Let's Talk Basketball

The Rocky Mount run in the football playoffs there has been a complete ignoring of basketball on my part but it's time to turn to the indoor sport.  Last week with the football playoffs shoved back a week the conflict with the Nash County Christmas tournament in which Northern Nash Wins while the Nash Central girls top out as winners.  Today a look at where the boys are at this point and then Friday a look at the girls.

Northern Nash: 10-1 Henry Drake in his second year I think has the Knights rolling.  Having seen many games over the years I thought just listening to Rick Ruffin coach when he was at Northern I thought he was a very good coach but hardly anybody listened and did what he said.  A coach who connects with his players is vital in order to have success.

So Far the Knights are averaging over 71 per game while giving up just 57.  Darius Spragley leads the scoring at 16.6  and Undray Cherry follows 15..  Raymond Bullock hauls down seven rebound per game and Spragley gives his teammates open shots  at a rate of 3.7.  I think you can lookout all year as this team is for real.

Nash Central 7-1: Open with seven straight wins until beaten by Northern in the Christmas tournament.  Averaging 68.3 yards while holding others  to 56.6.  The Bulldogs are led by Montre' Cash scoring at a clip of  22.8.  Seems like just yesterday as a six year old Montre' sat at the scoring table being the score keeper for his mom's Lady Bulldogs team.  I don't recall ever hearing of any controversy over his making a mistake. He was almost a tourist attraction watching him for his age and size work the score book.

Elijah Cole is second on the Bulldogs scoring 13.5.  Dominic Dixon is pulling down 9.3 rebounds to lead the dogs.  Cash is handing out 5.3 assist so between his points and what assists he is responsible for 33 points per game.

Fike 8-2: Scoring 64.5 giving up 55.9.  Led in scoring by Samson Strickland 18.3 and Ricky Fuller 12.7.  Strickland is the top rebounder in the conference at 12 per game.  Kavaris Evans is the leading assist maker doling out 5.9 per game.

Southern Nash 3-4:  Scoring at a 60 point per game while giving up 61.  I am sure football has effected the roster as the Firebirds lasted to Thanksgiving so we will see after Christmas how the Birds flow.  They are led by Darius Edmonson who scores 10.1 and Matt Hampton 8.4. Top rebound grabber  is Hampton who grabs 6.4 per outing. Corey Foster shares passes with teammates at 4.1

Hunt 2-6:  So far in the major sports the Warriors are struggling having not won a conference football game and basketball off to a slow start.  They score at a rate of 55 per game and are giving up 57.  The Warriors are led by KJ Jones at 12.8.  Jeremiah Ganaway is a double digit scorer ripping the cords for 10.2.

Ricky Mount 1-1:  There is no doubt Mike Gainey decided after his basketball team lost eight straight games while the football team was winning a state championship last season and then lost five more waiting for those football players to get in basketball shape said not this year.  Every game except the Christmas tournament has been moved or dropped altogether.

The Gryphons split their two games and at least three football players will join them after Christmas. The two games to dates they are scoring 62.5 while allowing  64.  The hope is the football players make the impact that they did last year tying for the conference regular season and a win in the opening round playoff game.