Gryphons Fight Cancer With Split.

The Rocky Mount Gryphon basketball teams played in Asheville Saturday in the North Carolina Coaches versus Cancer event held in Asheville on the campus of the University of North Carolina Asheville.  The girls action took place in the Justice Center which is the old gym at UNCA while the boys action took place in the new Kimmel Arena.

The girls were OnThe court early at 10am and the Lady Gryphons were sluggish at best and Hayesville took advantage to storm out to a big first quarter lead of 18-4.  The Lady Gryphons  fared better the second but still found themselves down by 16 at 32-16.  Better effort in the third trimmed the Hayesville lead to 45-32.  The fourth quarter was a 12-12 draw and the Lady Gryphons go down to defeat for the first time this season. 57-44

Across campus the boys were the second game of the day in the Kimmel Arena taking on East Chapel Hill.   The boys later start paid off as they were not as slugish as the Lady Gryphons and they rushed out for a quick 14-6 lead.  They increased the lead to 11 at the half at 33-22.  The Gryphons increased the lead to 19 at the end of the third at 54-35.  ECH won the fourth by a 21-13 score as the Gryphons win their first game of the year 67-56 over East Chapel Hill.

Amir Pittman lead the Gryphon attack scoring 19 points and also hauled in 12 rebounds. Isaiah Alston  lead the Gryphons  with five three pointers and Kenaz Cooper added two more.  Alston scored 17 points and Cooper  and 14 points.  The Gryphons are back in action Tuesday as they make their first home appearance when they host Hertford County who beat the Gryphon boys on a jump shot at the buzzer last.

Tarboro's loss in the third round of the 1-AA playoffs Friday brings about thoughts about playoff football.  Once the Vikings were finished with their non conference schedule they were 3-3 and all three losses  were to Washington a 2-A team, Roanoke Rapids another 2-A squad and Southern Nash a 3A team.  Tough schedules help players have to play at their best and by the time conference play starts you are tested tough and you see the results as Tarboro breezed in conference play and their first two playoff games.

Here is where over all schedule hurts when you lose to bigger schools.  By the third round Tarboro had to hit the road and play at a team with an overall better record but surely had not played the schedule Tarboro had.   If Friday's game had of been in Tarboro the score probably been reversed.

So it is a double edge sword playing bigger schools and over the years Tarboro has handled many of those games in the past.  When you don't win them it hurts your overall record for the playoffs.  Then there is one other thing too, moving to 1A hasn't been the cakewalk that most of us thought.  Don't care what level you are in there is plenty of cream at the top of every level.

Third Round Horror

There were only two local teams playing football on this Friday night and both teams were representing Edgecombe County and both were on the road.  Over in Elizabeth City the high powered speed of the Northeastern Eagles were taking on the SouthWest Edgecombe Cougars which this was a classic matchup of will speed or power win this one.

It did not take long as the Eagles took the opening kickoff and marched down the field to lead 7-0.  The Cougars responded by marching with their opening drive but a missed extra point and the water started pouring over the dam after that.  NE march with their second drive and the Cougars fumbled the kickoff and before you could blink it was 21-6 at the end of the quarter and 34-6 at the half.

It didn't get any better for the Cougars gave up two more scores and Northeastern went for a two point conversion to get the lead to 42 and the clock running.  When you are that far ahead get the game over and hope you have no injuries for the Eastern final.. Northeastern 48- SouthWest Edgecombe 6

Tarboro had a first quarter much like SWE as they found themselves down 15 to nothing in the first quarter against the defending 1-AA state champs James Kenan.  Both teams put scores on the board in the second to give Kenan a 22-6 halftime lead. 

Tarboro's defense stood tall in the second half and the offense scored but once as the defending state champs have beaten Tarboro 22-14.  This knocks every team from our area out of football for this season and it is now on to basketball.

Tonight now that Rocky Mount is out of the playoffs the basketball teams are in Asheville spending the night where Saturday morning they will be taking part in the second annual Coaches versus Cancer  at the University of North Carolina Asheville.  This is of course the North Carolina High school coaches Association high school version  in North Carolina of what the college coaches have been doing for several years.

