If there has ever been a year a team took the conference by the horns and threw everyone to the side this has turned out to be the year. Tonight the Lady Gryphons took the last team that could take the regular season title away from them and tossed them to the shame of having to finish the game with a running clock. Rocky Mount 76- Fike 35. Rocky Mount goes to 8-0 while Fike fell to 5-3.
The victory gives the Lady Gryphons the regular season title and the number one seed in the conference tournament as well as the top seeding representing the Big East when the playoffs start rolling
Nash Central got back into a tie with Fike after They beat Northern Nash 37-26. The Lady Bulldogs go to 5-3 whole the Lady Knights fall to 2-6
Rocky Mount is not in the habit of doing favors for their bitter rivals but Rocky Mount needs victories to improve their winning percentage with the upcoming playoffs. Tonight the Gryphons improve their record upsetting Fike 83-79. Rocky Mount ups their conference record to 3-5 while Fike falls to 5-3.
Northern Nash knew that they could eliminate Nash Central from any chance of taking away the regular season top seed from them by knocking off the Bulldogs and they did 62-43. What they didn't know is that victory would clinch The regular season as their good friends Rocky Mount would see to that.
It is the Knights 10th win in a row and 20th in the season but most importantly they are 8-0 in the Big East and both Nash Central
and Fike at 5-3 cannot take the top seed from the Knights.
Hunt boys stay even with Rocky Mount as they kept Southern Nash winless winning in Bailey 79-71.
Saturday is a day of opportunity for both of the basketball teams at NC Wesleyan. The men have a home game at 2pm. They stand 4-5 or ninth place and they play Averitt a team at 6-3 in the USA Conference standing is just a half game out of first. A big chance to gain ground on all those ahead of the Bishops. A lost and they could fall further away from any postseason.
The girls are on the road but they are in the same boat as the guys. They stand in fifth two games out of fourth and the last playoff spot in the eastern division. 4pm Saturday They are at Ferrum who leads the east. Same story here as it is either win or not making the playoffs.
Friday, February 3, 2017
Super Bowl 51
Two teams are playing in the Super Bowl that in August neither team seemed possible to make the Super Bowl. Almost a year past before the four game suspension came down banning Tom Brady for his part in deflate Gate.
Those who call Tom Brady the greatest quarterback in NFL history predicted doom and gloom for the Patriots during his four game vacation but in fact they went 3-1 and lost their number two quarter back and had to finish up the four games with their third team quarterback under center and went 3-1.
If they can go 3-1 without him why should they not dominate the worse division in football the AFC North with him back. Back under center for the last 12 games the Pat's go 11-1.
So with home field advantage the Pat's dominate their two playoff rivals and Tom Brady heads to his 7th Super Bowl. Looking back I wonder would Tom Brady be the Tom Brady we know today if the tuck rule had of been called a fumble which it really was?
Last year at this time the NFC South Champs the Carolina Panthers were headed to the Super Bowl. They had won their third straight division title. A dynasty was in the making as Can Newton finally had blossomed into the best player in the NFL. The Panthers with a good mix of young and old probably will become the next New England Patriots.
Free agent departures and early on the NFL allowed other teams to use Cam Newton for target practice and the Atlanta Falcons take advantage and are the second straight in a row NFC South team in the Super Bowl. Their quarterback just might win the MVP award and the Falcons are the top scoring team in football.
Who wins? Bill Bellicheat has the ability of taking away the other teams best player and for the Falcons that's Julio Jones. Do the Pats have any one who can cover him. If they can stop him what about the rest of the best offense in football. I don't think they can stop Jones but the next best stopper will be the quarterback. Don't give him time to throw to anybody.
I see this as a high scoring game. I see no reason that New England Patriots don't win this game. I don't know if it is my dislike for the Pats organization or my dislike of Mr Brady. I think the Falcons win 38-35. I also have the feeling just like last year with Cam. The Patriots defense will disrupt Matt Ryan enough that Brady and company Win. New England 38 Atlanta 28. I sure will hate it!
