Cancer Day At Wesleyan

Just two weekends to go in the 2016 NC Wesleyan baseball season and to date the Battling Bishops are in the running for the conference regular season championship.  Overall they are 20-10  and 11-4 in conference games.  They trail Ferrum by percentage points who stands 9-3..

This weekend the Bishops start a three game series with conference foe Piedmont who is down in the standings at 4-8.  It is a real good chance the Bishops could get a sweep and put the pressure on Ferrum to stay on top in the standings.  Game times are 2:30 Friday and 1pm Saturday and Sunday.

April 14th The city of Rocky Mount will be hosting the Conference USA South Spring Sports Championships which over the past few years has been in Rocky Mount.  Time is running out to win the regular season top seed in the baseball tournament.

In the middle of all the pressure of winning a conference title the Wesleyan baseball players this season have join Vs Cancer Foundation in support of local children who have cancer and lose their hair.  The team has set a goal of raising 7,000 dollars and to date they are at 5,800 bucks.  Saturday's game several local barbers headed by the barbers at Englewood Barber Shop will be shaving the heads of many of  the Wesleyan players after the Saturday game.

The team is hoping that they can raise that last 1200 needed to hit their goal..  Several players will be going all the way to shave their heads while others will get haircuts.  What is making this a special afternoon  20 players from Piedmont have signed up to join in.  So Saturday will be a special day at Bauer Field as game time is scheduled for 1pm.  This will be a great day to watch the Bishops if you have never seen a game but most important watch the players supporting children with cancer.

Basketball Tournament Thoughts

I have for the past seven years been in one of this areas famous bracket busters that has well over 100 people.  I have finished 6th,  8th 11th 18th, 22nd and my worse year 33rd.  Heading to the last weekend I still have Carolina to win it but I am 85th.  It hasn't been all upsets the first weekend but heading into this weekend I had three of four in the final four right.  Virginia and Kansas killed me.  Even if Carolina wins it all I doubt I can finish any better than 50th.

It doesn't matter how well you play eight bad minutes by Virginia and they are home today.  I didn't see as well as they have played all year seeing this collapse coming.

Can anybody tell me what Brice Johnson did to get a technical?  The replay shows he never said anything and tossed the ball over his shoulder towards a referee.  How many times since the tournament started do refs call fouls before the play happens.  Replay many times have shown no contact at all but the refs anticipated there would be.

From about the ten minute mark in the first half Notre Dame waited at least 15 seconds before they shot to limit Carolina's scoring chances.  They still scored 88.

You can put to bed the 1974 eight points in seventeen seconds by Carolina over Duke as the biggest blown lead.  Northern Iowa 11 point lead the last 40 seconds has now surpassed that.  Texas AM won the game trailing by 11.  Carolina's 1974 comeback only got the game to overtime.  It was also a regular season game not the playoffs.

How many times have teams taken three point shots with 25 seconds still on the shot clock.  I have seen so many games that there was one game both teams shot three pointers in ten second and neither shots were made.  There is one thing about three point shots.  People make one and think they will never miss another.

All the talk about Coach K's conversation with one of the Oregon players is much about nothing.  Any body remember years ago when Dean Smith said something to a Clemson player while the game was going on and Clemson coach Rick Barnes went Ballistic.

All the upsets still one number one seed and two number twos have made final four.  Syracuse beat a 7-11 and a 15 before they beat Virginia.  So the only real upset the Orange had was beating Virginia.

I still don't understand how the tv networks have two games going at one time that started at least 20 minutes or more apart and yet when you flip the dial when the game you are watching goes to commercial the other game also has a commercial on.

Oklahoma's Buddy Hield is the best player in the tournament.  Don't know why he won't be the top pick in the upcoming draft.

I don't know how it happens but whenever a team hits that groove and everything falls in place and they start playing great is a beautiful to watch.  February 17th after Carolina   lost to Duke in Chapel Hill most Carolina fans were ready to fire Ole Roy.  Many were hoping all the knee misery Roy is having was going to make him want to retire.  Just 40 days  later the Heels are on the verge of winning their 6th national title.

Last Day Of Golden Leaf

It is amazing what a new day can do to a baseball team.  Rocky Mount started in the Golden Leaf Tournament in Wilson having lost both conference games earlier in the week.  Both games had leads but lost both games in the last at bat.

Enter David Harrison who pitches a one hitter and led  to a Monday victory.  Rocky Mount took to the high school field at Hunt just before lunch and Zack Keeter toed the rubber for the Gryphons.  Keeter allowed a run in the fourth and got one out in the sixth inning before Pat Smith brought on Forest Bell to pitch the last five outs. (Hope you saw the Extra Effort Award tonight on WRAL as Forest Bell was featured.)

Rocky Mount first run came in the third when Josh Pittman singled and scored on a gapper hit by Spencer Ramsey.  The Gryphons scored twice in the fourth  on a wild pitch and a walk with the bases loaded.  The Gryphons even their record to 6-6 on the year winning two of three in the Golden Leaf whipping Southern Wayne 3-1.

Southern Nash after winning over Faith Christian on Saturday beat Wilson Christian Monday night and entered Tuesday's game if they could beat Oakwood from Greenville they would be declared the champion of the Golden Leaf.  Oakwood clips the Firebirds 4-3.  Oakwood wins the title through a tie breaking  system going 3-0 and gave up less runs that Cardinal Gibbons.

Monday night the Eagles of Rocky Mount Academy took on Nash Central  at Faith Christian Academy Nash Central beats RMA 9-3.  Today in their final game RMA beat Raleigh Home School 7-3

Faith Christian in their final game beat Wilson Christian 10-1.  However they pulled off the upset of the tournament beating Corinth Holders 13-8 Monday night.  That was only the second loss of the year for the Pirates.

Today Northern Nash lost their third game in the tournament losing to Corinth Holders 6-4.

Nash Central's final game was played against Parrott Academy from Kinston.  Parrott scored one run in the bottom of the seventh to beat the Bulldogs 1-0.

What has been proven from this year's tournament is the private schools when match up against local public high schools not only can compete but they can win.

One Hitter For Harrison

The second day of the Golden Leaf baseball tournament in Wilson saw several wet fields and Rocky Mount  was scheduled to play at Barton college against Cardinal Gibbons.  Instead two changes were made as the Gryphons played at Fleming Stadium and played Ragsdale High from Jamestown. Better results today for the Rocky Mount Gryphons as David Harrison pitched a complete game one hit  2-0 shutout over Ragsdale of Jamestown.       This win breaks a three game losing streak for the Gryphons.

The first run of the game for the Gryphons scored in the third when Jamar Ellis walked, he then stole second and scored on  a Josh Pittman Single.  The game stayed 1-0 until the bottom of the sixth when David Harrison beat out an infield single and scored on a Jake Philbeck double.  The Gryphons conclude their Golden Leaf play at 11:30 Tuesday morning when they play Southern Wayne at Hunt High School.

Northern Nash took on Wayne County Rosewood High and inn a shootout Rosewood got more shots than the  Knights.  13-8 Rosewood.

Sorry that I didn't mention this before but Rocky Mount  Academy was the sixth high school in Nash County taking part in the Golden Leaf.  Saturday they took on Wilson Christian and they lost 5-1.  RMA played Nash Central but that game was moved to Faith Christian. By the time I posted here that game was not over.

Those that have never been to Faith they have maybe the best conditioned playing field in the area. Coach Clifton has done a great job with the baseball program since he left Northern Nash several years ago.  The baseball field is a pride and joy for the Patriots.

Southern Nash was playing Wilson Christian Monday night at Fleming and Faith was playing Hunt at Hunt.  The Golden Leaf Tournament continues Tuesday and it is also the last day of action.

There is a good chance that someone from Rocky Mount High might be featured as the Extra Effort Award winner this Thursday on WRAL sports at 6:22. The extra Effort award will be on air Tuesday-tonight as  Rocky Mount native Tom Suiter was in town to film the segment last week.

