Wednesday, December 10, 2014

The Man On The End Of The Bench

Every team has a bunch.  The player who walked into the coaches office and ask to be on the team knowing well that he would never get on the field or court but just wanted to be near the game is enough.  ECU had such a player in Justin Hardy who walked in to Ruffin McNeils office and said I want to be on the ECU football team.

Every team needs players that during practice they run the next week's teams plays they are called the scout team.  Those that were good players in high school that are not quite ready to say bye to their game.  Such a player was Justin Hardy nobody wanted a high school quarterback from West Craven but now at ECU he still wanted to play. Didn't take long before Hardy started for the Pirates.

He is a lot like people who win the lottery.  He is an inspiration to all of us that yes there is a chance that I might win or in the case of a walk on football player who might be a super star.  Justin Hardy has caught more passes than any other player who plays D 1 football.  In his 48 career games for the Pirates he has never caught less than two passes in any of his game.

He is the hope for every player who just doesn't want to give up football.  This week Hardy won the ultimate of all walk on awards.the Burlesworth Trophy  which is given to the best college player who started out as a walk on.  The player no school thought was good enough to offer a scholarship.

Tuesday night the Rocky Mount Gryphons traveled to the northeast to play Hertford County.  The Lady Gryphons  recovered from their collapse against South Central beating HC 62-48.  The Ladies had a consistent offense all four quarters as 14 point was the least they scored in any quarter.  Shelby Meeks lead the scoring attack with 17. Three others players hit double figures as Keyanna Spivey scored 14 followed by Tarmara Harper 12 and Michelle Gainey 10.  Lady Gryphons are now 3-2 on the season.

The boys out scored the HC Bears by 10 in the third quarter to open up a double digit lead and that lead to a 78-62 victory over HC.  Isaiah Alston lead we way with 19 followed by Broderick Caudle 11 and Jaequez Jones 10 points.  The boys improve their record to 3-2.  The Gryphons are home Wednesday night as they host East Wake starting at 6pm.

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