Under The Light's ?

The press has just about shamed LeBron James for his effort in game five of the NBA playoffs. Tiger Woods has gone from the greatest player ever to can't even make the cut in golf. Injuries and their effects on players and teams are hard to figure. Gryphon Basketball Jelled after injuries changed the lineup.

Two very noticeable injuries occurred for the Gryphon soccer team the last ten days of the regular season and scoring has been a chore for them ever since. Today under 90 degree heat the lady Gryphon soccer season ended at the hands of a very opportunistic West Carteret squad who scored with less than ten minutes to play to beat the Gryphons 3-2.

The Lady Gryphons never lead in this one as the Patriots scored at the 21.14 mark in the first half. Five minutes later Rocky Mount responded on a Kelsey Benton pass and a header by Alison Raper notched the score at 16.39 in the half. Raper already slowed by a hugh knee brace went down with 11.34 to go in the half. 6.19 in the half WC lifted a beautiful shot over the out stretched arms of Gryphon Goalie Holly Fryar in the back corner of the goal and lead at the half 2-1.

26.40 to go in the game Sydney Browder got open and tied the game at 2-2. When the twenty minute mark hit the 90 degree weather seemed to hit both teams as each team lost a step and passes up field were not followed by chasing. I realize that if the soccer field had lights a 6.00pm game would still be in the heat but lights would have kept the fans from chasing the shade.

Question: Are we getting back to the point where it is of pride to be a member of the Gryphon Band. Today there was well more than a thousand people jammed into the gym to watch a battle of the bands between Hertford County and the Gryphons. Back during football season there seemed to be less than fifty in the band but now there is a resurgence and after today just maybe the band can get back to the days of band glory of yester year

Baseball has a long trip to make in round two as they head to George Kelly's school at West Brunswick. If you can get to the game Tuesday I don't know any way that can get you there but around two hours twenty minutes. You can't get there from here.

I don't understand how the brackets are set up that two #1's square off in round two. There is an old saying that you play who's next on the schedule. If we survive Tuesday there is a good chance of being back home Friday but that depends on how the brackets works itself out.

The Big East won three of Four in the opening round. To me that tells me that despite the gryphons running away with the conference this year Hunt and Fike are not bad at all.

Bulldogs Boys-Gryphon Girls Seek Track Titles

Saturday is the final day of track season this year as all those that have qualified both individual and teams go for Titles Saturday.

Friday was not a good day in Cary for local tennis players. Michael Bracket of Northern Nash drew a short straw and got the defending state champion in the first round of singles play losing 6-1-6-0.

Southern's doubles team of Res Bosshard and Adam Glover lost in the opening round of doubles play to a team from Charlotte Catholic losing 6-4-6-2.

Rocky Mount's doubles team of Miguel Valdez and Gavin Stone won their opening match 7-5-7-6 over the team from Marvin Ridge, but then fell in the quarter finals losing to a Western Alamance doubles team. Tennis champions will be crowned Saturday.

Rocky Mount, Hunt and Fike play second round baseball playoffs Tuesday. Nash Central and Tarboro both were eliminated Friday.

Gryphon girls Soccer meet West Carteret In round today at 2.00pm. The Rocky Mount band will be hosting a battle of the bands at 4.00pm today.

Did You Know: I have made mention of the fight between NC State and Carolina for eighth place in the ACC baseball race. There is a new development. Boston College who swept State three games in Raleigh about a month ago. They have fell on hard times the last few weeks. Carolina earlier in the season beat State two of three but will not play Boston College this year.

State beat Florida State Friday night to make their conference record 12-13. Carolina was rained out at Virginia and stands 11-13. Boston College only has three games against Georgia Tech next weekend but right now are 13-14.

Despite having lost five of six to both Carolina and Boston College if all three wind up tied N C State and Boston college get the final two spots and Carolina stays home. The way Boston College is playing now both State and Carolina could pass them in the standing and both make the ACC tournament.

Boston College has three games at Georgia Tech, Carolina has six games left. Three at Virginia and three at home against Florida State. The Wolfpack has two left with Florida State and three at home with Duke.

I have a feeling both the Heels and Pack are going to make it.

Gryphons Advance After Walk Off Fielder's Choice

This game will go down as one of those games that is for the books. All nine runs scored with two outs. The winning run scored from second and the ball never left the infield.

Two outs in the bottom of the seventh Spencer Bell coaxed a walk from losing pitcher Ryan Gupton. Collins Cuthrell while having a two ball and one strike count was intentionally walked to setup a force at any base. Thomas Berry hit a shot behind the second base bag that Conley's second baseman made a terrific play to keep Berry's possible hit from being the winning hit. A hustling Collins Cuthrell (remember he was on base from intentional walk) beats the second baseman to the bags and all the while with two outs Spencer Bell is running all the way home from second to score the winning run while Conley argued the call at second which could have been the third out.