Easter Holiday Baseball

One of the best high school Easter  baseball tournaments goes on in our local area in Wilson. It is called the Golden Leaf.  Many teams within fifty miles of Wilson take part.  Five of Nash County High schools are taking part.  The four public high schools and Faith Christian all played their first games on Saturday.

Rocky Mount took on West Carteret at Fleming Stadium  and the first four innings it was all Gryphons as they pulled to a 6-0 lead.  The fifth inning the bottom fell out for the Gryphons including a collision in the outfield that sent one Gryphon to the hospital.  By innings end the score was 6-5.

Just in the last five games the Gryphons have given up the lead in three straight games in the last inning and four of the last five.  Saturday was no exception as West Carteret wins 7-6 scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh.  Monday the Gryphons will meet Cardinal Gibbons at 3pm at Barton College.  Tuesday they have an 11:30 date with Southern Wayne at Hunt High.

Faith Christian took on cross county public high school Southern Nash and the Firebirds held the The Patriots to three hits while Southern got only seven themselves.  Those seven hits were enough to beat Faith 3-0. Faith has one more game against Hunt Monday night at Fleming Stadium.

Southern Nash has action in Fleming Stadium against Wilson Christian and they finish up Tuesday playing Oakwood at Hunt at 1pm.

Northern Nash took on Cardinal Gibbons who has lost but once this season beat the Knights 9-5. Northern returns to tournament action Monday at 1pm against Rosewood.  Tuesday they finish Golden Leaf play in Fleming against Corinth Holders.

Nash Central on Saturday took on just maybe the best team in the field as they met CB Aycock.  Aycock convinced the Bulldogs winning 10-0.  Their only other game will be Tuesday when they take on Parrott Academy.

The ACC will send two teams to the final four but one of the two will not be UVA the third number one seed in the NCAA tournament to fall this weekend.  Syracuse played about ten minutes of perfect basketball in the second half and surprised UVA 68-62.

This opens the door for Carolina who matches up well withThe Orange.  The Tar Heels got a test from Notre Dame but down the stretch the Fighting Irish had no answer for the Tar Heels.  Carolina scored at will to advance to a Saturday Semi Final matchup with Syracuse.  Tar Heels 88 Irish 74.  Carolina goes to the final four for the 19th time the NCAA tournament record.  Tip time is 8:49 Saturday night.

This Is The Day Of Hope

Christians celebrate today, the day that our lord Jesus rose from the grave.  He was born in this world to forgive us of our sins.  Those who came to follow Jesus during his days on earth thought that he was to become king of the government but his kingdom was much more than that.

His teaching while on earth made heaven a place for everyone not just for the Jews of the Old Testament.  Those that were able to hear his teachings in person had a special event in their life but almost all misunderstood  him.  More feared him because they thought he was going to lead a movement to over throw the government.  While those that believed didn't understand what being born again meant.

His teaching were in order to enter heaven you had to be born again but most thought that was dying but the concept was you had to accept Jesus in your heart and when you did that he would fill your body with his spirit and you would be born again where Jesus was the most important reason in your life.  He promised if you accepted him he would have a place for you in heaven.

His death on the cross was a shock for those that thought he would be king of the government and for those believers who thought him as the religious leader thought he would never die.  Today we celebrate his rise from the grave and forty days after his resurrection from the grave his rise up to heaven to the kingdom he promise us if we believed in him.

Our day will start at Cavalry  Baptist Church for Sunrise service as our church Sunset Avenue Baptist alternates sunrise service every other year with them.  Praise be to the Lord as he has risen.

All ACC

All year long the University of Virginia has frustrated me with the willingness to hold their opponents to 60 points by holding the ball on offense.  So far in the NCAA tournament Virginia has been transformed into a demon attacking the basket.  They have the players when attacking just might be make them the best team in the tournament.

The Cavs jumped to a 12-2 lead, Iowa State  made it 12-4 but after that the biggest lead was 17 and never below a ten point lead the rest of the way.  The Wahoos cruise 84-71 over Iowa State.

That frustration that I had for Virginia's offense during the regular season was on full display why I hate that type offense as Wisconson held Notre Dame to 24 % shooting in the first half and most of their misses were three point shots.  Despite terrible shooting they trailed  the Badgers only 23-19 at the halfway

Wisconson never  able to get more than a six point lead Notre Dame finally started making shots and down three with 26 seconds left for the second game in a row the Fighting  Irish pull one out beating The Badgers 61-56.  I just hate it that when you hold the ball until late in the shot clock. There will be times when two or more minutes will pass when you miss a couple and when the other team makes two threes in a row that catch you and pass you by maybe only scoring six in a row.

Gonzaga and Syracuse are the last hope for the upset special in the final four.  The Cuse trailed most of the way but when they need stops they got them and when they needed to score they put the ball through the rim.  The Orange survived a terrible call after they had taken the lead inside of thirty seconds and came up with a steal as the Syracuse player was rule out of bounds on the baseline by the official thirty feet up the sideline. TV replay showed at least an inch was between the toe of the Cuse player from being out of bounds.

The Zags we given the ball back but a block of a jump shot at the foul line by the Cuse was recover by the Orange with one second left.  Syracuse 63 Gonzaga 60!

The North Carolina Tar Heels made it a perfect night for the ACC as the Heels were too tall and on fire from the three point line and proved to be too much for the Big Ten Champion Indiana.  Virginia has been an offensive juggernaut in the NCAA tournament while Carolina has become maybe the best defensive team in the tournament.  They are already the best offensive team.

Carolina led by 11 at the half and kept the petal to the metal  in the second half and kept the Hoosiers three point shooting at bay.  The Heels put 100 on Indiana 101-86.

There will be an ACC team in the National Championship game as all four teams will play each other Sunday and the two winners will meet each other in the National Semi Finals in Houston next Saturday.  Saturday the ACC takes the day off as Oklahoma plays Oregon and Villanova plays Kansas with those two winners meeting in the other National Semi next Saturday.

Who said some Mid Major just might sneak in the Final Four.  All four number ones are still alive...  The Heels play Sunday at 8:49 against Notre Dame.  Virginia and Syracuse play in the opener Sunday around 6.

Error Prone

Injuries can keep teams from ever reaching their potential..  Tuesday night during warm ups for Rocky Mount starting shortstop Logan Pearce had a ball hit him while throwing and catching on the tip of one of his fingers.  The result the Gryphons had to shuffle their infield.  Pearce was the DH but for the first time in his high school career he failed to get a hit in a game.

Tonight at Hunt Pat Smith needing to use his number three pitcher at shortstop had to use plan B and put catcher Zach Keeter on the mound.  The Gryphons are in need of someone to step forward to be another go to pitcher.  Keeter gives the Gryphons all you could ask for on the mound as he led 4-3 through five innings.

Wesley Drake pitches the last two innings but for the third time in eight days the Gryphons give up the lead late in the game and the defense is the culprit.  The Gryphons fall to 0-2 after a 5-4  loss to Hunt.

Other Big East Scores:

Fike 3 Nash Central 1 both teams now 1-1
Southern Nash 14 Northern Nash 10 The Firebirds are 2-0 and in the lead in the Big East.

Going into Thursday night's West Regional game against Oregon Duke's Coach K was 0-4 all time in the west Regional.  It is now 0-5 as Duke played as if they were in a different time zone as all night long they were at least a step slow.  Was it because Oregon was that fast or is there something to his time zone stuff.  Oregon defense was better than Duke's offense. Duke rebounding was awful as many times Oregon got rebounds after the ball hit the floor.

Not a good night at all for the ACC as Miami lost badly to Villanova 92-69 and Duke loses 82-68.  It seems like the beating was worse than 14.  The ACC has four games tonight including Carolina around 10 pm.

