knock off every team in your own conference to advance again.
To say the least I think we can all say that the ACC is the best baseball conference in America this year. The latest RPI released on Monday the ACC was #4 North Carolina, #5 Florida State,#6 Virginia, #9 Virginia Tech, #10 N C State, #17 Miami, #19 Georgia Tech, #21 Clemson.
If these eight teams are the top eight and play in the ACC Tournament in late May then the World Series may not have this good a field. Maryland, Wake, and Duke are all in the top 100 and Boston College who has won only five games all year is rated 177.
The ACC Tournament is once again in Durham and if these ratings keep going for the rest of the year this may turn out to be the best tournament ever.
Campbell who is having a great season is #35. I would almost bet the bank Campbell will be playing in Chapel Hill, Raleigh or some other ACC Regional this year.
Louisville and Montrezl Harrell of North Edgecombe High win the NCAA National Championship 82-76 over Michigan. It was one of the best played championship games in quite a while.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Let's Play Ball
Easter break is over and high schools make their their final run until graduation. Sports have about a month to go until the playoffs so we get back into conference games this week. Rocky Mount Softball will travel to Farmville Central today before they have two conference games on Tuesday and Friday.
The two teams tied at the top in Big East baseball collide Tuesday at Fike. Both Rocky Mount and Fike play for the second time and at this moment are 2-1 in the Big East. Rocky Mount won the first meeting. Five of the Big East teams have one loss so the loser of this one could fall to the second division while the winner stays on top.
Rocky Mount's second game of the week will be against Southern Nash. Tuesday also has Northern and Nash Central meeting up and Southern and Hunt in action against each other. Most years somebody comes out of the pack to take control of the conference so by week's end we will see if there is one that looks the part.
Over the weekend the Rocky Mount Telegram finished up their series on the All Telegram teams from winter sports. Sunday Deshawn Freeman from Rocky Mount Prep took the top honor on the boys side. If you remember as a sophomore while at Northern Nash Freeman was outstanding then and after he departed for Prep Northern has struggled to be average. Saturday Rocky Mount's J'Kyra Brown won the girls honor. Kind of an odd fact is that both Freeman and Brown have had major knee injuries in their careers and both made full recoveries.
Louisville plays Michigan for the national championship in college basketball tonight. Louisville is on their way to the ACC in two years. Syracuse the team knocked off by Michigan will join the ACC this summer along with Pitt. Oh yea Notre Dame is not far from joining either. The SEC can claim it is the top football conference but the ACC will claim the top basketball conference again. Somebody in the ACC will have to play North Carolina , Duke, Louisville and Syracuse back to back somewhere in the future.
Finally today, if you haven't seen it please find it the clip of the Nebraska Spring football game this past Saturday. We complain all the time about how we in life put tooo much into sports. Saturday the University of Nebraska put a seven year old boy Jack Hoffman dying with cancer into the game and he preceeds to run 69 yards for a touchdown with the entire stadium cheering him and all the players urging him on. Such a small act but in a life where a child will never see his own graduation from high school it is the moment of his life.
Sometimes as a human race we are compassionate people for others. It's just most of the time you would never know it.
The two teams tied at the top in Big East baseball collide Tuesday at Fike. Both Rocky Mount and Fike play for the second time and at this moment are 2-1 in the Big East. Rocky Mount won the first meeting. Five of the Big East teams have one loss so the loser of this one could fall to the second division while the winner stays on top.
Rocky Mount's second game of the week will be against Southern Nash. Tuesday also has Northern and Nash Central meeting up and Southern and Hunt in action against each other. Most years somebody comes out of the pack to take control of the conference so by week's end we will see if there is one that looks the part.
Over the weekend the Rocky Mount Telegram finished up their series on the All Telegram teams from winter sports. Sunday Deshawn Freeman from Rocky Mount Prep took the top honor on the boys side. If you remember as a sophomore while at Northern Nash Freeman was outstanding then and after he departed for Prep Northern has struggled to be average. Saturday Rocky Mount's J'Kyra Brown won the girls honor. Kind of an odd fact is that both Freeman and Brown have had major knee injuries in their careers and both made full recoveries.
