Historic Reynolds Awaits Rocky Mount Prep

This Saturday when Rocky Mount Prep takes to the court against Winston Salem Prep they will be playing in one of the most historic college basketball arenas of all time.  Those youngsters don't have any idea that they will be playing in an arena that in 1999 which was the last year the N C State men played their full schedule there more people had watch college basketball in that house that any other arena in the world.  Nine million people watched 50 years of Wolfpack Basketball, ACC Tournaments and Dixie Classics.

It's first year 1949 it was the largest basketball arena in the south.  Those that have never been inside it if they sit anywhere in the upper deck  court side will feel that they are right on top of the action because they will be. In it's hay-day it seated 12,400 but Saturday there will be about 8,600 seats available.  Parking in the deck beside the arena is free and if you wait till game day to buy a ticket it is $10.

I have had the pleasure during his high school career to mention several times about the exploits of Rocky Mount Gryphon Mason Holt who has wanted to go to Campbell and it was the only place that he has applied to go to.  Mason has been one the the best Cross Country runners and long distance runners for Rocky Mount all during his high school career. He was conference champion in cross country.  Even as conference  champion and Campbell being a division 1 school Campbell has never offered a athletic scholarship to Mason only the offer to walk on  the team.

Mason Holt parents have taught him the value of getting a good education  and Mason has been an excellent student while at Rocky Mount High School.  Because of his value of an education Mason has won the Presidential Scholarship to Campbell for his academic ability not his athletic skills.  Congratulations Mason we are all proud of you.

Rocky Mount High baseball is home Thursday as they will take on Bunn in a non-conference game.  First pitch  is 4pm.

The ACC tournament begins today with only two big four members playing State and Wake.  The four games that will be played today only State against Virginia Tech is favored the other three are all toss-ups.  This is about as wide open as I can ever remember an ACC Tournament at least to the point of who is going to play Duke Sunday. Even that is not guaranteed.