One night after being shutout for the second night in a row the Rocky Mount Gryphons plate five runs in the fifth inning and sting Fike 8-4 to win their first conference game of the year. The Gryphons got but a single hit in the fifth but once taking the lead added two more by games in.
Fike had taken a 4-1 lead into the top of the fifth when the bottom fell out for them as far as they were concerned. Blake Helms went the distance scattering 10 hits while the Gryphons could get only three. The Gryphons got a much needed win getting out of an 0-2 record and now Fike drops to 1-1 in the Big East. Next game for the Gryphons is Thursday night as they host Southern Nash at 7pm.
Received a news flash from Pembroke tonight while stealing second base in a game Collins Cuthrell pulled a hamstring muscle and depending on the severity of the injury his quest to lead the DII baseball in home runs is in jeopardy. We will keep you updated.
Brian Goodwin will begin the 2015 baseball season in Syracuse the same place he ended last season on the injured list. Because of his injuries he has fallen to the 14th prospect on the Nationals prospects list. The National's roster is loaded with talent and don't be surprised to see Brian be trade bait sometime during the season.
Hobbs Johnson looks as if he will start in the upper A level Manatees in Florida again this year. If he pitches early as well as he pitched toward the end of the season last year he will move to double A soon?
Carlos Rodon the NC State pitching star will start his first full year in AAA Charlotte. The White Sox decision was send him to AAA to develop all of his pitches and be a starting pitcher. There were thoughts leaving him on the big club being a relief pitcher but Rodon''s long range plans is for him to be a starter.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
No Run Gryphons Shutout Again
The opening two conference games of the year for the Rocky Mount Gryphons have been at home. Last week they lost 2-0 to Nash Central and tonight a 0-0 game in the fifth inning turns into a six nothing Hunt win.
Sophomore David Harrison got the Gryphon start and through four innings you can't blame the pitching for the Gryphons two losses. Four innings tonight and seven against Nash central eleven innings in conference play and the Gryphons had given up just two runs and one of those was unearned.
The Hunt fifth started with two easy outs and the dreaded base on balls put a runner on first. The Warriors pitcher Jacob Williamson hits a ball in the gap between Center and left field which Gryphon centerfielder Channing Green cuts it off from going all the way to the wall. He then throws to his cutoff man shortstop Forest Bell who throws a strike to home where the ball is waiting on the runner who was rounding third and heading home. The play at the plate the ball is dropped by the catcher and Hunt has their first run with Williamson advancing to third on the throw home. The next batter a slow grounder is hit at shortstop Forest Bell and his throw to first is a one hopper which got by first baseman Wesley Drake and the second Hunt run scored.
The only real threat all night for the Gryphons happened in the sixth after one out Forest Bell and Tyler Brown got back to back singles but Williamson struck out a batter and a lazy fly ball to center to end the inning. Hunt added four runs in the seventh on four base on balls and a single and double and Williamson completed the 6-0 shutout with a three up and three down in the seventh.
Hunt could only collect five hits but they were timely to go along with miscues by Rocky Mount. Rocky Mount also had five hits but none got a runners past second base. Hunt is now 1-1 while Rocky Mount drops to 0-2 in conference play. Since this was last Friday nights rainout makeup the Gryphons get on the bus and travel to Fike Tuesday and host Southern Nash Thursday this week in conference play.
So far this year in two conference games the pitching has been better than expect from Blake Helms and David Harrison. The hitting and run scoring when you have not scored in two games is awful. If you can't score runs then the defense has to be perfect and every little mistake by the defense is compounded when a run scores just one run and you are in trouble.
Tarleton State where former Gryphon TaShaun Mabry was playing basketball made it all the way to the semi finals of DII basketball where they lost last Thursday to Indiana of Pennsylvania 72-68. Indiana lost the championship game Saturday. Tarleton was 31-4 on the season and it was only the second time in school history to make it to the final four of DII. Mabry on the season averaged 12.4 points per game.
Sophomore David Harrison got the Gryphon start and through four innings you can't blame the pitching for the Gryphons two losses. Four innings tonight and seven against Nash central eleven innings in conference play and the Gryphons had given up just two runs and one of those was unearned.
The Hunt fifth started with two easy outs and the dreaded base on balls put a runner on first. The Warriors pitcher Jacob Williamson hits a ball in the gap between Center and left field which Gryphon centerfielder Channing Green cuts it off from going all the way to the wall. He then throws to his cutoff man shortstop Forest Bell who throws a strike to home where the ball is waiting on the runner who was rounding third and heading home. The play at the plate the ball is dropped by the catcher and Hunt has their first run with Williamson advancing to third on the throw home. The next batter a slow grounder is hit at shortstop Forest Bell and his throw to first is a one hopper which got by first baseman Wesley Drake and the second Hunt run scored.
The only real threat all night for the Gryphons happened in the sixth after one out Forest Bell and Tyler Brown got back to back singles but Williamson struck out a batter and a lazy fly ball to center to end the inning. Hunt added four runs in the seventh on four base on balls and a single and double and Williamson completed the 6-0 shutout with a three up and three down in the seventh.
Hunt could only collect five hits but they were timely to go along with miscues by Rocky Mount. Rocky Mount also had five hits but none got a runners past second base. Hunt is now 1-1 while Rocky Mount drops to 0-2 in conference play. Since this was last Friday nights rainout makeup the Gryphons get on the bus and travel to Fike Tuesday and host Southern Nash Thursday this week in conference play.
So far this year in two conference games the pitching has been better than expect from Blake Helms and David Harrison. The hitting and run scoring when you have not scored in two games is awful. If you can't score runs then the defense has to be perfect and every little mistake by the defense is compounded when a run scores just one run and you are in trouble.
Tarleton State where former Gryphon TaShaun Mabry was playing basketball made it all the way to the semi finals of DII basketball where they lost last Thursday to Indiana of Pennsylvania 72-68. Indiana lost the championship game Saturday. Tarleton was 31-4 on the season and it was only the second time in school history to make it to the final four of DII. Mabry on the season averaged 12.4 points per game.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
K Ties Final Four Record
Thirty six years of coaching Coach K has taken a Duke team to the Final Four eleven times. This Saturday it will be twelve. Fourteen times K has taken a Duke team to the Regional finals and after Sunday's win over Gonzaga he has won twelve times. Now this is teams playing for the right to go to final four not opening round wins.
If there is one thing they proved this weekend they showed they can win when teams wrap up Okafor. Okafor has proven that he likes it when his teammates help him out because the teams are occupied with the Duke big man it is up to the outside guys to step up and Duke has four outside guys as good as anybody left in the tournament. Okafor did not sulk not being the star of the show.
Duke had too many athletes for both the taller Utah and Gonzaga. Neither team could guard the Duke shooters outside and when they drove to the basket couldn't keep in front of the Duke man driving. Against Michigan State there will be no European front like and this will be a game of two closely matched teams.
If Duke advances and plays Wisconsin they two have the European style big men who shoot threes but will have a hard time with Duke's quickness. If Duke advances and plays Kentucky the key to who wins that one will be Okafor staying on the court and not in foul trouble. Yes, Kentucky has big men and are lot more athletic than Wisconsin but Notre dame showed their ACC partner make threes and share the ball late Duke just might win it all again.
If there is one thing they proved this weekend they showed they can win when teams wrap up Okafor. Okafor has proven that he likes it when his teammates help him out because the teams are occupied with the Duke big man it is up to the outside guys to step up and Duke has four outside guys as good as anybody left in the tournament. Okafor did not sulk not being the star of the show.
Duke had too many athletes for both the taller Utah and Gonzaga. Neither team could guard the Duke shooters outside and when they drove to the basket couldn't keep in front of the Duke man driving. Against Michigan State there will be no European front like and this will be a game of two closely matched teams.
If Duke advances and plays Wisconsin they two have the European style big men who shoot threes but will have a hard time with Duke's quickness. If Duke advances and plays Kentucky the key to who wins that one will be Okafor staying on the court and not in foul trouble. Yes, Kentucky has big men and are lot more athletic than Wisconsin but Notre dame showed their ACC partner make threes and share the ball late Duke just might win it all again.
Has Montrezl Harrell played his last college basketball game for Louisvile? The Cardinals being knocked out of the NCAA final four by Michigan State 76-70 in overtime. Harrell had a really great first half but wasn't very effective in the second half. Louisville is one of the worse outside shooting teams that made the tournament and outside shooting was their second half down fall.
Having been recognized during Louisville's senior night as Coach Pitino expects him to go pro now as a junior. I think his pro career would be greatly increased if he came back and got stronger. He needs to improve outside shooting and free throws. Don't care what pro sport it is they all draft on potential and Montrezl's apex is unlimited. He has a chance to be a great pro and he will be in the top five picks and that is lottery winning kind of money and I think I would turn pro too! But in the NBA every big man is six feet ten or more and weights 300 pounds. Montrezl will not be able to rely on dunks in the NBA. He will need at least a 15 foot shot to open up the middle.
Our weekly Collins Cuthrell update and do we have information for you this week. Cuthrell hit a homer on Saturday which was his 17th and it broke the UNC Pembroke season record. Sunday he hit another to go to 18 on the year. The NCAA stats are not updated until Monday so it is no way at this point to know if he is first or second in the nation in D II home runs.
Benton Moss started out the season winning his first two games for UNC and then missed three weeks with a sprained elbow. His last two starts both have come in conference play and Sunday Mossed pitched Carolina to their only win of the weekend over Miami 10-3. Moss for the year is now 4-0 and has won 23 in his career at Carolina.
Gryphon baseball will try once again to play baseball Monday night. Hunt will be in the house at 7pm for a conference game. Both teams lost their openers last week and the loser will be in dire straits with two more conference games rest of the week. Rocky Mount plays Tuesday at Fike and have Southern Nash home Friday.
Benton Moss started out the season winning his first two games for UNC and then missed three weeks with a sprained elbow. His last two starts both have come in conference play and Sunday Mossed pitched Carolina to their only win of the weekend over Miami 10-3. Moss for the year is now 4-0 and has won 23 in his career at Carolina.
Gryphon baseball will try once again to play baseball Monday night. Hunt will be in the house at 7pm for a conference game. Both teams lost their openers last week and the loser will be in dire straits with two more conference games rest of the week. Rocky Mount plays Tuesday at Fike and have Southern Nash home Friday.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Almost For Irish
Question of whether Kentucky would go undefeated in the ACC got answered Saturday night even though they won a great Elite Eight game with Notre Dame the answer is no. Those of you Roy Williams haters the two big questions for Mike Brey is why did he not double team the Kentucky big man all night. Why did they decide during the last minute keep the ball in Grant's hand to make one on one moves three straight trips including the desperation heave at the buzzer when all night long they had scored sharing the ball?
Notre Dame was even in rebounding something no one expected. Every close game there is what ifs every where and the last three trips to the foul line the Irish made only one out of two every time after they had made 9/11 at one time.
Duke has no easy assignment against Gonzaga but They beat the Irish twice by four at Notre Dame and 30 in Durham. The Irish clipped the Dookies in the ACC Tournament. So the question must be if Notre Dame takes Kentucky to the wire why can't Duke beat them if they make it that far? Any tournament teams luck out when somebody else whips the team capable of beating you.
In order for Duke to make it to the final game they have to beat Gonzaga, either Michigan State or Louisville. Kentucky will have to make it past Wisconsin who if Notre Dame can take Kentucky to the Wire why can't Wisconsin?
You know every great team can have a burst at some point in every game where they play out of this world. Friday night Duke had one of those runs that gave them a 14 point lead but with six minutes to go they looked tire and Utah made a come back and that worries me for the Devils.
I think at the start of the tournament I picked Louisville to go out first but they are a good match for Michigan State. Should Duke and Louisville win that would guarantee the ACC a team in the final game. Regardless of what happens Sunday the ACC has had a super tournament. They are 13-3 with two games Sunday
Notre Dame was even in rebounding something no one expected. Every close game there is what ifs every where and the last three trips to the foul line the Irish made only one out of two every time after they had made 9/11 at one time.
Duke has no easy assignment against Gonzaga but They beat the Irish twice by four at Notre Dame and 30 in Durham. The Irish clipped the Dookies in the ACC Tournament. So the question must be if Notre Dame takes Kentucky to the wire why can't Duke beat them if they make it that far? Any tournament teams luck out when somebody else whips the team capable of beating you.
In order for Duke to make it to the final game they have to beat Gonzaga, either Michigan State or Louisville. Kentucky will have to make it past Wisconsin who if Notre Dame can take Kentucky to the Wire why can't Wisconsin?
You know every great team can have a burst at some point in every game where they play out of this world. Friday night Duke had one of those runs that gave them a 14 point lead but with six minutes to go they looked tire and Utah made a come back and that worries me for the Devils.
I think at the start of the tournament I picked Louisville to go out first but they are a good match for Michigan State. Should Duke and Louisville win that would guarantee the ACC a team in the final game. Regardless of what happens Sunday the ACC has had a super tournament. They are 13-3 with two games Sunday
Duke Survives
If you saw the first game when NC State beat Louisville in Louisville the script of the game last night was going just about the same as five weeks ago until Blackshear got his fourth foul. The team that Louisville finished the game with from that point was a better team that what the WolfPack could do.
Louisville drove almost at will because they were not making anything from outside. State had just like Carolina that late in the game they had a minute when they to didn't have good shots in fact they had two possible slam dunks mishandled in the lane. Game becomes catch up late and in order to catch up you need to score every time down and get stops and the Pack consistently got neither down the stretch.
Carolina fans upset with Roy Williams have to remember despite how well he played down the stretch Marcus Paige was hurt the entire year. Most of this season Carolina didn't look very good and yet they made the Sweet 16. State was up and down all year and yet they to made Sweet 16. If everyone that could come back for both next year do come back both could be preseason top 10 next season.
I wish Duke had one more guy inside and they would be in right to the end in this national title race. I just don't see Duke being as good as Zona or Kentucky. I think they are just as good as Wisconsin because as good as their big men are outside they are slow defending a quick player driving from outside toward basket. Duke has plenty of outside shooters who can drive. Duke Gonzaga will be a great game but I think the Devils will win because they have better athletes just like against Utah.
