Much Needed Win

Tonight Rocky Mount went back to a two big men lineup and with the addition of quicker feet on the outside Rocky Mount defense leads to  57-45 win over Southern Nash.  The victory and with a Hunt 67-45 win over Nash Central Hunt has the outright lead in Big East boys basketball.

Thomas Cooper and Kenaz Cooper both got starts tonight for Mike Gainey's Gryphon and on the defensive end  the Gryphons forced the Firebirds into 22 turnover while committing only 16 themselves. That is still a high number16 but tonight the Gryphons had a purpose and that was to play defense.

Immanuel King scored a double double 12 points 12 rebounds to lead the way but he spent time on the bench in foul trouble and he and Thomas Cooper both fouled out.  While in there Cooper gave Rocky Mount more movement on offense and was part of a scrambling defense. Kenaz Cooper and Blake Helms got more minutes and it paid off for all of the Gryphons.

Rocky Mount grabbed 38 rebounds to 25 for Southern. Southern also gave the ball away more in turnovers 22-16.  Donte Battle and Isaiah Alton joined King with 12 points.  Tahj Deans 10 points and six rebounds was the top Southern  performer.

It is still not what Mike Gainey wants but for the first time in a month Rocky Mount played as if they wanted to be there.   Want to sometimes is the name of the game.

The Lady Gryphons acted in the first  half as if they were still out for snow as the Lady Birds of Southern  charged out to  a 27-17 half time lead and at times it seemed the Gryphons didn't know who was on their team as twice inbound passes went out of bounds not thrown to anyone.

By the end of the game constant defensive pressure  by Rocky Mount and in the second half the Gryphons figured out who was on their side and cut down on the turnovers and won 49-43 to hang on to their share of first in the Big East heading to a Tuesday night showdown at Rocky Mount with Northern.

Keyanna Spivey 13 points and 6 rebounds lead the offense.  Carmen Richardson also scored 13 as  5of hers came done the stretch at the foul line as Rocky  Mount held the lead.  Rocky Mount had 14 turnovers in the first half but started the third and did 't have their first until they had tied the score at 33.  By games end the Gryphons committed 25 miscues while the Lady Birds totaled 18.

Destiny Burgess  was a one man wrecking crew for Southern as Rocky Mount found the only way to stop her was to get her to foul out late in the game.  Burgess threw down  26 points and hauled down  10 of Southrrn's  22 rebounds. Rocky Mount won the rebounding collecting 26.

All Day Saturday at Northern Nash is the Big East Wrestling Tournament.  It starts at nine and will take all day.

WHIG was in the House at Southern Nash at the Rocky Mount Southern boys game can be seen at 2pm Saturday afternoon.