The Case Of Anthony "Cat "Barber

He led the ACC in scoring well over 23 points per game.  He play on a team that didn't have another dependable player that the Pack could count on to be consistent every night.  The result a losing season in a year the ACC is having a banner year in the NCAA playoffs without the Pack.  The result just maybe the best player in the ACC didn't win the award because he played on a losing team

A junior he has decided to go pro an see if he can get picked up and drafted by an NBA team.  At this point it seems he will go in the second round which is not a guaranteed contract.  A guaranteed contract means whether he makes the team or not he would get paid for the length of his deal.   A non guaranteed contract would be no money if he doesn't make the team.

There are many people upset that any player leaves the school they committed to play any sport for  to turn pro early.  Coaches jump from one team to the next whenever they have a good year at one school and they get picked up your another.  We as regular Joe Blowe's of the world will change jobs in a flash if the next company will give us just a dollar an hour more.

If Barber fails to make the NBA there is basketball all over the world.  The average USA player makes from a hundred thousand to a half million a year be pending on how well they play and the team they play for.  I know there are many of us who would not mind making a half million a year.

If we can compare "Cat" to any player already in the NBA and to me he would be very similar to Raleigh's very own John Wall.  Wall who played for Kentucky for one year was an scorer not the  point guard who distributes the ball to others.  Wall was a first round pick.

Any one in life most of the time timing plays a big part of life.  Whether "Cat" goes in the first round might be more money for him but it might not give him playing time with whatever team might draft him.  He might have a longer career in a foreign country and in the long run make more money in life.  The only way to know will be to see his timing in life.

L O B

There is a stat in baseball that can tell a lot about the final score and it is the lob or men left on base.  Tonight was the opening game in Big East baseball and Rocky Mount and Nash Central decided to play ten innings before Rocky Mount scored a run in the top of the tenth only to find Nash Central scoring two in the bottom to win 5-4.

Rocky Mount got eight hits the first seven inning but could never get one when they needed it and left the bases loaded three times and left seven on base the other four innings only to score three runs.  Zach Patterson  started on the Mound for the Bulldogs.  He pitched seven innings striking out 10 Gryphons but it took a error by Rocky Mount in the seventh to tie the game at three.

David Harrison tossed for Rocky Mount the first six innings and he finally pitched the way he pitched last year.  He allowed three hits and struck out 11.  Wesley Drake was the losing pitcher in the 10th when Nash Central score two runs in the inning without  a hit in fact the winning run scored on a wild pitch .  Drake's four innings in relief he allowed two hits and struck out four.

Noah Schrock pitched the last three innings for the Bulldogs giving up two hits and striking out six and was the winning pitcher.  Three Gryphons got three hits Jake Philbeck, David Harrison and Will Hedgepeth.  Josh Pittman got the only other Gryphon hit.  Colby Carter had a two hit night for Nash Central.  Noah Schrock, Tyler Sherrod and John Michael Kelly collected hits.

Both teams play Thursday because of Good Friday.  Rocky Mount is at Hunt and Nash Central at Fike.

Other Big East Action:

A shocker Southern Nash 5 Fike 4
Northern Nash 2. Hunt 1

So there you see as the first three conference games of the year all are one run games.

The NCAA Tournament AKA The ACC Tournament

There has always been a dream of mine that one day two ACC schools would play for the national title.  My biggest hope has been that either State, Carolina, or Duke would play each other to win it all.  Since I am a big dreamer there has been a hope that some day all four teams that play in the final four would be from the ACC and if you add Wake Forest to the list they would all be from North Carolina.

The ACC has set the record six having the most teams ever make it to the sweet 16.  Just last year the ACC tied the record held by the old Big East with five teams surviving to the final 16.  You know Louisville should have made the field but are on a self imposed sanctions got an up and coming NCAA investigation.  I almost hate to add this but you know old ACC reject Maryland is in the 16 but they do have a Duke transfer which still kind of makes them an ACC entry.

It is still possible that all six could make it to the final eight before they will begin to whittle each other.  It is possible that there could be an all ACC Final Four.  Duke the lone team in the west bracket meets the top seed in the west Oregon Thursday at around 10pm.  If they survive that second seed Oklahoma could be waiting for a chance to the final four dance.

There of course is  the faction that says so far the ACC has not beaten any team lower than an 11 seed.  Just ask Michigan State how good East Tennessee State is and the ACC's ten seed Syracuse beat ETST by 25.  There has been some nice upsets that have helped the ACC teams play what would be considered easier seeds in the second round but ask Baylor about Yale.

Well, I hate to pour rubbing alcohol on an open wound but the ACC teams that made the NIT Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Florida State all won their opening round games.  Tonight Georgia Tech knocked off the top seed in the NIT South Carolina to give the ACC a 4-2 record in the NIT

Syracuse will have their hands full with Gonzaga.  Virginia will be favored but Iowa State will be a load.  Villanova will be favored over Miami but this is a two/three seeding matchup.
 Notre Dame is the luckiest of them all with a last second tip in.  Wisconsin makes this a six/seven matchup.  Duke as a four seed will be matched up against Oregon the top seed in the west.  Carolina the top seed in the east will be matched against the Big Ten champ Indiana who carries a five seeding tips sometime around 10pm Friday.  That's the price you pay when Duke and Carolina get higher TV ratings that others playing the same night.

So of the six still alive Carolina and Virginia will be favored everyone else will have to find more of that NCAA magic to continue.  Should Carolina and UVA make it to the final four they would match up each other in the semi finals.  Is it asking too much for the only ACC losers rest of the way be against each other?.

Baseball Season Begins This Week For Real

The Big East kicks off conference play this week weather permitting with baseball games on Tuesday and Friday.  The overall records of every team so far are not impressive but like every teams non conference record we will not know the quality of the team's until the playoffs begin.  You can bet the race will be wide open probably right down to the last game.  Let's take a look at the conference as we know it right now.

Fike:  5-2 so far.  Many teams in Big East have played many of the same teams that others in the conference have played.  Fike so far has the best overall record.  They are averaging 7.5 runs per game and their pitching and defense has held their seven foes to 4.5 runs.  Might have best pitching staff in league.

Southern Nash:  5-4 thus far.  For several years Southern has not been a factor in baseball but starting last year were trouble for everyone.  Scoring seven runs a game and giving up nearly seven a game.  Can the Firebirds improve on the most improved team last year?

Rocky Mount:  4-3 to date.  Their hitting over the past few years is improved as they are scoring right  at eight and  a half runs per game.  What was thought in the preseason as the best parts was the pitching but as a team not showing it so far.  Despite only giving up four point five runs per game.  Could be dangerous if the expected pitching comes around.

Northern Nash:  3-3 early on.  The defense is giving up less than five runs per game but to this point scoring at a three and a half runs per game.  Their problem last year was scoring runs.  Looks as though  pitching is again strong point  and if hitting comes around could be a contender.

Nash Central:  3-6 right now.  Biggest changes in the conference with Tony Guzzo retiring at Christmas.  Struggling to score just a tad over three runs per game while the defense and pitching allowing over five a game which is not bad.  Need a good start to get momentum.

Hunt:  2-7 at this point and time.  So far has played the toughest schedule of any team in the league.  Will this pay off against other members of the league.  Not quite scoring four runs per game and giving up just over four.  To me this indicates their record means nothing.  Will be a player in the run for the conference title.

Schedule this week Tuesday:

Rocky Mount @ Nash Central
Fike @ Southern Nash
Northern Nash @ Hunt

Friday

Rocky Mount @ Hunt
Nash Central  @ Fike
Southern Nash @ Northern Nash

Let the games begin,

ACC Dominance

Duke has once again made it to the sweet 16 under coach K.  Despite how short handed they might be  K is the most tactical coach alive.  There is of course a limit to how far coaching can push a team that is short handed.  I doubt the Devils survive next weekend.

The mystery of the Virginia Cavaliers continues.  The first half against Butler the Cavs scored but 23 points to trail by two.  The second half they scored 54  to best Butler by eight.  To me Virginia has five guys that can handle the ball and when they attack the basket they are awesome on offense.   I can't see any reason now that Michigan State is gone that Virginia will not win twice next weekend.