The ACC has three teams in final eight. Louisville might have caught a bracket where they may be able to sneak in the final four. Notre Dame needs to make all their threes and only say nice things about Kentucky. Duke will have a toughie with the Zags.
A couple of items that I have a hard time explaining . Why when a game starts at 7:15 and another at 7:37 do both games have time outs at the same time? I am not really sure referees even called the Duke /Utah game. I don't understand if you are going to let it be a physical game and let them play, why would you call fouls whe a player has all ball? I don't understand this new college game where the team with the lead fouls and the game is extended when the team trailing gets points without the clock running.
Louisville drove almost at will because they were not making anything from outside. State had just like Carolina that late in the game they had a minute when they to didn't have good shots in fact they had two possible slam dunks mishandled in the lane. Game becomes catch up late and in order to catch up you need to score every time down and get stops and the Pack consistently got neither down the stretch.
Carolina fans upset with Roy Williams have to remember despite how well he played down the stretch Marcus Paige was hurt the entire year. Most of this season Carolina didn't look very good and yet they made the Sweet 16. State was up and down all year and yet they to made Sweet 16. If everyone that could come back for both next year do come back both could be preseason top 10 next season.
I wish Duke had one more guy inside and they would be in right to the end in this national title race. I just don't see Duke being as good as Zona or Kentucky. I think they are just as good as Wisconsin because as good as their big men are outside they are slow defending a quick player driving from outside toward basket. Duke has plenty of outside shooters who can drive. Duke Gonzaga will be a great game but I think the Devils will win because they have better athletes just like against Utah.
The ACC has three teams in final eight. Louisville might have caught a bracket where they may be able to sneak in the final four. Notre Dame needs to make all their threes and only say nice things about Kentucky. Duke will have a toughie with the Zags.
A couple of items that I have a hard time explaining . Why when a game starts at 7:15 and another at 7:37 do both games have time outs at the same time? I am not really sure referees even called the Duke /Utah game. I don't understand if you are going to let it be a physical game and let them play, why would you call fouls whe a player has all ball? I don't understand this new college game where the team with the lead fouls and the game is extended when the team trailing gets points without the clock running.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Great Effort By Heels Comes Up Short
WASHED OUT AGAIN Tonight's baseball game for the Rocky Mount Gryphons has be rescheduled for Monday night March 30th 7pm with Hunt High.
The only reason I do not take part in fantasy sports is I hate to have to be put in a position where I need the team my favorite team is playing do good in a game. My bracket is busted but I can finish maybe 10th in my NCAA bracket out of about 150 people if Wisconsin wins.
My three brackets the one with the Badgers winning the tournament is the only one I still have in the running. If you didn't like watching this game you don't like basketball. Most of the time how great a game is is based on if the team I'm rooting for wins so I know Carolina fans don't feel like this game was very good.
Both teams made their runs but I thought where Carolina messed up was when they were leading 60-56 they came down court three straight times and took running shots ten feet from the basket and the Badgers scored eight straight points after easy rebounds and with six minutes to go Carolina would never get the momentum back.
The final score was not any indication how close this game was.
Notre Dame won the ACC's 12th game in this year's tournament. I think the key to the game was the Shockers big men could could not guard the Irish shooters on the outside and then could not get back to cover the drives to the basket. Since Louisville and NC State play each other that will put at least two ACC schools in the Elite Eight.
Rocky Mount trying to make up a rainout with Tarboro got rained out again Thursday night. The weather man is not giving the Big East much hope of anybody playing Friday. Hunt will be at Rocky Mount. Northern Nash travels to Southern Nash and Fike Visits Nash Central.
If you recall after one game during basketball season started all three of the second games in conference play feature an undefeated team playing a one time loser and after two games all six teams were 1-1. That will not happen in baseball as Rocky Mount and Hunt are tied for last and Fike and Nash Central are tied at the top.
The only reason I do not take part in fantasy sports is I hate to have to be put in a position where I need the team my favorite team is playing do good in a game. My bracket is busted but I can finish maybe 10th in my NCAA bracket out of about 150 people if Wisconsin wins.
My three brackets the one with the Badgers winning the tournament is the only one I still have in the running. If you didn't like watching this game you don't like basketball. Most of the time how great a game is is based on if the team I'm rooting for wins so I know Carolina fans don't feel like this game was very good.
Both teams made their runs but I thought where Carolina messed up was when they were leading 60-56 they came down court three straight times and took running shots ten feet from the basket and the Badgers scored eight straight points after easy rebounds and with six minutes to go Carolina would never get the momentum back.
The final score was not any indication how close this game was.
Notre Dame won the ACC's 12th game in this year's tournament. I think the key to the game was the Shockers big men could could not guard the Irish shooters on the outside and then could not get back to cover the drives to the basket. Since Louisville and NC State play each other that will put at least two ACC schools in the Elite Eight.
Rocky Mount trying to make up a rainout with Tarboro got rained out again Thursday night. The weather man is not giving the Big East much hope of anybody playing Friday. Hunt will be at Rocky Mount. Northern Nash travels to Southern Nash and Fike Visits Nash Central.
If you recall after one game during basketball season started all three of the second games in conference play feature an undefeated team playing a one time loser and after two games all six teams were 1-1. That will not happen in baseball as Rocky Mount and Hunt are tied for last and Fike and Nash Central are tied at the top.
Gryphon Baseball Tonight Maybe?
Gryphon Baseball washed out tonight!!!!
The Rocky Mount Gryphons will makeup the Friday night rainout with Tarboro tonight at Gryphon Stadium. This game is the Endowment game and of course you say what is that? It is the NCHSAA way of giving everyone an extra game on their schedule and they split the money with the state to help run the State association.
I guess you have seen the forecast and there is a good chance for dizzle during the rest of the day and maybe a thunder storm. It is suppose to rain about all day Friday so Friday night's conference game with Hunt is in jeopardy. The Gryphons have scheduled a makeup game Saturday with Corinth Holders at Holders and the over night low Friday night is 28 with drizzle so that sounds like snow to me so we will see if the Gryphons play any games for the rest of this week.
There is no doubt that we are all giddy with the prospects that our basketball teams in the Triangle are in the Sweet 16. If you go by NCAA Tournament Rankings if the Tar Heels of North Carolina make it to the championship game they will have beaten Wisconsin a number one seed in the bracket. Probably the number two seed in Arizona and if they win that Kentucky the number one overall seed will probably be waiting. That would be tough sledding for the Heels. Let's don't put the horse before the cart yet. We will find out plenty about Kentucky when they meet West Virginia. West Virginia plays the type game that just might be the style to mess KU up.
State's Road to the final game is against a four seed Louisville who they beat a month again in Louisville. If you recall that was like the second game after the Ville kicked their point guard off the team and the Cards have adjusted since then with their new lineup. If the Pack survives they probably draw Michigan State who this week has become the Media Darlings after beating Virginia. Should the Pack make it to Indianapolis Duke or Gonzaga would be their final four matchup.
Duke had better be ready Friday night against Utah. They look a lot like Duke shooting outside shots. The next round might be the Zags of Gonzaga who if you have not seen them play can beat anybody. If Duke makes it to the final four the dream would be against State or Louisville but could be Michigan State.
Carolina by far has the toughest road. I think Duke's road is bumpier that you might think and the Pack has as good a chance as any of our three to play in the finals. Then of course they could all three come home after this weekend. I think this type situation is what makes sports special there are 16 teams left and everyone thinks they can win it all.
The Rocky Mount Gryphons will makeup the Friday night rainout with Tarboro tonight at Gryphon Stadium. This game is the Endowment game and of course you say what is that? It is the NCHSAA way of giving everyone an extra game on their schedule and they split the money with the state to help run the State association.
I guess you have seen the forecast and there is a good chance for dizzle during the rest of the day and maybe a thunder storm. It is suppose to rain about all day Friday so Friday night's conference game with Hunt is in jeopardy. The Gryphons have scheduled a makeup game Saturday with Corinth Holders at Holders and the over night low Friday night is 28 with drizzle so that sounds like snow to me so we will see if the Gryphons play any games for the rest of this week.
There is no doubt that we are all giddy with the prospects that our basketball teams in the Triangle are in the Sweet 16. If you go by NCAA Tournament Rankings if the Tar Heels of North Carolina make it to the championship game they will have beaten Wisconsin a number one seed in the bracket. Probably the number two seed in Arizona and if they win that Kentucky the number one overall seed will probably be waiting. That would be tough sledding for the Heels. Let's don't put the horse before the cart yet. We will find out plenty about Kentucky when they meet West Virginia. West Virginia plays the type game that just might be the style to mess KU up.
State's Road to the final game is against a four seed Louisville who they beat a month again in Louisville. If you recall that was like the second game after the Ville kicked their point guard off the team and the Cards have adjusted since then with their new lineup. If the Pack survives they probably draw Michigan State who this week has become the Media Darlings after beating Virginia. Should the Pack make it to Indianapolis Duke or Gonzaga would be their final four matchup.
Duke had better be ready Friday night against Utah. They look a lot like Duke shooting outside shots. The next round might be the Zags of Gonzaga who if you have not seen them play can beat anybody. If Duke makes it to the final four the dream would be against State or Louisville but could be Michigan State.
Carolina by far has the toughest road. I think Duke's road is bumpier that you might think and the Pack has as good a chance as any of our three to play in the finals. Then of course they could all three come home after this weekend. I think this type situation is what makes sports special there are 16 teams left and everyone thinks they can win it all.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Pitching Dominates First Night
Would you expect when most of this baseball season when teams are having trouble getting on the practice field would hitting or pitching be ahead at this point? If the first night of Big East baseball conference is any indication pitching is way ahead of batting. All three conference games produced a total of 12 runs.
Nash Central has won only one game coming into tonight's game but Tony Guzzo sent sophomore Zach Patterson to the mound and Patterson shut the door on Rocky Mount for five innings but Gryphon starter Blake Helms went toe to toe with Patterson until the fifth. Nash Central took a lead off hit by Tristan Bateman, went to second on a wild pitch was bunted to third by John Kelly and Bulldog catcher Zach Denton hit a fly ball to left which was Central's first run but it would prove to be the only one needed.
Just for good measure the Bulldogs added a run in the seventh when relief pitcher Joshea Carter walked the first batter he pitched to. The Bulldogs tried to sacrificed the runner to second which they did but the Gryphons couldn't get anybody out so both runners were safe. The Bulldogs sacrificed both runners to second and third and Noah Schrock hit a grounder and the only play the Gryphons had was to get the out a first scoring the second run.
Tyler Barrow pitched the last two innings. The Gryphons had their chance in the sixth getting runners on 2nd and 3rd after two were out but got nothing. Patterson held the Gryphons to two hits and Barrow gave up two more in the sixth. Blake Helms becomes the hard luck loser going six innings allowing one run on five hits.
Fike pitcher Brandon Winstead carried a no hitter into the 7th inning but Southern Nash managed to get a hit and score one run but one was not enough as Fike beats Southern Nash 2-1.
Northern Nash looked like the team everyone thought they would be this year when they beat Hunt 7-0. The Knights got the hits and the pitching in throwing a shut out over the Warriors. Northern's seven runs were more than all five other conference teams scored combined five.
Northern, Fike and Nash Central take 1-0 records to game two in conference Friday night. Rocky Mount, Southern and Hunt start off tie at the bottom heading for game two.
Nash Central has won only one game coming into tonight's game but Tony Guzzo sent sophomore Zach Patterson to the mound and Patterson shut the door on Rocky Mount for five innings but Gryphon starter Blake Helms went toe to toe with Patterson until the fifth. Nash Central took a lead off hit by Tristan Bateman, went to second on a wild pitch was bunted to third by John Kelly and Bulldog catcher Zach Denton hit a fly ball to left which was Central's first run but it would prove to be the only one needed.
Just for good measure the Bulldogs added a run in the seventh when relief pitcher Joshea Carter walked the first batter he pitched to. The Bulldogs tried to sacrificed the runner to second which they did but the Gryphons couldn't get anybody out so both runners were safe. The Bulldogs sacrificed both runners to second and third and Noah Schrock hit a grounder and the only play the Gryphons had was to get the out a first scoring the second run.
Tyler Barrow pitched the last two innings. The Gryphons had their chance in the sixth getting runners on 2nd and 3rd after two were out but got nothing. Patterson held the Gryphons to two hits and Barrow gave up two more in the sixth. Blake Helms becomes the hard luck loser going six innings allowing one run on five hits.
Fike pitcher Brandon Winstead carried a no hitter into the 7th inning but Southern Nash managed to get a hit and score one run but one was not enough as Fike beats Southern Nash 2-1.
Northern Nash looked like the team everyone thought they would be this year when they beat Hunt 7-0. The Knights got the hits and the pitching in throwing a shut out over the Warriors. Northern's seven runs were more than all five other conference teams scored combined five.
Northern, Fike and Nash Central take 1-0 records to game two in conference Friday night. Rocky Mount, Southern and Hunt start off tie at the bottom heading for game two.
Conference Starts Tonight!
Big East baseball begins play tonight unless of course it rains or snows. So far the way this baseball season has gone Big East coaches shutter every time they look at a weather forecast because so far this year it has meant a postponement or cancelation from the schedule.
So far Big East teams have managed from four to six games played when they all wanted at least ten under their belt heading into the night. What the limited games has done is coaches will put a starting line up on the field and they will not quite know if these are the best players they have because not every player has had a equal opportunity to see what they can do when they get a start in non-conference play because there simply has not been enough games played for players to get into playing shape much less find out what you can do when it is your time in the game.
Tonight the WHIG TV cameras will be at Rocky Mount for the game with Nash Central. The Gryphons are 3-1 but who have they played so far? Normally by this time they would have played Rose twice and any team that plays the Rampants will have some idea how good they stack up with the Big Dogs of high school baseball.
