It's near 12 noon on Tuesday and Morgan Doughtie has a class in Gore Arena on the campus of Campbell University. She will not have far to go when class is over as all she has to do is go around the corner and enter the basketball arena where Campbell Women are hosting Gardner Webb.
What in the world is going on? High noon on a Tuesday and a conference basketball game and the place is nearly packed. ESPN must be having one of those 24 hours of basketball deals working and Campbell has made it to TV. No, it's Education Day at Campbell and elementary students from Harnett County are in the building. Kind of reminds me during my school days when the North Carolina Symphony came to town and it was a chance to get out of school to go hear some violins. I didn't care what is was for but being out of school was the best deal you could ask for.
Gardner Webb has Former Northern Nash all everything Alexus Hill now starting at point guard and with this being as close to Rocky Mount she will play this year the Hill family and friends are in the house regardless of the time of day. Part of the Rocky Mount contingent is Grover battle Northern coach who has come to see his star play.
It might have been too early in the day for the visitors but GW finds themselves down double digits at the half and Alexus shoots only twice scoring three points in front of a hooping crowd of youngsters for many watching their first college game. GW finds themselves down 16 50-34 with under 15 minutes to play and the comeback began.
Hill makes two free throws cutting the lead to 70-68 and then with 1:11 to play cans a three point shot to make it 73-72. but that is as close as GW can come finally losing at Campbell 75-74. Hill scored 15 second half points including three out of four three point shots. Family and friends go home disappointed in the loss for GW but what they saw was as a freshman Alexus Hill is growing nicely on the college basketball court of Division one basketball.
Many people from the area pulled for Ohio State on Monday night during the College football championship for one reason only. Tarboro High freshman Tyquan Lewis was on the field wearing #59 and during the game he was credited with one tackle.
Many including myself wondered when Lewis announce he was heading to Columbus Ohio what in the world is he thinking. The six three 260 pound freshman made all the doubters shut up as regardless of what ever his future delivers to him he will always be able to show every body that rock that he will wear when ever they arrive that ring that says 2015 College football National champion. Good decision on Ohio State Tyquan!
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Been Here Before
The date was January 12th 2013. N C State beat then number 5 Duke 84-76 and the students rushed the floor and a national hero was born in C J Leslie when he helped save a State student in a wheel chair from injury during the mass charge to center court. Right at that time State was on verge under second year coach Mark Gottfried to maybe becoming a team to be a force again in college basketball.
National TV exposure by Leslie on Good Morning America and others proved to be too much for the inconsistent Leslie. Saturday was two years ago. Once again today State stands on the threshold of becoming a major player. As far as I know there is no hero to talk about. Two years ago today State was in the same spot they are in now.
It's seems as if State has all the pieces. They have big men in the middle that can block any shot with in a few feet of the basket. They have outside shooters that when they are on they can shoot lights out. They have however been poor at the free throw line. How can a team with such great outside shooting be so average when no one is guarding you 15 feet away from the bucket.
So far this season State has lost five times and all five in one way or another can be related to ball handling and foul shooting. To be a team dominated with outside guards that can shoot they have many lapses on ball handling mistakes. There was a point when State lead by 19 that I was scared to death when Duke scored 11 in a row mostly because of poor ball handling and twice they had 3 on 2 situations trying to lop dunk instead of just taking layups and points.
I never felt comfortable until is was down to about 40 seconds and a double digit lead. Where does the Pack go from here. There is no doubt Coach Gott can recruit. State has had a generous helping of schedule as four of their first five conference games are home. Carolina is on the way this week and a loss to Carolina would pretty much eliminate the Duke win. Which way is it for the Pack? Is it the same ole same ole, or is this team taking the next step to top five in the conference?
Last week Dallas got the benefit of a major no call. This week they got a correct call and from it a loss to Green Bay. Dallas just maybe, think about this N C State and Dallas mirror each other over the last 20 years. Dallas fans think they are better than what they have been while State fans wish they got the respect that is given to those down the road.