This mixed up tournament the ACC has Miami in the Sweet 16.  Their road block could be Villanova if Nova survives Sunday.  The way this tournament has gone surviving to play another game has been interesting.  Arizona already out of the way Miami still has Kansas the top seed and Nova number two ahead.

Carolina played both games in Raleigh just the way they needed to.  They took the best shot that both Florida Gulf Coast and Providence had and kept their foot on the gas.  Carolina's defense has been much better over the past three weeks and they are of course excellent on offense.  Next week in Philadelphia they have Indiana.  That will be tough but I see the Heels winning twice next week.

This weekend Roy Williams passed Dean Smith as the second winningest coach in NCAA tournament history.  Carolina is heading to the 27th Sweet 16 the NCAA record.

The ACC sent seven teams to the tournament.  Through Saturday night  the conference is 10-1 overall.  They have four of the eight teams in the Sweet Sixteen so far and can get two more on Sunday.  This is just maybe the best year ever for the ACC but it will not finish up as the best if one of the teams does win the title.  The ACC has sent two to the final four several times but they have never had three.  This could be their best chance ever.

I know many of you  have money in some bracket some where as  I have three locally.  I think we all guess and hope we pick the right game when the upsets occur.  The way I do mine is my first bracket is my first impression once I see the brackets.  My second one I flip the games that I call tossup games.  There were eight of those.  My third bracket is my wild one when I pick the underdogs who just might win one game and I had eight of those.  My problem this year was when I have missed a game I missed on all three brackets.  Never had that problem before.

Primed For Conference

Next week is two games of conference baseball and then a week of Easter baseball the week after.  It is time to make final decisions of who plays and who pitches as next week the road to the playoffs begin. Rocky Mount's last chance to show the coach what you can do was a game this afternoon at SouthWest Edgecombe.

Pat Smith sent Wesley Drake to the hill once again against the Cougars as just 10 days ago he was on the hill in the Gryphons 13-1 five inning affair.  He gave up five hits in five innings and struck out five so the question is can he do it again against the Cougars.

The answer is yes as Drake goes six innings allows three hits did not walk a single batter.  One batter reached second for the Cougars and six struck out.  Drake struck out the side in the second and the first two in the third..  The Gryphons ten run the Cougars 10-0 in six innings.

The  Gryphon offense scored four in the second and six in the sixth to put an end to this one.  The Gryphons started the second with a walk then two outs before Jamar Ellis, Logan Pearce got back to back hits.  An error added to the Cougar misfortune and Jake Philbeck lashed a single driving home two runs.  All four Gryphon runs scored with two out.

Once again the Gryphons had two runners on in the sixth with two outs when the flood gates opened. Forest Bell knocked home the first run followed by a dropped ball in the outfield.  A walk then a Will Hedgepeth doubled followed by a two RBI single by Ellis.  All six runs crossed the plate with two outs.

Jake Philbeck went 3-3 with 2 RBI.  Logan Pearce, Josh Pittman, and Jamar Ellis had two hits each.  Forest Bell, Josh Keeter, Will Hedgepeth add singles to the ten hit attack.  There is no doubt the Gryphons at this point have a solid starter in Wesley Drake. The big question for the success of this team is who is going to join him in being a dependable starter?

Conference play has two on the road next week Nash Central Tuesday and Hunt on Friday.  Both games start at 7pm.

4-0 Start

The ACC is the defending champion of college basketball.  If the ACC is to defend the title at least one of the seven  has to win six games in a row to win the title.. Today the NCAA tournament began and four of the ACC seven took to the floor and all four  were winners.  You can't win six in a row if you don't win the first one.

The Duke Blue Devils the defending champion will have a tough time winning six in a row.  Playing with six players just don't know that they have enough horses in the barn to win the race.  UNC Wilmington gave the Devils trouble but the Seahawks didn't have enough big men to compete with General Plumlee ..

Virginia is playing about as well as anybody except for Carolina.  Virginia is sitting pretty in their bracket as others around them are falling apart.  Hampton didn't have a chance against a team playing as well as the Whoo's .  The real negative  I don't like about Virginia in the past is their slow pace on offense.  I don't understand  as good as they are on offense why they would rather play at the snail's pace.  They can win six in a row if they try to score but let them get in a 63-62 game and they are beatable.

Miami finished third in the league.  They are the one team in the upper echelon of the ACC that nobody is talking about.  If they catch fire they are good enough to win six in a row..

Florida Gulf Coast shot 60 per cent in the first half and Carolina only 40.  Yet, the Heels were ahead.  I thought Carolina play pretty well on defense and FGC made some hard shots.  You knew the type shots they were making that there was no way they could continue the entire second half.

The Tar Heels have a real chance to win six in a row due to the improved play of Joel Berry and the Gryphon Killer Isaiah Hicks.  Hicks has doubled his production in the past three weeks. And it just seems with Hicks in the game the Tar Heels are better defensively and he has added offensive punch to the offense.

Slugfest Heartache

Rocky Mount has not beaten Rose High in baseball since March 17th 2011.  Coming into today's game with the Rampants that would be eight losses in a row to the 4-a high school in Greenville.  Today in Rocky Mount the Gryphons had every chance in the world to stop the streak.  In fact twice it was down to one pitch from winning but the Rampants put five on the scoreboard in the 7th inning to beat Rocky Mount 11-9.

Let's see if we can keep up with how this one transpired.  David Harrison started on the mound for the Gryphons but Rose struck for two in the first on three hits and led 2-0 in first. Rocky Mount responded getting two hits and cutting lead to two one.

Harrison manage to keep the Rampants off the board in the second and Rocky Mount responded by scoring two in the bottom of the second to lead 3-2. Short lived lead however as Rose scored twice on two hits and two walks in the third.

The first two batters for Rocky Mount got hits but a double play killed a promising inning.  Rose plated two in the fourth on a single hit and an error.  The bottom of the fourth the Gryphons got three hits and failed to score.

Forest Bell came in relief in the top of the fifth and  struck out two of the three batters and went three up and three down. Rocky Mount plated two runs on three hits but the play of the game occurred with the bases load nobody out.  Isaiah Stewart hits a line drive probably didn't get two feet off the ground.  Rampant third baseman Lanier Eveleth makes a diving catch and falls across the third base bag doubling up the Gryphon runner on third.  No telling how many runs may have scored if that ball winds up in the corner for a double. It's 6-5 after five.

Bell once again struck out two of the three batters he faces and the Gryphons  batting in the bottom of the sixth.  The Gryphons plate four runs on three hits and Rose helped with an error to give the Gryphons a 9-6 game going to the 7th .

A walk and a double the Rampant cut it to two with no outs.  Two walks later the bases are loaded still nobody out.  Some how or other the Gryphons managed to get two out with the bases loaded with the score 9-8.  Got it down to two strikes when Greg Hardison laced a hard grounded over the first  base bag and before he stops at second with a double all three base runners score.

One pitch away at yet a mile Rose beats Rocky Mount again 11-9.  Rocky Mount outhit Rose 14-10 but big plays on defense was the difference right when the Rampants had to have a play.. Greg Hardison had three hits and the big three RBI.

Logan Pearce led the Gryphons with three hits two RBI.  Jake Philbeck two hits, David Harrison two hits, Zack Keeter two hits,Will Hedgepeth two hits.   Forest Bell's lone hit drove home two. Isaiah Stewart had a single and two RBI and Josh Pittman had the 14th hit.

This will either be the game that everyone saw Rocky Mount might be strong in conference play or the game that the writing is on the wall that the Gryphons don't have enough pitching.

Conference Play Next Week

This is the last of the so called tune up games heading into conference play next week.  Rocky Mount will be home Wednesday afternoon against the team over the years has been Rocky Mount's second best rivalry.  The Rose Rampants, over the last thirty years has dominated in almost every sport over the Gryphons.

