The Rocky Mount Lady Gryphons in the fourth round and on the road against Northern Guilford who has lost once all season. The Northern Nash Knights at home in front of a jammed house taking on another Guilford County team from Eastern Guilford.
Both Rocky Mount and Northern Nash are eliminated from the state basketball playoffs the Gryphons losing 54-44 while the Knights lose 62-52.
The Knights have been clinging to the edge of the cliff the entire playoff run and through three quarters it looked as though they would survive to play another day. Ahead 41-38 at the third quarter marker the well ran dry in the fourth quarter. Eastern Guilford out scored the Knights 24-11 wiping out the Knights lead.
The Knights finish the season 25-4 which is the best record that they have had since dropping to 3A 12 years ago. There are times when the health of your team hinders their ability to play at their full ability. This Knight team gave us all they had in their tank and we are proud of your effort!
The Lady Gryphons lose in Guilford County. The Knights lose to a team from Guilford County. We are not alone as five teams from Guilford County played tonight in all levels of the playoffs and all five won.
Gryphons girls basketball player just today was named NCHSAA Performer of the week sponsored by Time Warner. Through last weekend Keyanna Spivey has averaged over 20 points per game during the three playoff games last week. A two sport winter athlete Spivey won the State indoor shot put championship a week ago.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
Gryphons Baseball Begins With Shutout
The Rocky Mount Gryphons opened their 2017 baseball season at home hosting the Yellow Jackets of Roanoke Rapids. Pat Smith needs to find pitching to go along with NC State signee David Harrison. For one game at least he May have found one.
Freshman Ben Sieracki got the start went four innings allowed only two hits bunts with no one covering first. The top of the third was his only stress and it was from no cause from Sieracki. A leadoff error followed by a bunt with no one on first put runners on first and second with no outs. Another bunt fielders choice was out at third. Another bunt left open first base to load the bases. A ground ball to third and a force play at the plate for out number two and a strike out ended the only Yellow Jacket threat all day.
Sieracki went four innings giving up two hits walking only one striking out six. David Harrison pitched the final three innings going nine up and nine down striking out five.
Rocky Mount plated a single run in the second after one out Jake Philbeck singled to left and made it to third after the ball went though the legs of the fielder. The next batter Jamar Ellis floated a single that dropped in front of the left fielder but a super throw by the left fielder Tommy Bradley cut down Philbeck at the plate. The next batter Zack Keeter cracked a single who drove in Ellis who was on second on the throw that nailed Philbeck at home.
The Gryphons struck for their second run in the third after a single by Josh Pittman and a double by David Harrison. Isaiah Stewart deliver a sac fly to left to score Pittman. The Gryphons got 7 hits. Two by Pittman, double by Harrison, singles by Jake Philbeck, Zack Keeter, Jamar Ellis and Lane Butler.
The Gryphons win their opener 2-0
Now the basketball playoffs.
The Knights of Northern Nash have won three times at home by very close scores. They have won despite nagging injuries. The idea by not playing Darius Spradley in the Big East Tournament has paid off for Henry Drake. I hope all those nagging injuries have healed because now only the strong survive.
Eastern Guilford 27-3 and winners of 20 games in a row and sport a team that has ten players over six feet tall. EG averages 69 points per game while Northern counters at 71. This game has all the ingredients of a run and gun high scoring game.
Eastern Guilford 27-3 @ Northern Nash 25-3. Eastern Guilford is the third seed from the East while Northern Nash is the top seed. The home crowd was Great Saturday night and the Knight support team needs to be louder Tuesday.
The Lady Gryphons have enjoyed three homes games and in all three their second half defense has led to comfortable wins. Now on the road for the first time they will face a huge height disadvantage as the Nighthawks star player stands six feet five and they have seven players on the roster least as tall as the tallest Gryphons.
This will be a game of can the Gryphons pressing defense stop the Nighthawks even before they get near the foul line. If they can get it inside it will be a long night for the Gryphons. Rocky Mount must have their best defensive game of the year
Rocky Mount 22-3 @ Northern Guilford 28-1: The Nighthawks leading scorer is Elissa Cunane who banks in 20.4 points per night and hauls down 11.9 rebounds. She stands 6' 5". The only other double digit scorer comes from Kassie Robakiewicz at 11.4. They score 65 points a game and that averages that they have won every game by 29 points holding the other side to 36.
The Gryphons score 56 on average and rely on their defense holding their foes to 33. Keyanna Spivey at 5' 9" scores 21.1 and grabs 9.2 missed shots per game. Michelle Gainey scores at 10.2. Spivey must stay out of foul trouble and the Gryphons outside shooters must be hot. The defense must cause 20 turnover or more to stay in this game.
Freshman Ben Sieracki got the start went four innings allowed only two hits bunts with no one covering first. The top of the third was his only stress and it was from no cause from Sieracki. A leadoff error followed by a bunt with no one on first put runners on first and second with no outs. Another bunt fielders choice was out at third. Another bunt left open first base to load the bases. A ground ball to third and a force play at the plate for out number two and a strike out ended the only Yellow Jacket threat all day.