Those who call Tom Brady the greatest quarterback in NFL history predicted doom and gloom for the Patriots during his four game vacation but in fact they went 3-1 and lost their number two quarter back and had to finish up the four games with their third team quarterback under center and went 3-1.
If they can go 3-1 without him why should they not dominate the worse division in football the AFC North with him back. Back under center for the last 12 games the Pat's go 11-1.
So with home field advantage the Pat's dominate their two playoff rivals and Tom Brady heads to his 7th Super Bowl. Looking back I wonder would Tom Brady be the Tom Brady we know today if the tuck rule had of been called a fumble which it really was?
Last year at this time the NFC South Champs the Carolina Panthers were headed to the Super Bowl. They had won their third straight division title. A dynasty was in the making as Can Newton finally had blossomed into the best player in the NFL. The Panthers with a good mix of young and old probably will become the next New England Patriots.
Free agent departures and early on the NFL allowed other teams to use Cam Newton for target practice and the Atlanta Falcons take advantage and are the second straight in a row NFC South team in the Super Bowl. Their quarterback just might win the MVP award and the Falcons are the top scoring team in football.
Who wins? Bill Bellicheat has the ability of taking away the other teams best player and for the Falcons that's Julio Jones. Do the Pats have any one who can cover him. If they can stop him what about the rest of the best offense in football. I don't think they can stop Jones but the next best stopper will be the quarterback. Don't give him time to throw to anybody.
I see this as a high scoring game. I see no reason that New England Patriots don't win this game. I don't know if it is my dislike for the Pats organization or my dislike of Mr Brady. I think the Falcons win 38-35. I also have the feeling just like last year with Cam. The Patriots defense will disrupt Matt Ryan enough that Brady and company Win. New England 38 Atlanta 28. I sure will hate it!
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Buffett Of Big East Action
Cheerleading in recent years has become Big time Sport. Recently Northern Nash wins the Big East Cheerleading Championship by a score of 78.7 to Hunts 77.8. I don't know how you score cheerleading but I don't care what kind of system is used, .9 is close. Southern Nash finished third 74.4 followed by Rocky Mount 69.6, Fike 67 and Nash Central 36.7
Destini Morton of Rocky Mount was named Cheerleader of the Year. The All Conference team is Hailey Thomas, Keilah Moore, Princess Anstead and Princess Hendson all of Northern Nash. Hunt's reps are Alexis Bailey,Abria Blunt and Katilyn Kirby.
Southern Nash has Cierra Jernigan, Kayleigh Denton and Kasie Webb. Rocky Mount has two others besides the cheerleader of the year in Taylor Lutrell and Quaneshia Hardy. Fike's members are Brittany Mitchell and Payton Callaway. Nash Central has Promise Atkinson representing the Bulldogs.
Last night Rocky Mount played in non conference basketball at 4A South Central. The Lady Gryphons struggled to score but they have one constant area is defense. Lady gryphons win their 15th game 40-37. The boys were never in their game losing 64-32
Tuesday night was the opening of the duel wrestling 1st and 2nd rounds of the state championships and Southern Nash lost their opening match 36-40. Fike won their first match but took on the home team Orange and lost 45-36 in the second.
Northern Nash boys and Rocky Mount girls are trying to make this a boring basketball season. Northern Boys 19-2 7-0 can clinch at least a tie if they beat Nash Central 13-5 5-2 Friday night. The Gryphon girls 15-2 7-0 can clinch the regular season title if they beat Fike. If they do every member of the Big East would have three losses with two to play. If Fike wins then it is an interesting final week.
Fike boys 15-5 5-2 travel to Rocky Mount 6-10 2-5. Hunt 5-15 2-5 is at Southern Nash 5-16 0-7. Hunt girls15-5 3-4 take on the Lady Birds 3- 15 0-7. Nash Central 10-8 4-3 finished the Friday schedule at Northern 7-13 2-5.
Last night the Lady Bishops best Methodist 71-57 to run their record in conference to 4-5. They are a game and a half out of fourth and a playoff spot.
