Playoffs Start Tuesday? SNOW?????

WEATHER HAS DONE IN TONIGHT'S STATE BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS                       1ST ROUND.!!!!!!!!!!


Saturday basketball teams were allowed to practice even though schools had been iced in since early release on Monday.  So starting the playoffs on Tuesday gives teams an opportunity to at least go over a scouting report on their first round foes. I am sure as much as anything Saturday was a run and condition day as much as shooting since nobody has been able to see a back yard basketball goal or the inside of a gym all week.

What happens if because of expected snow  Tuesday school lets out early or even if no school Wednesday?  The basketball playoffs starting on Tuesday this year has already taken what has been a game day away and if school gets out early for weather goodbye Tuesday night basketball.  If school takes in Wednesday that leave four days through Saturday to play three playoff games.  Oh yeah another system is coming Wednesday night.  Have you ever heard two games on Saturday.  Unusual things happen when playable days disappear.

Northern Nash will host a doubleheader with the unbeaten Lady Knights  21-0 #2 seed  facing Eden Morehead  10-12 #31 seed and then the boys 9-12 #14 seed  host Southern Lee 13-9.  How will the long layoff effect every team but you hope that of all the teams least effected would be the Lady Knights.  They had a few injury issues that now might play in their favor.  Northern's boys have been the best team in Big East over the last four weeks but record wise Southern Lee could compete.

Hunt will try this double header deal with their girls 17-5  #13 seed facing Fike #20 seed  10-12.  The last time these two teams were on the court Fike won.  Don't care who you are playing any conference foe in the first round is bad but when it is your top rival this needs to be a third round matchup.  Hunt boys 15-7 #6 seed in east will host Nash Central 13-9 and #27 seed in tournament.  This must be let's pick on Hunt day as the state is sending Hunt up against two conference mates who will be fired up not only for the first round but they are playing a conference enemy that both Fike and Nash Central should know a lot about.

Any time you say Cardinal Gibbons you think of state championships in soccer, volleyball but they are only average in basketball when compared to other Gibbons sporting teams.  Gibbons 16-6 #5 seed will host Southern Nash 12-10 Seeded #28.  Southern had the most disappointing finish of all Big East teams.  Anybody see the correlation between N C State a want-a-be when they beat Duke they have been so so since.  Since Southern beat Rocky Mount a team the Firebirds would die to beat Rocky Mount in any sport. Their emotions were so high that it effect rest of their season? They have only been 2-4 since beating the Gryphons.  This is a good matchup for Southern.

Fike 15-7 #22 seed in East will travel to Northern Guilford 16-6 #11 seed.  Winnable game for Fike but guess who they are in the bracket with Hunt/Nash Central.  The Big East sectional tournament could continue into later in the week.

Nash Central girls 12-10 #27 seed travels to Havelock 14-7 #6 seed.  The early years of Nash Central this would have been a conference game.  I think Nash Central this year is in the Northern and Hunt shadow.  Better than their record, could be interesting game.

Rocky Mount will send both of their teams west with the girls 10-9 #28 seed  stopping thirty miles down the road at Corinth Holders 17-5 #5 eastern seed.  Here until the end of the season for the Lady Gryphons will totally be in the hands of how the guards handle the ball.  If the Lady Gryphons guards
play well they may play deep into the week.  If not the season ends.  The boys  12-7 # 18 are as quick as anybody and handle the ball about as good as any Mike Gainey team. Shot selection and  rebounding are this teams Achilles heel.   Eastern Guilford 18-4 #15 seed will be waiting in Gibsonville for the Gryphons.  Strong on the boards every game and this Gryphon team could play all week.

All doubleheaders will start at 6pm and single games at 7pm.  Northern is  the only home team in the county playing so let's go watch a ball game.

ACC Basketball Hard To Endure

Benton Moss the former Rocky Mount Gryphon and now senior baseball pitcher for the UNC Tar Heels is among 53 ACC Athletes who has won the  ACC Weaver-James-Corrigan Post graduate scholarships.  Moss who's intentions are professional baseball after baseball season in the spring will be named and honorary winner. 