Dallas had a fine season for you Cowboy fans. 31 NFL teams will finish the season wishing they had of been better. Dallas could very well be the team to beat in the NFL next year.
National TV exposure by Leslie on Good Morning America and others proved to be too much for the inconsistent Leslie. Saturday was two years ago. Once again today State stands on the threshold of becoming a major player. As far as I know there is no hero to talk about. Two years ago today State was in the same spot they are in now.
It's seems as if State has all the pieces. They have big men in the middle that can block any shot with in a few feet of the basket. They have outside shooters that when they are on they can shoot lights out. They have however been poor at the free throw line. How can a team with such great outside shooting be so average when no one is guarding you 15 feet away from the bucket.
So far this season State has lost five times and all five in one way or another can be related to ball handling and foul shooting. To be a team dominated with outside guards that can shoot they have many lapses on ball handling mistakes. There was a point when State lead by 19 that I was scared to death when Duke scored 11 in a row mostly because of poor ball handling and twice they had 3 on 2 situations trying to lop dunk instead of just taking layups and points.
I never felt comfortable until is was down to about 40 seconds and a double digit lead. Where does the Pack go from here. There is no doubt Coach Gott can recruit. State has had a generous helping of schedule as four of their first five conference games are home. Carolina is on the way this week and a loss to Carolina would pretty much eliminate the Duke win. Which way is it for the Pack? Is it the same ole same ole, or is this team taking the next step to top five in the conference?
Last week Dallas got the benefit of a major no call. This week they got a correct call and from it a loss to Green Bay. Dallas just maybe, think about this N C State and Dallas mirror each other over the last 20 years. Dallas fans think they are better than what they have been while State fans wish they got the respect that is given to those down the road.
Dallas had a fine season for you Cowboy fans. 31 NFL teams will finish the season wishing they had of been better. Dallas could very well be the team to beat in the NFL next year.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Lucky One Week Stung by Rules the Next
Can you name the NFL owner that gets at least 20 shots on TV in the owners box during every game? Jerry Jones of Dallas of course. Without any stats to back this statement my guess Robert Kraft of New England would be second in TV exposure during games. After those two I doubt you can even tell me who owns any other NFL team other than Jerry Richardson of the Carolina Panthers and the only reason we know that is the Panthers are our state's team. We had better know that. I would suspect the next TV time guy is Denver's John Elway but he is only the GM and he probably does have some ownership in Denver.
Funny isn't it that after the no interference call that should have been called on Dallas last week I didn't hear one Cowboy raise any fuss over no call being made. After Sunday's game and the incomplete pass you would think the NFL cheated Dallas out of a trillion dollars the way Dallas post game comments failed to mention one time last week.
Since I was pulling for the Packers as soon as the ball hit the ground I am up in front of the TV which by the way I had been almost all afternoon as N C State was beating Duke hollering for an incomplete pass which was confirmed on replay. You never know about the replay officials. I thought the replay was suppose to get the play right and I was very concerned they were going to give Dallas the catch especially after not calling interference last week.
The replay booth got the call right. Do I like the rule no? I grew up in football that the ground could not cause a fumble. Some where about five years or so ago the NFL decided that a receiver while going out of bounds needed to hold on the ball all the way to the ground. Since the play in question was not out of bounds the play was called as what has been the rule for sometime now.
So the NFL was consistent in the rule but was it right?
Have we seen the last of Peyton Manning? You would think from his performance the last few games of the season that Father time has caught up with him. Went 2 and 2 on the guesses in the NFL games this weekend. 4-4 so far in the playoffs.
Tonight's college national championship game I'm taking Ohio State for no reason other than that is what I think. Regardless of who wins the two best two teams are playing tonight. Ohio State 38- Oregon 35
Funny isn't it that after the no interference call that should have been called on Dallas last week I didn't hear one Cowboy raise any fuss over no call being made. After Sunday's game and the incomplete pass you would think the NFL cheated Dallas out of a trillion dollars the way Dallas post game comments failed to mention one time last week.