The Gryphons win a good one 5-4 over D H Conley.

Conley struck for a run in the top of the first after a passed ball put a base on balls hitter in scoring position. One of Conley's six hits provide their first run in the first. They have done this all year, if anyone challenges them they come back and the Gryphons struck for four in the bottom of the first after the first two batters got out. Collins Cuthrell singled, Thomas Berry walked and Hobbs Johnson hit an opposite field triple that plated two runs. Michael Whitehead shot a double down the right field line which scored Johnson and Parker Helms reach on an error by the third baseman that scored Whitehead

Conley scratched a cross a lone run in the third and scored twice in the fourth after what would have been a four pitch inning for Hobbs Johnson but a infield pop up was dropped and Conley followed with three straight hits.

Hobbs Johnson was touched for four runs through six innings but he struck out ten and walked but a single batter. He gave up three earned runs . Ryan Gupton pitch 6 and two thirds innings and also gave up three earned runs and only five hits.

The difference in this game the Gryphons had their second ace in the bull pen and Benton Moss mowed down Conley in their half of the seventh which Conley stuck with ECU bound (2011) Gupton and the Gryphons Survive. Moss gets the win striking out two in his lone inning on the mound.

Tuesday the Gryphons travel to West Brunswick who was a 3-2 winner over Havelock last night.

The Big East showed everyone that there are teams in this league besides Rocky Mount as Hunt knocked of C B Aycock 2-1 and Fike shut out West Carteret 3-0. The conference's lone lost was a 7-3 loss by Nash Central at Eastern Wayne.

Lady Gryphon soccer plays at home at 2.00pm Saturday against West Carteret. This will end just in time for the battle of the bands going on in the gym starting at 4.00pm.

Let Youth Be Served

The Lady Gryphon soccer team has but two seniors on the roster. They have also had a couple of key injuries that have slowed down what was a very potent offense for much of the season. Despite their youth two freshmen kicked two goals through the net and the Lady Gryphons survive D H Conley 2-1 in the opening round of the State playoffs.

Casey Cooke and Sydney Browder provided the shots to gain victory but once again the Gryphon defense held an opponent to a single score and the lady's move to round two. I found out on line on the NCHSAA playoff brackets that they are viewable only in internet Explorer which I don't have so at this time I don't know who, when or where round two is at this moment.

The spring sports banquet will be held on Thursday May 20th starting at 5.00pm. Dinner will serve until about 5.45 then the awards will start for all athletes that play any type sport this year.

I will not blog again until after the baseball game Friday night. I have tried to write something everyday and actually did two on Sunday which I was using the second one as my Monday Blog which means today is actually Thursdays.

Baseball is home Friday night as they start the state playoffs. D H Conley the #3 seed from the Coastal is up first for what we hope will be at least eight playoff games. First pitch is 7.00pm

I really don't understand why this first week of the baseball playoffs there is not two rounds. Then next week round three and four. The week after that should only have the Eastern Finals which is a two out of three. You know last year when Northern made it the the two out of three they had to pitch Tyler Joyner on a Tuesday in round four and started the two out of three on Thursday and were not able to pitch him in either game that Northern played in in the eastern finals.

This is something the coaches need to take a hard look at, a potential four games in one week is too much for any team even the Gryphons with two of the best pitchers in the state.

The Big East conference softball tournament is Thursday night at Glover Park in Nashville. Hunt the #1 seed plays Nash Central the #3 seed in the championship game. Rocky Mount is the host school but could not host the tournament at Mutt Wilson field not because of the field but parking. If you have attended a game their this year you know there are only a few cars that can park close to the field and there is a mud hole in one area that can eat a volkswagan.

Thank goodness there is a new field coming at the new high school.

Let The Playoffs Begin

D H Conley is a very familiar face to Rocky Mount fans having been in the Big East 4-A with them. It is going to seem like old home week as two of our Gryphons teams Host Conley this week. Soccer host Conley at 5.00pm Wednesday as they Begin what they hope is a long journey in the playoffs, one lost and a sudden end can end the season.

Baseball is waiting until Friday night to host Conley at Gryphon Stadium. I am not sure what coach Kent Cox has in mind for his pitching rotation this week with only one game but it would not surprise me to see both Johnson and Moss get innings in. Especially if we were to fall behind early, you can't afford to get too far behind once the playoffs get here.

Fike High school finished tenth in the State championships in golf which finished up Tuesday.

Coach Mike Gainey gets one more game coaching Tashawn Mabry. That will happen in the annual East-West all Star game held July 19th in Greensboro all part of clinic week for high school coaches. Gainey will have three state champions as part of his roster as two players from Kinston the 2-A state champs will take part. Reggie Bulluck and Dory Hines. Gainey will also coach Fike's Jerrel Williams in the game. Since Christmas Mike Gainey sure has lived the life winning the 3-A state championship and follow that up being on display in front of his peers in Greensboro in July.