The only time the Gryphons would beat the Rampants were when  ever the Gryphons had great teams or Rose was in a down year.  This year the six time state champions are off to a 4-1 start with wins over four 3a teams and a conference loss to their rival Conley.  Rocky Mount 3-2 has lost twice in games where the other team was better and  roughed up the three wins in games they were the best team.   After Wednesday Rocky Mount travels to SouthWest Edgecombe Friday before a home conference game next Tuesday Night.  The Rose game starts at 4:30.

I will be doing double duty during the Rose/Rocky Mount game as I will have the PA mic in one hand and the TV mic in the other.  WHIG will be showing this game on tv sometime this weekend.

Nash Central 3-4 plays North Johnson Wednesday and Saturday play East Wake.

Northern Nash 3-2 is on the road twice this week.  They played SouthWest Edgecombe Tuesday winning 4-1 and on Thursday travel to South Johnston.

Southern Nash 4-3 played Cleveland on Tuesday losing 10-1.  They still have Smithfield Selma and on Saturday they will play in the WilsonTob Classic at Fleming Stadium Saturday.

Saturday during the 3A boys finals in Chapel Hill between Terry Sanford and JM Robinson Of Concord.  Sanford has three tips the last few seconds and all three rolled  off and Robinson won the game 56-55.  Right at the buzzer while a last scramble was going on a fan came out of the stands and struck one of the Robinson players in the face.

As of this time no charges have been filed against the Sanford fan.  I hope they throw the book at the fan and charge him with everything they can think of.  I even hope the parents of the player struck sues for millions of dollars against the indivual. I don't know whether this Luna tick is a parent of one of the players or not but he should be band from all public sporting events for the rest of his life.  I am sure he will claimed he was abused as a child and because of that had every tight to strike the kid.

Random This And That

I thought the ACC basketball tournament being in Washington DC was excellent while the games were going on.  The intense championship game between Virginia and Carolina was as good as any when in Greensboro.

I have fill out my brackets and am ready for Thursday.  You know this year seems to be as wide open as any as ever before as to who might win it all.  Many think that this is the year of a 10 seed pulling off the title but I'm of the opposite thinking.  I think the winner will come from the top five seeds.  Carolina, Kansas, Michigan State or Virginia.  I have as many as five brackets in play so far ESPN, CBS Sports line, and WRAL.Com and have Carolina on two of them, Kansas on another, Virginia on one and Michigan State.

This week high school baseball teams will still be playing non-conference games.  Next week the Big East season will start with two games next week and then a week off for teams playing in Easter Tournaments the week after Easter.  The first week in April it will be four weeks of conference play.

I spoke earlier that I thought Mike Giminski was the best ACC color Analyzist.  I don't know how Duke does it but Jay Bilas is by far the best network in studio analyzer of them all.  Even on CBS  one of their top talk guys is Seth Davis another Dookie.

If you did not see the ESPN 30-30 show on the Duke Lacrosse scandal you missed maybe the best one they have ever done.  It laid out what happened, what pressure was applied to convict without any evidence, and a prosecutor desperate to win an election and his willingness to do what it took to convict despite what the evidence showed.  It makes you wonder whether a District Attorney should be an elected official.

The three have landed on their feet since 2006.  David Evans had already graduated from Duke before he was indicted.  Got his MBA at Wharton College and now works for Apax Partners an investment Company in New York City.   Collin Finnerty transfer to Loyola Maryland.  Today is and investment banker with Deutsche Bank in New York City.  Reade Seligmann graduated from Brown University and law degree from Emory University, is a lawyer in Westfield NJ.  They all got a wad of money from Duke in a settlement.

Watching the show I thought of the Henry Fonda film in the 1940's called the Ox Bow Incident in which a lynch mob goes after the first people they can find to hang them only to find out later that the sheriff  caught the crooks who had all the locals upset.  Assuming guilt before proof is something that goes on regularly even today because there are so many special interest groups that benefit from lighting fires when there is no fire.

Fill Out Those Bracket

The Tar Heels get the top seed in the East Regional and will begin play Thursday at PNC in Raleigh.  They do not know yet who they will play as they will wait until Tuesday night and get the winner of one of the play in games in Dayton Ohio either Florida Gulf Coast or Fairleigh Dickerson.  There should not be any problem with ticket sales with Carolina in the house in Raleigh.

If Carolina can't sell all the tickets the Virginia Caviliers will mop up the rest as the top seed in the Midwest will also be in Raleigh.  The NCAA loves to play the top seeds in the 12 noon games on Thursday and Friday but that can't happen for both teams in Raleigh.  Carolina's game will tip at 7:20 Thursday which network is not known yet.  Virginia draws in state rival Hampton University.

Duke is in the East Regional too but they start in Providence Rhode Island.  They are a fourth seed and they will open with the Seahawks  of UNC Wilmington who is a 13 seed.  We have already seen in two ACC teams that they will play in state rivals in the opening round.  The Seahawks probably won't win but will give Duke a better game than Hampton will Give Virginia. The Blue Devils begin the tournament Thursday at 12:15

UNC Asheville returns to the tournament for the third time in last five years.  At 22-11 and the tournament champions of the Big South they will face a number two seed in Villanova who at one point in time this year has sat in the number one in the nation chair.  Nova  will being waiting for this game in Brooklyn NY.

Notre Dame gets a sixth seed and will play on Friday the winner of the Michigan/Tulsa play in game.
Syracuse lands a 10 seed and will play the 7 seed Dayton and former NC State player Archie Miller.
Miami the ACC's third best team is a 3 seed and starts out with Buffalo.  Pittsburgh is a 10 seed and will will play 7 seed Wisconsin.

Should Carolina win Thursday they play 8 Southern Cal/Providence.   Virginia if they win Thursday  will be matched up against the Texas Tech/ Butler winner.  If Duke survives the UNC W Seahawks next in line will be 5 seed Baylor or Yale.

The Rabbitt versus the Tortoise

There is no doubt the best two teams in the ACC met for the championship of the tournament.  Carolina by far plays better when they are running and gunning.  Virginia by far is Good  at their game when they walk up the court.  They are comfortable if they score 60 in a game.  Carolina thinks they had a bad game scoring only 60.

Hard to imagine 60 being considered a bad game by the Tar Heels since 61 won the game.  No doubt they will be in Raleigh next weekend.  Where are the Roy Haters now?  It was a really intense game and Mike Giminski is by far the best color analyst  helped make for a great telecast.  Tim Brant the play by play man retired after the game after 40 years.

I don't know how much attention you pay  but the Charlotte Hornets are in fifth place in the NBA eastern division.  They are only a game and a half out of hosting a first round NBA playoff series.  This is a major step forward for a franchise  that under Michael Jordan has gone no where since he has purchased the team.  This year seems to be a big year. For professional sports in Charlotte.

Since winning the Stanley Cup the Carolina Hurricanes have only been to the playoffs once since and have not been in the playoffs at all for eight years now.  It has been a few years since this point in the season the Canes were still alive for a playoff spot.  They are three points out of first but their problem is they have played three more games on average than the other teams in contention.

Spring training is under way and and the Rocky Mount Gryphons have three players preparing for baseball.  Brian Goodwin is playing with the big club the Washington Nationals and has batted nine times with two hits and two RBI.  Brian had a really good fall playing in Venezuela and earned a chance this spring to be with the Nationals.  I would suspect he will return to AAA Syracuse when the season starts.

Hobbs Johnson after the year he had last year earned an invite to Phoenix to play with the Milwaukee Brewers this spring.  There is a real good chance he may start off in AAA and for the Brewers that would be Colorado Springs Colo.

Benton Moss is practicing at the Tampa Bay minor league facility  and when spring training breaks he will probably be heading to Bowling Green Kentucky the Rays A team or Port Chatlotte Fl. The A advanced team.