Sieracki went four innings giving up two hits walking only one striking out six. David Harrison pitched the final three innings going nine up and nine down striking out five.
Rocky Mount plated a single run in the second after one out Jake Philbeck singled to left and made it to third after the ball went though the legs of the fielder. The next batter Jamar Ellis floated a single that dropped in front of the left fielder but a super throw by the left fielder Tommy Bradley cut down Philbeck at the plate. The next batter Zack Keeter cracked a single who drove in Ellis who was on second on the throw that nailed Philbeck at home.
The Gryphons struck for their second run in the third after a single by Josh Pittman and a double by David Harrison. Isaiah Stewart deliver a sac fly to left to score Pittman. The Gryphons got 7 hits. Two by Pittman, double by Harrison, singles by Jake Philbeck, Zack Keeter, Jamar Ellis and Lane Butler.
The Gryphons win their opener 2-0
Now the basketball playoffs.
The Knights of Northern Nash have won three times at home by very close scores. They have won despite nagging injuries. The idea by not playing Darius Spradley in the Big East Tournament has paid off for Henry Drake. I hope all those nagging injuries have healed because now only the strong survive.
Eastern Guilford 27-3 and winners of 20 games in a row and sport a team that has ten players over six feet tall. EG averages 69 points per game while Northern counters at 71. This game has all the ingredients of a run and gun high scoring game.
Eastern Guilford 27-3 @ Northern Nash 25-3. Eastern Guilford is the third seed from the East while Northern Nash is the top seed. The home crowd was Great Saturday night and the Knight support team needs to be louder Tuesday.
The Lady Gryphons have enjoyed three homes games and in all three their second half defense has led to comfortable wins. Now on the road for the first time they will face a huge height disadvantage as the Nighthawks star player stands six feet five and they have seven players on the roster least as tall as the tallest Gryphons.
This will be a game of can the Gryphons pressing defense stop the Nighthawks even before they get near the foul line. If they can get it inside it will be a long night for the Gryphons. Rocky Mount must have their best defensive game of the year
Rocky Mount 22-3 @ Northern Guilford 28-1: The Nighthawks leading scorer is Elissa Cunane who banks in 20.4 points per night and hauls down 11.9 rebounds. She stands 6' 5". The only other double digit scorer comes from Kassie Robakiewicz at 11.4. They score 65 points a game and that averages that they have won every game by 29 points holding the other side to 36.
The Gryphons score 56 on average and rely on their defense holding their foes to 33. Keyanna Spivey at 5' 9" scores 21.1 and grabs 9.2 missed shots per game. Michelle Gainey scores at 10.2. Spivey must stay out of foul trouble and the Gryphons outside shooters must be hot. The defense must cause 20 turnover or more to stay in this game.
Springs Sports Start Today
High school baseball fans are in for a major change when the high school baseball season gets under way today. A much asked question over the years is how much should any one pitcher pitch in any one game and for that matter each week?
The answer for North Carolina High Schools is if a pitcher throws less than 30 pitches in a game he can pitch again tomorrow. If he throws from 31-45 he must rest for a full day. A good question to ask if your team plays Monday at 10am and a pitcher pitches 44 pitches and your team plays a 7pm game on Tuesday has he rested for a full day?
If a pitcher throws 46-60 pitches he must rest for two full days. 61-75 pitches three days. If your team has a pitcher capable of pitching a complete game seldom in a seven inning games does a pitcher pitch less than 75 pitches. The days of hearing a pitcher throw 125 pitches are over. The maximum any pitcher can throw are 105 pitches. I think what you will see is teams will hold their aces for the most important games regardless of what day they play because four days rest pretty much means pitch one time a week.
Every team will be required to report pitch counts of pitchers just like when they report scores. Every coach will have to have someone in the dugout to record every pitch inning by inning and turn that form in after every Game. The team you play next will be able to know before the game how many pitches your ace pitcher can throw against them.
There is also a rule where the pitcher in his windup has to have his front foot on the rubber and the second has to be straight behind the rubber when his windup starts. Many pitchers have their second foot beside the rubber so for many pitchers this will be a major adjustment.
So in order to prevent large pitch counts on pitchers it would be nice that umpires who are known for calling a strike only when the ball is right down the middle call strikes the way the rule books calls for. I have always been a pitchers umpire. I want to see batters go to the plate to hit not walk so let's call the edges strikes like it is suppose to be and let's swing the bat at strikes. Fewer pitches are thrown and the games are quicker when one team hasn't walked 14 runs in.
I can assure you the teams that like this rule will be the teams that have three or four good pitchers. Any team with one really good thrower and a bunch I hope we can get through this inning with him on the mound are in for trouble. Once teams hit the playoffs only those team that have bunches of pitchers will win the state championships. So as the second and third games of the week come around look for higher scores. Some teams may have to tell pitchers just to lop it up to the plate, don't walk anybody and use up pitch count. We will start seeing today how this rule works out.