Destini Morton of Rocky Mount was named Cheerleader of the Year. The All Conference team is Hailey Thomas, Keilah Moore, Princess Anstead and Princess Hendson all of Northern Nash. Hunt's reps are Alexis Bailey,Abria Blunt and Katilyn Kirby.
Southern Nash has Cierra Jernigan, Kayleigh Denton and Kasie Webb. Rocky Mount has two others besides the cheerleader of the year in Taylor Lutrell and Quaneshia Hardy. Fike's members are Brittany Mitchell and Payton Callaway. Nash Central has Promise Atkinson representing the Bulldogs.
Last night Rocky Mount played in non conference basketball at 4A South Central. The Lady Gryphons struggled to score but they have one constant area is defense. Lady gryphons win their 15th game 40-37. The boys were never in their game losing 64-32
Tuesday night was the opening of the duel wrestling 1st and 2nd rounds of the state championships and Southern Nash lost their opening match 36-40. Fike won their first match but took on the home team Orange and lost 45-36 in the second.
Northern Nash boys and Rocky Mount girls are trying to make this a boring basketball season. Northern Boys 19-2 7-0 can clinch at least a tie if they beat Nash Central 13-5 5-2 Friday night. The Gryphon girls 15-2 7-0 can clinch the regular season title if they beat Fike. If they do every member of the Big East would have three losses with two to play. If Fike wins then it is an interesting final week.
Fike boys 15-5 5-2 travel to Rocky Mount 6-10 2-5. Hunt 5-15 2-5 is at Southern Nash 5-16 0-7. Hunt girls15-5 3-4 take on the Lady Birds 3- 15 0-7. Nash Central 10-8 4-3 finished the Friday schedule at Northern 7-13 2-5.
Last night the Lady Bishops best Methodist 71-57 to run their record in conference to 4-5. They are a game and a half out of fourth and a playoff spot.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Northern Sweats It Out
This blog on Monday I made the comment there was no evidence that Northern Nash 6-0 guys should have trouble with Southern Nash 0-6. Boy was I wrong.
Northern lost two starters one sick then the other a banging head on the floor for several minutes in the first half and the Knights were out of sync and Southern Nash took advantage.
Southern led by two at the end of the first quarter, 11 at the half and 8 at the end of the third. Northern showed their grit and comes from behind to beat Southern Nash 65-62.
The Lady Bulldogs of Nash Central went 4-1 through the first Round of conference action. The second time around has not been good. Rocky Mount took them down Friday at Nash Central. Tonight at Fike the Golden Demons take down the Bulldogs and with it claiming second place after a 62-58 victory. Trailing by 16 at the end of the third quarter the Bulldogs fought hard but couldn't catch up.
The Lady Birds of Southern Nash hit their average when they scored 22 points. Their Problem the Lady Knights of Northern Nash got close to ten above theirs and beat Southern Nash 39-22. It was Northern's second conference win both against Southern who now stands at 0-7 in conference play.
Northern's boys comeback win keeps them in first and if Nash Central was to stay one game behind they needed to win at Fike. Didn't happen as Fike beats Nash Central 67-53. This shoves Fike 5-2 into second while Nash Central drops to third 4-3.
Last week in Rocky Mount the Gryphons edged the Hunt Warriors in a close battle. Tonight Hunt returns the favor and scores with less than ten seconds to play to beat Rocky Mount boys 52-51.
The Lady Gryphons remained unbeaten in conference play beating Hunt at Hunt 52-29. The Gryphons will make up the last possible missed non conference game tonight traveling to 4A South Central in Winterville.
Nash Central's Sarah Hicks won during the Big East swim meet the 50 and 100 meter freestyle and was a member of the Nash Central relay team that won the 200 medley relay. Her three wins earned the NCHSAA girls high school performer of the week.
Northern lost two starters one sick then the other a banging head on the floor for several minutes in the first half and the Knights were out of sync and Southern Nash took advantage.
Southern led by two at the end of the first quarter, 11 at the half and 8 at the end of the third. Northern showed their grit and comes from behind to beat Southern Nash 65-62.
