Gryphons On Three Wheels

That team that looked like state championship material lost again last night in the Corinth Holders Tournament.  I can' t explain why but instead of a losers bracket game between the home standing Pirates the Gryphons played East Wake the team that beat Holders by nearly 32 on Friday.

Friday night the Gryphons played the fourth quarter without Immanuel King who sprained his ankle.  King attempted to go to the distance but sat out the fourth quarter with ice on his ankle against E Wake.  From all most the get go the Gryphons trailed 16-11 after the first, 26-24 at  the half. The Warriors lead 41-36 after three but with five minutes left found themselves down 50-38.

The Gryphons rallied and down the stretch had five three point shots if any one had of fallen the game would have been tied but none did.  Final East Wake 63 Rocky Mount 57.

One common denominator in all four losses.  Immanuel King didn't play at all in two of them and sat out the fourth  in both games this weekend.  All four losses have come from teams playing three guards.

Observations are this team has lost to three good  4-A schools.  They seem to being playing waiting for the other teams to wilt because they are the mighty Gryphons.  They continue to run point guards in looking for someone who wants to take control.  They lack a point guard that drives to the basket and dishes to the big men. Throughout his career Donte Battle has been a total team player never taking ill advised shots but right now this team needs him as the leader to take  over rattle the rim with some monster dunks and grab every rebound as if he is the only player on the floor.  Just remember not one conference game has been played and like many in the past you have to admit the Gryphons haven't  back down in who they have played.  Their schedule has been tough and they are not that far off from being very good.

The Lady Gryphons did get the loser from the Friday girls game and it was Corinth Holders.  I got to the gym and looked at the score board and it was 52-22. Took a deep breath until the first score by Rocky Mount made it 54.  Lady Gryphons cruise  68-25.  Like the boys they are 6-4 on the season.  Their next game is January 10th when they open conference play at Nash Central.