Gryphons sweep Knights

Rocky Mount played host to Northern Nash in basketball Friday night and before the evening was over, Rocky Mount had posted four wins, including a doubleheader JV win for the boys and girls teams.

Three weeks ago tonight, the Lady Gryphons and Lady Knights played a two-point game at Northern and tonight would prove to be no different as the Lady Gryphons had to survive two free throws with less than five seconds to play to get the game to overtime.

Northern, trailing by one, had a two-shot foul making the first and missing the second to send the game to overtime.

Timely foul shooting by the Lady Gryphons in the extra period was all it took for the ladies to stay unbeaten in conference play at 6-0 as Rocky Mount won 61-53. The Gryphon girls are now 14-4 on the season.

Between varsity games, a packed house was witness to a ceremony as Rocky Mount High School paid tribute to the family of Dudley Whitley. His widow Sheila and her immediate family was in attendance. The former Gryphon coach, principal and Rocky Mount City School superintendent died recently leaving his foot prints embedded in our lives forever.

At least 1,000 tickets were sold at the door tonight for the game and one dollar per ticket will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Buckets were passed out where those in attendance could make more contributions to ACS and at halftime of the boys game, more than $400 more dollars had been donated to tonight's fundraiser. The money was donated to the ACS in the name of Whitley and RMHS.

The finale of the evening found two teams desperately needing to win a basketball game and for three quarters the lead swung back and forth with neither team able to get clear of the other.

The game was marred by a fight (two women) early in the fourth quarter in which the game was stopped while the disturbance was cleared.

Finally, early in the four quarter, the homestanding Gryphons pulled away for a 68-58 victory over the Knights. This gives the Gryphons a 2-4 conference record and a 9-10 overall record which they will try to even up Tuesday night at Southern Nash.

Security was tight during tonight's game as people who normally don't venture into the game but hang around the entrance as the game goes on were asked to disperse and were not allowed to congregate near the front entrance.

My day job during our economic stress that we are all facing in this county has become a four-way a week job here recently. Since I was home today, I was able to watch Kay Yow's funeral on WRAL TV5.

If you are one of the lucky people who worked today, I would like to invite to to go to WRAL.com and watch her funeral. They have it archived and I must warn you to have plenty of tissue with you. My wife Pat and I watched and I am not afraid to tell you I had plenty of tears.

The funeral lasted 90 minutes, but I can tell you it went by fast. Coach Yow had prerecorded a testimony which was played to all in the church and live on TV and I can tell you when ever Billy Graham dies, there is no way he will be able to speak for God the way she did today.

But, when you really think about it now that Kay has a new home in heaven, she is recruiting for God the way she loved N.C. State and loved life.

I miss you Kay.

Gryphon Football Awards

The football playoffs were still going on when Rocky Mount High School held their Fall sports awards night. The Christmas break came and so did the end of the semester. Tonight the football team took their turn finally and one of the greatest Gryphon teams in history received their due on their excellent season.

After dinner Wes Bradshaw awarded the pizza buffets won by players during our broadcast for being the players of the game.

Coach B W Holt acting as MC for the evening announced the all conference awards.

Offense: Marquavis Alston, Whit Barnes, Brandon Dennis, Nick Hahula, Torey Lee, Keith Strickland and Greg Williams

Defense: Josh Boulware, Jermaine Fields, Brian Goodwin, Nick Harrison and Chris Pittman.

The second teamers were Jarron battle, Josh Thigpen, Spencer Bell, Carter Varnell, Collins Cuthrell, Hiawatha Bunn, Jordan Ford and Dedrick Silver. L'Var silver won an award as honorable mentions all conference.

Two players had the unique honor of being named to the all conference team at two different positions. Brian Goodwin first as a defensive safety and then as the best kick returner in the league. Nick Hahula was first team fullback and also as the best kicker in the league.

Every member of the team received a plaque for winning the conference championship, the district champion, sectionals and as runner up East regional team.

Whit Barnes was honored for his election to the North Carolina Shrine bowl team. Torey Lee and Nick Hahula were announced as two Gryphon players who will play in the East-West all star game in July.

Special recognition was given to four Gryphons who have been named all state football players. Whit Barnes,Nick Hahula, Keith Strickland and Chris Pittman

Chris Pittman who was named the NEW-6 Defensive player of the year added to his hardware take on the evening.