The Lady Bulldogs of Nash Central went 4-1 through the first Round of conference action. The second time around has not been good. Rocky Mount took them down Friday at Nash Central. Tonight at Fike the Golden Demons take down the Bulldogs and with it claiming second place after a 62-58 victory. Trailing by 16 at the end of the third quarter the Bulldogs fought hard but couldn't catch up.
The Lady Birds of Southern Nash hit their average when they scored 22 points. Their Problem the Lady Knights of Northern Nash got close to ten above theirs and beat Southern Nash 39-22. It was Northern's second conference win both against Southern who now stands at 0-7 in conference play.
Northern's boys comeback win keeps them in first and if Nash Central was to stay one game behind they needed to win at Fike. Didn't happen as Fike beats Nash Central 67-53. This shoves Fike 5-2 into second while Nash Central drops to third 4-3.
Last week in Rocky Mount the Gryphons edged the Hunt Warriors in a close battle. Tonight Hunt returns the favor and scores with less than ten seconds to play to beat Rocky Mount boys 52-51.
The Lady Gryphons remained unbeaten in conference play beating Hunt at Hunt 52-29. The Gryphons will make up the last possible missed non conference game tonight traveling to 4A South Central in Winterville.
Nash Central's Sarah Hicks won during the Big East swim meet the 50 and 100 meter freestyle and was a member of the Nash Central relay team that won the 200 medley relay. Her three wins earned the NCHSAA girls high school performer of the week.
Southern's Kendrick Watson Wrestler Of The Year
Heavy weight wrestler Kendrick Watson of Southern Nash won the Big East heavy weight title and with it was named the Big East Wrestler of the Year. He joins seven other wrestlers from Nash County that won their weight divisions and will now head to the wrestling regionals February 10/11.
Nash Central had three wrestlers to take home titles as Josh Brice was a winner at 152 pounds. Emanuel Williams won at 170 and Alex Noble was a winner at 195 pounds.
Southern Nash had a second winner as Vyshaun Richardson was a winner at 182.
Rocky Mount had two conference champions with Rashun Lawrence a winner at 113 and Keyonte Williams winning at 132
Northern Nash's conference champion was Dylan Joyner winning at 220.
Fike won the conference team title scoring 179.5, second goes to Southern Nash 146.5, third Nash Central 97.5. Northern Nash and Rocky Mount tie for 4th/5th with 86 and Hunt rounds out the field with 73.
Tonight begins the Duels or the team competition in the playoffs. Only two teams from the Big East make the team tournaments as conference champions Fike and Southern will be wrestling tonight.Wrestling is broken down into four team tournaments and conference champion Fike will wrestle in the opening round Western Harnett and their wrestling site is Orange County High who wrestles Corinth Holders. The two winners meet so by the end of the evening only one team will advance from that pod.
Southern Nash as the number two in the Big East will be traveling to Union Pines and the Firebirds will hit the mat against Asheboro. Host Union Pines will wrestle West Brunswick. then the two winners meet. If Southern survives that rounds three and four are Thursday with a state team champion determined Saturday in 3A.
I wish football could take a notice of how easy playoffs can be. Wrestling will determine a state champion in one week while it takes 5 weeks for football. I understand football playing only one time a week but lets cut the football playoffs to four weeks.
Wednesday is national signing day for football. Rocky Mount will have three signing Letters of Intent. Sherrod Greene will sign with South Carolina. Artavious Richardson with North Carolina A&T and B J Sanders with Charleston Southern. If you know of others around the Big East Twin Counties please pass it along here.
Nash Central had three wrestlers to take home titles as Josh Brice was a winner at 152 pounds. Emanuel Williams won at 170 and Alex Noble was a winner at 195 pounds.
Southern Nash had a second winner as Vyshaun Richardson was a winner at 182.
Rocky Mount had two conference champions with Rashun Lawrence a winner at 113 and Keyonte Williams winning at 132
Northern Nash's conference champion was Dylan Joyner winning at 220.