The Lady Gryphons 1-0 on the season take on Hayesville a 1-A school  who will be playing their first game this season at 10am while the boys 0-1 will play in the second game of the day against East Chapel Hill. ECH is 2-1 having already beaten Hunt 54-49 and Carrboro while losing to Chapel Hill.

Friday night N C State won their 6th game of the season and are 6-0 for the first time since 2004.  They beat Boise State 60-54.  The Pack is second in the ACC so far if you are looking at RPI as Duke is 8th and State Top 30.  No other ACC team at this point have played any tougher schedule according to the RPI.

Sports Not All About The Glory

Every game when we celebrate victory over on the other side of the field is a team that lost a game.  Sometimes in order to achieve glory there are heartaches and pains to endure.  Two local athletes from this area have major injuries at their colleges and there are questions about their future sports endeavors.

Far from the spot light heard this week that MJ Gainey while playing basketball at Newport News Apprentice school has suffer the same knee injury that sidelined him his junior season at Rocky Mount high.  You may recall during the state championship game when Rocky Mount had the game at hand Gainey played the last minute still In a heavy knee brace and made a lay up near the buzzer which sent many in the stands to tears not only for the joy  of a Gryphon victory but for MJ getting in the game and scoring after being a major part of that state championship team.  This new injury may bring an end to MJ's basketball  career.

It was announced Tuesday that Todd Gurley underwent successful knee surgery which may have brought an end to Gurley's college career.  Gurley a junior at Georgia before his injury was in major conversation as the best college football player in the country.  Now a junior Gurley has the option to turn pro and may never play another down for Bulldogs.

6-2  last week on the picks which run my guess record to 85-30 on the season.   This is the last week of the regular season so this is last week of college picks this season.

Pack at Tar Heels:  I think this will be a good game as both team already bowl eligible.  Only thing they are playing for is this is the State-Carolina game.  Carolina 38-State 28

Deacs at Devils:  Duke offense struggling but Wake has no offense.  Duke 17-3

ECU at Tulsa:  A win is a better bowl game for the Pirates  38-23.

Pitt at Miami:  Miami is home 31-27

Florida at Florida State:  FSU field goal late wins it 31-21

Georgia Tech at Georgia:  Has the makings of great game.  Georgia at home wins. 33-28

South Carolina at Clemson:  Who is the  Clemson quarterback is the big question?  Clemson 28-26

Virginia at Virginia Tech:  a loss and VT has a losing record.  Tech 23 Virginia 21

Kentucky at Louisville:  Interstate rivalry goes to Louisville  38-27

Syracuse at BC:  BC isn't a bad team at all.  BC 24-19.

Plenty To Be Thankful For

We have come to the National Holiday that President Abe Lincoln started in the middle of the Civil War, Thanksgiving.  I don't know about you but I have plenty to be thankful for as my family has received many blessings this year.

Daughter Amy was married last November and I am thankful for her husband who is a Christian man and their lives seem to be truly loving. He truly is a blessing to my family.

Son Brooks as he progresses in the world of Tri Athlon coaching has received a blessing in getting a job on the world stage as a Tri coach for the U S Olympic team.  It is something he has dreamed of and he has been blessed in all the good things that have fallen his way.

Daughter Stephanie got a promotion in her job working for a company in the Research Triangle.  Her husband Jared got out of the Marines in July after serving in Okinawa and Afganistan.  Their two children are on travel soccer teams with CASL.  They have been blessed in so many ways this year.

Daughter Morgan has just finished her third year as manager of the Campbell Volleyball team and is progressing nicely into womanhood.  She has surprised both her parents as her grades at Campbell keep getting better.

Wife Pat and I have been world travelers this year following Campbell Volleyball.  Heard this week that there will be a weekend in Dallas next year as well as a Florida trip to Jacksonville next fall. The closer we get to that retirement age it seems the more we have to do everyday.  I am so thankful that at this point in our life we still have our health that keeps us in jobs that we can do all the traveling we have done.

