Girls Look Like Same Old Same Old

Where the boys look as if there is a new leader of the pack the Girls look as if it is either Northern or Rocky Mount what's new?

So far this season the Lady Birds of Southern Nash are winless to go along with a season last year that a zero remained in the win column all year the Lady Birds are trying to break a 32 game losing streak.  Will be hard to do only scoring 18 points per game when rest of the league gets forty or more every night.

Hunt right now is winless in eight tries but they are competitive scoring 38 per night.  They are led in scoring Kayla Kent leading the way for the Warriors at 12.5 per game.

The top four so far are looking as if they are all prepared to make playoff runs.  Fike has played ten games and have won eight times.  They are led by 5'9" Dijah Horne who scores at 13.9 clip.  Fike has a real shot to be in the conference race to the end.

Nash Central 7-1 is led by Robbi Allen the dynamic sophomore who is the Lady Bulldogs leading scorer 14.6, rebounder 7.1 and assist maker at 3.1.  I think this year will be summed up by how Robbi goes so goes the Lady Bull Dogs.  They have a shot to be in the conference race to the end.

Northern Nash considering they have lost the last two Big East players of the year to be off to a 10-2 season is a real great beginning.  So far scoring at 47 points a game is down over what the Lady Knights fans are use too.  Kayla Tucker leads the way gathering 11.7 points per game.  The Knights need others to try to break double digits scoring mark.  The Knights will be in the conference crown talk right down to the end.

The Lady Gryphons are world famous for the Pam Gainey defense.  You don't play if you can't play D.  This team on the offensive in is led by Keyanna Spivey scoring 17.3 and rebounding at 9.3 caroms per game.  Michelle Gainey hits double digits at 10.7 and 3.3 assists per game.  The Lady Gryphons need others to step up their scoring.  They stand 7-2 and score at a pace of 47 per game.   If the Lady Gryphons play defense every night they will be in the hunt right to the end of conference play.

Looks like a four team fight so nobody needs to falter  to either Southern Nash or Hunt at anytime during the season.

ONE VOICE The Legacy Continues

Those that were there  Thursday night in the Black Box Theatre  at Rocky Mount High School saw maybe the best show ever in the history of the IB Students talents on display which I believe started in 2009.

The IB program has chosen a project to support with the funds raised from the talent show and when IB student Holly Fryar contracted cancer  the program focused on the Holly Project.  At least 42 performers took to the stage Thursday night.

Two past performers MC'd the event.  Ashtyn Coates who is now a Sophomore at NC State and Morgan Doughtie a Senior at Campbell while introducing the next act fed everyone information about Pediatric Cancer and info on the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center in Chapel Hill.

Leo Jaffe  started the night off with a solo on the Cello of Jean Baptiste Bre'val's "Sonata in C Major".

Zaria Pollard sang "I Believe I Can Fly" by R Kelly

Trey Tomlin dazzled us with his animation dance to "Billy's First Wonder"  by Thriftworks.

Ben Boudreaux came back after graduating in 2009 to sing and play the guitar with his own original composition of "Stay With You".

The Rocky Mount High School Band Ensemble  was loud and proud as they performed "All these Bands". The ensemble  had 24 performer playing and dancing.

Mary Blair Thompson sang "Part Of Your World by Alan Menken from the Little Mermaid.

Lauren Medlin played the Keyboard "Clair De Lune" by Claude Debussy

Kaitlyn Reda home from New York City sang "Children Will Listen". From into the woods.

Alexis McCowen gave us a Ballet Point Dance to Miriah Carey's "Hero".

Morgan Doughtie sang the Stephen Swarts  song from Wicked " For Good".

Zachary Richardson played keyboards to the Edward McDowell's "Sea Pieces".

The trio of Desmond Mercer, Steven Wass and Jacques Richardson sang "The Man Who Can't be Moved" by the script & Afire Love by Ed Sheeran.

Serena Daisimer played " Great Smokey Mountains" by David Carr on the Keyboard.

Brian Battle sang Rihanna 's "Take A Bow"

Cassidy and Ashtyn Coates sang a duet of Carrie Underwood's "See You Again".

Alex Rivers on leave from the military did an animated dance to "Stay With Me"by Mendum

And the nights entertainment concluded with Tyron Taylor's original poem on how to Spell  strong.  H-O-L-L-


One Voice raised nearly $2,500 for the Holly Project.  Why would so many return for this one night.  If ever there was an indivual who made a lasting impression to all who crossed her path it was Holly Fryar.  She may be gone but not forgotten.

Changing Of The Guard

Ever since 2001 the first time Mike Gainey took a Gryphon basketball team to the Regionals the Rocky Mount Gryphons have been a team to reckon with in eastern North Carolina basketball.  There are questions if the success of the football team can be blamed for the 0-9 start?  Maybe, but probably the biggest of all reasons is this team is not very tall.