Louisville plays Michigan for the national championship in college basketball tonight. Louisville is on their way to the ACC in two years. Syracuse the team knocked off by Michigan will join the ACC this summer along with Pitt. Oh yea Notre Dame is not far from joining either. The SEC can claim it is the top football conference but the ACC will claim the top basketball conference again. Somebody in the ACC will have to play North Carolina , Duke, Louisville and Syracuse back to back somewhere in the future.
Finally today, if you haven't seen it please find it the clip of the Nebraska Spring football game this past Saturday. We complain all the time about how we in life put tooo much into sports. Saturday the University of Nebraska put a seven year old boy Jack Hoffman dying with cancer into the game and he preceeds to run 69 yards for a touchdown with the entire stadium cheering him and all the players urging him on. Such a small act but in a life where a child will never see his own graduation from high school it is the moment of his life.
Sometimes as a human race we are compassionate people for others. It's just most of the time you would never know it.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Rocky Mount In The Spot Light This Week
Starting Thursday Rocky Mount will be the home of USA-South Sports Tournaments If you like sports then this week you should get you fill of anything played in the spring. tennis, softball or lacrosse it will all be in Rocky Mount this weekend.
Softball will start Friday at the Rocky Mount Sports complex and will run through Sunday. It will be a double elimination affair. The conference golf championships will be held at Benevenue Country Club. The semi-finals and finals in Lacrosse will be in Rocky Mount. The tennis will be on campus at NCW where the City of Rocky Mount in conjunction with NCW have built a nice tennis venue both the men's and women's championship will take place this weekend. Baseball will be divided between Five County Stadium in Zebulon and Wilson's Fleming Stadium.
The city of Omaha Nebraska is the host of the College World Series. The city of Rocky Mount has been given a great opportunity to strut their stuff this weekend but the only way this weekend can be a success for Wesleyan and the City is that people turn out to watch the games. There should be something going on that interest you and there will be hundreds of athletes here and those that do well will head off to the Division III playoffs. Who knows you just might see a National Champion start their run this weekend. if this is a success then who knows this might become the permanent home.
Montrezl Harrell scored eight points in eleven minutes and the former North Edgecombe Warrior is headed to the National Championship game in the NCAA Tournament. Louisville powered by it's bench comes from behind in the last ten minutes to advance to the championship game Monday night. Michigan won the other semi final game and will play in the finals for the first time since the famous timeout in their loss to North Carolina in 1993.
Brandon Givens of the Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan has had a right good couple of weeks. Back on March 23rd he took part in the Division III All Star basketball game and he broke the scoring record while tossing in 43 points. A couple of days ago Givens got word that he had been named All American. Givens averaged 26.8 points per game for the Battling Bishops and became the first player in NCW history to score 700 points in one season.
Softball will start Friday at the Rocky Mount Sports complex and will run through Sunday. It will be a double elimination affair. The conference golf championships will be held at Benevenue Country Club. The semi-finals and finals in Lacrosse will be in Rocky Mount. The tennis will be on campus at NCW where the City of Rocky Mount in conjunction with NCW have built a nice tennis venue both the men's and women's championship will take place this weekend. Baseball will be divided between Five County Stadium in Zebulon and Wilson's Fleming Stadium.
The city of Omaha Nebraska is the host of the College World Series. The city of Rocky Mount has been given a great opportunity to strut their stuff this weekend but the only way this weekend can be a success for Wesleyan and the City is that people turn out to watch the games. There should be something going on that interest you and there will be hundreds of athletes here and those that do well will head off to the Division III playoffs. Who knows you just might see a National Champion start their run this weekend. if this is a success then who knows this might become the permanent home.
Montrezl Harrell scored eight points in eleven minutes and the former North Edgecombe Warrior is headed to the National Championship game in the NCAA Tournament. Louisville powered by it's bench comes from behind in the last ten minutes to advance to the championship game Monday night. Michigan won the other semi final game and will play in the finals for the first time since the famous timeout in their loss to North Carolina in 1993.
