Favorites Win Titles

I had voiced concern on this blog last week concerning moving the boys varsity consolation game to the auxiliary gym and playing the JV championship game on the main floor.  I surely was wrong in thinking the small seating Auxiliary gym would be over flowing while the main gym would almost be empty.  I didn't know of course that Northern and Rocky Mount would be in the JV championship game but the move proved a smart one.

Yes, neither Nash Central or Southern Nash enjoyed the indignity of playing down the hall but those in nearly full main gym saw Rocky Mount and Northern play for a championship and when that happens Nash County comes calling.  Probably didn't hurt that both varsity teams were waiting to do battle in the second and third games.  What the boys JV  championship game turned into was a thriller as Rocky Mount wins in overtime  68-60.

I don't know if there were many in attendance that thought the Rocky Mount girls could hang with the unbeaten Lady Knights but they did for a half.  Northern found themselves down in the  first quarter and never saw the lead until Keyonte Cherry hit a three at the first quarter buzzer to give Northern a 13-12 lead.  Both teams played even in the second but the story of this game was the physical play.   There were 39 fouls called in the game and a total of 51 turnovers by both teams.  The turnovers were 17-13 Rocky Mount at the half and it was 24-23 Northern at the half.

Where the game got away from Rocky Mount is both Kiana Thomas Tournament MVP and all Tournament Suzie Sykes neither had scored at the half and between them they had one rebound.  The third quarter would turn the tide as Thomas and Sykes score 19 second half points and Rocky Mount turned it over to the Northern press 14 times in the second half to only seven for Northern.  The third quarter dominance  by the Lady Knights put this one away leading 45-29 after three.

The fourth was keep up the pressure and take home the crown.  Northern tops Rocky Mount 56-38.  Kiana Thomas lead Northern with ten while Sykes contributed 9, Alexia Hines 9, Amanda Richardson 7, Jahlia Williams 7 and Keyonte Cherry all had 7.

Keyanna Spivey held her on against Northern scoring 22.  The only other player  with more than two points was Tamar Harper who joined Spivey on the all tournament team with 10 points  Kiana Thomas who had 20 points and 12 rebounds on Tuesday wins the MVP of the tournament. Northern takes home their 4th straight Christmas tournament title and  three of the four have been over Rocky Mount.

Wrapping up the Rocky Mount Northern triple header the  2-6 Knights of Northern Nash and 6-2 Rocky Mount went up and down the court in the first quarter.  Adam Renner score eight of the Knights 16 first quarter points to lead at the end of one quarter 16-13.

Rocky Mount had five double digits scorers on the night as they took a slim 31-30 lead into the locker Room.  Kenaz Cooper Tournament MVP shared scoring honors with Isaiah Alston with 15.  Broderick Caudle and Amir Pittman shared 14 a piece and Jaequez Jones popped for 13. 

Rocky Mount squeezed a 51-47 third quarter lead as Demonte Johnson 15 points and Adam Renner 15 both all tournament kept Northern close.  Renner was a monster on the boards all night hauling  down a game high 11.  Renner's effort gave Northern a 29-28 rebound edge on the game.  The difference tonight Rocky Mount forces Northern to give up the ball on turnovers 19 times while Rocky Mount protected the ball like it was a million dollars having only five all night.  Rocky Mount helped keep Northern in the game making only 18-37 free shots at the charity line.  Northern wasn't much better 10-20. 

Rocky Mount takes home the Nash County Christmas tournament 78-69 but at one point in the fourth quarter it was 63-62 Rocky Mount.  Turnovers gave the Gryphons the edge and they finally made a few free throws down the stretch.

The boys consolation game went to Southern Nash 65-51 over Nash Central.  The Northern girls JV's won the girls addition of the tournament last night and between games the Dudley Whitley award was presented to Southern Nash basketball coach and athletic director Robbie Kennedy recognizing the outstanding coach in Nash County for his contributions to all phases of life as a coach in Nash county.

When all is said and done Rocky Mount boys win the JV and Varsity titles while the Northern Nash girls win both girls titles.