The last four team awards for the evening were.

Offensive Player of the Year......Marquavis Alston
Defensive Player of the Year.....Chris Pittman
The Benny Smith Linemen of the Year went to two players Torey Lee and Whit Barnes.
and the Most Valuable player as voted by his teammates was Nick Hahula.

Coach Holt during his remarks about his coaching staff announce that Chris Lee who has been the JV head coach during the Holt era has been named the head coach at Louisburg high school. That will be a big hole to fill for next year.

One of the high lights of the evening was the Holt's All Gryphon Team. B W presented plaques of appreciation to Gryphon faithful who have served the Gryphons either through monetary donation, or service when call upon. I wish I could tell you that I had been smart enough to write each ones named down as he talked about them but I enjoyed listening to Holt speak about each one and plain forgot too. Maybe Charles Alston will list them on the Gryphon Grapevine because each and everyone that he presented an award to was most deserving for their faithful devotion to the Gryphon Nation.

The final conference award of the evening was presented by Chris Lee as he presented Coach B W Holt as coach of the year to a standing ovation.

The senior class presented coach Holt a picture of the seniors, as these seniors only lost two games in two seasons. It may be a while before another group is this good.

Northern will have announcement soon

Word is that the Northern Nash Knights have selected their man to be the new football coach. It's a matter of crossing the T's and dotting the I's. Expect the official word soon.

Thursday night is the Gryphon sports banquet for football. Hope you will be there to show your support.

The Northern Nash-Rocky Mount basketball games are Friday night at the RM Gym. There will be no advanced sales of tickets.

One dollar from each ticket sale will go to the American Cancer Society. This is in conjunction with a statewide event going on Friday with the NCHSAA and the American Cancer Society.

Sometimes thing just happen to fall your way. I got home tonight from church and turned on the b-ball game Duke and Wake.

Before tip-off, I channelled surfed and did not realize that WRAL-TV was carrying the Kay Yow Memorial service live. It didn't take long to forget basketball to watch the service.

My guess is about 5,000 people were there

I did not realize that as a coach representing the United States, Kay Yow's teams over the years were 21-1, including winning the 1988 Olympic gold medal.

Got back to the Wake game and saw the second half. Wake won on a layup at the buzzer. I can tell you right now, Duke, Wake and Carolina will make the Sweet 16 and further this year. I just have a feeling one of the three is going to be the NCAA champ. I am pulling for the Deacs to win their first NCAA title.

This year's best three ACC teams are reminiscence of 1974 when N.C. State, Maryland and Carolina only lost during the season to each other. At one point in 1974, the three teams were 1, 2 and 4 in the polls.

The Charlotte Bobcats are a team on the rise. Last night, they beat Kobe and the Lakers in L.A. The Lakers have only two teams in which they have losing record to. The Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Bobcats. In their five years of existance, the 'Cats are 5-4 against the Lakers.

Nash Central boys have won the NEW 6 Conference swim championship. The Gryphons finished third. Fike won the girls with the Lady Gryphons finishing fourth.

Gryphons miscues lead to downfall

With just under four minutes to play, the Rocky Mount Gryphon boys basketball team had managed to push out a five-point lead at 59-54 over Nash Central and had the ball in their Tuesday evening NEW 6 tilt.

But an ill-advised quick 3-pointer that missed turned into a 3-point basket for Nash Central. Then five straight turnovers and a lone free throw and the Gryphons still only trailed 61-60. The Gryphons were doomed as they had four straight turnovers before a final futile trey missed as Nash Central stayed unbeaten in conference play taking down the Gryphons 69-60.

Tashawn Mabry had 27 points to lead the Gryphons, but what they needed more of was some outside shooting to take the pressure off the inside game lead by senior Philip Wilkins. Once the ball went inside, the Bulldogs were triple-teaming the ball. Three-point shots were few made and far between.

The Gryphons now find themselves in a need to win their game Friday night when they host Northern Nash, a team that was riding high until two players failed to qualify to play second semester.

In the girls action, the Lady Gryphons find themselves riding high and all alone in first place after scorching the Lady Bulldogs. The best I remember, the score was 77-49.

The offense struggled for most of three quarters, but Pam Gainey's press defense took its toll on the Lady Bulldogs and once again the Lady Gryphons scored big numbers with defense.