Collins Cuthrell has not given up the dream yet.  Right now you can find him on the bench of the Rocky Mount Gryphons but in early April will  be heading back to Florence Kentucky where he will again play for the in the Frontier League.  Just to review the Frontier League is all players not drafted and not on any major league roster but each and every player are still trying to impress. To be picked up by a major league team.  Collins had a really good season until a broken arm ended his season.

Pirates Loot Gryphons

Sometimes you get up in the morning and it is not your day.  Gryphon shortstop Logan Pearce never went to school home with the flu so the Gryphons take on Corinth Holders Friday afternoon without their top hitter who is hitting over 500 for the season.  Pat Smith moved Forest  Bell to short which was no problem since Bell has been a two year starter at short.  The problem lay that Bell is a probable pitcher in relief but can't because Bell needs to hold down short the entire game.

David  Harrison got the start for the Gryphons and got the first two outs in both the first and second innings and in the first gave up a double and a single to give the Pirates a run.  The second with two outs the Pirates got back to back doubles after the first two batters struck out.

The third inning was the Gryphon undoing as the lead off batter hit a roller back to Harrison who threw the ball into right field.  The second batter walked and with runners on first and second a sacrifice bunt fielded by Harrison and for the second time in the inning found the right field with his throw.  The flood gates were open.  The Gryphons held it to three runs to trail 5 zip after three.

The Pirates committed three errors and the lone Gryphon scored came on a strike out throw'em out but the catcher tossed the throw to right.  Zack Keeter pitched the sixth and seventh innings giving up a run in each to make the final score 7-1 Corinth Holders.

David Harrison and Jamar Ellis got the only two hits on the day.  The Pirates collected 10 hits.    They were aided by three Gryphon walks and two errors.

The Gryphons host Rose high next Wednesday at 4:30.

The Big Four will get a chance to break the four year drought of winning the ACC Tournament as Carolina slaughtered Notre Dame.        The ACC championship is Saturday night.

The ACC Tournament Belongs in Carolina

It is very hard to get up for the ACC Tournament whenever the tournament is outside of the Tarheel State.  It just doesn't feel right.  This is the 65th tournament and the state of North Carolina has hosted  53 times.

Greensboro has hosted 28 times to lead the way with the most hostings.  Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh is next with the host 13 times.  Charlotte has had three different buildings since their first host in 1967.  The old Charlotte Coliseum on Independence Blvd eight times. The new Coliseum on Billy Graham Parkway three times.  The down town arena call Time Warner Once.  The city of Atlanta is next hosting six times. The Onmi three times, Georgia  Dome twice and Phillips Arena once.  The Capitol Center in Landover Maryland got in the act three times.  This year's site the Verizon Center is hosting for the second time.  St Petersburg Florida has had it once.

The Big Four schools of North Carolina have won the tournament 47 of the 53 games in North Carolina.   The other 11 the Big Four has managed only six  wins.  Surely the Tar Heel State is a major home court advantage for the Big Four.  The other ACC schools have won only 11 times ever but are now on a roll winning the last four.

The bigger the conference gets which now covers the eastern United States the less dominant the Big  Four have become.  The tournament will not return to North Carolina  until 2019.

It might not be such a bad game for Duke losing Thursday.  That will give them at least a week before they play their first round game in the NCAA.  Duke is a tired team and a week off just might be what they need..  Depending on the draw Duke will have to play their butt of to get to the Sweet 16.

N C State had a season where they could play with everybody but played just good enough to lose.  They are 16-17 on the year and yet the season may not be over.  Like football there are so many tournaments now a days that teams with a losing record will be needed to fill out the brackets.

Heading into the semi finals where they will play Notre Dame the Tar Heels probably would have rather played Duke.  I don't see the Fighting Irish beating the Heels but they sure are healthy compared to the Blue Devils.  PNC is hosting the first weekend and Carolina and Virginia will probably be there insuring a sellout.  Carolina and Virginia are probably headed to a showdown Saturday night.   If it happens the Heels need to score 80 while the magic number for Virginia is holding the Heels to under 65.

Only one team from North Carolina is  left.  I don't care which team you pull for but everyone who lives in North Carolina needs to back the Tar Heels.  The Old North State needs to put another ACC Tournament championship in the books. Go HEELs.

Gryphons Swat Cougars

If the start so far this season for the Rocky Mount Gryphons is any indication you can expect the Gryphons in the running for the Big East title.  So far this season they are hitting better than they have over the last two or three seasons.  Early on their defense is much improved over last year.  The big question mark is how deep is the pitching.  The first four games they have mostly relied on three arms David Harrison, Forest Bell and Wesley Drake.  The question if this team is to contend to the end or make any noise is who can help give innings as a fourth and fifth pitcher.

Today the Gryphons hosted SouthWest Edgecombe and Pat Smith sent Wesley Drake to the hill.  Jarrett Mobley singled in the top of the first. Only to be wiped out on a 1-6-3 come backer to Drake to tossed to Shortstop Logan Pearce on to David Harrison to first.

After a highlight double play Logan Pearce led off with a double score on the second batter Josh Pittman's double.  The Gryphon bats and the Cougar defense's two errors in the second produced seven runs.  Will Hedgepeth drove home two runs, Logan Pearce 2nd double brought home two more.  David Harrison  single scored two others.

Five more scored in the third after a sac fly by Battle Shannon produced a RBI.  The highlight for the Cougars  was a solo home run from catcher Dylan Hodges in the fourth.  The defense and Wesley Drake's pitching ended this one after the Cougars batted in the fifth.

Drake pitched  five innings allowed five hits struck out five but here is where he was tough.  He did not walk a single batter so he could afford giving up one hit every inning.

Logan Pearce went 3-4 with two RBI, Josh Pittman 1-2 RBI, David Harrison 1-4 four RBI, Battle Shannon 1-2 rbi, Isaiah Stewart 1-3, Wesley Drake 1-1, Will Hedgepeth 1-2 2 RBI.  SWE was led by Garrett Aycock with two hits, by Hodges homer and singles by Jarrett Mobley and a single by Leaton White.

The Gryphons have now won three after and opening day loss to Bunn.  Next action is Friday at 4pm home hosting Corinth Holders.

All BullDogs With Big East Awards

The Nash Central Bulldogs took top spots during the Big East Basketball season in both the boys and girls.  Today when the Big East announced the all conference teams Nash Central swept players of the year and coaches of the year.

Josh Mullins Senior guard was named the boys Player of the year.  He led the league in scoring at 23.6 points per game.  He grabbed 4.5 rebounds and he helped teammates to scoring giving out 2.1 assist per contest.

Renny Taylor won the coach of the year award after there was a three way tie for  first between Southern Nash, Rocky Mount and Nash Central.   Normally the coach of the year is always the coach of the championship team so there is not much to who the coaches vote for.  But with Robbie Kennedy and Mike Gainey's team tying Nash Central it actually came down to a close vote.

The girls player of the year was Bulldog five eight sophomore Robbie Allen.  She scored at a clip of 14.6 points per outing pulled down 6:9 rebounds and provided 2.8 helpers to her teammates scoring.  The bad news for the rest of the league is she has two more basketball seasons left in her high school career.

The Big East girls coach of the year is Terri Cash.  Unlike the guys votes since Nash Central was the outright winner of the regular season the voting was pretty much expected.  This is the first COY award for Cash since if my memory serves me 2008 when the Janna Oxendine led Lady  Bulldogs made it all the way to the sectional finals losing at Goldsboro in the last seconds.

