Passing Thoughts

The Duke North Carolina basketball game is by far the greatest rivalry in all of sports.  During Saturday night's broadcast I enjoyed watching the cameras as they followed the teams  out onto the courts as a person who has done three state championship basketball  games in the Dean Dome (SouthWest Edgecombe Girls 2005), (Rocky Mount boys 2010-2012) and been in those very same hallways I always get excited when ever I see something on the news and I can say that I have been right there.

Yet, as hated as this rivalry is between these two schools and you can't find many people who pull for Carolina that will tell you they like Mike Krzyzewski or a Duke fan who enjoys Roy Williams.  Did anybody besides me see this the other night.  The camera was following Coach K in the tunnel leading to the court and as you arrive at the floor fans are perched in their seats  and any player or coaches from an opposing team here is where you are going to start hearing it from the fans.  As he entered the court just about every fan had their cells phones on camera and were taking his picture.  Everyone of those fans were wearing Carolina blue shirts.

Rivalries are great and despite how bad you hate the other team any fan that has any knowledge of the game recognizes greatness.  They also understand the rivalry is great because coaches like K and Williams have kept their teams near the top of the college basketball world.  When you stay on top then the world wants to watch.

This weekend's state basketball championships for the first time you can go on line and order tickets in advance.  I know there are people who enjoy going to the games just to watch the event.  There is only one advantage of ordering tickets early and that is you will not stand in line once you arrive at the event that you will be attending.  Advance tickets sold by the schools participating are $9 and at the door $10.  On line ordering are $10 plus processing fees so I would see no need to order in advance on line.

There is the old saying that what you hope happens is the team that knocked you out of the tournament wins it all.  The Lady Gryphons lost in round four to Northern Guilford and Northern Guilford is still alive and Northern Nash lost in the fourth round to Eastern Guilford and Eastern Guilford is still alive.  Both Rocky Mount and Northern just might be able to say it took the state champs to beat us.

Yesterday ended one of the more disappointing  basketball season in the history of N C State basketball.  One point they were 12-3 and ended up 15-17.  Had no major injuries after the 12-3 start but to me as a Pack fan the team quit.  I don't mind losing when the team gives effort but saw very little effort the more the losses came.  That tells me something about players hearts and coaching to let the players not giving effort stay on the court.  I would rather watch the guys on the end of the bench lose by 100 trying to win over what I have seen the whole month of February. 

Rocky Mount baseball is at home this afternoon hosting Bunn.  Rocky Mount's pitching continues to impress now having played 20 innings that have given up 2 runs and only one earned.  Those of you who like numbers that's is an ERA of  .045.  I suspect you might see David Harrison on the hill today for the Gryphons.  This past Saturday the Gryphons beat South Johnston 8-0 and you know that coach Pat Smith that had to be a joyous win beating the team which was your old stomping grounds  where you had won a state championship in baseball.