Fike won the conference team title scoring 179.5, second goes to Southern Nash 146.5, third Nash Central 97.5. Northern Nash and Rocky Mount tie for 4th/5th with 86 and Hunt rounds out the field with 73.
Tonight begins the Duels or the team competition in the playoffs. Only two teams from the Big East make the team tournaments as conference champions Fike and Southern will be wrestling tonight.Wrestling is broken down into four team tournaments and conference champion Fike will wrestle in the opening round Western Harnett and their wrestling site is Orange County High who wrestles Corinth Holders. The two winners meet so by the end of the evening only one team will advance from that pod.
Southern Nash as the number two in the Big East will be traveling to Union Pines and the Firebirds will hit the mat against Asheboro. Host Union Pines will wrestle West Brunswick. then the two winners meet. If Southern survives that rounds three and four are Thursday with a state team champion determined Saturday in 3A.
I wish football could take a notice of how easy playoffs can be. Wrestling will determine a state champion in one week while it takes 5 weeks for football. I understand football playing only one time a week but lets cut the football playoffs to four weeks.
Wednesday is national signing day for football. Rocky Mount will have three signing Letters of Intent. Sherrod Greene will sign with South Carolina. Artavious Richardson with North Carolina A&T and B J Sanders with Charleston Southern. If you know of others around the Big East Twin Counties please pass it along here.
Monday, January 30, 2017
A Week Later
Last week at this time the Big East was embarking on a three game week of conference games. Thirty per cent of the entire conference schedule in one week. The entire complexion of the whole season could bring the bottom teams to the top and the top back to the middle.
What actually happened? The top teams kept winning, the losing teams kept losing and those in the middle stayed in the middle. The standings look exactly today like they did last Monday only closer to the finish line. Two weeks to go and only four games left.
We are on schedule for Tuesday and Friday action for the final two weeks with no impending doom of bad weather any where in sight. Let's take a look at where potential upsets loom if any.
Boys:
The most important game Tuesday night is the battle for second. Nash Central 14-5 5-1 need a win to stay within a win of first with a future game with Northern Nash. Fike 14-5 4-2 still within reach of first if they keep winning. A Nash Central loss makes the Northern's lead bigger.
Southern Nash 5-15 0-6 at Northern Nash 18-2 6-0: There would be no evidence at this time the Knights will have any trouble in this one. Southern has lost ten in a row while Northern's win streak stands at eight. Two losses are to Washington which was early in the season and a holiday loss to 4A Wake Forest.
Rocky Mount 6-8 2-4 at Hunt 4-15 1-5: Neither can win the conference regular season so they are now playing for playoff position. More losses by either jeopardize even making the playoffs.
Girls:
Rocky Mount 13-2 6-0 at Hunt 15-4 3-3: Remember just last Monday when these two played they were tied after three quarters. A big question for this game is will Michelle Gainey play for the Gryphons. That question could determine the winner.
Those tied for second collide and which for the loser will just about knock them out of any first place dreams. Nash Central 10-7 4-2 at Fike 13-5 4-2: If Hunt could help with a win over Rocky Mount the loser would not fall any further behind and the winner gets closer.
Southern Nash 3-13 0-6 at Northern Nash 7-13 1-5. Southern is already border line even making the playoffs. Northern needs every win they can get to secure a playoff spot.
The Big East is suppose to be a league of everybody beats each other and when the playoffs arrive beat everybody else. Not this year as the there is a top-middle-bottom.
What actually happened? The top teams kept winning, the losing teams kept losing and those in the middle stayed in the middle. The standings look exactly today like they did last Monday only closer to the finish line. Two weeks to go and only four games left.
We are on schedule for Tuesday and Friday action for the final two weeks with no impending doom of bad weather any where in sight. Let's take a look at where potential upsets loom if any.
Boys:
The most important game Tuesday night is the battle for second. Nash Central 14-5 5-1 need a win to stay within a win of first with a future game with Northern Nash. Fike 14-5 4-2 still within reach of first if they keep winning. A Nash Central loss makes the Northern's lead bigger.