Two Edgecombe County football teams have  been blessed to be playing on the Friday night after Thanksgiving.  In Tarboro this is a tradition isn't it.  SouthWest Edgecombe joins them this year.

SouthWest 10-3 heads to Elizabeth City to take on Northeastern 12-0.  The Eagles Dominated both Hunt and Northern Nash winning by 28 against each.  This will be a monumental task winning near the Virginia border.  I think Northeastern has a real shot at the State Championship.  NE 35 SWE 27

Tarboro hits the road heading south and SWE and Tarboro couldn't get much further apart than they are as James Kenan host  the Vikings.  Tarboro is 10-3 while JK is 11-1.  Don't think when you look over  the  schedule for James Kenan it is as good as Tarboro.  However I think JK is a tough place to play at JK wins this one.  James Kenan 37- Tarboro 32.

If this comes to past we are in total basketball mode every where next week.

Dedicated To Tiara

The Lady Gryphons got their basketball season started last night with a trip to South Central and the big question how well will this team play having just a few weeks  ago lost a team mate Tiara Hinton  and the answer to that is the Gryphons have Pam Gainey on the sidelines and  the Lady Gryphons dedicating their season to Tiara  are ready opening night at South Central winning 47-40.  The Lady Gryphons  for the most part led most of the way.

The Gryphon boys hit the court having to do something they haven't done in a long time.  Play a team bigger than they are.  The shorter Gryphons on the road at South Central lost 62-59.

Boy the pace picks up as there are many games this that are must win for both teams until next week when we go through this again.  Had a very good week going 11-4 running my totals for the year to 110-64. Thankgiving brings us three games so the week gets going quick.

Da Bears at Detroit:  Interesting game to begin the week. Detroit nevers wins do they on turkey day.  This game will be underway before I get up from table.  Probably will sleep through most of it.  Detroit wins 26-23.

Philly at Dallas: Wow is this a big one or what.  Loser may score 30.  Dallas escaped my predicted loss in New York but I think the Eagles are the best team in this division even though Tony Romo is having a solid year.  Both teams may score during the last two minutes in this one Eagles 36- Boys 34.

Isn't it a little unfair to have three great games on tap Thursday, there can't be any good games left for Sunday.  Seattle at San Fran:  A true head knocker as the loser is probably is out of the playoffs.  Low scoring but home team prevails San Fran 20 Seahawks 17.

Washington at Indy:  Do we even need to play this one as Washington can't stop Indy from scoring so this is going to be rout.  Colts 41 Skins 24

Tennessee at Houston:  Home team needs this one to stay alive for playoffs.  Texans win 26-20.

Cleve at Buffalo:  They are hopeful to play this week in Buffalo.  I have liked Buffalo all season and after  the weather am pulling that since they had to give up a home game that they have a good finish for a change.  This is a different team in Cleveland as they are for real.  This is hard one to pick.  I'll take Buffaloe 26-23

San Diego at Baltimore:  Both are just out of the playoffs it the season was over today.  There is so many teams right on the bubble a loss for either is not a killer but others will have to start losing to get loser back in the hunt.  Baltimore 27 Chargers 24.

New York Giants at Jacksonville:  This is the kind of game the Giants lose Jaxsonville 24 Giants 17.

New Orleans at Pittsburgh:  New Orleans kind of like Seattle can't win on the road.  In fact having trouble winning any where this year. Steelers 26 Saints 20

Carolina at Minnesota:  Chance this week for the Panthers to get a much needed win cause they can still win the division but some how they lose Vikes 30 Panthers 20

Arizona at Atlanta:  Cardinals get back on course  at they win on the road.  The North Carolina State bird 24 those Hawks 20.

How many more great games can we possibly be this week.  New England at Green Bay This just might be preclude to Super Bowl.  Remember this is going to be played in the frozen tundra.  Should be shootouts but probably won't be.  Packers 27 NE 23

Denver at Kansas City:  Denver has been leaky lately.  KC one hard place too play. Chiefs tie for the in west.  KC 26-21.  KC has lost one of their top defenders in Eric Berry but I think they win any way.

Miami at the Jets:  Miami is plain better and win on Monday night football Dolphins 26 Jets 17. 