 I hope you didn't try to endure the Louisviile -  Miami game on Saturday and then turned around and tried to watch the Virginia -Florida State game Sunday night.  If you are proud to call yourself an ACC fan the brand of basketball in those two games makes the 12-10 State-Duke ACC tournament game of the sixties had more offensive action.  Those of you that remember the 7-0 at the half Duke - Carolina game in the 70's that finished up 47-40 had more offense in the final half over both those games this weekend combined.

Virginia's close to the vest offense  is only saved by a defense that shut Florida State down even when Virginia had a starter missing when the game started.  Lost two with ten minutes left  over two heads colliding and Still Florida State couldn't whip a depleted team.  FSU is still hoping to make the NCAA's.  Who's kidding who.

Yet it seems when you get past the top three there seems to be a whole conference full of kidders who think they ought to be in NCAA's. FSU and Clemsom are 7-8.  Pitt., NC State, Miami are all 7-7 and each can give you reasons why they should be in.  Syracuse 8-6 but trying to stave off the NCAA infractions committee by bowing out of this year's playoffs  so how guilty are they?

Louisville, Pitt and Syracuse have given everyone in the ACC that says Kentucky couldn't  go undefeated in ACC every reason to say UK can't.

Virginia has lost but once but I don't know how.  Notre Dame can score points and just might have the team to last the longest in the NCAA's.  If Duke can stay close they have a habit of nailing threes to pull out victory.  I don't think that is a good  in the long run.  Louisville can't shoot which seems to be a disease many teams in  the ACC have.  Carolina at times can be pushed around as if they have no strong players.

If you have tickets to this year's ACC tournament in Greensboro no need to get a hotel.  Most of the basketball action should put you to sleep.

Carolina did a find job with the service for Dean Smith.  I thought Roy Williams pointing up to heaven to thank Dean for an assist in his life was perfect.

State Champion

Tonight in Greensboro at 8:05pm 126 pound Rocky Mount Gryphon Wilson Smith won the State Championship by beating Aydan Arroyo of North Buncombe in a decision 10-4.  Smith dominated the second period scoring six points and holding a 8-0 lead.. The Gryphon Sophomore will now join the wall of champions in the gym at Rocky Mount as he finishes his outstanding season at 53-3

Ryan Ashley 220 pounder from Southern Nash won the consolation bracket and takes home third place in the state Wrestling championships.

Hunt 15-7 the top seed from the Big East is seeded sixth will host Nash Central 13-9 27th seed Monday night to kick off the 2015 boys state championships.  The price you pay when all six teams from your conference are in the tournament some where some of the six have to square off in early games.

Northern Nash 9-12 seeded 14th the Big East #2 will be playing a home double header Monday with the girls as the boys host Southern Lee 13-9 and a 19th seed.

The Big East 3rd seed is taken by Rocky Mount 12-7 18th seed and they will hit the road traveling to Eastern Alamance 15th seed and 18-4.

Fike  15-7 22nd seed will travel as the Big East four seed to Northern Guilford 11th seed and 16-6.

Southern Nash 12-10  is in and they are the lowest seeded boys team at 28th and they have one of the shortest travels as they head to Raleigh to take on Cardinal Gibbons 16-6 and the 5th overall seed.

Northern Nash 21-0 will be seeded # 2 and don't go jumping up and down, it means nothing when comparing to the other unbeaten team Eastern Wayne all it does is protect both teams from each other until the Regional finals if both make it that far.  The will host Monday night Morehead the 31st seed and 10-12 on the season so look for a double header at Northern Monday night.

It always seems that the NCHSAA tries their best to stick it to the Big East and they have again.  Hunt 17-5 the 13th seed will host cross town rival Fike 10-12 and the 20th seed.  Hunt is the 2nd seed from Big East and Fike is the 3rd seed. Thanks NCHSAA!

Nash Central 12-10 is in as the 27th seed and travel to Havelock 14-7 and the six seed in the east.

Rocky Mount 10-9 is seeded 28th and makes the trip to Wendell to play Corinth Holders 17-5 and the sixth seed in the east.

Now would somebody try telling me how the conference 3rd seed has to play our conference #2 while our number four is seeded lower than our number five seed?  There will be a Big East basketball tournament after all.  Hunt Girls will host Fike Monday while the Hunt boys host Nash Central.