Nash Central comes in to the game having played six times winning only once 1-5. The question for the Bulldogs are they as bad as their record or will practice time help them get into playing mode since there has been very little practice because when they have had an opportunity to play they have played but not had practice time to help cure mistakes.
Hunt 2-2 heads to Northern Nash 2-4 and if these two are the preseason conference favorites who can tell it with their records so. A cure all for any team if they have ability is get on the field and practice.
Any player who has limited ability can only improve so much with practice but if your teams are loaded with talent once you finally get on the field and practice you will come around to playing shape.
Why do you think Major League players spent six weeks in Florida or Arizona getting in shape?
The final game of the night will send Southern Nash 3-3 to Fike 2-4. What every team in the league faces is it might be a couple more weeks before teams round in to playing conditions and then 40 per cent of conference play will be over by Easter Tournament times for all team.
There is no doubt the Triangle will be going batty over the Sweet Sixteen by this weekend. This weekend will feature a local player on the court when State takes on Louisville in Syracuse. Montrezl Harrell the junior from between Tarboro and Leggett will be the starting power forward for the Cardinals.. Every game Montrezl plays in just might be his last because as a junior of course he just might declare for the NBA draft.
Montrezl is averaging 15.4 points a game for the Cardinals and is pulling down 9.2 rebounds. Any player is capable of declaring for the draft after any season in college basketball but his junior year he could be the top big man if he declares. If you are one of the top ten picks as a junior there is not much higher you can go by playing in college as a senior. I suspect he goes top five and that is hard to turn down that kind of money.
So far Big East teams have managed from four to six games played when they all wanted at least ten under their belt heading into the night. What the limited games has done is coaches will put a starting line up on the field and they will not quite know if these are the best players they have because not every player has had a equal opportunity to see what they can do when they get a start in non-conference play because there simply has not been enough games played for players to get into playing shape much less find out what you can do when it is your time in the game.
Tonight the WHIG TV cameras will be at Rocky Mount for the game with Nash Central. The Gryphons are 3-1 but who have they played so far? Normally by this time they would have played Rose twice and any team that plays the Rampants will have some idea how good they stack up with the Big Dogs of high school baseball.
Nash Central comes in to the game having played six times winning only once 1-5. The question for the Bulldogs are they as bad as their record or will practice time help them get into playing mode since there has been very little practice because when they have had an opportunity to play they have played but not had practice time to help cure mistakes.
Hunt 2-2 heads to Northern Nash 2-4 and if these two are the preseason conference favorites who can tell it with their records so. A cure all for any team if they have ability is get on the field and practice.
Any player who has limited ability can only improve so much with practice but if your teams are loaded with talent once you finally get on the field and practice you will come around to playing shape.
Why do you think Major League players spent six weeks in Florida or Arizona getting in shape?
The final game of the night will send Southern Nash 3-3 to Fike 2-4. What every team in the league faces is it might be a couple more weeks before teams round in to playing conditions and then 40 per cent of conference play will be over by Easter Tournament times for all team.
There is no doubt the Triangle will be going batty over the Sweet Sixteen by this weekend. This weekend will feature a local player on the court when State takes on Louisville in Syracuse. Montrezl Harrell the junior from between Tarboro and Leggett will be the starting power forward for the Cardinals.. Every game Montrezl plays in just might be his last because as a junior of course he just might declare for the NBA draft.
Montrezl is averaging 15.4 points a game for the Cardinals and is pulling down 9.2 rebounds. Any player is capable of declaring for the draft after any season in college basketball but his junior year he could be the top big man if he declares. If you are one of the top ten picks as a junior there is not much higher you can go by playing in college as a senior. I suspect he goes top five and that is hard to turn down that kind of money.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Duke Joins Heels-Pack In Sweet 16
Can basketball get any better for the Triangle? It could if all three could win twice next weekend but every step up the ladder the steps get farther apart and the competition stiffer. Nobody is left that any of our three will blow out like Duke did San Diego State. State will play Louisville another conference foe while the Tar Heels get a number one seed in Wisconsin. Duke draws Utah which since they are from out west we don't know much about but let me tell you they can play.
I think what sets the NCAA tournament apart from all most every other playoff whether pro or amateur is the one and done. You can be 32-2 and lose to a 21-13 team who is playing at their best level all year. Don't care how great you are and how well you are playing one bad night and you are gone.
Collins Cuthrell continues to lead division II baseball in home runs after this weekend. He is up to 15 on the season and that is one ahead of second. He is still hitting 452 on the season with 15 doubles and 45 RBI. All of us who have followed Collins high school career and at Barton and now at Pembroke didn't see this type season coming.
Just last year helping coach Legion you could see a stronger built player. His one year sitting out for a redshirt year with an injury he not only got older with maturity but he physical strength improved. The type year he is having should draw interest from baseball scouts when the upcoming draft happens in June. Who in the world just two months ago could see that coming?
Three weeks ago or so Benton Moss missed a start for the Tar Heels and rumors were floating around that Benton had a sore elbow which is the worse news any pitcher could possibly have especially in your senior season and you have decided you want to see how far you can go in professional baseball.
A second week passed an another missed start for the former Gryphon. Good news to report how ever as Moss started the second game of a double header at Georgia Tech Saturday and pitched six strong innings striking out eight as the Tar Heels beat Tech 5-1. It was Benton Moss 22nd career win and that puts him in the all time Carolina wins list top ten. His eight strike outs also moves him in the top ten and yes and he is now in the top ten of innings pitched all time for the Heels. He is 3-0 on the season with a 2.08 Era.
I think what sets the NCAA tournament apart from all most every other playoff whether pro or amateur is the one and done. You can be 32-2 and lose to a 21-13 team who is playing at their best level all year. Don't care how great you are and how well you are playing one bad night and you are gone.
Collins Cuthrell continues to lead division II baseball in home runs after this weekend. He is up to 15 on the season and that is one ahead of second. He is still hitting 452 on the season with 15 doubles and 45 RBI. All of us who have followed Collins high school career and at Barton and now at Pembroke didn't see this type season coming.
Just last year helping coach Legion you could see a stronger built player. His one year sitting out for a redshirt year with an injury he not only got older with maturity but he physical strength improved. The type year he is having should draw interest from baseball scouts when the upcoming draft happens in June. Who in the world just two months ago could see that coming?
Three weeks ago or so Benton Moss missed a start for the Tar Heels and rumors were floating around that Benton had a sore elbow which is the worse news any pitcher could possibly have especially in your senior season and you have decided you want to see how far you can go in professional baseball.
A second week passed an another missed start for the former Gryphon. Good news to report how ever as Moss started the second game of a double header at Georgia Tech Saturday and pitched six strong innings striking out eight as the Tar Heels beat Tech 5-1. It was Benton Moss 22nd career win and that puts him in the all time Carolina wins list top ten. His eight strike outs also moves him in the top ten and yes and he is now in the top ten of innings pitched all time for the Heels. He is 3-0 on the season with a 2.08 Era.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
ACC Shining
I think if you are one of those people like me who wonders why a team like NC State plays like world beaters one game and loses to a bottom level team the next I think the start by the ACC in the NCAA tournament almost will help explain why.
RPI is about as accurate as any thing to tell us how good teams really are. All six ACC teams are in the top 40 in the RPI and at least seeded as 32nd in the NCAA tournament. The Big Ten can say hey, we won the Big Ten/ACC challenge but do you realize that was back the first part of December and that was ages ago.
State finished sixth and Carolina fifth in the ACC. Villanova was second in the polls, first in the Big East and yet this was not the first time this year the Pack had play a team as good as Nova. They seemed to have been through the wars playing Duke twice and Virginia twice and both are right at the same area of the rankings as Nova.
Carolina drew Arkanas who finished second in the SEC. Once again the Tar Heels have played just as many teams equal to the Hogs so there is something about being prepared by the competition you play. Now back to the question of why do teams play like world beaters one night and duds the next?
Game after game you play top competition then you slip against a Clemson. It is hard for any team to be up every game night in and night out and when one of the lower tier teams is next if you are going to relax that would be the time and you catch that team hot. Kentucky has not had to play two games in a row against top 25 teams and yet it seems the top teams in the ACC are doing it every night.
Carolina's victory over Arkansas to me is not a good sign for Kentucky.
The Triangle still has three teams left in this year's tournament. Duke has lost only once since they kicked a player off and I think we can say they have played at a higher level since. Carolina has played better lately because Marcus Paige the last three weeks has looked like the 2014 Paige. I don't know whether he is 100 per cent or not but he sure is playing like he is. State started going with Lennard Freeman more the last month and Washington, Lee have played less but with what few minutes they have gotten they have contributed.
Is it conceivable that all three could make the Final Four? Possible, but not likely. Can't wait to see what the next seven days brings. If it happens the state of North Caroina will have to shut down the week leading up to the final four for a week of national holidays. If two wind up playing each other for the title April 6th the entire state will shut down that Monday like it was a snow day. Does anybody know what the weather forecast is?
RPI is about as accurate as any thing to tell us how good teams really are. All six ACC teams are in the top 40 in the RPI and at least seeded as 32nd in the NCAA tournament. The Big Ten can say hey, we won the Big Ten/ACC challenge but do you realize that was back the first part of December and that was ages ago.
State finished sixth and Carolina fifth in the ACC. Villanova was second in the polls, first in the Big East and yet this was not the first time this year the Pack had play a team as good as Nova. They seemed to have been through the wars playing Duke twice and Virginia twice and both are right at the same area of the rankings as Nova.
Carolina drew Arkanas who finished second in the SEC. Once again the Tar Heels have played just as many teams equal to the Hogs so there is something about being prepared by the competition you play. Now back to the question of why do teams play like world beaters one night and duds the next?
Game after game you play top competition then you slip against a Clemson. It is hard for any team to be up every game night in and night out and when one of the lower tier teams is next if you are going to relax that would be the time and you catch that team hot. Kentucky has not had to play two games in a row against top 25 teams and yet it seems the top teams in the ACC are doing it every night.
Carolina's victory over Arkansas to me is not a good sign for Kentucky.
The Triangle still has three teams left in this year's tournament. Duke has lost only once since they kicked a player off and I think we can say they have played at a higher level since. Carolina has played better lately because Marcus Paige the last three weeks has looked like the 2014 Paige. I don't know whether he is 100 per cent or not but he sure is playing like he is. State started going with Lennard Freeman more the last month and Washington, Lee have played less but with what few minutes they have gotten they have contributed.
Is it conceivable that all three could make the Final Four? Possible, but not likely. Can't wait to see what the next seven days brings. If it happens the state of North Caroina will have to shut down the week leading up to the final four for a week of national holidays. If two wind up playing each other for the title April 6th the entire state will shut down that Monday like it was a snow day. Does anybody know what the weather forecast is?
Friday, March 20, 2015
Another Rainout
The rains were over by noon and many teams in the area were able to play baseball by late afternoon. That was not the case at Rocky Mount where another game was lost due to the weather as the field was soaked. Rocky Mount High is towards the end of their third year in the new building and the building is magnificent.
However, that is not exactly what you can say about any of the athletic fields. The old Memorial Stadium and later Gryphon Stadium was one of the most emaculate high school baseball fields in North Carolina. It could rain heavy for several minutes and be ready to play within an hour because the field was made to drain. The new field has no drainage at all. Not one dime of the millions to build the school was given to help the fields drain.
So Big East conference baseball begins Tuesday night when the Gryphons host Nash Central. The Gryphons have played only four games. Coach Kent Cox hasn't had much chance to play his roster to see who is going to be his lineup once Tuesday arrives. Every other team has had the same problem and there is a real good chance that who ever starts out the best may not be the best team the second time around when every team finally figures out their team.
The ACC is 6-0 after their first games in the NCAA tournament. How small is margin of error in the tournament. Carolina won by one and had to wait two see if Harvard's last shot would go in or not. State had to score with one second to play to win. Notre Dame won by four. Louisville won by one, Virginia won by a dozen and Duke won by more than two dozen. The ACC could easily be 2-4.
State plays at 7:10 Saturday night against Nova. I told you yesterday that in one of my brackets I had picked State and the other LSU. In both those brackets I picked both LSU and State to win over Nova tonight.
Carolina plays at 8:40. That could bring on a real conflict of trying to watch two games at once should the State/Nova game goes to the wire. I have Carolina losing in the Sweet 16 in one bracket and the Elite Eight in the other. This game with Arkansas just might be a dilly.
Should all three teams make it to the Sweet Sixteen this part of the State will go crazy!
However, that is not exactly what you can say about any of the athletic fields. The old Memorial Stadium and later Gryphon Stadium was one of the most emaculate high school baseball fields in North Carolina. It could rain heavy for several minutes and be ready to play within an hour because the field was made to drain. The new field has no drainage at all. Not one dime of the millions to build the school was given to help the fields drain.
So Big East conference baseball begins Tuesday night when the Gryphons host Nash Central. The Gryphons have played only four games. Coach Kent Cox hasn't had much chance to play his roster to see who is going to be his lineup once Tuesday arrives. Every other team has had the same problem and there is a real good chance that who ever starts out the best may not be the best team the second time around when every team finally figures out their team.
The ACC is 6-0 after their first games in the NCAA tournament. How small is margin of error in the tournament. Carolina won by one and had to wait two see if Harvard's last shot would go in or not. State had to score with one second to play to win. Notre Dame won by four. Louisville won by one, Virginia won by a dozen and Duke won by more than two dozen. The ACC could easily be 2-4.
State plays at 7:10 Saturday night against Nova. I told you yesterday that in one of my brackets I had picked State and the other LSU. In both those brackets I picked both LSU and State to win over Nova tonight.
Carolina plays at 8:40. That could bring on a real conflict of trying to watch two games at once should the State/Nova game goes to the wire. I have Carolina losing in the Sweet 16 in one bracket and the Elite Eight in the other. This game with Arkansas just might be a dilly.
Should all three teams make it to the Sweet Sixteen this part of the State will go crazy!