Since I was pulling for the Packers as soon as the ball hit the ground I am up in front of the TV which by the way I had been almost all afternoon as N C State was beating Duke hollering for an incomplete pass which was confirmed on replay. You never know about the replay officials. I thought the replay was suppose to get the play right and I was very concerned they were going to give Dallas the catch especially after not calling interference last week.
The replay booth got the call right. Do I like the rule no? I grew up in football that the ground could not cause a fumble. Some where about five years or so ago the NFL decided that a receiver while going out of bounds needed to hold on the ball all the way to the ground. Since the play in question was not out of bounds the play was called as what has been the rule for sometime now.
So the NFL was consistent in the rule but was it right?
Have we seen the last of Peyton Manning? You would think from his performance the last few games of the season that Father time has caught up with him. Went 2 and 2 on the guesses in the NFL games this weekend. 4-4 so far in the playoffs.
Tonight's college national championship game I'm taking Ohio State for no reason other than that is what I think. Regardless of who wins the two best two teams are playing tonight. Ohio State 38- Oregon 35
Saturday, January 10, 2015
About All You Could Expect
Carolina Panthers fans had plenty to be happy about winning their last four games of the season all against teams with losing records. Those four wins propelled the Panthers into a home 1st round playoff game against maybe at one time when healthy the best team in the NFL.
The key word here is when healthy. The Cardinals came to Carolina with their third string quaterback and with Carolina's defense playing the best they have played all year Arizona didn't have a chance because it was just no way Arizona defense could score enough to stay in the game.
Fast forward one week and I think Carolina's defense just couldn't hold Seattle down enough to give the Panther offense a chance. You just knew Carolina is not going to score more than 17 points. If you are only going to score 17 then the Carolina offense can't afford to give Seattle anything like a pick six especially when you are driving late in the game and still in the game.
Just for down the road heading toward the Super Bowl I am not impressed as much after this game with Seattle's defense as last year. They seem late in the year to be getting the stride they had last season but Carolina scored 17 and should have had more.
Sorry folks but I still not in love with Cam as the Panthers quarterback. Seattle wins with defense and Russell Wilson throwing about 20 times a game. Wilson makes good decisions about when to throw or when to run. Cam is not an accurate passer and doesn't make good decisions at the critical moments. He reminds me of Jay Cutler to me he is too reckless with the ball.
Despite losing Carolina was still in it until the pick six. There is plenty to look forward to as Carolina has a real solid foundation on defense. If Luke and Thomas stay healthy they have to of the best inside linebackers in the business for several years.
Defenses win championships and Carolina will need to make Cam a mistake free quarterback if they want to make the playoffs next year.
The key word here is when healthy. The Cardinals came to Carolina with their third string quaterback and with Carolina's defense playing the best they have played all year Arizona didn't have a chance because it was just no way Arizona defense could score enough to stay in the game.
Fast forward one week and I think Carolina's defense just couldn't hold Seattle down enough to give the Panther offense a chance. You just knew Carolina is not going to score more than 17 points. If you are only going to score 17 then the Carolina offense can't afford to give Seattle anything like a pick six especially when you are driving late in the game and still in the game.
Just for down the road heading toward the Super Bowl I am not impressed as much after this game with Seattle's defense as last year. They seem late in the year to be getting the stride they had last season but Carolina scored 17 and should have had more.
Sorry folks but I still not in love with Cam as the Panthers quarterback. Seattle wins with defense and Russell Wilson throwing about 20 times a game. Wilson makes good decisions about when to throw or when to run. Cam is not an accurate passer and doesn't make good decisions at the critical moments. He reminds me of Jay Cutler to me he is too reckless with the ball.