Brandon Givens of the Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan has had a right good couple of weeks. Back on March 23rd he took part in the Division III All Star basketball game and he broke the scoring record while tossing in 43 points. A couple of days ago Givens got word that he had been named All American. Givens averaged 26.8 points per game for the Battling Bishops and became the first player in NCW history to score 700 points in one season.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Back To Back For Knight
Rocky Mount wrestler Alex Knight has won the Rocky Mount Telegram Wrestler of the year for the second time in a row. I don't know what it is about back to back but Knight was the 3-A Regional Champ in the 145 pound class two years in a row. He also lost in the State Championship match two years in a row. Knight leaves Rocky Mount as one of the best wrestlers ever in the history of the program.
Wrestling is one of those sports where self satisfaction is bigger than the notoriety that you will receive from it. You can say all you want but the six minutes in a wrestling match is the hardest sport to win. You must go for two minutes while someone pushes tugs, tries to land you on your back After a one minute rest go at it again for two minutes and after another one minute rest do it for . There is no other sport that that takes the energy it does to wrestle. J J Jones has developed a very good wrestling program at Rocky Mount. Alex Knight heads the list as one of the Gryphons all time best.
The latest Wells Fargo standings are out and after having had a very nice winter sports season Rocky Mount has retaken the lead in the Wells Fargo Standings. They have a whopping half a point lead over Hunt. Rocky Mount has 113.5 total while Hunt is next at 113. Fike is third in the standings at 105. The bottom half right now has Nash Central 99.5, Southern Nash 98 and Northern has 97. When you look at the over all state standing there is no one from this area in the top 15.
Friday night N C State named Wes Moore as their new Women's basketball coach. Moore was an assistant coach for Kay Yow back in the mid 1990's and for the past 15 years has been the head Coach of Tennessee Chattanooga. where he has had some gaudy numbers including 29-4 this year. He is the only Women's basketball coach to has taken teams from Division 1, D2 and D3 to the basketball playoffs.
Wrestling is one of those sports where self satisfaction is bigger than the notoriety that you will receive from it. You can say all you want but the six minutes in a wrestling match is the hardest sport to win. You must go for two minutes while someone pushes tugs, tries to land you on your back After a one minute rest go at it again for two minutes and after another one minute rest do it for . There is no other sport that that takes the energy it does to wrestle. J J Jones has developed a very good wrestling program at Rocky Mount. Alex Knight heads the list as one of the Gryphons all time best.
The latest Wells Fargo standings are out and after having had a very nice winter sports season Rocky Mount has retaken the lead in the Wells Fargo Standings. They have a whopping half a point lead over Hunt. Rocky Mount has 113.5 total while Hunt is next at 113. Fike is third in the standings at 105. The bottom half right now has Nash Central 99.5, Southern Nash 98 and Northern has 97. When you look at the over all state standing there is no one from this area in the top 15.
Friday night N C State named Wes Moore as their new Women's basketball coach. Moore was an assistant coach for Kay Yow back in the mid 1990's and for the past 15 years has been the head Coach of Tennessee Chattanooga. where he has had some gaudy numbers including 29-4 this year. He is the only Women's basketball coach to has taken teams from Division 1, D2 and D3 to the basketball playoffs.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Athletic Scholarships
There is a misconception when a player signs an athletic scholarship that he has signed on at that school for four years. Actually a player has to resign each year in order to go to that school for free the next year. What happens when that player does not resign. Most cases he transfers to another school. There is one major catch if a player leaves and heads elsewhere. He must sit out a year before he can play at the school where he transferred in to. We have seen this a lot in the past couple of weeks. Coaches get new gigs and off they go and a player who signed to play for that coach is stuck staying put after the coach leaves.
We live in a world where TV people like Dick Vitale scream the virtues of players that are Diaper Dandies and those that have an interest in these certain players after hearing the Vitale's of the world spout off keep feeding into the heads of young players how great they are. By the time they show up on campus and find out this guy they never have heard of is just as good as they are and their playing time is not as much as every one had told them it was going to be.
If you don't already know this but the worse judge of athletic ability is the parent of any athlete. 90% of all parents way over rate their child . It is only natural since the kid was 10 he was the best player on his team. After every winning game your parents friends are patting them on the back telling them what a great job that your kid did. There are many who need that free ride to be able to send a kid to the college of their choice. Parents become blinded just like the players.