Thursday, March 19, 2015
March Madness Is Maddening
I think the top five or six teams in the NCAA tournament are by far and way a level above everyone else. Teams from about seven to forty are all about the same so a forty can win over a seven. I hate the movement I see in college basketball. What is that movement you say? Dribbling is dominating the game. How many teams did you see dribble the ball outside the three point line before they tossed up a three?
There is no worse a thing for a team to do than dribble outside the three point line shoot and make a three. It's like winning the lottery. You luck up once and teams fall in love with the three. Any team that shoots more than twenty threes and can't score more than sixty points.
There is no doubt if Carolina is to continue in this tournament Paige must handle the ball more for the Tar Heels They were cruising along and all of a sudden either he was out of the game resting or nobody on the floor knew he was out there and the big men were handling the ball and the lead disappeared. Carolina backup guards can't play defense and they love to call their own number when shooting. Once the Heels got the lead Harvard out hustled the Tar Heels.
This is true for all athletes who don't have coaches who push them even when they were ahead big. Players tend to rely on the athletic ability and go one on one instead of their teammates. When that happens the score shrinks. What is the biggest sin as far as I am concerned in college basketball? Ahead by 12 to 15 and shooting threes with 27 seconds on the time clock.
I have worried all week that LSU and State were just alike. Which team was going to show up for both. I thought the game was a toss up in fact in two of my brackets I picked the Pack in one and the Tigers in the other. I thought the Pack even down double digits in the first half when I see a team on a roll over in their huddle laughing I thought the Pack had a shot. Yes every team needs to cheer but laughing about a dunk is celebrating way too early. As this game turned out both played like they have all year. State made LSU look like potential National Champs in the first half and LSU gave the Pack their chance in the second.
Who would ever expect to Anya make a shot to win a game?
There is no worse a thing for a team to do than dribble outside the three point line shoot and make a three. It's like winning the lottery. You luck up once and teams fall in love with the three. Any team that shoots more than twenty threes and can't score more than sixty points.
There is no doubt if Carolina is to continue in this tournament Paige must handle the ball more for the Tar Heels They were cruising along and all of a sudden either he was out of the game resting or nobody on the floor knew he was out there and the big men were handling the ball and the lead disappeared. Carolina backup guards can't play defense and they love to call their own number when shooting. Once the Heels got the lead Harvard out hustled the Tar Heels.
This is true for all athletes who don't have coaches who push them even when they were ahead big. Players tend to rely on the athletic ability and go one on one instead of their teammates. When that happens the score shrinks. What is the biggest sin as far as I am concerned in college basketball? Ahead by 12 to 15 and shooting threes with 27 seconds on the time clock.
I have worried all week that LSU and State were just alike. Which team was going to show up for both. I thought the game was a toss up in fact in two of my brackets I picked the Pack in one and the Tigers in the other. I thought the Pack even down double digits in the first half when I see a team on a roll over in their huddle laughing I thought the Pack had a shot. Yes every team needs to cheer but laughing about a dunk is celebrating way too early. As this game turned out both played like they have all year. State made LSU look like potential National Champs in the first half and LSU gave the Pack their chance in the second.
Who would ever expect to Anya make a shot to win a game?
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Gryphons Fall
So far on this very young high school baseball season Kent Cox has put any where from six to seven first year players on the field at the start of each game this season. Until today the Gryphons had not felt the insult of defeat. Let's get you up to date. The game today with Bunn was a continuation of the game postponed in the bottom of the first inning last week.
Gryphon sophomore started David Harrison in the rain last week's game up three hits and two runs to the first five batters he faced last week. Today Rocky Mount came to bat first in the bottom of the first already trailing 2-0. Harrison proved today to be a better pitcher when the ball is dry over wet. Harrison would give up only two hits in the four plus innings that he would go today until he tired in the sixth and those two hits became two more runs and at the time gave Bunn a 4-1. Wesley Drake finished out the fifth and sixth inning giving up one other hit.
Rocky Mount had several chances early to do damage loading the bases with one out and coming up empty. Twice base running miscues stymied possible run scoring innings to no avail. The Gryphons pushed across their first run on the board in the fifth with a double by Forest Bell and Joshea Carter knocking him home to cut the lead to 2-1.
Rocky Mount score their second run in the sixth after Liki Whitaker walked and Isaiah Stewart knocked him home. Former Gryphon Luke Cockrell came on in relief in the sixth and got credit for the save as the Gryphons fall to Bunn 4-2. The Gryphons had seven hits on the day and committed no errors but the Wildcats defense was as good and they also collect seven hits.
They played a 2-2 game today but those two runs last week were the difference as Rocky Mount falls for the first time . The Gryphons close out the first segment of the season Friday when they play Tarboro in an Endowment game at 4:30. They begin conference play next Tuesday at Home against Nash Central who won their first game of the season on Tuesday.
I have three brackets line up and ready to go as the March Madness begins at noon Thursday. Carolina plays 7:20 Thursday night and State begins at around 9:20. I have three brackets in play. When I sit down and look at my first bracket I go with the favorites. The second bracket I insert my so called upset specials and the third I pick with my heart who I think is going to win. I have Wisconsin in one bracket and Arizona the second and Kentucky. I have Duke in the final four in one, Virginia in another, Gonzaga in another. I think the first top seed to go will be Villanova.
Gryphon sophomore started David Harrison in the rain last week's game up three hits and two runs to the first five batters he faced last week. Today Rocky Mount came to bat first in the bottom of the first already trailing 2-0. Harrison proved today to be a better pitcher when the ball is dry over wet. Harrison would give up only two hits in the four plus innings that he would go today until he tired in the sixth and those two hits became two more runs and at the time gave Bunn a 4-1. Wesley Drake finished out the fifth and sixth inning giving up one other hit.
Rocky Mount had several chances early to do damage loading the bases with one out and coming up empty. Twice base running miscues stymied possible run scoring innings to no avail. The Gryphons pushed across their first run on the board in the fifth with a double by Forest Bell and Joshea Carter knocking him home to cut the lead to 2-1.
Rocky Mount score their second run in the sixth after Liki Whitaker walked and Isaiah Stewart knocked him home. Former Gryphon Luke Cockrell came on in relief in the sixth and got credit for the save as the Gryphons fall to Bunn 4-2. The Gryphons had seven hits on the day and committed no errors but the Wildcats defense was as good and they also collect seven hits.
They played a 2-2 game today but those two runs last week were the difference as Rocky Mount falls for the first time . The Gryphons close out the first segment of the season Friday when they play Tarboro in an Endowment game at 4:30. They begin conference play next Tuesday at Home against Nash Central who won their first game of the season on Tuesday.
I have three brackets line up and ready to go as the March Madness begins at noon Thursday. Carolina plays 7:20 Thursday night and State begins at around 9:20. I have three brackets in play. When I sit down and look at my first bracket I go with the favorites. The second bracket I insert my so called upset specials and the third I pick with my heart who I think is going to win. I have Wisconsin in one bracket and Arizona the second and Kentucky. I have Duke in the final four in one, Virginia in another, Gonzaga in another. I think the first top seed to go will be Villanova.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Pitching And Timely Hitting
Who would have thought it. If you were at the baseball field of Rocky Mount you got to see a quality baseball game in the midst of all this can't get on the field to practice year. Rocky Mount hosted Corinth Holders from Wendell and what everyone got to see on this 79 degree sunny and windy start was a mid season form baseball game.
Gryphon starter Blake Helms after his opening four innings last week put another strong performance on the mound as the Gryphons score two in the bottom of the sixth to beat the Pirates 4-2. Helms goes the distance in a complete game 3 hitter walked one and plunked one and salted down the ninth striking out the side after the Gryphons retook the lead in the bottom of the sixth. For the night Helms struck out nine.
Neither side can write home bragging about their hit totals but the four the Gryphons got all came in both the fourth innings and sixth when they scored two. Joshea Carter got the fourth rolling with a single and advanced on an infield error. Blake Helms helped his own cause by lacing a single driving in the first run. Forest Bell hit a nuber between the pitcher and third and on the try to get David Harrison at home Bell got an rbi when Harrison was safe.
The sixth proved to be the Pirates big inning which with one out Helms hit Bobby Beare and Grant Austin followed with a double. Tate Proctor hit a grounder to second and the Gryphon throw home was late and a 2-1 game. Tyler Barrett then hit a long fly ball which plated Austin and we had a tie game.
Zack Keeter open the bottom of the 6th with a walk. Liki Whitaker now running for Keeter reach third When Carter slammed a ball to deep left field on any other day would have easily cleared the score board for a homer but with a brisk breeze never quite got to the wall but over the head of the fielder. David Harrison then poked a single to center for the game winning run. The Gryphon score their fourth run of the game when Forest Bell grounded to third and the Pirates could only get the second out of the inning with Carter scoring.
Starting Pirate pitcher Nick Peach pitched into the fourth before being relieved by Logan Hayes would would be the pitcher of record for the Pirates.
Rocky Mount moves to 3-0 and will be right back in action Wednesday resuming their rained out game which will pick up with Rocky Mount coming to bat in the bottom of the first trailing 2-0. Believe it or not next Tuesday night conference play begins and the way this year has gone the team that begins rounding in to form first will get the better starts when conference play starts.
Gryphon starter Blake Helms after his opening four innings last week put another strong performance on the mound as the Gryphons score two in the bottom of the sixth to beat the Pirates 4-2. Helms goes the distance in a complete game 3 hitter walked one and plunked one and salted down the ninth striking out the side after the Gryphons retook the lead in the bottom of the sixth. For the night Helms struck out nine.
Neither side can write home bragging about their hit totals but the four the Gryphons got all came in both the fourth innings and sixth when they scored two. Joshea Carter got the fourth rolling with a single and advanced on an infield error. Blake Helms helped his own cause by lacing a single driving in the first run. Forest Bell hit a nuber between the pitcher and third and on the try to get David Harrison at home Bell got an rbi when Harrison was safe.
The sixth proved to be the Pirates big inning which with one out Helms hit Bobby Beare and Grant Austin followed with a double. Tate Proctor hit a grounder to second and the Gryphon throw home was late and a 2-1 game. Tyler Barrett then hit a long fly ball which plated Austin and we had a tie game.
Zack Keeter open the bottom of the 6th with a walk. Liki Whitaker now running for Keeter reach third When Carter slammed a ball to deep left field on any other day would have easily cleared the score board for a homer but with a brisk breeze never quite got to the wall but over the head of the fielder. David Harrison then poked a single to center for the game winning run. The Gryphon score their fourth run of the game when Forest Bell grounded to third and the Pirates could only get the second out of the inning with Carter scoring.
Starting Pirate pitcher Nick Peach pitched into the fourth before being relieved by Logan Hayes would would be the pitcher of record for the Pirates.
Rocky Mount moves to 3-0 and will be right back in action Wednesday resuming their rained out game which will pick up with Rocky Mount coming to bat in the bottom of the first trailing 2-0. Believe it or not next Tuesday night conference play begins and the way this year has gone the team that begins rounding in to form first will get the better starts when conference play starts.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Bracket Time
A month ago NC State was on the outside looking in. This morning the Pack will head to Pittsburgh as a 8th seed where they will play LSU a nine on Thursday. They could lose because they will be playing a team much like them. They are in the same bracket as Virginia who they lost twice to plus Villanova is a team just like Virginia is the top seed and could be a second round game.
North Carolina heads to Jacksonville Florida as 4th seed where they run into a Dookie in Tommie Amaker and Harvard. If Carolina shows up they moved on to round two. The Tar Heel road to the final four starts in round two if Arkansas is their foe.
Duke will begin in Charlotte as one of the four top seeds and may not have to worry until the final eight. Duke will not know who they play until one of those play in games has a winner between North Florida plays Robert Morris.
The only other North Carolina team in the tournament is Davidson. The Cats are a 10 seed and they draw 7 seed Iowa. If the Hawkeyes sleep in this one the Cats might slip past to the second round.
Virginia drops to a second seed and will play Belmont in Charlotte. No reason they don't win both games to advance to Sweet 16. The ACC champ Notre Dame is a three seed and play Northeastern. I doubt the Irish can shoot their way to an NCAA title six games in a row. Louisville a four seed gets UC Irvine. Winning more than once will be a challenge for Cards.
Did any one watch the ESPN 30/30 "I Hate Christian Laettner " was great. I know you were filling out your bracket but you would be better off waiting 24 hours and do some research before you start filling in teams. For all of you anybody but Duke haters this gets to when did Duke became Duke?
North Carolina heads to Jacksonville Florida as 4th seed where they run into a Dookie in Tommie Amaker and Harvard. If Carolina shows up they moved on to round two. The Tar Heel road to the final four starts in round two if Arkansas is their foe.
Duke will begin in Charlotte as one of the four top seeds and may not have to worry until the final eight. Duke will not know who they play until one of those play in games has a winner between North Florida plays Robert Morris.
The only other North Carolina team in the tournament is Davidson. The Cats are a 10 seed and they draw 7 seed Iowa. If the Hawkeyes sleep in this one the Cats might slip past to the second round.
Virginia drops to a second seed and will play Belmont in Charlotte. No reason they don't win both games to advance to Sweet 16. The ACC champ Notre Dame is a three seed and play Northeastern. I doubt the Irish can shoot their way to an NCAA title six games in a row. Louisville a four seed gets UC Irvine. Winning more than once will be a challenge for Cards.
Did any one watch the ESPN 30/30 "I Hate Christian Laettner " was great. I know you were filling out your bracket but you would be better off waiting 24 hours and do some research before you start filling in teams. For all of you anybody but Duke haters this gets to when did Duke became Duke?
Saturday, March 14, 2015
ACC Tournament Nothing Like It When Played In Carolina
Notre Dame played in the ACC Championship game in only their second season in the League. Clemson has tried 61 times and only played in the finals twice, Only twice in the history of the league has a North Carolina based team not played in the finals. Carolina play in the big game for the 33rd time.
Notre Dame even though they may represent the Midwest connection the Fighting Irish are a good addition for the ACC in basketball even though they are only here as part of a football deal. They are loaded with seniors and present a three point shooting attack compared to when Carolina is playing at their best to can go inside first and if they are hitting outside shots can be dominant.