The defense has not been good enough to provide  Points as other teams have in the past. So far the Gryphons have only been able to produce 41 points every time out while they have been torched  for 61 points per game.  Yes maybe the influx of football players will help but I doubt  they can make that much difference in order words this looks like a down year for the Gryphons.

Northern Nash under second year coach Henry Drake is primed to take Rocky Mount's place.  Last year the Knight took great steps getting back and if this year's start 10-2 is any indication the Knights expect to be In the running for conference and sectional contention.

No problem putting the ball in the hole for the Knights as they are producing 68 points every time out.  They are lead by Darius Spradley leading the scoring parade at 17.9 points per game.  Raymond Bullock III is pulling down 6.7 rebounds.  Spradley not only scores but he leads the team with 2.7 assists per game.

Northern winning the Nash County Tournament and in the process thrashed the Gryphons and I am sure that every team in the league will try to get their licks in on the Gryphons while they can.  Wouldn't you?

Southern Nash head to Christmas at 5-3 and they are led by the double double man Marquise Wright averaging 19.6 and he pulls down 11.9 rebounds.  Southern Also gave Rocky  Mount a good licking .

Nash Central has started 2-6 but one of  the best thing for this team as they know how to put the ball in the hole averaging  67 points per game.  Their problem is they are giving up 70.

Wilson's two members of the Big East Fike is 6-5 scoring 51 points points per game while Hunt  is 3-5 but they are putting 65 on the scoreboard eve

Northern Claims County Title

Northern Nash backed up their good start to the 2015/2016 basketball season by winning the Nash County Christmas Tournament with a 74-70 victory over Nash Central.  Darius Spradley earns the MVP of the tournament.  Northern Nash wins for the 10th time this season which is more wins than all three other public schools  in Nash County combined.


The championship night of the Nash County Christmas Tournament started with the boys consolation game and the home standing Firebirds got a sweet one beating Rocky Mount 61-48.  The Firebirds are 5-3 while Rocky Mount is 0 for the season 0-9.

As promised yesterday Tom Suiter gave the 3A State Champions the Rocky Mount Gryphons the trophy for winning the WRAL TV Fabulous 15 which is considered the top football team in the Big Five's viewing area.  If you failed to see it you can go to highschoolot.com to see the news item.

The NCHSAA has released their first draft  of the prospective realignment coming up in 2017.  The Big East will lose Nash Central who is falling to 2-A while Franklinton will take their place.  Northern Nash, Rocky Mount, Southern Nash, Fike and Hunt will all remain.

So off to 2A goes Nash Central where they will join what has been called the Eastern Plains.  Beddingfield, Bunn, Nash Central, North Johnston, North Pitt and SouthWest Edgecombe will comprise the conference.

The new local 1A conference will have eight teams which I think eight is the perfect size for a high school conference.  Tarboro, Weldon, SE Halifax, Rocky Mount Prep, NW Halifax, North Edgecombe and Kipp Pride.

Now that football is complete the fall standing are in in the Wells Fargo Cup.  Championships in football, women's tennis and women's cross country help propel Rocky Mount to 68.5 points.  Hunt gained 68 points followed by Fike 61, Southern Nash 56.5, Northern Nash 49 and Nash Central 42.

Tom Suiter Was In Town

Tom Suiter from WRAL TV was in Rocky Mount on Wednesday and any time he is in town it must be good.  You need to watch the 6:22 sports Thursday night on the Big Five to find out why he was here. A hint for you.  Last week Rocky Mount was number two in the Fabulous 15.  The number one team was Southern Durham.  Guess who is number one this week.

Wednesday night Northern Nash boys beat Rocky Mount 76-58 to move on to the championship game of the Nash County Christmas Tournament.  Thursday's triple header starts at five with southern Nash and Rocky Mount in the boys consolation game.  The double header championships games will feature Rocky Mount and Nash Central girls and the boys will be Northern Nash and Nash Central.

I have either been real bad picking NFL games or lately real good but last week average at best going 8-8.  Runs my record for the year to 119-89.

Todd Gurley is prime time tonight and Gurley needs 25 yards to hit 1000 for the season.  Tampa Bay is in St Louis and this is tough one to call but we will go with Rams 26-24

Jets at Dallas:  Saturday night special I like Jets to stay alive for a playoff spot.  26-20

KC at Baltimore:  KC is playing well needs to keep winning to secure wild card.  KC 31 Ravens 20

Houston at Indy :  the winner might win AFC South at least this week.  Indy at Jo e 23-20

Atlanta at Jacksonville.  Another loss for the birds.  Jax 26 Falcons 23

Chicago at Minnesota:  have you noticed there are a lot of up and down teams.  Vikes win at home 30-23

Tennessee at New England: Pats win but not by much:  30-27

Carolina at Giants:  if Panthers lose it is this game. Starting to save those bumped up for playoffs.  Come on Panther fans Super Bowl is goal not undefeated season.  Panthers win any way.  35 27

Buffaloe at Washington:   I think Skins win at home.  Washington 27 Buff 20

Green Bay at Oakland:  interesting game.  Packers win 23-17

Cleveland at Seattle:  not much of a game.  The 12th man all the way 30-13.