The big day comes and your child shows up and there are three guards on the team better than your kid. I can tell you that the end of a basketball bench is only 20 feet from the coach. But in practice they have decided that your kid won't play much this year, when it is time to put somebody else in the game a coach can't see that far down the bench because of all the players better than your kid are closer to the coach.. He never has to look that far down the bench to find a player better..
It is truly hard for a kid who has been pumped up to be better than sliced bread to find out there are other players already with butter on their bread. There are examples every year of players who transfer and when they show up at the next place sit at the end of the bench there too. Yes transfers do work but not as often as people think.
Lack of playing time and the desire to play more is the top reason to transfer. Can't get along with the coach is another. Most of the time that means he won't play me like I want. There is one other reason players transfer but hardly do you ever hear this as the reason. Players who are dissatisfied have a bad habit of not keeping up their grades and more than you would believe have to transfer and sit out a year just to get their grades back up. Have you ever heard a coach say" well he was too dumb to pass over there but he will be alright here." It happens more than you know. The next time you hear somebody is transferring you may never hear what the real reason truly is.
There are the times when college just isn't for any young person. They never figure out how to delegate time to study but are experts at partying. Colleges are not in the baby sitting business, but I will say that most on athletic scholarships are controlled more than the average student. Athletes are required to be in study hall to stay eligible. There is never an off season as you lift weights or run to stay in shape. College life is the first time most students have ever had to do anything on their own that mama didn't do for them at home.
Transferring to another school can be the answer sometimes but most of the time the other school is the same old problem just new faces. Many students now with knowledge of what happened last year grow up and adapt better the second time around. Regardless staying put or transferring every student is armed with a year of knowledge of experience. Isn't that life anyway?
We live in a world where TV people like Dick Vitale scream the virtues of players that are Diaper Dandies and those that have an interest in these certain players after hearing the Vitale's of the world spout off keep feeding into the heads of young players how great they are. By the time they show up on campus and find out this guy they never have heard of is just as good as they are and their playing time is not as much as every one had told them it was going to be.
If you don't already know this but the worse judge of athletic ability is the parent of any athlete. 90% of all parents way over rate their child . It is only natural since the kid was 10 he was the best player on his team. After every winning game your parents friends are patting them on the back telling them what a great job that your kid did. There are many who need that free ride to be able to send a kid to the college of their choice. Parents become blinded just like the players.
The big day comes and your child shows up and there are three guards on the team better than your kid. I can tell you that the end of a basketball bench is only 20 feet from the coach. But in practice they have decided that your kid won't play much this year, when it is time to put somebody else in the game a coach can't see that far down the bench because of all the players better than your kid are closer to the coach.. He never has to look that far down the bench to find a player better..
It is truly hard for a kid who has been pumped up to be better than sliced bread to find out there are other players already with butter on their bread. There are examples every year of players who transfer and when they show up at the next place sit at the end of the bench there too. Yes transfers do work but not as often as people think.
Lack of playing time and the desire to play more is the top reason to transfer. Can't get along with the coach is another. Most of the time that means he won't play me like I want. There is one other reason players transfer but hardly do you ever hear this as the reason. Players who are dissatisfied have a bad habit of not keeping up their grades and more than you would believe have to transfer and sit out a year just to get their grades back up. Have you ever heard a coach say" well he was too dumb to pass over there but he will be alright here." It happens more than you know. The next time you hear somebody is transferring you may never hear what the real reason truly is.
There are the times when college just isn't for any young person. They never figure out how to delegate time to study but are experts at partying. Colleges are not in the baby sitting business, but I will say that most on athletic scholarships are controlled more than the average student. Athletes are required to be in study hall to stay eligible. There is never an off season as you lift weights or run to stay in shape. College life is the first time most students have ever had to do anything on their own that mama didn't do for them at home.
Transferring to another school can be the answer sometimes but most of the time the other school is the same old problem just new faces. Many students now with knowledge of what happened last year grow up and adapt better the second time around. Regardless staying put or transferring every student is armed with a year of knowledge of experience. Isn't that life anyway?
