Gryphon Hero

If you read the Community section of the Rocky Mount Telegram on Sunday there was a picture in there of Mayor David Combs presenting four individuals for there heroic act of saving the life of Mike McCorquodale back on July 29th of last year.  The four were Chad Garbrandt, J R Perry, Jason Moore and Gryphon athlete Ahmad Harrell who is a member the the 2012 State Championship basketball team,

Harrell had a summer job working at the Sports Complex for the city of Rocky Mount when fire engulfed McCorquodale who was beside the YMCA.  Those four people helped save a life. In Harrell's case he grabbed a fire Extinguisher and help put out the flames.

Mike goes to my church at Sunset Avenue and you would be shocked at what miracles can do.  He was in the Burns Center in Chapel Hill about four months and just before Christmas he attempted to get back to church by wearing gloves  because if you touched him he was susceptible to infection.  He still can't work but if you didn't know him and saw him you would never know what he has been through.  He is alive today because those near him reacted in a positive way and saved his life.  I applaud each of our hero's.

Tuesday night Gryphon baseball suffered their second conference defeat at the hands of Hunt 5-2.  This years baseball team has two seniors, two juniors and the rest are sophomores.  Oddly enough the pitching staff is deeper this year than last.  The number 4-5-6 pitchers are better than last year.  I also know there is no replacement for Benton Moss as one of the best pitchers in the state at the top of the staff.  Pitching is not the problem it's scoring runs.

Speaking of Benton Moss if Benton pitches the third game of the N C State baseball series this weekend for the Tar Heels  we just might get to see him pitch on National TV.  This weekends series doesn't start until Saturday and the 1pm game is of Fox Sports South.  Sunday's game which is game two this weekend is on ESPN 3 or on the computer Sunday.  Game three will be Monday night at 7pm and will be live on ESPNU.  If Mike Fox keeps his weekend rotation in tact Benton should take the hill Monday night.  There is a good chance Hobbs Johnson will see relief during  some point in the three games over the weekend  and for me it will be my first look at these former Gryphons this year

South Carolina Takes Both All Star Games.

 The 15th annual Carolina's All Star Classic basketball games played this past weekend in Myrtle Beach South Carolina were won by the Sand Lappers.  The girls game was not that close as the final was South Carolina 90- North Carolina 71.

The games were played with the clock set on twenty minute halves and Tia Hudgins and Aluxus Cooper both came in as first subs in the game just under 15 minutes in the first half. Both Rocky Mount senior girls Hudgins logged 18 minutes of playing time and she scored six points on 1-4 shooting but made 4-4 free throws.  She also pulled down four rebounds.  Cooper played 13 minutes and she also scored six points and she made two out of three shots plus two for two at the line.  She also hauled in three rebounds.

Hudgins only basket was classic Tia Hudgins as at the 6.33 mark in the half she pulled down her second rebound and put it back up for two points.  Just under five minutes to play Cooper was credited with an assist and she scored her first points with .28 seconds to play in the half when she sank two free throws.
The All Star game was played Saturday night in Myrtle Beach at Socastee High school.

Gryphons Terrill Hilliard played in the boys game and coach Mike Gainey was on the North Carolina bench as assistant coach.  South Carolina also won that game but this one was a dog fight as the final was 100-96.  Hilliard started for the North Carolina All Stars.  Hilliard played 19 minutes as every player in this game played between 19 and 20 minutes.  He was 2-5 shooting and made a three pointer but less than 20 seconds into the game Hilliard recorded one of his five rebounds in the game and by the half had a steal and an assist.
He made his three point attempt with six minutes to go and a layup with under five minutes to play.

Monday night Lady Gryphon Soccer beat Hunt at Hunt 4-1. Lauren Smith lead the way with two goals.

Tonight baseball 0-1 in Big East play travels to Hunt in a game that the Gryphons need badly if they plan on staying in the race for a playoff spot this season.  Game time is 7pm at Hunt.

Are The Planets Lining Up?

All of you Carolina fans who are old hat at this making it to the Sweet 16 give us Wolfpackers a chance to soak up the glory at least till Friday. It's only the second time in 24 years that we have made it this far.  We have forgotten how it feels to be here.  Yes we were here six years ago but now with the closest thing to Jim Valvano on the bench who goes by the name of Mark Gottfried Wolfpack fans actually have hope that we could do this again next year and the years after.

There is a whole lot of similarities in 2012 and 1983.  The Pack had to beat Virginia in the ACC Tournament in 83 just to get in.  This year a couple of wins got us over the top. We were the last name out of the hat so even though we are an 11 seed it seems like we just did make it. Opening round in 83 we had to beat a California school  Pepperdine in the opening round and this year San Diego St.  83 we had to beat Virginia to win the West Regional and we may very well have to beat Carolina this go round to make the final four.  At the end of the road could be the unbeatable Kentucky much like Houston was in 83.

In 83 State beat Ralph Sampson and company in the ACC Tournament using the three point basket but in the NCAA they had not adopted the three pointer yet so the Pack had to beat Virginia in Salt Lake City the old fashion way with two point baskets.

I know the bubble can burst at any time but it sure is good knowing we are the second team in the Triangle instead of that other triangle school over in Raleigh.

I have to tell you I was pulling hard for Duke Friday night.  The lack of team ball finally caught up with them and the best thing that could happen to Duke is get Rivers in the NBA and start playing team defense again.  Duke could never make a stop when they needed it  against Lehigh.

Yes i was pulling for the Heels Sunday  and  I know North Carolina fans have to be in shock knowing the NCAA has disappeared in front of their eyes. If you were like me when I changed channels last night I'm thinking this Carolina team can beat Kentucky only a half hour later hear of another wrist injury.  I just don't see how Marshall can play and even if they try it if I'm Ohio I press all over the court when Marshall tries to bring the ball up.  Sure was looking forward for State-Carolina playing for one of us to go to the final four but neither might not be there come Sunday.

Both games are Friday night Carolina plays at 7.47 on WTBS and State follows on WTBS at about 10:15.  Bask in the glory at least till Friday.  Kansas will be a tough one for the Pack and Ohio has a chance now that Marshall is injured.  By the way this weekend State travels to Carolina in Baseball both are tied at 5-1.  What a weekend this could be if they meet in basketball Sunday.