Southern Nash 5-15 0-6 at Northern Nash 18-2 6-0: There would be no evidence at this time the Knights will have any trouble in this one. Southern has lost ten in a row while Northern's win streak stands at eight. Two losses are to Washington which was early in the season and a holiday loss to 4A Wake Forest.
Rocky Mount 6-8 2-4 at Hunt 4-15 1-5: Neither can win the conference regular season so they are now playing for playoff position. More losses by either jeopardize even making the playoffs.
Girls:
Rocky Mount 13-2 6-0 at Hunt 15-4 3-3: Remember just last Monday when these two played they were tied after three quarters. A big question for this game is will Michelle Gainey play for the Gryphons. That question could determine the winner.
Those tied for second collide and which for the loser will just about knock them out of any first place dreams. Nash Central 10-7 4-2 at Fike 13-5 4-2: If Hunt could help with a win over Rocky Mount the loser would not fall any further behind and the winner gets closer.
Southern Nash 3-13 0-6 at Northern Nash 7-13 1-5. Southern is already border line even making the playoffs. Northern needs every win they can get to secure a playoff spot.
The Big East is suppose to be a league of everybody beats each other and when the playoffs arrive beat everybody else. Not this year as the there is a top-middle-bottom.
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Duke's Dilemma Grayson Allen
He was used as a spot player for Duke as a freshman. He could shoot when the Blue Devils needed points but his defense was suspect. He was never needed to be the go to player in any game his freshman year until the last one. Without his points down the stretch Duke will not beat Wisconsin in the championship game.
Can Duke's basketball program endure another year an a half of every Allen foul causing chest to chest shoving. I just don't see Allen turning pro because I don't see him as a first rounder getting a guaranteed contract.
I find it hard to believe that if Grayson Allen was a perfect angel for the rest of his career that every foul he commits will not have some sort of over tones of stare downs, pushing and shoving. That would not be good for Duke, The ACC or for basketball.
The Battling Bishops men's basketball team went from Lookout Mountain Georgia Friday night to Maryville Tennessee yesterday. After Friday night's victory over Covenant the Bishops moved into 7th place which would put them in the season ending conference tournament.
Maryville is near the top and Saturday the Bishops fall 82-71 and are now tied for eighth. A very uncomfortable position to be in.
Saturday the Lady Bishops won on the home floor to move into fifth place in the eastern division of conference USA South. Only four teams make the tournament from the east.Today the Lady Bishops play Averitt at home at 2pm. Averitt is one of the four teams ahead of the Bishops. Talk about a big game!
Now a sophomore Allen was expected to be the leader after all he was the go to guy in the big game the year before. Was it the pressure of being the so called leader of Duke but by late 2016 basketball season Allen trips a player? Is it the pressure of leadership overwhelming a player not prepared to be the leader?
We have reached the midpoint in the 2017 season suspended for one game for conduct on the court much like last season. Much of Allen's distress is avoidable. Monday night during a time out Allen walked through a forming Wolfpack huddle which caused pushing when Allen could have walked around.
Can Duke's basketball program endure another year an a half of every Allen foul causing chest to chest shoving. I just don't see Allen turning pro because I don't see him as a first rounder getting a guaranteed contract.
I find it hard to believe that if Grayson Allen was a perfect angel for the rest of his career that every foul he commits will not have some sort of over tones of stare downs, pushing and shoving. That would not be good for Duke, The ACC or for basketball.
The Battling Bishops men's basketball team went from Lookout Mountain Georgia Friday night to Maryville Tennessee yesterday. After Friday night's victory over Covenant the Bishops moved into 7th place which would put them in the season ending conference tournament.
Maryville is near the top and Saturday the Bishops fall 82-71 and are now tied for eighth. A very uncomfortable position to be in.
Saturday the Lady Bishops won on the home floor to move into fifth place in the eastern division of conference USA South. Only four teams make the tournament from the east.Today the Lady Bishops play Averitt at home at 2pm. Averitt is one of the four teams ahead of the Bishops. Talk about a big game!
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