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Pirate Nation Celebrates
The Pirates of ECU took major steps in it's basketball program this season as they bring home the CIT Championship trophy from Ogden Utah after beating Weber State on the Wildcats home court with a buzzer beater shot. I was not aware until I heard coach Jeff Lebo on the David Glenn Show Wednesday that ECU had never won a post season game ever until this year. It was only their fifth post season that they have ever been in. Celebrate all you want Pirates you are the only team from North Carolina that won any thing in post season this year.
Now the Pirate nation will have to do everything they can to hold on to Jeff Lebo. I doubt if any bushes will be shaking this year since it is kind of late in any movement of coaches. If Lebo can win 20 again next year in Greenville look out Pirate fans it will be hang on time.
Isaiah Hicks has been named Wednesday as the Associated Press North Carolina basketball player of the year to go along with the player of the year honors he won Tuesday from the NCBCA. If there is any consolation in not winning this year Rocky Mount can at least say we lost to the best player and state champs. It is always some comfort to be able to say it took the state champs to beat us. Rocky Mount's Donte Battle made third team AP just like he did Tuesday in the NCBCA.
J'Kyra Brown has made the All State first team as voted on by the AP. J'Kyra keeps on pulling in all of the rewards from a great career at Rocky Mount.
Under the heading of grabbing at straws: Don't you think that Southern Cal naming Andy Enfield as their new basketball coach is a little bit from left field. Do you even know who Andy Enfield is? Two weeks ago today I know you didn't know who he was. Andy Enfield use to be the basketball coach at Florida Gulf Coast and after winning two NCAA games Southern Cal thinks he is good enough be their basketball coach.
This year FGCU was 26-11. Last season they were 15-17. Most of the players on this years team were recruited by somebody else since they are mostly senior laden. Enfield two year record was 41-28. Has college basketball got to the point where coaches have such high buyouts that a school like Southern Cal can't find a proven winner? Enfield might be the next Dean Smith but nothing he has done at FGCU warrants getting a job on the level of Southern Cal.
Now the Pirate nation will have to do everything they can to hold on to Jeff Lebo. I doubt if any bushes will be shaking this year since it is kind of late in any movement of coaches. If Lebo can win 20 again next year in Greenville look out Pirate fans it will be hang on time.
Isaiah Hicks has been named Wednesday as the Associated Press North Carolina basketball player of the year to go along with the player of the year honors he won Tuesday from the NCBCA. If there is any consolation in not winning this year Rocky Mount can at least say we lost to the best player and state champs. It is always some comfort to be able to say it took the state champs to beat us. Rocky Mount's Donte Battle made third team AP just like he did Tuesday in the NCBCA.
J'Kyra Brown has made the All State first team as voted on by the AP. J'Kyra keeps on pulling in all of the rewards from a great career at Rocky Mount.
Under the heading of grabbing at straws: Don't you think that Southern Cal naming Andy Enfield as their new basketball coach is a little bit from left field. Do you even know who Andy Enfield is? Two weeks ago today I know you didn't know who he was. Andy Enfield use to be the basketball coach at Florida Gulf Coast and after winning two NCAA games Southern Cal thinks he is good enough be their basketball coach.
This year FGCU was 26-11. Last season they were 15-17. Most of the players on this years team were recruited by somebody else since they are mostly senior laden. Enfield two year record was 41-28. Has college basketball got to the point where coaches have such high buyouts that a school like Southern Cal can't find a proven winner? Enfield might be the next Dean Smith but nothing he has done at FGCU warrants getting a job on the level of Southern Cal.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
ECU CIT Champs
If you failed to watch the Championship game of the CIT basketball Tournament last night you really missed a wild win for ECU. The Pirates had traveled to Ogden Utah the home of Weber State and the game was nip and tuck throughout. Under two minutes to play the Pirates trailed by four at 72-68 and The Wildcats did the Pirates a favor and missed five of six free throws and the game was tied at 74 as ECU had 17 seconds to win.
The most unlikely of hero's for the Pirates as Akeem Richmond who had only made four of his last twenty three three pointers put up a I had better shoot or the clock is going to hit zero and drained a three pointer and the Pirates are the CIT Champs 77-74. It is the best season in the history of ECU basketball to say the least Jeff Lebo has done a nice job this year getting the Pirates to 23-12 on the season.