I don't know whether it was three out of four people in the stands cheered for Carolina or was it this newcomer trying to show the world this state of North Carolina ACC dominance is a thing of the past. Just might have been Notre Dame is a great fit for the ACC because they have the ACC look that the ACC tries to project. The Thomas Jefferson academic league. There was a static energy in the building deserving of the past glory of the ACC tournament.
The first half was inside Carolina dominance scoring two points almost at will while the Irish rained threes. Eight minutes to go in the game Carolina got every rebound and made every three. Then that four games in four days kicked in. The final eight minute Notre Dame looked fresher. Carolina had turnovers on lazy passes, outside shooting died and Notre Dame got every rebound.
Even though the Irish had the momentum the killer play of the game was when the score was tied at 64 and Carolina got a block ND got the rebound and every player outside the three point line passed the ball around the horn for the killer three with Carolina defense out of gas.
This game was ACC playing the game the way it needs to be played no 48-45 game here. Don't care if any tournament high school or college has any meaning any more because of the playoffs. There is one thing for sure. Every league can say all they want about conference tournaments but when the ACC plays their championship every other league wishes they could be like this.
Notre Dame even though they may represent the Midwest connection the Fighting Irish are a good addition for the ACC in basketball even though they are only here as part of a football deal. They are loaded with seniors and present a three point shooting attack compared to when Carolina is playing at their best to can go inside first and if they are hitting outside shots can be dominant.
I don't know whether it was three out of four people in the stands cheered for Carolina or was it this newcomer trying to show the world this state of North Carolina ACC dominance is a thing of the past. Just might have been Notre Dame is a great fit for the ACC because they have the ACC look that the ACC tries to project. The Thomas Jefferson academic league. There was a static energy in the building deserving of the past glory of the ACC tournament.
The first half was inside Carolina dominance scoring two points almost at will while the Irish rained threes. Eight minutes to go in the game Carolina got every rebound and made every three. Then that four games in four days kicked in. The final eight minute Notre Dame looked fresher. Carolina had turnovers on lazy passes, outside shooting died and Notre Dame got every rebound.
Even though the Irish had the momentum the killer play of the game was when the score was tied at 64 and Carolina got a block ND got the rebound and every player outside the three point line passed the ball around the horn for the killer three with Carolina defense out of gas.
This game was ACC playing the game the way it needs to be played no 48-45 game here. Don't care if any tournament high school or college has any meaning any more because of the playoffs. There is one thing for sure. Every league can say all they want about conference tournaments but when the ACC plays their championship every other league wishes they could be like this.
Tournament Basketball Is Want Too
Virginia opens their action in the ACC Tournament by running off to a big first half lead against Florida State and held their own in the second.
Carolina played so so in their opening game against Georgia Tech and continue in their first half against Louisville. They played super for most of the Virginia game and head to the finals on a up swing.
Notre Dame had a big start against Miami and didn't finish all that great. Their motivation was they knew from what they saw from Duke they had better be ready at the start. Didn't hurt their coach had been a Duke assistant.
Duke played a perfect first half against State but they coasted in the second so what happens in the first half against Notre Dame. Duke was a step slow the whole first half and Notre Dame did what K had done to State, went right after the big men. Duke even with about four minutes to go in the half showed signs of panic.
Duke was still a step slow in the second half until Notre Dame started protecting the lead and yet their outside shooting wasn't there to win the game.
Either Duke or Carolina have played in the ACC tournament final every year since 1997. I wish Virginia played offense like Notre Dame. I wish Notre Dame played defense like Virginia. I don't see the ACC having a team in the Final Four.
Carolina and Notre Dame have by Far played the last two days more consistent than any body else. The luster of all North Carolina team finals gone the Tar Heels are there representing all of us old time ACC fans.
Carolina played so so in their opening game against Georgia Tech and continue in their first half against Louisville. They played super for most of the Virginia game and head to the finals on a up swing.
Notre Dame had a big start against Miami and didn't finish all that great. Their motivation was they knew from what they saw from Duke they had better be ready at the start. Didn't hurt their coach had been a Duke assistant.
Duke played a perfect first half against State but they coasted in the second so what happens in the first half against Notre Dame. Duke was a step slow the whole first half and Notre Dame did what K had done to State, went right after the big men. Duke even with about four minutes to go in the half showed signs of panic.
Duke was still a step slow in the second half until Notre Dame started protecting the lead and yet their outside shooting wasn't there to win the game.
Either Duke or Carolina have played in the ACC tournament final every year since 1997. I wish Virginia played offense like Notre Dame. I wish Notre Dame played defense like Virginia. I don't see the ACC having a team in the Final Four.
Carolina and Notre Dame have by Far played the last two days more consistent than any body else. The luster of all North Carolina team finals gone the Tar Heels are there representing all of us old time ACC fans.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Good Coaches Take Away Your Strengths
What is the one thing that NFL know it all's say about Bill Bellichek. He takes away your best player and makes you beat him with everybody else. So what did coach K do to N C State? Took Cat Barber out of the game. Barber didn't do much in the Pack win in January but rest of the crowd got the job done.
I have a theory about ending of games.. If you are losing 40-0 in football but manage to score late you head in to the next game on some what of a positive note. State's win over Pitt they played great defense in the first half but gave up 47 in the second. That did not bode well for starting the game with Duke that State played no defense in the second half of the Pitt game.
Duke had four days to prepare for State and do you think they even thought they would play Pitt. Duke was prepared for State and throw in the revenge factor and playing on a neutral floor. Duke in the first half played perfect basketball and State wilted under the perfection. Now the shoe is on the other foot. Duke just played the second half to get the game over will that hurt them Friday. I will say this however. Duke is undefeated since the dismissal from the team.
Carolina is much like State and you don't really know from one game to the next what you are going to get. One thing is for sure Carolina guards love to shoot and play little defense. On most nights the Tar heel big men are too soft.
Virginia has by far and away the best defense in the country. I don't understand why they want to run thirty seconds off the time clock when on offense with their players they should be scoring 80 every game and winning 80-55.
Greensboro is a buzz that two North Carolina schools are still alive heading to the semi finals. You add to it that this is the last time North Carolina will host the ACC Tournament until 2020 either Duke or Carolina need to win this year. This state would go loopy if both make it to Saturday night and of course Saturday night has always been ACC final night back in the days of the eight team ACC. We had better hope there is at least is one playing Saturday.
I have a theory about ending of games.. If you are losing 40-0 in football but manage to score late you head in to the next game on some what of a positive note. State's win over Pitt they played great defense in the first half but gave up 47 in the second. That did not bode well for starting the game with Duke that State played no defense in the second half of the Pitt game.
Duke had four days to prepare for State and do you think they even thought they would play Pitt. Duke was prepared for State and throw in the revenge factor and playing on a neutral floor. Duke in the first half played perfect basketball and State wilted under the perfection. Now the shoe is on the other foot. Duke just played the second half to get the game over will that hurt them Friday. I will say this however. Duke is undefeated since the dismissal from the team.
Carolina is much like State and you don't really know from one game to the next what you are going to get. One thing is for sure Carolina guards love to shoot and play little defense. On most nights the Tar heel big men are too soft.
Virginia has by far and away the best defense in the country. I don't understand why they want to run thirty seconds off the time clock when on offense with their players they should be scoring 80 every game and winning 80-55.
Greensboro is a buzz that two North Carolina schools are still alive heading to the semi finals. You add to it that this is the last time North Carolina will host the ACC Tournament until 2020 either Duke or Carolina need to win this year. This state would go loopy if both make it to Saturday night and of course Saturday night has always been ACC final night back in the days of the eight team ACC. We had better hope there is at least is one playing Saturday.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Non-Conference Games Not All About Winning
This weather has everyone on equal footing that nobody has had enough practice time to have any idea what their team will look like two weeks from now.
Northern looked impressive in their shutout of Adam Weavers' Corinth Holders team Tuesday. Northern played for the second time on Wednesday. Since I am enjoying the ACC Tournament I know nothing about the Wednesday baseball action other than scores.
So far Nash Central is 0-2 but they have been against 4-A power Rose a loss 7-6 and a 2-0 shutout loss to 4-A South Central. I don 't put much in the losses as much as the Bulldogs held their own in both games and they could be dangerous by conference season.
Southern Nash has took it on the chin twice losing 15-3 and 12-0 in their first two games. We have no idea at this point that once every team has had a chance to get a flow and get pitching established what might happen.
Rocky Mount only put two players in the field that played last year, shortstop Forest Bell and pitcher Blake Helms. There is no way to have any idea whether a 12-2 win is a sign of good things to come
or they are too young to be considered a contender.
The Gryphon game on Wednesday was rained out in the second inning and will start where they left off next Wednesday with Bunn leading 2-0.
State and Carolina both advance in the ACC tournament and both are in action again today. Carolina takes on Louisville this afternoon while State and Duke play tonight at 7pm. Got more exercise yesterday between walking from the parking lot and up and down the steps of the coliseum than I have had all year.
Northern looked impressive in their shutout of Adam Weavers' Corinth Holders team Tuesday. Northern played for the second time on Wednesday. Since I am enjoying the ACC Tournament I know nothing about the Wednesday baseball action other than scores.
So far Nash Central is 0-2 but they have been against 4-A power Rose a loss 7-6 and a 2-0 shutout loss to 4-A South Central. I don 't put much in the losses as much as the Bulldogs held their own in both games and they could be dangerous by conference season.
Southern Nash has took it on the chin twice losing 15-3 and 12-0 in their first two games. We have no idea at this point that once every team has had a chance to get a flow and get pitching established what might happen.
Rocky Mount only put two players in the field that played last year, shortstop Forest Bell and pitcher Blake Helms. There is no way to have any idea whether a 12-2 win is a sign of good things to come
or they are too young to be considered a contender.
The Gryphon game on Wednesday was rained out in the second inning and will start where they left off next Wednesday with Bunn leading 2-0.
State and Carolina both advance in the ACC tournament and both are in action again today. Carolina takes on Louisville this afternoon while State and Duke play tonight at 7pm. Got more exercise yesterday between walking from the parking lot and up and down the steps of the coliseum than I have had all year.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Yes There Is Baseball
Yesterday was the first time they had taken batting practice outside all year but who would have known as Rocky Mount jumped on SouthWest Edgecombe for five in the first and five again in the second and sat back and watched senior Pitcher Blake Helms control the Cougars bats as Rocky Mount opens with a 12-2 five inning affair with SWE.
David Harrison was the hitting star getting back to back doubles in the first and second innings driving in four runs. Centerfielder Isaiah Stewart joined the double parade driving home a run. The Gryphons on the day got seven hits pitcher Blake Helms getting one, Channing Green a single, Tyler Brown a double in the fifth that became run 11 and score the final run to get the ten run lead. First baseman Battle Shannon collected a single.
SWE got only two hits on the day just one on Blake Helms Jarrett Mobley in the first in four innings pitching and got one off reliever Forest Bell Jamel Robbins in the fifth. Helms struck out five and consdering very few bullpen sessions this spring only walked one and hit one. The Gryphon defense made two errors while Cougars managed two themselves.
You have to remember South West so far this spring has not only had the weather issues but have lost their coach through suspension so they have only worked with Shelton Langley since basketball season ended since he is the boys varsity coach. The problems they have had this spring their pitching wasn't all that bad and you would expect the hitters to have trouble with Helms pitching the way he was.
Rocky Mount is right back at it at 4:30 Wednesday hosting Bunn.
Northern Nash who many think is the cream of the crop in the Big East got off to a good start on the season as they beat Corinith Holders 10-0. Sure sounds like they had good pitching which we all think they have the best in the Big East.
You could not ask for a better first day of the ACC Tournament as the bottom tier teams put on a show as the 12th seed Boston College beat the 13th seed Georgia tech 67-66 and in the second game of the double header 11th seed Wake Forest fell to the 14th seed Virginia Tech 81-80. Thank goodness we didn't get a couple of 48-45 games.
David Harrison was the hitting star getting back to back doubles in the first and second innings driving in four runs. Centerfielder Isaiah Stewart joined the double parade driving home a run. The Gryphons on the day got seven hits pitcher Blake Helms getting one, Channing Green a single, Tyler Brown a double in the fifth that became run 11 and score the final run to get the ten run lead. First baseman Battle Shannon collected a single.
SWE got only two hits on the day just one on Blake Helms Jarrett Mobley in the first in four innings pitching and got one off reliever Forest Bell Jamel Robbins in the fifth. Helms struck out five and consdering very few bullpen sessions this spring only walked one and hit one. The Gryphon defense made two errors while Cougars managed two themselves.
You have to remember South West so far this spring has not only had the weather issues but have lost their coach through suspension so they have only worked with Shelton Langley since basketball season ended since he is the boys varsity coach. The problems they have had this spring their pitching wasn't all that bad and you would expect the hitters to have trouble with Helms pitching the way he was.
Rocky Mount is right back at it at 4:30 Wednesday hosting Bunn.
Northern Nash who many think is the cream of the crop in the Big East got off to a good start on the season as they beat Corinith Holders 10-0. Sure sounds like they had good pitching which we all think they have the best in the Big East.
You could not ask for a better first day of the ACC Tournament as the bottom tier teams put on a show as the 12th seed Boston College beat the 13th seed Georgia tech 67-66 and in the second game of the double header 11th seed Wake Forest fell to the 14th seed Virginia Tech 81-80. Thank goodness we didn't get a couple of 48-45 games.
Monday, March 9, 2015
This Is Not The ACC We Grew Up With
Another addition of the ACC basketball Tournament starts today with two games featuring the bottom of the rung in the ACC standings which now has 15 teams. The first time ever the Tuesday games will feature walk up to the ticket booth and buy a ticket. This year if you are holding on to tournament tickets your book of tickets does not start until the four games on Wednesday. Wonder if they sell five thousand tickets for watching the bottom rung of the ACC. The only thing that may save Tuesday is Wake Forest is playing in the second game and the Deac fans may show up more than the other three teams combined.