Smith Wrestles For State Title Tonight

Rocky Mount High's Wilson Smith won his 126 pound semi final match by fall and will now compete for the State Championship tonight in Greensboro.  Smith's teammate Alexander Henderson has lost in the consolation round 9-3.

Southern Nash's two wrestlers still alive for third both won their first matches and can still take third in the state in their weight class.  Clinton Whitaker 145 won his match 6-4 in a decision and in the 220 class Ryan Ashley won by fall.

Clinton  Whitaker lost his second match of the day.  Ashley in the 220 category won in a decision 6-4 while Whitaker Lost 17-9.  Whitaker finishes the State championships 2-2 and Ashley is still fight for the third spot.  He will have to win two more matches today to do so.

Ryan Ashley has won his next match by fall in the third period to advance to the championship of the consolation 220 pound bracket.  When you get in that loser bracket you wind up playing extra matches and Ashley has won again 9-8 and now has earned his way to the 3rd place match.

Smith's Made It To Final a Four

Rocky Mount sophomore Wilson Smith wrestling in the 126 pound bracket in the State championship  has won his first two matches the first by fall and his quater final match a 5-0 victory will now wrestle Saturday in the semi finals.

Rocky Mount sent four wrestlers to Greensboro and only one other wrestler is still alive but not in the championship bracket.  Alexander Henderson wrestling in the 160 pound division lost by fall in his opening match but won a 7-4 decision in the first round  in the consolation bracket.  Kenard Johnson 182 pounds lost by fall and 2-0 in overtime.  Sedrak Sheppard lost twice by fall.  Northern Nash heavy weight wrestler Jamie Williams wrestling at 285 pounds lost his opening match by fall and his final match lost a 2-1 decision.

Southern Nash sent two wrestlers to Greensboro and both won their opening matches.  Clinton Whitaker wrestling at 145 won a 16-9 decision and in this quarter final match lost an 11-6 decision.
The Firebirds 220 pound wrestler Ryan Ashley won his first match  by fall.  His second match in the quarterfinals was one of the last matches of Friday night as it didn't end until 10:55pm.  Ashley found himself down 4-0 with a minute to the end and was able to cut the final score to 5-3.

The match was as late as it was due to the fact the state championships had to wait until noon Friday because of the weather that we have had this week.  The Big East sent seven wrestlers to the state tournament and oddly enough none wrestled in the same weight bracket.

Wilson Smith is the only wrestler still alive to win his weight division 126 while Ashley, Whitaker and Henderson will be wrestling Saturday for top five spots in the state.  Team wise Rocky Mount has ten points while Southern Nash has six points after the first day of competition.

Bracketology

I was just messing around at lunch time and went on the NCHSAA.org website and you can pull up the State wrestling championships.  You can actually watch each wrestler's match as if it were on game tracker and every time there is a score or the end of a period the screen will change.  So I am watching the Gryphons Wilson Smith match and he is up 2-0 and all of a sudden his match disappears from the screen.  I then looked at matches complete and Wilson Smith the Gryphons 126 sophomore wrestler has won his first match of the day by pin but as they say in wrestling by fall at 47 seconds.  Too bad I can't just sit here and watch all our wrestlers all day.

If you think back for those of you old enough in 1990 you had never heard the word cell phone. This past 25 years our lives have changed drastically and yes with all this technology our children are smarter than we were.  They  may not be developed brain wise to understand how the world operates but they sure know how to use a computer.  Since there has hardly been any basketball what so ever this week the computer can just about tell us before the Saturday deadline what the brackets are going to be in the state basketball playoffs.

If you have been a watcher over the last several years of ESPN's bracketology first four in last four out you know  that it changes every day due to who played last night and who won and loss.  Since there has been no high school basketball this week the bracketology has not budged one bit and highschoolot.com has their brackets set and if they hold true come 2pm Saturday Monday night there will be a massive game at Northern Nash.

Bracketology says all six Big East boys  teams are in by virtue of all of their overall records.  Northern has the only losing record but by being 2nd in the Big East they are safe. Hunt the Big East champ will be seeded 6th, Northern Nash 15th and by making the top 16 both will earn home games Monday.  Rocky Mount is slotted 18, Fike 22, Nash Central25/26/27th and Southern Nash 29th.

