The first night of the varsity action in Nash County Basketball Tournament finished with a terrific game to make up for the first two. Rocky Mount girls won the opener over Southern Nash 58-12 while the middle game Northern Nash girls remained unbeaten taking out Nash Central 71-44. The night cap the final score of 76-69 Rocky Mount over Southern Nash is not any indication how close the game really was.
The Gryphon boys trailed 18-17 after the first quarter of topsy turvy run up and down the court between two teams almost identical in size. Marquise Wright provided the Firebird spark scoring ten first quarter points. Thomas Cooper was the igniter for Rocky Mount in the second quarter scoring 13 for the half but two back to back threes sent Rocky Mount to the Locker room ahead. 41-30.
Emmanuel Merriweather lit up the third quarter with four threes but Southern could only cut into the Rocky Mount lead on a three by Merriweather at the buzzer to get the score down to 62-53. Southern chiseled away at the Rocky Mount lead an at 70-68 had a shot to take the lead but Rocky Mount held off the Firebirds down the stretch to win by seven.
The Gryphons got a supreme effort from Kenaz Cooper in not only scoring 21 but with help in the ball handling. Isaiah Alston contributed15 while Thomas Cooper finished with 13. The Gryphons had seven players in all to score at least five on the night.
Marquise Wright was strong all night for the Firebirds scoring 23 and pulling down 13 rebounds. Brian Vines 14 and Meriweather with 13 provided the firepower for the Firebirds. This was a run and gun game all night and both teams handle the ball rather well considering the pace as Southern turned it over 16 times to the Gryphons 12. The Gryphons won the rebounding war 33-28.
Other than the fact neither team is very tall both showed they will be players in the Big East. Final RM 76-69
The undefeated Lady Knights of Northern Nash threw at Nash Central their full arsenal and for a while the Lady Dogs hung tough but Northern just plain has too many good players and the longer the game went Northern got stronger and Central just couldn't hang.
Northern caused 29 Nash Central Turnovers while committing 21 themselves. The Lady Knight out rebounded The Bulldogs 38-24 and when you win the stats it's hard to lose. Kiana Thomas controlled the inside with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Suzie Sykes added 19 and Kayla Tucker 15.
Nash Central had three players hit Double figures being lead by Michaela Helms 14, Myia Spivey 12 and Kathryn Wilkins 10.
The first game of the night saw the Home team Rocky Mount jump to a 10-0 first quarter lead and that was close to being enough to win. The Gryphons lead 33-6 at the half and shutout Southern in the fourth quarter. The last 7:22 of the game with a forty point lead the clock ran continiously with the Gryphons winning 58-12
Tarmara Harper lead the Gryphons with 15. Destiny Burgess scored 9 of the Lady Firebirds 12 points. Southern plays Nash Central girls in the consolation game Wednesday as part of another triple header while the girls JV championship game will be sandwiched in front of the Northern Nash -Nash Central boys game will will start around Eight pm.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Nash County Tournament A Toss up For The Boys
If you look at all four rosters of the high school teams taking part in this weeks basketball tournament at Rocky Mount High School one thing you will find is no team is going to be taller than any other. In fact no team has a player taller than six four.
Southern Nash comes into the tournament with the best over all record at 6-1. Those that paid attention to the Firebirds last year know that by the end of the season nobody wanted to play the Birds. They were quick, good on defense and could shoot light outs from the outside which was needed since against the taller Gryphons, Golden Demons and Warriors was a must.
Point guard Marquise Wright is the biggest load carrier so far this season for the Firebirds scoring at a 16.4 rate. His able assistant is Emmanuel Merriweather comes in producing 12.3. Coach Robbie Kennedy's squad is averaging 56 per game while allowing 45. Since the inception of the Tournament this is one of the few times that you can say that the Firebirds have a real shot at winning the thing.
Mike Gainey has always been a run and gun man but this more than most without a big front line his squad has to be an all out get in your chest defensive team to off set the lack of height. All five of their wins their defense has paved the way while the two losses to South Central who has a legit D1 big man and plenty of support their height played a big part in the losses.
Isaiah Alston is the fastest gunslinger scoring at 17 per ball game but the Gryphons are loaded with guards that either can press you or shoot over you with Broderick Caudle scoring at 10.6 and Kenaz Cooper chipping in almost ten at 9.6. Southern Nash and Rocky Mount boys hit the court as the third game Tonight in what might be the best boys game of the week.
Nash Central heads across town owning a 4-1 record like everyone else Rennie Taylor is wishing for a Big Man for Christmas. The Bulldogs are close to matching their entire win total of last year before they reach the new year which is a very goods sign for them . The Bulldogs look for seniors Aaron Spivey, Wayne Sanders and Alex Corbin to lead the team.
First year coach Henry Drake finds himself with a team with nine seniors and none of them have experience winning basketball during their high school careers. Northern has found winning to be a hard thing to find so far this year. No better place to be however is against your top rivals when every team is about the same size.
Darius Spradley leads the Knights producing 16.5 point per game. The second best scorer is Marcellus Majors popping at 12.3 per clip. Northern Nash and Nash Central are the third game on the docket Wednesday night when they collide at about 8pm.
Southern Nash comes into the tournament with the best over all record at 6-1. Those that paid attention to the Firebirds last year know that by the end of the season nobody wanted to play the Birds. They were quick, good on defense and could shoot light outs from the outside which was needed since against the taller Gryphons, Golden Demons and Warriors was a must.
Point guard Marquise Wright is the biggest load carrier so far this season for the Firebirds scoring at a 16.4 rate. His able assistant is Emmanuel Merriweather comes in producing 12.3. Coach Robbie Kennedy's squad is averaging 56 per game while allowing 45. Since the inception of the Tournament this is one of the few times that you can say that the Firebirds have a real shot at winning the thing.
Mike Gainey has always been a run and gun man but this more than most without a big front line his squad has to be an all out get in your chest defensive team to off set the lack of height. All five of their wins their defense has paved the way while the two losses to South Central who has a legit D1 big man and plenty of support their height played a big part in the losses.
Isaiah Alston is the fastest gunslinger scoring at 17 per ball game but the Gryphons are loaded with guards that either can press you or shoot over you with Broderick Caudle scoring at 10.6 and Kenaz Cooper chipping in almost ten at 9.6. Southern Nash and Rocky Mount boys hit the court as the third game Tonight in what might be the best boys game of the week.
Nash Central heads across town owning a 4-1 record like everyone else Rennie Taylor is wishing for a Big Man for Christmas. The Bulldogs are close to matching their entire win total of last year before they reach the new year which is a very goods sign for them . The Bulldogs look for seniors Aaron Spivey, Wayne Sanders and Alex Corbin to lead the team.
First year coach Henry Drake finds himself with a team with nine seniors and none of them have experience winning basketball during their high school careers. Northern has found winning to be a hard thing to find so far this year. No better place to be however is against your top rivals when every team is about the same size.
Darius Spradley leads the Knights producing 16.5 point per game. The second best scorer is Marcellus Majors popping at 12.3 per clip. Northern Nash and Nash Central are the third game on the docket Wednesday night when they collide at about 8pm.
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