After this year the tournament leaves North Carolina heading to DC next and Brooklyn the year after. No longer with 15 teams does it matter that the geographic center of the league was North Carolina. No longer do the Big Four schools hold the upper hand that when games were played in Reynolds in Raleigh, the old Charlotte Coliseum, then the new Charlotte Coliseum, the Hornets building or Greensboro that Carolina and State fans would be waiting to buy up Clemson fans tickets the second they lost. No longer does every game played involve a North Carolina team.
All of this let's get big to compete for TV money give us in North Carolina the feeling that there is no longer and ACC much less a tournament. A trivia question to see if you are up on your ACC knowledge. What division is Duke in when playing football. If you had to go to your computer to find out you have lost you passion for the ACC.
The bigger the ACC gets the less the Big Four dominants the tournaments. A North Carolina team has not won the tournament since 2011. Virginia now dominants the ACC without Ralph Sampson. Even basketball dormat Miami has won a tournament since Duke or North Carolina has. Florida State a perennial bottom half basketball team has a title.
I think moving it to new venues is nice for everyone and if the ACC went to a high school formula when your team is host school every 15 years and when you are the host you pick the site of the tournament as long as it meets seating requirements. There are two teams in Florida so the ACC would go to Florida about every seven years. Atlanta is a nice venue, Wonder where Clemson would want as a home court. Maybe Atlanta or Charlotte. Our four North Carolina schools would get the tournament every four years. the only thing any of us who live in North Carolina loses in this new modern ACC is what I am going to do Wednesday. Get in my car drive to Greensboro for the day and come back to work Thursday. Brooklyn is a little bit far to do that.
High school baseball has had a hard time getting started with several teams not yet played a game. This weather has been harsh on fields in fact Rocky Mount with the sun out Saturday had to practice on the practice football field because the baseball field was unplayable. They will open their season today against SouthWest Edgecombe at 4pm on RMHS. Today's game is being taped by the "All New Sports Show" with yours truly behind the mic.
After this year the tournament leaves North Carolina heading to DC next and Brooklyn the year after. No longer with 15 teams does it matter that the geographic center of the league was North Carolina. No longer do the Big Four schools hold the upper hand that when games were played in Reynolds in Raleigh, the old Charlotte Coliseum, then the new Charlotte Coliseum, the Hornets building or Greensboro that Carolina and State fans would be waiting to buy up Clemson fans tickets the second they lost. No longer does every game played involve a North Carolina team.
All of this let's get big to compete for TV money give us in North Carolina the feeling that there is no longer and ACC much less a tournament. A trivia question to see if you are up on your ACC knowledge. What division is Duke in when playing football. If you had to go to your computer to find out you have lost you passion for the ACC.
The bigger the ACC gets the less the Big Four dominants the tournaments. A North Carolina team has not won the tournament since 2011. Virginia now dominants the ACC without Ralph Sampson. Even basketball dormat Miami has won a tournament since Duke or North Carolina has. Florida State a perennial bottom half basketball team has a title.
I think moving it to new venues is nice for everyone and if the ACC went to a high school formula when your team is host school every 15 years and when you are the host you pick the site of the tournament as long as it meets seating requirements. There are two teams in Florida so the ACC would go to Florida about every seven years. Atlanta is a nice venue, Wonder where Clemson would want as a home court. Maybe Atlanta or Charlotte. Our four North Carolina schools would get the tournament every four years. the only thing any of us who live in North Carolina loses in this new modern ACC is what I am going to do Wednesday. Get in my car drive to Greensboro for the day and come back to work Thursday. Brooklyn is a little bit far to do that.
High school baseball has had a hard time getting started with several teams not yet played a game. This weather has been harsh on fields in fact Rocky Mount with the sun out Saturday had to practice on the practice football field because the baseball field was unplayable. They will open their season today against SouthWest Edgecombe at 4pm on RMHS. Today's game is being taped by the "All New Sports Show" with yours truly behind the mic.
Simple Things Always Made Hard
Plenty of talk about what should the punishment be for any school that is caught cheating like Syracuse and for the most part who needs to get punished. Most of the so call cheating took place as far back as eight years ago. So do the upcoming Syracuse players get hit when the team will not have a scholarship to give out for four years.
I say this, If you want to stop cheating in college sports instead of taking away 108 past wins suspend Boeheim for at least a year or more. Make it like when you lose your driver license you must go to a driver training school to get you license back after you have been without them for a year. Take away a coaches ability to make a living. If assistant coaches are caught as part of the violators sit them too. The head coach is the captain of the basketball program and any thing his assistants do he is responsible for their actions. You see it is not all that hard to take action if the NCAA has the guts to.
Looks like Wednesday is unfolding nicely for me and Andy Holt as we venture to the ACC tournament. Nice to have a son-in-law that works for one of the ACC corporate sponsors. FSU and Clemson open up the action at Noon. Doubt we will see all of that one. The Tar Heel will swing into action at 2pm and I will cheer for the Heels. The WolfPack takes the floor at 7 against Pitt and Miami finishes off Wednesday night. I doubt seriously if I see much of that game before heading the road.
Hunt lost in the Eastern Regional finals to Terry Sanford 65-52. The final score was out of line to the flow of the game. Four minutes to go the score was 47-46 so Terry Sanford outscored Hunt 18-6 down the stretch.
About three weeks ago we told you of former Gryphon Collins Cuthrell who started off his senior year having transferred to UNC Pembroke. His first weekend to now Collins batting average has only slipped to one hit below 500 after 18 games.
He has been to the plate 80 times collecting 39 hits. Of his hits ten have been doubles and he has homered 12 times. By the way that is a 488 batting average. He has scored 30 runs and has driven 37 RBI. To say the least every time Collin has been to bat he has hit it some where because he has struck out only nine times. These are numbers that could make him a national player of the year candidate in division two baseball.
I say this, If you want to stop cheating in college sports instead of taking away 108 past wins suspend Boeheim for at least a year or more. Make it like when you lose your driver license you must go to a driver training school to get you license back after you have been without them for a year. Take away a coaches ability to make a living. If assistant coaches are caught as part of the violators sit them too. The head coach is the captain of the basketball program and any thing his assistants do he is responsible for their actions. You see it is not all that hard to take action if the NCAA has the guts to.
Looks like Wednesday is unfolding nicely for me and Andy Holt as we venture to the ACC tournament. Nice to have a son-in-law that works for one of the ACC corporate sponsors. FSU and Clemson open up the action at Noon. Doubt we will see all of that one. The Tar Heel will swing into action at 2pm and I will cheer for the Heels. The WolfPack takes the floor at 7 against Pitt and Miami finishes off Wednesday night. I doubt seriously if I see much of that game before heading the road.
Hunt lost in the Eastern Regional finals to Terry Sanford 65-52. The final score was out of line to the flow of the game. Four minutes to go the score was 47-46 so Terry Sanford outscored Hunt 18-6 down the stretch.
About three weeks ago we told you of former Gryphon Collins Cuthrell who started off his senior year having transferred to UNC Pembroke. His first weekend to now Collins batting average has only slipped to one hit below 500 after 18 games.
He has been to the plate 80 times collecting 39 hits. Of his hits ten have been doubles and he has homered 12 times. By the way that is a 488 batting average. He has scored 30 runs and has driven 37 RBI. To say the least every time Collin has been to bat he has hit it some where because he has struck out only nine times. These are numbers that could make him a national player of the year candidate in division two baseball.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Big East Football Or Basketball Conference ?
This spring is the end of the sixth year of the Big East high school conference with Fike and Hunt from Wilson County joining the four high schools for Nash County. Talk will begin soon on the next realignment which will occur when the school year for 17/18 starts. The Big East is perfect as far as the how far are your away games. I think every conference needs at least eight teams but looking at who could fit the profile of the Big East then more travel is needed to enlarge the conference to eight.
Six years ago I don't think anybody would have voted if you had to choose Is the Big East going to be better in Football or Basketball I think the vote would have been 80% football. Surely that has not proven to be the case as we look back at the Big East history in both.
2009 the first year of the Big East the BE went 4-2 in the football playoffs with Southern Nash playing in the Eastern finals. A long the way Southern had to knock off Hunt in the second round which gave the conference a 4-2 overall playoff record. Basketball saw Rocky Mount win the state championship and the conference over all was 7-2 in the basketball playoffs.
2010 saw the BE going 4-3 in the playoffs but Nash Central had to play Hunt the first round which took away a BE win but it also saved a loss to someone else in the playoffs. Hunt lost in the regional finals. Basketball saw the conference go 5-4 and Rocky Mount made it to the regional losing in the semi finals.
2011 saw a BE tangled in the second round which took away a win and a loss but 4-3 was the record with Hunt losing in the East Regional. Over on the basketball side Rocky Mount won the big enchilada for the second time in three years and over all the conference went 7-2 and along the way Nash Central had to face Rocky Mount.
2012 BE football sent Hunt to the regional final game again but they started out the playoffs facing Southern Nash. The conference was 2-2 against all others. Basketball was 5-3 but Nash Central collided with Hunt in a first round tango. Rocky Mount lost in the semi finals of the regional.
2013 Hunt won the regional and played in the state championship game to give the conference four wins but no one else had a win to give the league a 4-4 playoff record. Basketball went 6-2 with Hunt winning the regional and playing in the big game.
2014 Football featured Fike and Hunt in an opening round playoff game and no team made it past the second round giving the league a 2-2 playoff record. Basketball sent Hunt to the Regional final so the basketball league was 4-5 in this years playoffs.
So is this a football league or basketball league. Five of the six years of the Big East football has had a team in the regional Final winning once. Basketball has made it to the Regional final four of six years and twice won the state crown.
It is my opinion that the Big East is an excellent football league but at this point two state basketball titles trumps 0 football titles. The Big East is a basketball league. What is proven by both sports the Big East is the best football and basketball league in the East. 9 out of 12 regional final games in six year has had a Big East Team. No other league comes close.
Six years ago I don't think anybody would have voted if you had to choose Is the Big East going to be better in Football or Basketball I think the vote would have been 80% football. Surely that has not proven to be the case as we look back at the Big East history in both.
2009 the first year of the Big East the BE went 4-2 in the football playoffs with Southern Nash playing in the Eastern finals. A long the way Southern had to knock off Hunt in the second round which gave the conference a 4-2 overall playoff record. Basketball saw Rocky Mount win the state championship and the conference over all was 7-2 in the basketball playoffs.
2010 saw the BE going 4-3 in the playoffs but Nash Central had to play Hunt the first round which took away a BE win but it also saved a loss to someone else in the playoffs. Hunt lost in the regional finals. Basketball saw the conference go 5-4 and Rocky Mount made it to the regional losing in the semi finals.
2011 saw a BE tangled in the second round which took away a win and a loss but 4-3 was the record with Hunt losing in the East Regional. Over on the basketball side Rocky Mount won the big enchilada for the second time in three years and over all the conference went 7-2 and along the way Nash Central had to face Rocky Mount.
2012 BE football sent Hunt to the regional final game again but they started out the playoffs facing Southern Nash. The conference was 2-2 against all others. Basketball was 5-3 but Nash Central collided with Hunt in a first round tango. Rocky Mount lost in the semi finals of the regional.
2013 Hunt won the regional and played in the state championship game to give the conference four wins but no one else had a win to give the league a 4-4 playoff record. Basketball went 6-2 with Hunt winning the regional and playing in the big game.
2014 Football featured Fike and Hunt in an opening round playoff game and no team made it past the second round giving the league a 2-2 playoff record. Basketball sent Hunt to the Regional final so the basketball league was 4-5 in this years playoffs.
So is this a football league or basketball league. Five of the six years of the Big East football has had a team in the regional Final winning once. Basketball has made it to the Regional final four of six years and twice won the state crown.
It is my opinion that the Big East is an excellent football league but at this point two state basketball titles trumps 0 football titles. The Big East is a basketball league. What is proven by both sports the Big East is the best football and basketball league in the East. 9 out of 12 regional final games in six year has had a Big East Team. No other league comes close.
NCAA Chops On The Cuse, Boeheim
HUNT LOSES REGIONAL FINAL 65-52
No wonder Syracuse decided to miss the ACC Tournament this year in Greensboro. Of course Jim Boeheim the Syracuse coach wants no part of Greensboro when he compares it with Madison Square Garden. The NCAA gave us the answer they have known since October. Friday the NCAA slammed Syracuse and if I am a Carolina fan I might want to gulp after the penalties handed down.
Jim Boeheim has to surrender 108 wins which drops him from the door step of 1000 wins down to sixth on the all time list. He must sit out the first half nine games of the ACC conference season next year. Syracuse must return all monies won in playoffs in 2011-12-13. Lose twelve scholarships to boot.
Those of you who might think that the NCAA took many of Joe Paterno's wins away at Penn State but has since reneged and given them back to him there is one major difference. Paterno's failures had nothing to do with wins and losses on the football field. Boeheim has run a program that let in players who weren't eligible gave them extra benefits for winning games. Paterno never did any of that he just covered up a coach sex offender which had nothing to do with wins and losses as long as you don't consider the coach in question may have help coach many of those wins if he had of been in jail where he belonged Penn state just might lost a few of them.
Today is the last day of the ACC basketball season. Several seeding's for next week's ACC tournament are still undecided. I have tickets for Wednesday games and of course State for sure is playing Wednesday either at 7pm or 9:30 depending on today's outcome on all games. Carolina still has an outside shot at the double day bye if they beat Duke tonight.
Who are you picking tonight in the battle of the blue part II. Here is my feeling. Duke made 10/20 threes in Durham and it took overtime to beat Carolina. Carolina wins tonight.
Saturday is the last game of the season for Syracuse. I bet they play their butts off for Boeheim. The question is what is State going to play like. If they win and play at 9:30 Wednesday I'll be there in Greensboro until midnight planning on working Thursday. They lose they play at 7:00 Wednesday. I have a catch 22 with this game.