Senior Dyonna Battle led the way with 21 points and freshman Tia Hudgins added 15. The Lady Gryphons (13-4) have gone through the first cycle of conference play and stand 5-0 in conference.

Admittance to Friday night's Northern Nash game at Rocky Mount will be first come, first served. There will be no advance sale of tickets. Three weeks ago at Northern, the gym was full by 6.15 and if that happens Friday night, they will start turning people away even if you have a Gryphon pass to get in the game. So you need to be there early.

Friday night, $1 from each ticket sold will go to the American Cancer Society as high schools around the state are taking part.

Did the PA tonight at the Nash Central-Rocky Mount games so I failed to see the Wolfpack's overtime win over Miami. Seems like they play better without my coaching anyway.

Do you realize that in college basketball this year they have been three teams that have been ranked No. 1 and all three are on Tobacco Road - Carolina, Wake and Duke?

UConn sits awaiting as Duke travels to Wake Wednesday night. If Wake wins. UConn will be No. 1 next week if it can win twice this week.

I think between Duke, Carolina and Wake, neither of them will have more than four losses by ACC tournament time.

Wouldn't be something if all three got No. 1 seeds at NCAA tournament time!

It's Time To Pick Super Bowl

The Gryphons play host to Nash Central Tuesday in basketball. Four games are on tap so the varsity girls will begin some where near 6.30 p.m .

Everytime we play Northern Nash, it is always on a Friday night. Regardless of whether it is at Northern or Rocky Mount, it is a sellout.

The schedule makers need to arrange the schedule to where Nash Central and RM also play on a Friday night for the biggest crowds.

Next year when Hunt joins the conference, Fike needs to schedule it on a Friday for the same effect - a sellout.

Sorry, but Southern Nash just doesn't bring out the crowds that NN and NC do, so they should join Fike and Hunt for Tuesday games. There has to be a way to make that happen.

Yours truly will be in the house doing the PA Tuesday.

Time to make a decision:

Who's going to win the Super Bowl?

Best Defense: Pittsburgh! However, this game will be played in sunny Tampa, not 20 degree Pittsburgh.

Best Offense: Arizona They have scored at least 30 in every playoff game.

Strength: For Pittsburgh. pass rush against a quarterback in Kurt Warner who is not mobile at all. For Arizona, no one in the playoffs has been able to cover Larry Fitzgerald.

Who has best quarterback? It's a wash. Both are good!

Injuries: For Pittsburgh, Hines Ward is a question? For Arizona, J.J. Arrington is their question mark. Both injured their knee in the conference championship game.

What do I think will happen? Pittsburgh will get Warner to turn the ball over twice in the backfield. Fumbles. Warner can beat the blitz by throwing to Fitzgerald.

In a game that is a shootout, I don't think Pittsburgh can win that means their defense is not playing well. I do think Arizona can hold Pittsburgh into the twenties.

Arizona 31, Pittsburgh 23. I just have that feeling.

Bravo to the UNC women's basketball team wearing pink uniforms against Maryland Sunday to pay tribute to Kay Yow.

Monday night, the Sidney Lowe radio show gave way to a tribute to Kay Yow during the radio show hour.

Do your realize that Kay Yow is the third N.C. State basketball coach to die from cancer? The obvious answer is Jim Valvano, but you may forget the greatest Wolfpack coach of all time, Everett Case. People forget that Reynolds Coliseum is called the "building that Everett Case built."

Case is one of four Indiana High School coaches to win the Indiana State championship four times and 725 high school games. He started coaching at State in 1946 fresh out of WWII and proceeded to win 377 college games and record a .737 winning percentage. State won the last six Southern Conference titles and the first three ACC championships under his leadership - all in a row.

He died just after the 1966 season.

He is buried in a cemetery on a hill over looking U.S. 70 North headed to Durham. He wanted to be able to look at the team as the State bus passed on the way to a game with Duke.

Show Up and Start Filming

Rocky Mount High school basketball teams are heading in opposite directions.

The boys have now lost 9 of 12 after losing at SouthWest Edgecombe Saturday night. The lost drops the Gryphons to 1-3 in conference play and right now are in jeopardy of not making the playoffs unless they can turn the season around.

The Lady Gryphons on the other hand have won 12 out of 16 games on the season and after whipping Southwest Edgecombe girls Saturday night have the out right lead at 3-0 in the conference standings.