Despite losing Carolina was still in it until the pick six. There is plenty to look forward to as Carolina has a real solid foundation on defense. If Luke and Thomas stay healthy they have to of the best inside linebackers in the business for several years.
Defenses win championships and Carolina will need to make Cam a mistake free quarterback if they want to make the playoffs next year.
Friday, January 9, 2015
Double Trouble
Twice this year both varsity basketball teams have gone down to defeat on the home court the same night. South Central pulled the trick on the Gryphons girls earlier during the season spotting the Lady Gryphons a twenty plus lead at the half and came charging back to win.. Tonight Rocky Mount girls gave up a double digit lead in the fourth quarter and lose their conference opener at home to Hunt 50-46.
Hunt is now 10-3 and 1-0 in Big East play as Rocky Mount falls to 5-5 and 0-1. Once again next week there will only be one conference game on the conference slate as the Gryphons will be home to Nash Central. Tamara Harper lead the Lady Gryphons with 16 while Keyanna Spivey 15 and having her first double digit scoring game of the year Michele Gainey added 12.
We have seen already that South Central's height dominate Rocky Mount earlier and tonight the tallest Big East team Hunt gave Rocky Mount all the wanted and for the second year in a row clip Rocky Mount in Rocky Mount 65-55.
40 of Rocky Mount's 55 points came from the outside trio of Isaiah Alston 18, Broderick Caudle and Kenaz Cooper 11 each. Rocky Mount having not played in 22 days might have been telling in this one as Hunt is fresh off winning the Wilson County Tournament last week over Fike. and even played Wednesday night against highly rated Kinston.
There was some question about the Fike non conference schedule and tonight Fike goes on the road to Nash Central and the Bulldogs get a victory 55-44.
Nash Central girls looked primed to be the team to want to be the team to challenge Northern beat the Fike girls 56-42 Nash Central is now 10-3 and 1-0 in Big East play.
Southern Nash joined Hunt and Nash Central boys in first place in the Big East as they romped at home over Northern Nash 86-67.
As expected Northern's girls took care of business beating the out manned Lady Firebirds 70-29.
Hunt is now 10-3 and 1-0 in Big East play as Rocky Mount falls to 5-5 and 0-1. Once again next week there will only be one conference game on the conference slate as the Gryphons will be home to Nash Central. Tamara Harper lead the Lady Gryphons with 16 while Keyanna Spivey 15 and having her first double digit scoring game of the year Michele Gainey added 12.
We have seen already that South Central's height dominate Rocky Mount earlier and tonight the tallest Big East team Hunt gave Rocky Mount all the wanted and for the second year in a row clip Rocky Mount in Rocky Mount 65-55.
40 of Rocky Mount's 55 points came from the outside trio of Isaiah Alston 18, Broderick Caudle and Kenaz Cooper 11 each. Rocky Mount having not played in 22 days might have been telling in this one as Hunt is fresh off winning the Wilson County Tournament last week over Fike. and even played Wednesday night against highly rated Kinston.
There was some question about the Fike non conference schedule and tonight Fike goes on the road to Nash Central and the Bulldogs get a victory 55-44.
Nash Central girls looked primed to be the team to want to be the team to challenge Northern beat the Fike girls 56-42 Nash Central is now 10-3 and 1-0 in Big East play.
Southern Nash joined Hunt and Nash Central boys in first place in the Big East as they romped at home over Northern Nash 86-67.
As expected Northern's girls took care of business beating the out manned Lady Firebirds 70-29.
Conference Time
The Big East basketball season begins Friday night. Rocky Mount has not played since their victory in the Nash County Tournament and how will the lay off effect them? Next week will also be a one game week allowing everyone exam week.
Hunt 7-4 @ Rocky Mount 7-2: If you believe my pre-conference picks then the top two square off the very first game giving one the lead and the other behind the eight ball right off the bat. Both these teams have had a heavy schedule taking on all comers and the winner will be on the front row right out of the gate.