Big East All Conference:

Southern Nash
Marquise Wright     Caitlin Batchelor
Damien Bryant
DaeOne Wilkins

Rocky Mount
Kyle Barnhill.        Keyanna Spivey
Sherrod Green      
Artavious Richardson

Nash Central
Josh Mullins.          Robbie Allen
Ke- shun People's   Miya Spivey
Elijah Cole              Michaela Nelms

Hunt
Shemar Hudson       Kayla Kent

Fike
Samson Strickland   Jada Lee
                                  Rebekah Langley

Northern Nash
Raymon Bullock III  Jahlia Williams
                                  Kayla Tucker

Honorable Mentions
Chris Lucas SN -Tatyana Pulley SN,  Isaiah Morris RM- Michelle Gainey RM, Montre' Cash NC- Caresha Leonard NC,  Dejuan Hill H - Destinee Pierce H,  Chrishaun Braswell F- Dajah Horne F, Darius Spragley NN- Ceyanna Harrison NN.

Tuesday High School baseball :

Rocky Mount 16-Tarboro 0  3 innings

Is Regular Season Title Worth Automatic NCAA Bid

Monday during his weekly news conference Roy Williams stated that winning the regular season title should be worth and automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.  First of all why should Roy care one way or the other because his Tar Heels are in regardless If they lose the first game they play this week in DC.

The Tar Heels won the regular season with a 14-4 record and are 25-6 over all.  How can teams overall record be compared to others since teams don't play each other in every game.  They have come up with a system call RPI.  RPI is a computer system that compares all teams regardless of who they play and compares each and gives the NCAA a reasonable accurate ability telling the NCAA who has played the toughest schedule and how they stack up against other teams RPI.  Carolina is 8th in RPI so their is no way the Heels don't play next week when NCAA starts.

The ACC champion officially is the tournament champion so there is no banner given by the ACC for winning the regular season and losing a game in the tournament.   The ACC is at the top of the heap so over all their all time winning percentage is still the best all time.  So why shouldn't the ACC get two automatic bids should the regular season champ get knocked off and the tournament champ get one too?

At the other end of the spectrum is the Big South Conference.  They held their conference tournament   At Campbell last weekend and look at the mess they have.   High Point and Winthrop tied for the regular season title at 13-5.  UNC Asheville and Coastal Carolina tied for second at 12-6.  High Point was 21-10, Winthrop 23-9, Coastal 18-11 and UNCA 22-11.  UNCA won the tournament and get the Big South Automatic bid.

High Point's RPI is 159 in the RPI and strength of schedule is rated 106 toughest.  Winthrop is 130 and SOS is 52.  Coastal Carolina is 170 and 8 in SOS and finally UNCA is 136 and 43 SOS.  Just for perspective North Carolina State who's record is 15-16 is 115 in the RPI but SOS is 28th.

If Carolina thinks the regular season champ should get a automatic bid should the Big South even get an automatic bid with not one team in the top 100?  It is obvious the tournament should have every conference represented.  It can not be a national championship if every basketball league is not represented.

Tuesday at noon the ACC tournament starts in Washington DC and State and Wake play at noon.  The winner plays Duke Wednesday at noon so by 2:30 Wednesday afternoon there will only be two North Carolina teams left in the tournament.  The ACC tournament is sure more exciting when at least two North Carolina teams in the semifinals.  Who would care if Virginia plays Miami in the finals.   Only Virginia and Miami fans would.

College Baseball Off To A Good Start

UNC baseball missed out on making the NCAA last year for the first time under the Mike Fox.  So far this season the Tar Heels are acting as if that will not happen Again as they have jumped out winning nine of their first ten games including beating UCLA two out of three to start the season in Los Angeles.

After the Wolfpack had a total collapse in the Regional at Texas A&M last year the question was will the Pack bounce back or have a hangover.  So far Elliot Avent's crowd there has been no hangover winning ten of their first twelve  to start the 2016 campaign.

There is still a Godwin coaching at ECU but no longer Rocky Mount Native Billy  Godwin but Cliff Godwin.  The Pirates beat Maryland today in the Keith LeClair Tournament.  Nine and three so far including beating Virginia two of three.

This weekend NC Wesleyan swept William Peace to run their record for the season to 14-5 and 5-1 in conference USA South.  Last seasons 12- twenty something record seems to be in the past for Charlie Long's Battling Bishops.

Rocky Mount has a three game week lined up as they try to improved on their 1-1 record.  A visit to Tarboro Tuesday, home games Wednesday with SouthWest Edgecombe and Friday Corinth Holders is in town.

Southern Nash 2-1 host SouthWest Edgecombe Tuesday, home to Bunn Wednesday and on the road at Princton Friday.

Northern Nash is showing still 1-0 heading into the second week.  They will be home to South Johnston Monday, have a game Wednesday at Roanoke Rapids and finish up the week at. CB Aycock.

Nash Central 1-1 host Bunn Monday will travel to Corinith Holders Wednesday and go to Smithfield Selma on Friday.

Don't know how long it will last but the temperature is suppose to be in the 70's by mid week making for a good day to go watch a baseball game.

Live And a Die With Sports

Whenever it happens that any of our teams that we follow get on one of those rolls and a winning streak starts and as the streak continues there comes a chance that a championship can be won.  We get all wrapped up  in the prospects that we just might be the best and as the streak grows and we get closer and closer to the final steps of winning it all we start to get the feel of invincibility.

The more we win the more our life becomes the need to win. During the run by the Carolina Panthers
We lost our perspective of how close they came to losing because somehow or other they kept pulling out wins when it seemed they were beat.  Remember they gave up 38 to New Orleans and have a big lead over the New York Giants but managed to keep the streak alive after the Giants scored their 38th point. The Super Bowl was a Panther flop as they played their worse game of the year  and the day after as if we had a family member to die.

The Carolina-Duke live or die game second addition was last night in K Indoor Stadium.  Carolina fans have already committed suicide once this basketball season and for many they would not be able to live the shame Duke administered to them two weeks ago and somehow or other have survived to pull for their Heels another night.

The Dookies have had two weeks or maybe even more since they are the defending national champions to live the life of being the best over Carolina.  You see Duke is down in fifth in the standings of the ACC and Carolina receive a gift from Virginia Tech that win or lose in Durham they will be the number one seed in next week's ACC tournament.

So if Duke is fifth and Carolina first this season why is this so do or die for either team Since the outcome will not change the standings as far as one passing the other?  Carolina played in Durham the way they did in Chapel Hill, the only difference they managed to hold on to the lead that they had in both games the entire way.

All the whining Carolina fans have done about this year's team they still won the regular season.  I must admit you never quite know what Carolina team you are getting.  Both State and Duke played with short decks this season and you take this season as did about all they could.

Today Carolina fans are back feeling proud.  It only takes one win to put us back in heaven and one loss to send us down under.  Next week the ACC tournament something that no longer has any real meaning except for the team that wins.   The ones that lose next week will be down and out until the NCAA  announcements and some will still have hope while some pack up the equipment until next year.

This up and coming NCAA seems to be wide open.  Carolina to me is our only hope for another Big Four title or for that matter for the ACC.  Carolina for the next three weeks will build up and build up the hope.  If they slip and fall they will be down in the dumps but today hope abounds after winning one game.

Weather Plays Havoc

We have almost Played the first week of high school baseball.  There will be some action Saturday but here is what we have in the books thus far.

Northern Nash 1-0 beat Roanoke Rapids 5-4 in extra innings. They were down late 4-1 but got the game tied.  They play at South Johnston Monday.

Southern Nash 2-0.  Todd Brewer had the Firebirds playing competitive last year and they are off to a nice start winning 17-12 over SouthWest Edgecombe and 7-6 in eight innings over East Wake.  Play Southern Wayne 4pm Saturday.

Nash Central. 1-1 lost 4-3 at North Johnston and beat Smithfield Selma 8-1.  The Bulldogs  play at Eastern Wayne 1 pm Saturday.

Rocky Mount 1-1 lost at Bunn 10-3 snd beat Knightdale 9-3.  Play at Tarboro Tuesday afternoon.

The Battling Bishops are 11-5 so far this season and are 3-1 in Conference.  They play at home Saturday afternoon at one and Sunday afternoon at two against conference foe William Peace who they beat Friday 8-4

Update on conference USA South progress in the NCAA D3 basketball tournament.  Covenant who won the tournament in Rocky Mount last weekend and won the automatic bid to the tournament.  LaGrange who upset the Battling  Bishops last week in the semi finals but lost to Covenant in the championship game got the second invite thus eliminating the Battling Bishops from any
consideration to the NCAA.