Rocky Mount High school baseball played a double header yesterday in Greenville in the Pitt County Easter Tournament. This was not on the schedule but was put together Monday night when Riverside High and Rocky Mount both found themselves finished with their games and both having been rained out on Monday played Tuesday. Riverside won 5-1 so Rocky Mount's record is now 7-6 as they will now have a week off before getting back into Big East Baseball.
Many thanks to everyone that have sent along to me that Alvin Battle of Northern Nash was on the 1983 team with George McClain and that Julius Peppers of Southern Nash was a member of the Final Four team at Carolina in 2000. How easy it is to forget.
College basketball season is officially over for every team in North Carolina as for the fourth year Duke's women lost in the Final Eight game. They led at the half but Notre Dame manhandled them in the second half.
The most unlikely of hero's for the Pirates as Akeem Richmond who had only made four of his last twenty three three pointers put up a I had better shoot or the clock is going to hit zero and drained a three pointer and the Pirates are the CIT Champs 77-74. It is the best season in the history of ECU basketball to say the least Jeff Lebo has done a nice job this year getting the Pirates to 23-12 on the season.
Rocky Mount High school baseball played a double header yesterday in Greenville in the Pitt County Easter Tournament. This was not on the schedule but was put together Monday night when Riverside High and Rocky Mount both found themselves finished with their games and both having been rained out on Monday played Tuesday. Riverside won 5-1 so Rocky Mount's record is now 7-6 as they will now have a week off before getting back into Big East Baseball.
Many thanks to everyone that have sent along to me that Alvin Battle of Northern Nash was on the 1983 team with George McClain and that Julius Peppers of Southern Nash was a member of the Final Four team at Carolina in 2000. How easy it is to forget.
College basketball season is officially over for every team in North Carolina as for the fourth year Duke's women lost in the Final Eight game. They led at the half but Notre Dame manhandled them in the second half.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
J'Kyra Brown NCBCA Player Of The Year
Rocky Mount High's J'Kyra Brown has been named the player of the year by the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association. This honor comes as all four levels of high school are on this team. This is not just a 3-A honor but all levels. The ECU recruit is the all time leading scorer in Rocky Mount girls history and averaged 27 points per game this season.
Jamie Cherry of West Craven, Briana Day and Ryan Flowers of Millbrook along with Kea Paris of Page are the first team all state. The only local player with any boys connections is Donte Battle of Rocky Mount whio made the third team all state.
Rocky Mount high got shutout pitching from Jeremy Johnson as the Gryphons win today at Guy Smith Stadium 8-0 over Greene Central in the Pitt County Easter Tournament. The Gryphons are now winners of three in a row and have upped their record to 7-5. The game yesterday against West Craven in the Easter Tournament will not be made up. Gryphons win both of their games in the Pitt County Tournament.
Hobbs Johnson just can not catch a break on the mound for the UNC Tar Heels. Last night on ESPNU Johnson pitched into the 6th inning left the game with the lead but Carolina managed to lose their second game of the season before the night was over. Johnson who has started six times this spring for Mike Fox has yet to get a win or loss in his six starts. He had an injury early on and there has been a couple of starts where he was on a pitch count and did not get enough innings in the game to win.
I don't know about how your NCAA brackets are but I still have one team alive an that is Louisville. My only problem is everyone still ahead of me in their bracket also have Louisville too so I am out of the running regardless of who wins this weekend.
Rodney Purvis announced that he is transferring from N C State. I can tell you I am from the old school that once you decide this is where I am going you need to accept you were not as good as you thought you were and get better at the place you decided to go. I can't figure any player feels sitting out a year when they think they are the best player on the team can be good for that player.
Thanks for the help in reminding me that Alvin Battle of Northern Nash was also a member of the State 1983 Final Four team. We were talking about the last players from the Twin Counties to play in a final four like Montrezl Harrell will be doing this year.
Jamie Cherry of West Craven, Briana Day and Ryan Flowers of Millbrook along with Kea Paris of Page are the first team all state. The only local player with any boys connections is Donte Battle of Rocky Mount whio made the third team all state.