Can the University of Virginia keep winning with mirrors with at least two starters still missing. Louisville needs this one and I think they take UVA. Wake plays at BC. That could be a barn burner of a game.
I don't know how the seeding's will play out after today but I hope Wake wins Tuesday and Carolina also has a Wednesday game along with State. At least three of the Big Four could be there while I'm there.
Hunt High tries to win their second straight Eastern Basketball regional today when they play Terry Sanford. If they do the Big East will send it's fourth team in six years to the state championship basketball game.
No wonder Syracuse decided to miss the ACC Tournament this year in Greensboro. Of course Jim Boeheim the Syracuse coach wants no part of Greensboro when he compares it with Madison Square Garden. The NCAA gave us the answer they have known since October. Friday the NCAA slammed Syracuse and if I am a Carolina fan I might want to gulp after the penalties handed down.
Jim Boeheim has to surrender 108 wins which drops him from the door step of 1000 wins down to sixth on the all time list. He must sit out the first half nine games of the ACC conference season next year. Syracuse must return all monies won in playoffs in 2011-12-13. Lose twelve scholarships to boot.
Those of you who might think that the NCAA took many of Joe Paterno's wins away at Penn State but has since reneged and given them back to him there is one major difference. Paterno's failures had nothing to do with wins and losses on the football field. Boeheim has run a program that let in players who weren't eligible gave them extra benefits for winning games. Paterno never did any of that he just covered up a coach sex offender which had nothing to do with wins and losses as long as you don't consider the coach in question may have help coach many of those wins if he had of been in jail where he belonged Penn state just might lost a few of them.
Today is the last day of the ACC basketball season. Several seeding's for next week's ACC tournament are still undecided. I have tickets for Wednesday games and of course State for sure is playing Wednesday either at 7pm or 9:30 depending on today's outcome on all games. Carolina still has an outside shot at the double day bye if they beat Duke tonight.
Who are you picking tonight in the battle of the blue part II. Here is my feeling. Duke made 10/20 threes in Durham and it took overtime to beat Carolina. Carolina wins tonight.
Saturday is the last game of the season for Syracuse. I bet they play their butts off for Boeheim. The question is what is State going to play like. If they win and play at 9:30 Wednesday I'll be there in Greensboro until midnight planning on working Thursday. They lose they play at 7:00 Wednesday. I have a catch 22 with this game.
Can the University of Virginia keep winning with mirrors with at least two starters still missing. Louisville needs this one and I think they take UVA. Wake plays at BC. That could be a barn burner of a game.
I don't know how the seeding's will play out after today but I hope Wake wins Tuesday and Carolina also has a Wednesday game along with State. At least three of the Big Four could be there while I'm there.
Hunt High tries to win their second straight Eastern Basketball regional today when they play Terry Sanford. If they do the Big East will send it's fourth team in six years to the state championship basketball game.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Weather Havoc Continues Now It's Spring Sports
The high school spring sports season could officially start on Monday yet not one Big East Conference baseball team has been able to get on the field to practice much less play. If baseball sits idle so does tennis, soccer, softball and track and field.
Many teams if they are able to make up some of these washed and cold out so far may not be made up, if they can't get three games in a week in up to conference play. Who wants to waste pitchers on a third game per week once you start two conference games per week. The quality seen on the field will be suspect early when ever the games start because there has simply been no way to practice to prepare for a season.
The fifth time in the last six years the Big East will have a boys basketball team playing in the East Regional Final. Tonight Hunt beat Havelock 59-53 to advance to Saturday's final and they will meet Fayettville's Terry Sanford. This is the second year in a row that Hunt has played in the east final.
Tabias Hilliard the junior at Methodist University has made the Conference USA South second team all conference in basketball. Hilliard averaged 12.4 points per game 12th overall. 3.0 assist was eighth best in the USA South.
TaShawn Mabry has made honorable mentions all conference playing in the Lone Star Conference for Tarleton State. Mabry averaged 11.7 points per games and 5.3 rebounds. Tarleton State won the Lone Star Conference with a 27-2 record and are 7th in DII basketball
Both Mabry and Hilliard played on state championship basketball teams while at Rocky Mount High. Mabry played on the 2010 team and Hilliard on 2012 squad.
The NFL season is over and the next big item on the agenda for the NFL is the draft which does not come until the first week in May. All the talk right now is who is the number one pick and right now the consenus slants toward Jamis Winston. History tells us the last 15 players picked at # 1 are generally at best not worth being picked # one. The last 15 number one picks have 21 Pro Bowls picks among them. The so called best player in any years draft is only going to make the all star game 1.5 times among them all.
Winstons seven acts while at Florida State which either required action by police or some board at FSU to decide his conduct is enough for me. This guy is cancer at the pro level. The quarterback is the CEO of any team. On offense he directs which way the offense goes. He should be a high standard guy. How many of the top 50 CEO's in this world had more than one issue while in college if they went to college or since they have been in charge of their business?
If I owned the #1 pick this year I would be unloading the pick to somebody desperate to make a big splash. Let somebody else belly flop and sting for a while.
Many teams if they are able to make up some of these washed and cold out so far may not be made up, if they can't get three games in a week in up to conference play. Who wants to waste pitchers on a third game per week once you start two conference games per week. The quality seen on the field will be suspect early when ever the games start because there has simply been no way to practice to prepare for a season.
The fifth time in the last six years the Big East will have a boys basketball team playing in the East Regional Final. Tonight Hunt beat Havelock 59-53 to advance to Saturday's final and they will meet Fayettville's Terry Sanford. This is the second year in a row that Hunt has played in the east final.
Tabias Hilliard the junior at Methodist University has made the Conference USA South second team all conference in basketball. Hilliard averaged 12.4 points per game 12th overall. 3.0 assist was eighth best in the USA South.
TaShawn Mabry has made honorable mentions all conference playing in the Lone Star Conference for Tarleton State. Mabry averaged 11.7 points per games and 5.3 rebounds. Tarleton State won the Lone Star Conference with a 27-2 record and are 7th in DII basketball
Both Mabry and Hilliard played on state championship basketball teams while at Rocky Mount High. Mabry played on the 2010 team and Hilliard on 2012 squad.
The NFL season is over and the next big item on the agenda for the NFL is the draft which does not come until the first week in May. All the talk right now is who is the number one pick and right now the consenus slants toward Jamis Winston. History tells us the last 15 players picked at # 1 are generally at best not worth being picked # one. The last 15 number one picks have 21 Pro Bowls picks among them. The so called best player in any years draft is only going to make the all star game 1.5 times among them all.
Winstons seven acts while at Florida State which either required action by police or some board at FSU to decide his conduct is enough for me. This guy is cancer at the pro level. The quarterback is the CEO of any team. On offense he directs which way the offense goes. He should be a high standard guy. How many of the top 50 CEO's in this world had more than one issue while in college if they went to college or since they have been in charge of their business?
If I owned the #1 pick this year I would be unloading the pick to somebody desperate to make a big splash. Let somebody else belly flop and sting for a while.
It Takes Lots Of Luck
The Lady Knights of Northern Nash went the entire regular season undefeated and earned the right to play home games in the first three games of the playoffs. They finally lose in what was going to be the last home game of the season because all games from this point on are on neutral sites. Well equip to win it all the Lady knights come up short. The answer to why is not as simple as here's why they lost. There are so many mitigating circumstances into play.
It doesn't matter how good any team is luck is a major reason any team wins any game. The ball bounced right straight to our players instead of the other team. Luck encompasses more than the bounce of the ball. Injuries, did a player have a nagging injury that kept them from playing at top performance? Was there more than one injured?? Luck sometimes is even a player was injured but came back just in time for the playoffs. UVA men's basketball team continues to win basketball games with two starters out of action. Will those two come back this year? Probably, Will they have time to get back in playing shape before the playoffs where they can make a difference to the team.
Even the schedule is a matter of luck. Did it hurt the Lady Knights missing practice time during all of this winter weather we have had? Was a huge factor that the Lady Knights played three nights in four days instead of playing every other night which is the norm in the playoffs. All teams had the same problem with practice time during this weather so it may have come down to in the fourth quarter of the third game of basketball that Rockingham County was in better shape at this point with the situation all teams had to deal with.
Here is where luck may not matter. Rockingham County was a really good team and when you deal with all the factors all the teams had to deal with RC was in a better position than Northern to deal with all the factors.
It was reported that the Lady Knights missed 12 layups in the game was it fatigue, defense by Rockingham County. My guess you can give the reason any of the above and you might add in luck where the ball didn't roll on the rim like it does most of the time.
Grover Battle is a coach who loves to be physical with other teams. Pressing all over the floor. I sensed the last week of there regular season the players seemed tired that last week. They have as close of games with Fike and Rocky Mount as they had all year. So now you have a tired team, lays out two weeks with no activity from the weather and now you are forced into three games in four days in order to get the schedule back on time.
Then there is another factor. the burden of carrying the weight of an undefeated season on your shoulders. Don't care what you say any streak winning or losing straps teams down. Kentucky carries that burden into the NCAA tournament. I personally don't think they will win the title because they are undefeated. Whether any team can feel it or not you forget the lucky bounce three weeks ago that keep you undefeated then and you loose the perception that you can be beaten.
Winless teams always some where in a game ask themselves is this where we fall apart? Would it have been better to lose one time in mid season and as a team rededicate yourselves because you found out that you are beatable at the right time. a playoff game is an awful time to find out you are beatable.
The Lady Knight basketball program at this point is the premium basketball program in our area. They have for the most part been dominant for the last five or more years with interruptions by Rocky Mount ever so often. When they have ventured out into the real world of North Carolina High School playoff basketball they have held their own and have served us all proud representing us.
There is that old NASCAR saying "if you run up front of the pack sooner or later you are going to finish first once in a while. I'll take running up front every year and once in a while the luck will fall my way and the Lady Knights are going to win another State title..
It doesn't matter how good any team is luck is a major reason any team wins any game. The ball bounced right straight to our players instead of the other team. Luck encompasses more than the bounce of the ball. Injuries, did a player have a nagging injury that kept them from playing at top performance? Was there more than one injured?? Luck sometimes is even a player was injured but came back just in time for the playoffs. UVA men's basketball team continues to win basketball games with two starters out of action. Will those two come back this year? Probably, Will they have time to get back in playing shape before the playoffs where they can make a difference to the team.
Even the schedule is a matter of luck. Did it hurt the Lady Knights missing practice time during all of this winter weather we have had? Was a huge factor that the Lady Knights played three nights in four days instead of playing every other night which is the norm in the playoffs. All teams had the same problem with practice time during this weather so it may have come down to in the fourth quarter of the third game of basketball that Rockingham County was in better shape at this point with the situation all teams had to deal with.
Here is where luck may not matter. Rockingham County was a really good team and when you deal with all the factors all the teams had to deal with RC was in a better position than Northern to deal with all the factors.
It was reported that the Lady Knights missed 12 layups in the game was it fatigue, defense by Rockingham County. My guess you can give the reason any of the above and you might add in luck where the ball didn't roll on the rim like it does most of the time.
Grover Battle is a coach who loves to be physical with other teams. Pressing all over the floor. I sensed the last week of there regular season the players seemed tired that last week. They have as close of games with Fike and Rocky Mount as they had all year. So now you have a tired team, lays out two weeks with no activity from the weather and now you are forced into three games in four days in order to get the schedule back on time.
Then there is another factor. the burden of carrying the weight of an undefeated season on your shoulders. Don't care what you say any streak winning or losing straps teams down. Kentucky carries that burden into the NCAA tournament. I personally don't think they will win the title because they are undefeated. Whether any team can feel it or not you forget the lucky bounce three weeks ago that keep you undefeated then and you loose the perception that you can be beaten.
Winless teams always some where in a game ask themselves is this where we fall apart? Would it have been better to lose one time in mid season and as a team rededicate yourselves because you found out that you are beatable at the right time. a playoff game is an awful time to find out you are beatable.
The Lady Knight basketball program at this point is the premium basketball program in our area. They have for the most part been dominant for the last five or more years with interruptions by Rocky Mount ever so often. When they have ventured out into the real world of North Carolina High School playoff basketball they have held their own and have served us all proud representing us.
There is that old NASCAR saying "if you run up front of the pack sooner or later you are going to finish first once in a while. I'll take running up front every year and once in a while the luck will fall my way and the Lady Knights are going to win another State title..
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Lady Knights Fall
The Lady Knights of Northern Nash and The Ladies of Eastern Wayne were the only undefeated teams in the east when the basketball playoffs began. Both were their conference champions and the only decision when the playoffs started was who got the number one seed and who would get second. What ever tie breaker was used by the NCHSAA to determine the seeds Eastern Wayne got one and Northern Nash the two.
The only thing that guarantees if both win their first four playoff games they would not tangle until the regional final on Saturday in Fayetteville. The opening playoff game Saturday Eastern Wayne tangles with South Brunswick who was 4-17 on the year. As the number two you would expect the next to last team in would have a record like maybe 6-15 but Northern draws Morehead who is 10-14.
Monday night EW drew in round two C B Aycock a much better quality team that had 18-8 record while the Lady Knights faces Walter Williams who came to Northern with 20 wins in their pocket. The sectional finals both teams are now up against quality competition with EW facing Northwood 22-4 and NN facing their third straight Mid State conference foe at 23-3. The road has been easier for the top seed as their opposing teams overall record has 44-29 while the Lady Knights have faced teams 54-22.
Despite the records EW has had two double digit wins heading into tonight while Northern had to work their buns off to win in the second round. Seedings do make a difference as it should and tonight regional qualifiers were determined.
Tonight The Lady Knights down by one at the end of the third quarter could not get a stop when they needed and fall at home losing to Rockingham County 51-42. This is the third time in the last four years Northern has made it to at least the sectional finals and only last year making it to the regionals.
The last two years Northern has loss three games and two were in the 3rd and 4th round of the playoffs. Northern ends it season 23-1.
Hunt is the only Big East team alive and they will return to the Regional for the second year in a row beating West Brunswick at WB 68-60. They will play Havelock Thursday in a semi final rematch from last year.