Friday in the opening round of the D3 NCAA Birmingham Southern knocked off LaGrange 93-88.  Covenant playing their first NCAA game ever found themselves playing the host team Emory and Covenant got smoked 76-51.  Both USA South teams are out after the opening games.

Local College Basketball Players Review

Many of our local college players seasons have finished but some still are alive.  Let's review how their seasons went.

Donte Samuels -Rocky Mount Prep -Coker Colege:  Started 21 of 23 games played. Averaged 15.6 points per game.

Carmen Richardson- Rocky Mount- Queens College:  Started 25 of 25 games played.  Averaged 12.1 points per game.

DeShawn Freeman Rocky Mount Prep-Rutgers University:  Played in 7 games starting 5 until injured.  Averaged 28 minutes played per game 13.1 points 5.3 rebounds.

Tobias Hilliard Rocky Mount- Methodist :  Started 22 of 24 games played.  Four year starter.  Averaged 12.2 points this year and over one thousand points  for his career.

Immanuel King Rocky Mount-Wallace State CC:  started 22 of 24 games averaging 8.9 points per game and played 22 minutes per game.

Alexus Hill Northern Nash- Gardner Webb:  to this point started all 29 games.  Averaging 29 minutes and 11.5 points per game.

Kelsey Daniels Rocky Mount- Newport News Apprentice:  started in 4 of 5 games played.  Team only played 7 all year.  12.4 minutes per game and 6.8 points per game.

Alexus Cooper Rocky Mount-Eastern Kentucky: started 21 of 28 played.  Averaged 28 minutes per game and scored at a clip of 6.8 points per contest.

Ty Keyra Thomas : Rocky Mount -Catawba CC :  8.4 points and pulled down 4.4 rebounds.

Isaiah Alston Rocky Mount- North Carolina Wesleyan:  27 games played in 13.1 minutes Per contest averaged 6.4 points.

Ni'Ya Styles Nash Central- Mt Olive University:  started 26 of29 games. Averaged  11.1 points on season.

Jake Barrett Rocky Mount Prep-Coker :  started  12 of 26 games played scoring 9.2 points per outing.

Quanesza Lynch Northern Nash-Johnson C Smith:  started 13 of 28 games played.  6.8 points  3.4 rebounds.

Alexia Hines Northern Nash- Methodist:  started 5 of 24 games played.  Averaged 5.8 points per game.

J' Kyra Brown Rocky Mount- Virginia:  started 3 of 30 games played averaged 4.9 points in 15 minutes of action per game.

Kiana Thomas Northern Nash-Howard:  started all 12 of the games she played.  Averaged 32 minutes 4-7 points and 4.8 rebounds.

Mike Gainey Rocky Mount- Newport News  Apprentice :  played just two games of Seven games played.  Played 11 minutes and 4.5 points.

Hob Nobbing

Sunday went to the Carolina Hurricanes game and sat in My wife's company Luxury Box.  Her company has about a 100 employees and if any employees wants to go to any game you would like four tickets  in the box just request any game and if any tickets are available for that game you can get four.  A couple of weeks ago we were told no other person had requested any of the other tickets for that game and we got the other six tickets.

Two VIP parking passes and off we go.  The VIP parking is between Carter Finley Stadium and the South entrance and it runs around to the east entrance.   The VIP parking placard on my rear view mirror I'm being waved right on through and drive right on in the the VIP section which is first come first served.  I knew the box was over by the east entrance so I drove as far toward the east entrance  as I could go and parked and the last space was empty and we were about 30 feet from the entrance.

We were getting all kinds of looks like who could they be as we stepped out of our car into the East entrance.  We walked over to our box and the door was locked and we had to get a security/usher to unlock box.  The first thing his beeper is sounding and I am thinking must be getting ready to tell us we can't get in.  The usher announces the Hurricanes just traded Eric Staal and he is still in the locker room because it just happened.

He opens the door and shows us our private bathroom, where all the beverages are, and there is a bar with two seats and eight cushioned seat in front of the bar.  We did not do this but you can preorder sandwiches, popcorn, and eating items on a menu which we did not do because we didn't know soon enough that we had the whole box to ourselves.  We could order anything on the menu and we had a waitress to go get any thing we wanted.  Probably the best part of all is if you are sitting in a regular seat and go to the concession stand or bathroom everyone in you row has to stand up for you to pass by. You could stand anytime you wanted you were never in anybody's way.

We walked outside our box and just a door down from us is the Fox Sports South pregame TV show in progress and across the hall Mike Maniscalco is during the pregame radio show on 99.9 the fan.  During  the first and second intermissions our security/usher brought us the game stats to view.  We could not think of anything being better other that the Hurricanes winning.  The game ends and we stayed until the horn sounded, how could I leave early in all that luxury.  Two minutes we are in the car on the way to P F Changs.

High school baseball is underway and the Rocky Mount Gryphons lost Tuesday at Bunn 10-3.  Today at home the beat 4-A Knightdale 9-3.

Southern Nash won their season opener Tuesday over Southwest Edgecombe 17-12.

Nash Central lost at South Johnston 4-3.

Northern Nash played their first game of the season today at Roanoke Rapids.

A Week Left

There is one week to go in the ACC basketball race and the three Triangle teams still vie for position for any upcoming playoff action.  Both Duke and Carolina have records that assure them NCAA bids but both have had periods of time that they show signs of weakness.  For what ever reason NC State has had a year to win more than they lose will be a big accomplishment.

Wolfpack:  The team that finished last year and what was to be this year's team never materialized.  Defections to the pros of a player who's pro potential was questionable and a major injury to his replacement has created a struggle the entire season.  Cat Barber just might be the best player in the league but can he win the MVP of the league on a team that will not make NCAAs?

If Cat is to be a good pro he will have to do it as a shooting guard.  He dribbles too much.  The amount of minutes he controls the ball he doesn't make his teammates better.  The Pack's other players are limited. Two of their rebounders can't score.  Abu could be next year one of the best players in the league but must rely on someone getting him the ball.  Their outside shooters are inconsistent.

Their inside defense causes trouble for every team they play which helps keep them in every game.  The bottom line on the Pack.  They need to finish one win more than they lose to just get into any of the other tournaments.  Maybe Next Year.

Duke:  How does a team with the status of Duke only have seven or eight players  on scholarship?  I thought they got anybody they wanted. Despite limited number of players Coach K gets every ounce  out of his players.

They don't have much defense under the basket.  They need a point guard to get the ball to the right player at the right time so they don't have go one on one so much.  They also have the best coach who even pushing retirement gets better with age.

Can the Devils repeat as national champions?  I doubt it.  I don't see this team winning six in a row and I could also see them losing the first round.  I don't think that will happen if they get placed in Raleigh.

The Tar Heels:  Preseason number one.  At times this year they have played like they are the best team in the country.  Their best player has not had the year that his past three have been.  If he was having and average of his first three the Heels would be by far the best team in the country.  Just suppose he finds his shot during the tournament.  Their three point shooting team wise is awful for a top five team.

They have a boat load of big men that play too soft.  One problem for their big men just might be they have too many and each doesn't play enough.  They do shoot  well from 10 to 15 feet from basket which offsets their lack of power underneath.

The biggest problem Carolina has is everyone's expectation.  When you look at the rest of the nation  there is no one any better.  With all the complains from fans they are capable enough to put together six games in a row and win it all.  Any thing less than a final four appearance will be disappointment.

Both Duke and Carolina both have won so much over the last forty years that they both have that swagger of confidence that State doesn't have anymore.  How times have changed.  The late 40's all of the 50's  and half of the 1960's  the Pack was the team that brought the ACC to national prominence in basketball.