Fike 9-2 @ Nash Central 6-3: Even though I don't think Fike schedule has been very stiff at all my concern for Nash Central is their guard play. Don't care who you are or where you think you can be in the standings it is not very good for anybody to lose the first game.
Northern Nash 3-7 @ Southern Nash 8-4: If you are going by records only then this is one Southern can not afford to lose. This year's Northern squad is one you had better not sleep on because their performance is better than their record.
If on the girls side of the ledger everyone is chasing Northern and if everyone loses twice to Northern then when you play each other you are playing for a playoff spot and that spot can be no better than second. Everyone is playing for the other first round home game. Puts extreme pressure on all these games and should just one sneak up on Northern that would give them a leg up on everyone else.
Hunt
8-3 @ Rocky Mount 5-4: Here we go with one of those we need this one games. Rocky Mount will play defense but they will need better play from the outside on offense to be a factor for a playoff spot. Road game wins will be an added plus for who ever can get wins on the road.
Fike 5-6 @ Nash Central 9-2: Here is the other opening night game that is a must for the teams playing. Nash Central has a shot of being a team that might be able to give Northern plenty at Nash Central. They surely don't need to falter to anyone else at home.
Northern Nash 11-0 @ Southern Nash 0-10: Southern has had a hard time scoring on anybody and now they face the full court press from the Big East best. Should be a game in which the far end of Northern bench gets plenty of playing time but the problem for Southern is those people are better too.
Hunt 7-4 @ Rocky Mount 7-2: If you believe my pre-conference picks then the top two square off the very first game giving one the lead and the other behind the eight ball right off the bat. Both these teams have had a heavy schedule taking on all comers and the winner will be on the front row right out of the gate.
Fike 9-2 @ Nash Central 6-3: Even though I don't think Fike schedule has been very stiff at all my concern for Nash Central is their guard play. Don't care who you are or where you think you can be in the standings it is not very good for anybody to lose the first game.
Northern Nash 3-7 @ Southern Nash 8-4: If you are going by records only then this is one Southern can not afford to lose. This year's Northern squad is one you had better not sleep on because their performance is better than their record.
If on the girls side of the ledger everyone is chasing Northern and if everyone loses twice to Northern then when you play each other you are playing for a playoff spot and that spot can be no better than second. Everyone is playing for the other first round home game. Puts extreme pressure on all these games and should just one sneak up on Northern that would give them a leg up on everyone else.
Hunt
8-3 @ Rocky Mount 5-4: Here we go with one of those we need this one games. Rocky Mount will play defense but they will need better play from the outside on offense to be a factor for a playoff spot. Road game wins will be an added plus for who ever can get wins on the road.
Fike 5-6 @ Nash Central 9-2: Here is the other opening night game that is a must for the teams playing. Nash Central has a shot of being a team that might be able to give Northern plenty at Nash Central. They surely don't need to falter to anyone else at home.
Northern Nash 11-0 @ Southern Nash 0-10: Southern has had a hard time scoring on anybody and now they face the full court press from the Big East best. Should be a game in which the far end of Northern bench gets plenty of playing time but the problem for Southern is those people are better too.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Danny Talbott Featured In UNC Health Care Website
If you are a Blackbird or Gryphon there are sports legends that when their first name is mentioned you know who they are. Buck for Buck Williams, Phil for Phil Ford and Danny for Danny Talbott.
If you go to the UNC Health Care Website they have a feature on Rocky Mount's Danny Talbott.
Many of you know the health issues Danny is facing in his life and the article reviews his Carolina career and now the life and death struggles that many just like Danny is facing and how he interacts with UNC hospital. Excellent article and you can access it at http://news.unchealthcare.org/news/2015/january/priceless-gem. I think you will like it.
One third of the NFL playoff field has been eliminated and another third will go down this weekend. There are teams riding high and riding hopes of future dreams but we will be down to the final four by Monday.