Can someone please explain to me how the World golfing rankings work? Tiger Woods has had only one top ten finish in the last five months and yet remains the #1 golfer in the world. second in the rankings is Phil Mickelson,then he is followed by Steve Stricker, Lee Westwood and Jim Furyk.

N C State and Carolina have two weekends of ACC regular season baseball to decide which one makes the ACC tournament and which one stays home. Carolina play Virginia while State plays Florida State. Then next weekend State gets Duke and Carolina gets surprising Virginia Tech. State has to win one more game than Carolina since the Tar Heels won two of three from the Pack in March.

All this college conference expansion talk - it would not shock me at all to Florida State jump to the Southeastern. If the ACC loses some who will they get back. I realize they are not sports powers but here is two I would like just for the prestige. Army and Navy. Syracuse and Connecticut are more likely. I bet the ACC has 16 team by 2012.

Does any body remember why the ACC was born. The original members of the ACC thought the Southern Conference was too big. Isn't it funny that as humans we keep right on repeating history!

We All Could Use Some Humbie Pie

Athletics at Rocky Mount High School have been blessed over the years. This athletic season is coming to a close and Rocky Mount is on the verge of winning the Wachovia Cup as the top athletic program in the Big East conference. This has been a very good year to say the least.

Softball has not had the pleasure of putting up banners or ordering rings from state titles. Softball may have found out quicker than most athletes at RMHS, glory doesn’t shine all the time.

Athletics teaches endurance as much as any thing else. Every play is not a touch down. Every bat does not bring a hit. Endurance is tested when you lose every day. Why am I here? This is not fun! Why do I continue to do this?

Losing is a dose of reality. We as American have been indoctrinated that winning is every thing. Every game that has ever been played there was a winner and there was also a loser. Winning is 50/50 in every game. Victory covers up the mistakes that almost cost you the game while losing exposes them.

Years from now when each of these girls looks back on this softball season they will be proud that they stayed to the end, they endured. Once the season started only one player quit that didn’t finish what they started.

That’s remarkable to think that they didn’t jump ship when it seemed to be sinking. They all went down with the ship. They bailed as hard as they could until the end. They may think this ridiculous now but when they are 50 they will look back with pride that they endured.

Coach Tara McDonald has done a good job of keeping them together as the losses mounted. Talent was lacking but sprit was high till the end. These players have improved. The feeder program coming to Rocky Mount high is poor in training softball players. The Nashville rec league has a much better softball program that Rocky Mounts and it shows.

If you are a 300 hitter and improve you are way ahead of the girl trying to learn how to stand in the batters box. Rocky Mount softball talent problems will not be cured over night.

I hope coach McDonald comes back next year. She deserves a chance to see this program grow. I think she has shown that she has coaching ability to keep this team together.

This team will be able to say they stuck together. Together to the bitter end, because of that their future lives will be better for it.

THEY ENDURED!

Bulldog Wins The TPC

N C State Grad Tim Clark won the Tour Players championship this afternoon in Jacksonville Fl. Not only do I like Tim because he's a Wolfpacker and the other reason is I am taller than he is and can hit it about as far as he can. Eight times Clark has finished second on the PGA tour and had carried the label best player on tour without a win but no more.

Tiger Woods dropped out with an injury. This is me thinking out loud, any one besides me notice since the PGA random drug testing policy has been in place Tiger's body is falling apart?

I can take no credit for this like I tried to claim on my earlier blog today about the perfect game pitched by Jim Hunter. Today Dallas Braden of the A's pitched the second perfect game in Oakland history. Just some where on my blog today I awoke the baseball Gods in order for this to happen after I just spoke about Hunter's perfect game, so maybe I should try to take credit.

I can not for what ever reason get on the brackets and give you any playoff pairings at this time. I can tell you Rocky Mount will play D H Conley Friday night at Gryphon Stadium. Conley is the number three seed in the Coastal conference and this is not a good draw in the opening round. All high school teams have at least one decent pitcher and Conley has a really good one who has signed with ECU. You know he throws against Rocky Mount Friday. Gryphon hitters will determine whether the Gryphons move on to round two.

Softball opens play Monday at 7.30 in the Big East softball tournament. They face Nash Central who is the number three seed. This is their last chance at a victory this year.

Since I can't get on the NCHSAA web site I don't know who the tennis team plays Tuesday in the playoffs but they are home.

Girls soccer is home in the playoffs at 5.00pm Wednesday.

North Carolina did what they needed to do in ACC baseball. They swept Wake Forest over the weekend and are now tied with State for eighth. Brian Goodwin got another triple last night which is his sixth of the year. He is two off the Carolina record which is eight in a season. It would help his cause if Carolina could go deep in the NCAA's, but in order to do that they need to win four out of six the next two weeks against Virginia and Virginia Tech.

Elliott Avent won victory number 514 at N C State today. Aventon's very own is now the winningest coach in N C State history.