Under the category of have you heard this???? A girls California high school team had to forfeit their Saturday playoff win after they wore their Breast Cancer Awareness Jerseys in a playoff win. Under California rules in order to wear a uniform other than you team colors you must submit a form and have it approved ahead of time. Some where along the way we have lost sanity and reason when it comes to rules.
The only thing that guarantees if both win their first four playoff games they would not tangle until the regional final on Saturday in Fayetteville. The opening playoff game Saturday Eastern Wayne tangles with South Brunswick who was 4-17 on the year. As the number two you would expect the next to last team in would have a record like maybe 6-15 but Northern draws Morehead who is 10-14.
Monday night EW drew in round two C B Aycock a much better quality team that had 18-8 record while the Lady Knights faces Walter Williams who came to Northern with 20 wins in their pocket. The sectional finals both teams are now up against quality competition with EW facing Northwood 22-4 and NN facing their third straight Mid State conference foe at 23-3. The road has been easier for the top seed as their opposing teams overall record has 44-29 while the Lady Knights have faced teams 54-22.
Despite the records EW has had two double digit wins heading into tonight while Northern had to work their buns off to win in the second round. Seedings do make a difference as it should and tonight regional qualifiers were determined.
Tonight The Lady Knights down by one at the end of the third quarter could not get a stop when they needed and fall at home losing to Rockingham County 51-42. This is the third time in the last four years Northern has made it to at least the sectional finals and only last year making it to the regionals.
The last two years Northern has loss three games and two were in the 3rd and 4th round of the playoffs. Northern ends it season 23-1.
Hunt is the only Big East team alive and they will return to the Regional for the second year in a row beating West Brunswick at WB 68-60. They will play Havelock Thursday in a semi final rematch from last year.
Under the category of have you heard this???? A girls California high school team had to forfeit their Saturday playoff win after they wore their Breast Cancer Awareness Jerseys in a playoff win. Under California rules in order to wear a uniform other than you team colors you must submit a form and have it approved ahead of time. Some where along the way we have lost sanity and reason when it comes to rules.
Monday, March 2, 2015
Harvey Reid Wins National Award 24 years After Death
He won 816 games while coaching at three different high schools during his lifetime. He coached in Pinehurst, Elm City and Wilson. His last day on this earth he was doing what he wanted to do coach high school kids in basketball for Fike High in Fayetteville during a playoff game.. Today it was announced that Harvey Reid has won the 2015 Morgan Wooten Award for his Lifetime Achievement in high school coaching.
Reid won seven state championships and coached in five others during his 40 years of coaching mostly in Elm City and Fike. His 816 victories are the most in North Carolina high School history. The Morgan Wooten award is named after the famed DeMatha High school coach who dedicated his entire coaching life to high school coaching as did Reid.
Survive and Advance: Tonight Northern Nash had all they could handle facing Walter Williams High . Both teams had the look of no practice and having the other team being a quality foe. Tied at the half at 15 each, Northern uses it's overall depth to advance to round three beating Williams 42-36. The Lady Knights led by only one at the end of the 3rd quarter.
It was the second lowest scoring game of the year for the Lady Knights who scored only 35 in a game against Fike when the Lady Demons held the ball as much as possible. Round three the sectional finals will be play at 6pm Tuesday at Northern Nash and they will face Rockingham County who is 23-3 and won tonight over Topsoil 59-31. The winner Tuesday qualifies for the Regional Friday in Fayetteville.
The basketball season is over for Hunt girls as they have been crushed by Chapel Hill 56-40. The Northern Girls are the sole surviving Big East girls team.
The Big East boys still have the champs alive as Hunt has knocked of Northern Guilford 59-44 to advance to the sectional finals on Tuesday
I have made many decisions about how I wanted to present this blog to you on a daily basis. I decided long ago that Twitter and Facebook was not for me so I have kept as they say this old fashion blog where you have to input my address on your computer to find me. I have had a following in recent months that consistently has been between 100 to 150 hits per day. As far as I am concerned that keeps me going that we continue to inch forward.
I don't know why but Friday was the biggest day ever for hits on this blog. Our previous two high days before in some way were involved about something big going on like Rocky Mount playing in the state championship basketball game. Friday there was nothing to speak of to tell me oh that's important to a lot of people. We had almost 600 hits Friday which these days is about 400% increase for one day WOW. I am a person who is happy to serve a few so I have no intentions that one day I will see have a million hits a day. Thank you those of you that hit this site on a daily basis or if you are one that only surfs ever so often. It is good therapy for me!
Reid won seven state championships and coached in five others during his 40 years of coaching mostly in Elm City and Fike. His 816 victories are the most in North Carolina high School history. The Morgan Wooten award is named after the famed DeMatha High school coach who dedicated his entire coaching life to high school coaching as did Reid.
Survive and Advance: Tonight Northern Nash had all they could handle facing Walter Williams High . Both teams had the look of no practice and having the other team being a quality foe. Tied at the half at 15 each, Northern uses it's overall depth to advance to round three beating Williams 42-36. The Lady Knights led by only one at the end of the 3rd quarter.
It was the second lowest scoring game of the year for the Lady Knights who scored only 35 in a game against Fike when the Lady Demons held the ball as much as possible. Round three the sectional finals will be play at 6pm Tuesday at Northern Nash and they will face Rockingham County who is 23-3 and won tonight over Topsoil 59-31. The winner Tuesday qualifies for the Regional Friday in Fayetteville.
The basketball season is over for Hunt girls as they have been crushed by Chapel Hill 56-40. The Northern Girls are the sole surviving Big East girls team.
The Big East boys still have the champs alive as Hunt has knocked of Northern Guilford 59-44 to advance to the sectional finals on Tuesday
I have made many decisions about how I wanted to present this blog to you on a daily basis. I decided long ago that Twitter and Facebook was not for me so I have kept as they say this old fashion blog where you have to input my address on your computer to find me. I have had a following in recent months that consistently has been between 100 to 150 hits per day. As far as I am concerned that keeps me going that we continue to inch forward.
I don't know why but Friday was the biggest day ever for hits on this blog. Our previous two high days before in some way were involved about something big going on like Rocky Mount playing in the state championship basketball game. Friday there was nothing to speak of to tell me oh that's important to a lot of people. We had almost 600 hits Friday which these days is about 400% increase for one day WOW. I am a person who is happy to serve a few so I have no intentions that one day I will see have a million hits a day. Thank you those of you that hit this site on a daily basis or if you are one that only surfs ever so often. It is good therapy for me!
Another Basketball Playoff Crisis
I know there are several Big East teams that now that their basketball seasons are over wish that they could have somehow or other managed to get their games played on Sunday. Guess what? Those teams in Wake County that decided to wait till Sunday got a big surprise Sunday morning. Ice cover roads force postponements of several games which has the 4-A basketball bracket in shambles heading to Monday's second round.
Now that the state has committed to playing second round games on Monday those that still have 1st round games to finish will need to play Monday pushing some second round games to Tuesday and anyone needing to play Wednesday will just have to miss the News conferences in Fayetteville on Wednesday. As I write this Sunday night there has been no word from the NCHSAA as to what they can do. What can they do other than play the remaining first round games on Monday?
Nash County's four high school boys were 0-4 in the opening round while the girls were 1-2. The only team left standing from Nash County is the undefeated Lady Knights of Northern Nash 22-0 and they will host Williams high who stands 20-4 so this is not an easy second round game for the Lady Knights. Game time is 6pm Monday at Northern.
The weather has already played havoc for high school baseball and the season starts officially on Tuesday for most. Rocky Mount Gryphon's home opener was scheduled for Thursday but Kent Cox and Ron Vincent have already decided to dangerous to put pitchers and batters and fielders on a baseball field when they haven't had any on field practice at all this year so far. No word as of yet when the makeup will be. Unless the schedule changes between now and then the Gryphon home opener is now set for Tuesday March 10th at 4pm against SouthWest Edgecombe.
You have probably heard that the Big Ten is trying to start to make all freshman athletes in all sports ineligible in order to give freshman a full year of college before putting them on the athletic fields. I doubt that will ever get off the ground. Seems funny to me that the power Five conferences were in such a rush to break away from rest of the NCAA in order to try to get all the TV money for themselves.
Do you suppose now what was have Texas A&M playing Kentucky in the SEC, Miami playing Notre Dame and Penn State having to travel to Nebraska for conference play that the conferences are too big an area or that this new pay the players deal is going to cost way more for each school than income from the Power Five deal. The Power Fives just maybe in their rush for greed priced themselves right into losing money instead of making more.
Now that the state has committed to playing second round games on Monday those that still have 1st round games to finish will need to play Monday pushing some second round games to Tuesday and anyone needing to play Wednesday will just have to miss the News conferences in Fayetteville on Wednesday. As I write this Sunday night there has been no word from the NCHSAA as to what they can do. What can they do other than play the remaining first round games on Monday?
Nash County's four high school boys were 0-4 in the opening round while the girls were 1-2. The only team left standing from Nash County is the undefeated Lady Knights of Northern Nash 22-0 and they will host Williams high who stands 20-4 so this is not an easy second round game for the Lady Knights. Game time is 6pm Monday at Northern.
The weather has already played havoc for high school baseball and the season starts officially on Tuesday for most. Rocky Mount Gryphon's home opener was scheduled for Thursday but Kent Cox and Ron Vincent have already decided to dangerous to put pitchers and batters and fielders on a baseball field when they haven't had any on field practice at all this year so far. No word as of yet when the makeup will be. Unless the schedule changes between now and then the Gryphon home opener is now set for Tuesday March 10th at 4pm against SouthWest Edgecombe.
You have probably heard that the Big Ten is trying to start to make all freshman athletes in all sports ineligible in order to give freshman a full year of college before putting them on the athletic fields. I doubt that will ever get off the ground. Seems funny to me that the power Five conferences were in such a rush to break away from rest of the NCAA in order to try to get all the TV money for themselves.
Do you suppose now what was have Texas A&M playing Kentucky in the SEC, Miami playing Notre Dame and Penn State having to travel to Nebraska for conference play that the conferences are too big an area or that this new pay the players deal is going to cost way more for each school than income from the Power Five deal. The Power Fives just maybe in their rush for greed priced themselves right into losing money instead of making more.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Addiction Strikes Again
Those of you may remember about the HBO story on Josh Hamilton that once he left the ball park every day someone had to be with him at all times to keep him from stopping at a bar or to even buy drugs. There is a story out that Hamilton has fallen off the wagon and has had a meeting with MLB about his latest problem.
Drugs got him suspended from baseball early in his career and now at 34 he may get a 25 game suspension for this relapse if this story is true. Drugs have cut short what possibly could have been a hall of fame career had not his life been engulfed with this mental affliction. We all know whether is being fat or smoking cigarettes when ever you try to stop a habit it is hard to do so in one way or the other we all have our sins but some are harder than others to break.
Has anybody noticed that since Duke kicked one player off they have not lost a game. I see Duke is a good team but I don't see final four this year.
N C State gave back what they earned again this week another big time victory wasted losing to BC. Looking at winning percentage Mark Gottfried since he has been in Raleigh is winning nearly 65 per cent. The next step for Wolfpack basketball is beating the so so teams every time like Duke does and take your chances with the top teams.
The Big build up about the Kentucky- Arkansas game on Saturday was this was the last top 25 team Kentucky would play until the NCAA so their chance for a perfect regular season is almost 100% now. I also heard Kentucky hasn't played another top 25 team since December so will the Wildcats be tournament tested tough????
A year to forget for the Rocky Mount girls basketball team ended with a good effort at Corinth Holders. The season started losing a player to death and finished with two weeks of weather without practice. Despite all the goings on this team still finished with a 10-10 record. They had seven losses to teams still in playoffs with a combined record of 77-18. Northern 22-0 three losses, Hunt 18-6 two losses, Hayesville 19-6 one loss and Corinth Holders 18-6 one loss. If there is one thing that Pam Gainey is good at and that is teaching defense. This team stayed in most games despite poor guard play.
The Lady Knights of Northern Nash are the only Nash County school still alive heading into the second round. They are home Monday night at 6pm to Walter Williams of Burlington a 15 seed but their record is 21-4. This is a big test for the Lady Knights as they try to stay unbeaten.
Drugs got him suspended from baseball early in his career and now at 34 he may get a 25 game suspension for this relapse if this story is true. Drugs have cut short what possibly could have been a hall of fame career had not his life been engulfed with this mental affliction. We all know whether is being fat or smoking cigarettes when ever you try to stop a habit it is hard to do so in one way or the other we all have our sins but some are harder than others to break.
Has anybody noticed that since Duke kicked one player off they have not lost a game. I see Duke is a good team but I don't see final four this year.
N C State gave back what they earned again this week another big time victory wasted losing to BC. Looking at winning percentage Mark Gottfried since he has been in Raleigh is winning nearly 65 per cent. The next step for Wolfpack basketball is beating the so so teams every time like Duke does and take your chances with the top teams.
The Big build up about the Kentucky- Arkansas game on Saturday was this was the last top 25 team Kentucky would play until the NCAA so their chance for a perfect regular season is almost 100% now. I also heard Kentucky hasn't played another top 25 team since December so will the Wildcats be tournament tested tough????
A year to forget for the Rocky Mount girls basketball team ended with a good effort at Corinth Holders. The season started losing a player to death and finished with two weeks of weather without practice. Despite all the goings on this team still finished with a 10-10 record. They had seven losses to teams still in playoffs with a combined record of 77-18. Northern 22-0 three losses, Hunt 18-6 two losses, Hayesville 19-6 one loss and Corinth Holders 18-6 one loss. If there is one thing that Pam Gainey is good at and that is teaching defense. This team stayed in most games despite poor guard play.
The Lady Knights of Northern Nash are the only Nash County school still alive heading into the second round. They are home Monday night at 6pm to Walter Williams of Burlington a 15 seed but their record is 21-4. This is a big test for the Lady Knights as they try to stay unbeaten.
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