Busy Day In High School Sports

THe boys Big East Conference basketball championship was contested between two team tie for first in the Firebirds and Gryphons and a sluggish first quarter saw the Gryphons lead. 10-8. The second quarter the pace was better and by halftime the Gryphons led by one at 23-22.  The Firebirds got rolling in the third and Rocky Mount  found scoring to be a challenge and the Firebirds led 41-33 after three.

Rocky Mount challenged in the fourth but when the clock hit 00 Southern Nash  prevailed 56-50.  To say it has been a  few years since Southern Nash has celebrated as a champion most of the students at Southern Nash  weren't even born 1998.   Southern awaits the high school seedings and who will be coming to Firebird gym in the first round of the playoffs.

There are many that will ask the question why do they still have high school tournament basketball.  The answer is of course is the conference makes money and  the best reason is every team gets a second chance.  Tonight in Wilson's Fike  high school the fourth seeded team the Rocky Mount Lady Gryphons have completed a sweep knocking off the top two teams Nash Central Wednesday and tonight Northern Nash 45-34.  The victory jets the Lady Gryphons to second seed when the basketball seeding for the state tournament come out tomorrow which will guarantee the Lady Gryphons at least one home game.

Nash Central the conference regular season champs still claims first by rule and Northern Nash will fall to a third seed.  More than likely a road game for the Lady Knights instead of a home game if they had of held on to the second seed.  Fike who was third during the regular season falls to fourth.  The Gryphon victory insures the Big East will send four teams to the state playoffs with at least 15 victories.

Results from last week's East regional wrestling Rocky Mount High sent four wrestlers to the state finals which started Thursday night.  Southern Nash qualified one wrestler and all five started with one match Thursday night.

The Gryphons four wrestlers were Wilson Smith the two time state champion wrestling at 126.  Rashawn Lawrence competing at 106.  Alex Henderson on the mat at 160 and Sedrak Sheppard 170.  Southern Nash has Kendrick Watson competing in the heavy weight division at 285.

The top four wrestlers from each weight class make up 16 who wrestle four matches as long as they win.  A loss and you fall to the consolation.  In other words if you lose your first match then you fall to consolation and if you don't lose in you next three matches you can finish 9th.  If you lose your second match then you are trying for fifth, your third match you are fighting for 3rd and of course if you are undefeated after 3 matches you are going after a state championship in you weight class.

Alex Henderson lost his match Thursday night 10-2 and lost by pin today to be eliminated. Sedrak Sheppard won  on Thursday 13-6.  He lost his quarter final match 13-6 and fighting for 5th lost in the consolation round by pin.   Rashun Lawrence lost his Thursday match 11-0 but wrestled twice today and won 9-2 and 5-1. Kendrick Watson lost in overtime Thursday 4-2 and wrestling twice today still has a shot at 9th winning by two pins.  Both Lawrence and Watson have one match on Saturday morning.

Now for the results for the two time defending state champ Wilson Smith.  He won his match Thursday night 15-0. His quarter final match he won by pin.  The semi finals he won 3-1.  He has one more match to win to be a three time state champion.