First Game of the weekend is a 4:30 kickoff Saturday. There one team that could send New England Home. Baltimore at New England. I don't see New England is visioned as a physical football team but they are. Baltimore can match them blow by blow. You know it has been 11 years since the Patriots have won a super Bowl but the world has New England on that mantel that they just won last year. New England's home field in the playoffs hasn't been there over the last few home playoff games. Ravens getting right at the right time. Baltimore 31 New England 24
Carolina for the second week in a row gets prime time on Saturday night as they travel to Seattle who for the last month have looked like Seattle that won the Super Bowl last year. I am still not a Cam Newton fan. He throws his balls too high for my comfort. He will be under pressure the entire game. On the other side of the ledger the Panther D has been playing Super Bowl style. If this game is close who do you think will throw a pick at the wrong time? Seattle 24 Carolina 13
Dallas heads to the frozen tundra and Green Bay. I think Dallas got a big monkey off their back finally winning a playoff game with Romo as Quarterback. So now they get to go North and play the team with the best quarterback when healthy and he didn't look too healthy the last game of the season. Packer D is not great. If Rogers is 80% I'll take him over Romo who probably can let it loose now that he has win under his belt. Green Bay 38 Dallas 33
Indianapolis at Denver. High scoring Colts versus the new Denver Bronco's I see Denver has a rather good defense and I don't see that the Colt's have much in the way of a D. Denver not scoring as much since they became a run oriented team but not losing much either. The only winning team Indy beat all year was Cincinnati and they beat them twice. Denver 33 Indy 28.
If all of this comes to pass then it will be Green Bay at Seattle and Baltimore at Denver playing for the chance to go to the Super Bowl. I don't see a Seattle Denver game again. we will talk about that next week.
If you go to the UNC Health Care Website they have a feature on Rocky Mount's Danny Talbott.
Many of you know the health issues Danny is facing in his life and the article reviews his Carolina career and now the life and death struggles that many just like Danny is facing and how he interacts with UNC hospital. Excellent article and you can access it at http://news.unchealthcare.org/news/2015/january/priceless-gem. I think you will like it.
One third of the NFL playoff field has been eliminated and another third will go down this weekend. There are teams riding high and riding hopes of future dreams but we will be down to the final four by Monday.
First Game of the weekend is a 4:30 kickoff Saturday. There one team that could send New England Home. Baltimore at New England. I don't see New England is visioned as a physical football team but they are. Baltimore can match them blow by blow. You know it has been 11 years since the Patriots have won a super Bowl but the world has New England on that mantel that they just won last year. New England's home field in the playoffs hasn't been there over the last few home playoff games. Ravens getting right at the right time. Baltimore 31 New England 24
Carolina for the second week in a row gets prime time on Saturday night as they travel to Seattle who for the last month have looked like Seattle that won the Super Bowl last year. I am still not a Cam Newton fan. He throws his balls too high for my comfort. He will be under pressure the entire game. On the other side of the ledger the Panther D has been playing Super Bowl style. If this game is close who do you think will throw a pick at the wrong time? Seattle 24 Carolina 13
Dallas heads to the frozen tundra and Green Bay. I think Dallas got a big monkey off their back finally winning a playoff game with Romo as Quarterback. So now they get to go North and play the team with the best quarterback when healthy and he didn't look too healthy the last game of the season. Packer D is not great. If Rogers is 80% I'll take him over Romo who probably can let it loose now that he has win under his belt. Green Bay 38 Dallas 33
Indianapolis at Denver. High scoring Colts versus the new Denver Bronco's I see Denver has a rather good defense and I don't see that the Colt's have much in the way of a D. Denver not scoring as much since they became a run oriented team but not losing much either. The only winning team Indy beat all year was Cincinnati and they beat them twice. Denver 33 Indy 28.
If all of this comes to pass then it will be Green Bay at Seattle and Baltimore at Denver playing for the chance to go to the Super Bowl. I don't see a Seattle Denver game again. we will talk about that next week.
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