Tuesday night the boys will face Nash Central who is undefeated in conference play while the girls will try to get revenge on the lady bulldogs from the loss during the championship game of the Christmas Tournament at Nash Central.

Now that the conference plays all four games at the same location JVs and Varsity, the Girls should tip off about 6.30 at home Tuesday night.

I have been doing ball games mostly on the radio, but in the last ten years TV has joined the menu.

When you follow one team as Wes Bradshaw and myself did this past football season you have a week to prepare for the up coming game.

In the case of TV games on the Stretchlon Sports shows they are some times not decided on until the day before which game we may cover.

When that is the case it is most of the time show up an hour before the game get the line ups and start filming.

This past Friday afternoon we covered the NEW-6 swim meet. There were eight teams there and twelve different events. There is no program to buy as you walk in letting you know who is swimming and what race or in some cases which leg of the race a swimmer is swimming.

I wish we could be like the Networks and show up three days before a game, let the announcers talk with the players and the technical people set up cameras at just the right place for best possible shots.

When we arrive it's me as the announcer and George on the camera. There is no tractor trailer truck parked around back with the director telling the camera men the shots he wants.

George is close enough to me he can hear what I'm saying and can get a close up on what ever I might be talking about. It is done as they say on the fly.

I wish we could tell every child's name and pronounce it correctly as we do a film session. That's what happens when you show up an hour before a meet, match, or game.

The Harrison Family Aquatic center has no press box to lay all the info that I might have out in front of me to use. In the case of Friday's swim meet it was stand in the corner and all the info you have is in your hand while holding a microphone.

I applaud Richard Sarmiento for his effort in producing the "Stretchlon Sports Show". It is a small way to high light our youth regardless of whether we call their name or not.

Sandra Kay Finally Falls to Cancer

Sandra Kay Yow went to be with the lord on Saturday Morning January 24th 2009. It ended a nearly twenty two year battle which Kay fought until her last breath.

I had meet Kay Yow several times at Wolfpack meetings over the years,but I never appreciated her until a June in 1993.

At the time I was working for a radio station in Fayetteville. I had just been named the radio voice of the Fayetteville Generals baseball team. There were no games being carried on the radio, but I was my job to create for the station the sponsorship to get the games on the air.

We were also a member of the Wolfpack Sports Network. There was a radio meeting at Carter-Finley Stadium for all affiliates to hear about the upcoming football and basketball seasons.

Just about five minutes before the meeting started the phone rang in Finley fieldhouse and it was Dick Sheridan saying that he would not be able to attend.

He was suppose to be the main speaker to get everyone fired up about the up coming football season. In walks Kay Yow, she is going to fill in for him.

After a few minutes of radio talk about the network Kay stood in front of our group and gave the most inspiring speech that I have ever heard. She talked Wolfpack and how great it was to be a Wolfpacker for thirty minutes.

When it was all over I was ready to play football for the pack.

As we have found out that is the way Kay was all the time. I have met her through the years several times and each time it was like she was so glad to see me, even though I knew as she was talking to me she probably had no Idea who I was. She might have recognized the face but no way she could remember my name.

By the way that day when Sheridan had called to say he wasn't going to be able to be at the meeting was the day that he resigned as football coach at State.

N C State hired Kay Yow to be the women's basketball coach before Title IX was even thought about. In the old days there was no NCAA women's basketball but North Carolina had a State Championship that just about every four year college play in.

Elon had won the Championship twice with Kay as coach. Willis Casey then Athletic director at N C State hired Kay to really start the basketball for women at N C State.

N C State dominated women's basketball in North Carolina until 1982 when the NCAA mandated by Title IX started women's basketball where all schools had to give women equal number of scholarships as men.

Kay was so well respected as a coach she was an assistant coach to Pat Summit in the 1984 Olympics and she was the head coach in 1988.

August 5th 1987 Kay was told of her breast cancer. By the time the season started in December she was on the court coaching.

Off and on for the next twenty some odd years Kay fought the fight the way she talked to us that day in June 1993. She gave it all she had.

The only women's basketball coach in N C State history has gone on to be with the lord. She leaves foot prints too big for most of us to even attempt to step in.

But, she has effected every one of us in some way.

God Bless you Kay Yow.