That is a wonderful  thing that all six get in but you know like I know that there has been some match ups in the first round that for some reason the State ignores conference against conference and lets the chips fail where they may.  Now when you were looking at Northern 15th and Rocky Mount 18th Northern as the second seed from the Big East is viewed because of record as the last seeded number two team.  Rocky Mount because of record is a three seed and 18th would match Rocky Mount and Northern against each other Monday night at Northern.

Does anybody think that is fair for anybody?  I doubt it.  This weather situation we have had this week unless you practiced on Saturday February 9th you have not had a practice since Rocky Mount slaughtered Northern on the 8th.  School shutdown early Monday preventing any after school activities and there hasn't been any school since to prevent any organized practice.

Undefeated we already know Northern Girls will be at home and depending on a tie breaker they could play a 3-16 team Monday or a 10-12 team.  Can you imagine the crowd at Northern Monday night if RM/NN boys do wind up facing each other?

The rest of the Big East girls the computer is showing Hunt 13th and they just might grab Fike 20th in the first round.  Nash central is pegged by the computer 27th and Rocky Mount 28th so five teams look in for the Big East.  Northern would have home court advantage throughout the sectional and Hunt would get at least one home game.  Everybody else hits the pavement for road games Monday.  I will post as soon as I can the official bracket sometime this afternoon and we will be able to tell how accurate the bracketology computer  is to the real results.

Cameron Crazies Understood

I think if you saw the pregame prayer on ESPN when Duke honored Dean Smith you saw why sports is such a great avenue  of entertainment.  Both North Carolina and Duke coaches, players managers and team doctors all  knelt to one knee for a moment of silence for one of the greatest colleges basketball coaches of all time.  The Cameron Crazies student were in total silence for a man that not one student in the crowd ever saw coach a game against Duke.

Sports is a way to go in all out combat against another player or team that when the game ends both sides can walk away in most cases healthy ready to play another day.  While that combat is in progress you learn to respect your opponent because they can do on certain plays their objective better than you can.  All during a game each side goes back and forth winning and losing each play and then all of a sudden time runs out and the game is over.

One sides celebrates a great victory while the other side suffers a great loss.  There is always next game to help you get over the pain of a loss and for the winner he had better be on his game or the next game will be  a loss for him.

The generals in sports are the coaches.  Some generals win more battles than others.  When two great generals collide it is like a chess match moving players here and there to help your side win.  Despite how much Duke says they hate Carolina or Carolina says they hate Duke there is an understanding on both sides that both schools have  great weaponry not only for this upcoming battle but every time you have ever met.  You respect what they have, what they have had and what they will have when the next battle occurs.

Sports is the recognition  that a player or coach or team can beat me at times but at times I can beat him. In order to do what he does I know he will win battles against me and I will win some off him.  Sports is also the denial that while I am playing him I can not tell him he is beating me.  If he knows I know he is winning then he has really won while the battle rages.  I can't  let him have one second of admission by me that he is winning.  I can do that when it is over.

We as fans can be involved for one side or the other but we too must also know that we can't let my neighbor think he is winning while the game is in progress or even more the buildup leading up to the game.  I can't let him think that he knows I know he's going to win.

Wednesday both sides acknowledged at the same time that one of the great generals was a great general something we couldn't say while he was coaching because if we acknowledge he was he had us beat.  Those students ever how loud they can be understood that a giant of a man who coached for the other side needed their respect and they gave it.

You may remember I have spoke of this before when leaving Carter-Finley  after Carolina had won 17-9.  Right this second I forget the year.  The game had gone down to the wire so every fan was there to the last second.  Filing out took some time and I looked back and saw several players on both sides on one knee at mid field praying together.  I made the comment then that is what is so special about sports you could fight hard during the game but when it is over shake hands, pray together or go have a beer together.

Wednesday night was one of those moments that I was glad I got to see it but it would have been that much better to have been in the building to live it.  Then I could have been part of the 2 million people thirty years from now will say " I was there the night Duke honored Dean Smith".