Rocky Mount high got shutout pitching from Jeremy Johnson as the Gryphons win today at Guy Smith Stadium 8-0 over Greene Central in the Pitt County Easter Tournament. The Gryphons are now winners of three in a row and have upped their record to 7-5. The game yesterday against West Craven in the Easter Tournament will not be made up. Gryphons win both of their games in the Pitt County Tournament.
Hobbs Johnson just can not catch a break on the mound for the UNC Tar Heels. Last night on ESPNU Johnson pitched into the 6th inning left the game with the lead but Carolina managed to lose their second game of the season before the night was over. Johnson who has started six times this spring for Mike Fox has yet to get a win or loss in his six starts. He had an injury early on and there has been a couple of starts where he was on a pitch count and did not get enough innings in the game to win.
I don't know about how your NCAA brackets are but I still have one team alive an that is Louisville. My only problem is everyone still ahead of me in their bracket also have Louisville too so I am out of the running regardless of who wins this weekend.
Rodney Purvis announced that he is transferring from N C State. I can tell you I am from the old school that once you decide this is where I am going you need to accept you were not as good as you thought you were and get better at the place you decided to go. I can't figure any player feels sitting out a year when they think they are the best player on the team can be good for that player.
Thanks for the help in reminding me that Alvin Battle of Northern Nash was also a member of the State 1983 Final Four team. We were talking about the last players from the Twin Counties to play in a final four like Montrezl Harrell will be doing this year.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Final Four Bound
When I make this comment you must remember that I have only lived in the area since 1995. Montrezl Harrell freshman basketball player of the Louisville Cardinals is heading to the final four. My knowledge tells me that no Twin County area player has played in the NCAA final four since Rocky Mount's George McLean was of member of the 1983 N C State WolfPack. If you know of any other player let me hear it.
After the way Louisville played last night you might say that Harrell made the right decision when after committing to play at Virginia Tech but changed his mind once VT fired their coach. I have Louisville in everyone of pools and thought they would beat Duke last night. Once the Cardinal player broke his leg in the first half I thought that gave the Cardinals that added inspiration to win.
I commend CBS's coverage of the injury. Since it is easy when watching on TV to be able to see what is happening there are no words to improve the situation. Their silence through most of the nine minutes was the right thing to do. Radio you have a different situation that you have to describe what happened but TV did the right thing here. The injury was about the worst on field injury since Joe Theisman broke his leg back in 1986 on Monday night football.
Sure does seem that the only way to beat Benton Moss these days for the UNC baseball team is to rain him out. I hope you had the opportunity to watch Benton in the two and two thirds innings before the rains came last night of Fox Sports South. He struck out six and no one reached base until a walk in the pouring rain. The game will be finished today without Benton going back out in the game. The Tar Heels are again on ESPNU at 6pm tonight and there is a good chance that Hobbs Johnson will start that game for the Heels.
Rocky Mount High game was rained out and whether it is made up at this point not sure. They will play at 10am Tuesday against Greene Central.
After the way Louisville played last night you might say that Harrell made the right decision when after committing to play at Virginia Tech but changed his mind once VT fired their coach. I have Louisville in everyone of pools and thought they would beat Duke last night. Once the Cardinal player broke his leg in the first half I thought that gave the Cardinals that added inspiration to win.
I commend CBS's coverage of the injury. Since it is easy when watching on TV to be able to see what is happening there are no words to improve the situation. Their silence through most of the nine minutes was the right thing to do. Radio you have a different situation that you have to describe what happened but TV did the right thing here. The injury was about the worst on field injury since Joe Theisman broke his leg back in 1986 on Monday night football.
Sure does seem that the only way to beat Benton Moss these days for the UNC baseball team is to rain him out. I hope you had the opportunity to watch Benton in the two and two thirds innings before the rains came last night of Fox Sports South. He struck out six and no one reached base until a walk in the pouring rain. The game will be finished today without Benton going back out in the game. The Tar Heels are again on ESPNU at 6pm tonight and there is a good chance that Hobbs Johnson will start that game for the Heels.
Rocky Mount High game was rained out and whether it is made up at this point not sure. They will play at 10am Tuesday against Greene Central.
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