Denver at Pitt.  Denver can't score enough points to win this one.  27-13 Big Ben.

Miami at San Diego:  Chargers out score Dolphins 13-10

Cincinnati at San Fransico. Cincy needs this one to try to keep in race for bye.  Cincy 23 SF 21

Arizona at Philadelphia:  this could be a tough game for Zona but both these teams still in hunt for playoff.  Cards 31 Philly 23

Detroit at New Orleans:  might be highest scoring game of weekend.  Saints 38 Detroit 28

Nobody Could Expected This

The opening game of the Nash County Christmas Tournament started out with Northern Nash girls  9-1 and Rocky Mount girls 5-2 taking on each other for the first of at least three matches this year.  Was it great defense or was it poor offense?  It seemed as if both sides were playing each other in a telephone booth as the defense on both sides were defeating the other sides offense.

Both teams came in averaging nearly fifty points each but tonight putting both scores together was hard to hit 50.  The first game of this year's Nash County Tournament goes to Rocky  Mount as they had just a little more offense and the Lady Gryphon defense carries the day.  Final Rocky Mount Girls 35 Northern Nash 23.  Now I know you are asking is that score right?

Just a couple more comments about Friday Night's football game and every team needs luck on your side.  South Point won the toss and elected to defer or receive at the second half kickoff.  That gave Rocky Mount the choice which goal they wanted to kick from.

The wind was blowing about five to six miles and hour and for those Gryphons fans at the game it was going right to left or toward the east goal.  That gave Chase Miller a little extra on his 35 yard extra point which he had no trouble making.

The Final play of the regulation the South Point kicker was kicking into that wind and this was already an extremely long kick which was wide left.  Suppose Miller is kicking the 35 yard extra point the other way.  Would the Gryphons be state champs into the wind

Sunday night I filled in for Wes Bradshaw who had the audacity to go on a cruise while Rocky Mount  was winning the football championship. I was helping Edward Green on the All New Sports Show.  During the first segment when we talked about the football game I made a statement that I thought Rocky Mount was the only school in the state to win state Championships in Baseball, football and basketball in the last ten years.

Josh Walfish reporter for the Rocky Mount  Telegram home watching the show who at 8:30 was going to be a call in guest to talk about the game heard me make that statement  and while waiting to be on the show went on line and verified that I was correct.  Thanks for watching and especially for finding the answer so quick Josh. Way to go Gryphons four state champions in last seven year in all three major sports.

As you know these days if you win a state championship in anything we all got to have that ring  right?  Basketball is not all that hard there is including managers, coaches and players about 20 rings to buy. Football brings on a different story as there will be about 60.  Just guess how much one cost and multiply by 60.  If you would like to help the Champion Gryphons receive rings send your donations to Rocky Mount High School tag it rings.  Every dollar counts.

Time To Turn To Basketball

Now that football is over and basketball season is well underway it is already time for the Nash county Christmas Tournament this year being held at Southern Nash gets underway tonight at 5:pm.

First game of the night features the Lady Knights of Northern Nash 9-1 on the season with leading the way so far Kayla Tucker a 5' 8" senior who is averaging 14.9 points per game.  They will meet the Lady Gryphons who so far this season are 5-2 and are lead by Keyanna a Spivey who is bringing down 17.9 points per game.  So far this season the Lady Knights are averaging 47 points per game while Rocky Mount is scoring 48.

The second game of the night at 6:30 will be the host Lady Birds of Southern Nash.  I think we all know that the girls basketball program at Southern is pretty low right now as they stand at 0-6 and I have been so focused on football do I remember they were winless last season?  Caitland Batchlor is the leading scorer for a team averaging 18 points per game.  Sitting on the other bench will be Nash Central right now 5-0 on the young season. They are lead by Robbi Allen scoring 14.7 points per game.  She is a sophomore.

The night cap will feature the host boys team Southern Nash Firebirds  standing at 4-2 to this point.  They are led by 6' 2" senior Marquise Wright.  So far this season Southern is averaging  56 points per outing.  They will meet Nash Central who are 1-5.  Their leader is Montre' Cash coming in at 9.3 per game.

Wednesday Night the 8:pm the night cap will featured the up and coming Knights of Northern Nash who are 8-2 led by Darius Spragley coming in at 18.6 points per game.  Thus far this season the Knights are scoring at 67 points per game.  Rocky Mount on the other side is showing the effects of football.  They are 0-7 and are only scoring 44 per game.  They are led by Enanual Spruill who scores at 9.3 per game.

The first game Wednesday will be the consolation game of the girl losers on Tuesday.  The first game Thursday is the boys consolation followed by the girls championship game followed by the boys championship game.