A Star Is Born

I hope you recorded  Monday's The Price is Right.  If you did you had a chance if you looked quick to see Pat and myself appear on camera nine times.  Just as soon as the show  started we were on camera as the camera zoomed across the audience.  In total we get nine shots on camera for maybe a total of 15 seconds. Once I got into the groove I was a high fiving fool as contestants ran by me heading to the stage.

The telephone has not stopped ringing from talent scouts that saw me that see potential in me in either TV or the movies.  I have been offered jobs as extras  as they see me as the guy walking by as the stars walk down the street.  I have been offered a free all expense paid trip to Nashville (NC) in my first movie appearance.

I didn't see it but the Virginia Tech Wake Forest game has to be the lowest scoring double overtime game since the NCAA went to overtime games.  I would like to know who endured the entire game from start to finish? No touchdowns during the game and two field goals for Wake in both overtimes and they win 6-3.  Isn't this the Virginia Tech team that beat Ohio State supposedly a team close to making the top four and the college football playoffs?

We have in the Doughtie house hold  a Gardner Webb women's college basketball schedule signed by Alexus Hill back up point guard of the Bulldogs.  I bet you don't have one.  Saturday Morgan traveled with the Hill family to GW and watched Alexus score eight points and hand out six assists as the backup point guard.  Hill's college career is off to a great start.  The starting guard is a senior and it is obvious Alexus is being groomed for that starting job next year.

Tonight high school basketball gets going for real.  Rocky Mount is at Winterville South Central.
Nash Central travels to  Warren County  Southern Nash is at Corinth Holders, Northern travels to DH Conley.

Last Wednesday dropped by Bernie Capps' house as B W Holt  was leaving to head home for Christmas in Tennessee.  If you wonder the power of any coach and his ability to get the masses  to be on his side you should have seen some of those there to celebrate with coach the RMA football title.    Holt not only gets the job done on the field but he has that ability to gets support from those of the community who become faithful to him.  What makes him so love by those around him?  He demands from his players their best, those who are faithful to him he returns their faith with the shirt of his back if needed.

The Propaganda Game

We live in a world where every car dealer is the number one.  Number one in what is some times never discussed.  Our government leaders tell us that they are going to Washington,Raleigh or Nashville  to do the will of the people.  Propaganda is in every part of our life and since this is a sports blog. We will talk today about the propaganda of this college playoff system.

Florida State remains  the only undefeated team and if you watch them play there is no way that they could possibly beat any really good team because they play in the ACC which is rated tied for fourth in the big five which ties them for last in the power conferences.

FSU is in the RPI number one.  How can that be that they are rated so high in such a sorry conference as the ACC?  Just maybe the ACC is not such a disaster as others think.  Last season the ACC captured every major award as far best player awards from Heisman to blockers the ACC won them all including the football championship.

Looking at the current top six in this race to be in the final four for the playoffs not one of them is rated in the top fifty in strength of schedule.  Number one is Auburn and number two is Mississippi  and both are not in the top ten and don't have any chance of making final four.

So how do we come up with this do called power rating?  Alabama is one Oregon two Florida State three and Mississippi State Four.  Here is a major question to throw in the hat.  How much does ABC/ESPN the TV Rights  holders have input on this matter? Why do we have a weekly show announcing the top four because ESPN gets ratings every time someone watches?  Don't you think they want the best TV ratings matchups over the top four teams  or the very best teams playing.

I think you will see about four or five years this four team playoff.  Since there are five so called super conferences and many want-a-be conferences that want to make the top four eight teams seems to be the perfect playoff. The five conference champions and three at large teams.  Eight teams takes three games where 16 takes four weeks and that would put a team playing 16 or 17 games.  That's way too many when injury losses are factored in.

If you listen to the propaganda the SEC  should have four teams in playoffs.  Is there anybody in the country better than Baylor or TCU?  You know when the final four is determined there will be plenty
of hollering they should have made it.  You get it in basketball and baseball and and there are way more teams than four in their playoffs.  If you want to make the final four prove it on the field and have your propaganda machine  pushing your team.