Fike Falls From The Unbeatens

I questioned on this blog Monday the quality of the Fike boys undefeated 12-0 team as to who they had beaten this year to prepare them for the Big East Basketball Season.  Tonight Fike traveled to Southern Nash and the Firebirds were ready to give the Golden Demons all they wanted. Southern Knocks Fike into the loss column for the first time with a 50-49 win.  The Southern girls pick up their first conference win beating the Lady Golden Demons 53-48 .

Rocky Mount and Nash Central boys have already met before Christmas with the Gryphons winning by 12 on a neutral court at Northern Nash.  Tonight Rocky Mount travels to the Bulldog gym and you would think tonight this is the Bulldogs chance but not so.  Rocky Mount dominant the Bulldogs 53-27.  Yes that score is right.  Seems every rebound belonged to the Gryphons.

Two of those teams looking to challenge Northern met for the second time this year and for the second time Rocky Mount wins a close one 52-45 over Nash Central.  Carmen Richardson led the Gryphons with 26 points.  So after the first night of Conference Northern,Rocky Mount and Southern  all are tied for first in the Big East.

Northern Nash girls started on the road in what might have proven to be at the second best team in the Big East when they traveled to Hunt.  The Lady Knights start off Big East Conference play with a 57-40 victory over the Lady Warriors.  If it proves out Hunt is second best in the conference then it looks like a log jam fighting for second.

I promised that we would look at local high school players who now play college basketball and today we look toward Charlotte and Queens College.  Tia Hudgins was a small forward/power forward when playing at a Rocky Mount.  The 5'8" player has had to adjust to playing guard in college and Tia is doing rather well. Queens is 4-7 so far this season and Hudgins is averaging 8.6 points per game. while in high school Hudgins had a magnet in her hand and she always knew where the rebounds were going to be.  She hasn't lost that trait at Queens as she is averaging 6.8 rebounds per game.

The Next Week Of NFL Playoffs

We get another weekend of Saturday/Sunday double headers this weekend as the four teams that got byes must be ready to face teams that already have playoff wins under their belt.  I was three and one last weekend and let's see where we are heading this weekend. Let's get it started with the home team Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers get a home game against a team that has two offensive players back in Davis and Crabtree.  You could see what those two do for Colin Caepernick.  All of a sudden he is not in a slump any more.  Winning hides flaws and really this winning ways for the Carolina Panthers has come from the defense not the offense.  Yes Cam has had two winning drives the last two games but quite frankly if the defense didn't keep'em in the game those winning drives would never happen.

SteveSmith'sinjury hampers the offense for the  Cats. I know the Panthers won the division but I think they would be better off with a team full of players never in the playoffs they would be better served to have played last week.  Do you honestly believe this games is 10-9 again this time.  Carolina might get ten but the 9'ers will get more than nine.  SF 27 Panthers 10.

Last time New Orleans play in Seattle they got slaughtered.  The Saints got their first playoff road will but they will not get their second one this year.  Seattle has too much defense for Drew and company.  One thing that Russell Wilson does for Seattle he doesn't  lose the game like a Dalton will in Cincinnati.  He let 's the D control the game and scores enough to win.  Seattle 26 New Orleans 17.

Indianapolis at New England sends the miracle team Indy to New England who lost another defender this week for the year. I can't see a team giving 45 surviving on the road but look I don't see the Patriots being all that good either.  I think some how or other New England gets another Brady tuck rule call and wins.  Pats 34 Indy 27

Talking about somebody who has pressure on him this week but Peyton Manning needs to back up this season with a Super Bowl win but do you really believe the Broncos D can hold down San Diego after Von Miller is out for the Broncs. Philip Rivers is 2-0 against Manning in playoff games and he has won five of the last seven trips to Denver.  I'm telling you San Diego defense  which has had all their starters in the lineup for the last five games which are five wins.  Denver only had three games all season that they scored less than 30.  28,27 and 20. San Diego D was the 28 and 20.    I believe in the Bolo magic.The Chargers are the non bye week team that is going to win it all if the D stays Healthy.  Chargers 35 Denver 27.