One issue still ignored by this rule is this applies to high school baseball. Those of you parents who think that the only way to a college scholarship is travel ball and play on weekends during the high school season all you are doing is setting your kid up for Tommy John Surgery.
Games on tap today:
Tarboro @ Fike 7pm
Southern Wayne @ Hunt 4pm
Nash Central @ Smithfield Selma 7pm
Roanoke Rapids @ Rocky Mount 4:30
Tuesday games:
Roanoke Rapids @ Northern Nash 4:30
SouthWest Edgecombe @ Southern Nash 4:30
Wednesday:
Goldsboro @ Rocky Mount Prep 4:30
The answer for North Carolina High Schools is if a pitcher throws less than 30 pitches in a game he can pitch again tomorrow. If he throws from 31-45 he must rest for a full day. A good question to ask if your team plays Monday at 10am and a pitcher pitches 44 pitches and your team plays a 7pm game on Tuesday has he rested for a full day?
If a pitcher throws 46-60 pitches he must rest for two full days. 61-75 pitches three days. If your team has a pitcher capable of pitching a complete game seldom in a seven inning games does a pitcher pitch less than 75 pitches. The days of hearing a pitcher throw 125 pitches are over. The maximum any pitcher can throw are 105 pitches. I think what you will see is teams will hold their aces for the most important games regardless of what day they play because four days rest pretty much means pitch one time a week.
Every team will be required to report pitch counts of pitchers just like when they report scores. Every coach will have to have someone in the dugout to record every pitch inning by inning and turn that form in after every Game. The team you play next will be able to know before the game how many pitches your ace pitcher can throw against them.
There is also a rule where the pitcher in his windup has to have his front foot on the rubber and the second has to be straight behind the rubber when his windup starts. Many pitchers have their second foot beside the rubber so for many pitchers this will be a major adjustment.
So in order to prevent large pitch counts on pitchers it would be nice that umpires who are known for calling a strike only when the ball is right down the middle call strikes the way the rule books calls for. I have always been a pitchers umpire. I want to see batters go to the plate to hit not walk so let's call the edges strikes like it is suppose to be and let's swing the bat at strikes. Fewer pitches are thrown and the games are quicker when one team hasn't walked 14 runs in.
I can assure you the teams that like this rule will be the teams that have three or four good pitchers. Any team with one really good thrower and a bunch I hope we can get through this inning with him on the mound are in for trouble. Once teams hit the playoffs only those team that have bunches of pitchers will win the state championships. So as the second and third games of the week come around look for higher scores. Some teams may have to tell pitchers just to lop it up to the plate, don't walk anybody and use up pitch count. We will start seeing today how this rule works out.
One issue still ignored by this rule is this applies to high school baseball. Those of you parents who think that the only way to a college scholarship is travel ball and play on weekends during the high school season all you are doing is setting your kid up for Tommy John Surgery.
Games on tap today:
Tarboro @ Fike 7pm
Southern Wayne @ Hunt 4pm
Nash Central @ Smithfield Selma 7pm
Roanoke Rapids @ Rocky Mount 4:30
Tuesday games:
Roanoke Rapids @ Northern Nash 4:30
SouthWest Edgecombe @ Southern Nash 4:30
Wednesday:
Goldsboro @ Rocky Mount Prep 4:30
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Knights and Gryphons Advance
Three times within the Last decade the Lady Gryphons have played a fellow conference member five times in a season. Twice it has been Northern Nash
Just like this year the Gryphons played Northern in the Christmas Tournament just like they collided with Nash Central this year. They met in both conference meeting and met Northern for the conference tournament. Twice just like with the Bulldogs this year. One of those meetings with Northern was for the right to go to the semi finals in Fayetteville just like tonight except tonight's winner is heading to Northern Durham who crushed topsoil 61-25. The team heading to Greensboro will be the Lady Gryphons who handle Nash Central 56-39.
Keyanna Spivey scored 25 points and Michelle Gainey 15 in Scoring more than the entire Bulldog team.
Just maybe Terry Sanford's 16-11 record was very deceiving. The Knights of Northern Nash have not run over anybody in the playoffs so far and again tonight all Northern Knights fans can be glad Darius Spradley plays for the the green and gold.
Northern led by six at end of the first quarter. The second, third and almost all the fourth Terry Sanford inched closer and closer and then it happened again. Tied 56 all and the clock ticking down to under ten seconds Henry Drake knows there is only one person who needs the ball in his hands with the clock ticking down Darius Spradley. Spradley and the Knights are heading to round four as Terry Sanford fails to tie and another home game beating Terry Sanford 58-56.
Northern will take on the number three seed Eastern Guilford who shipped East Alamance 82-62. Round four is Tuesday.
It has not happened since 2012 when Rocky Mount boys and girls advanced to the Regional Semi finals so Northern boys and Gryphons girls help send two Big East teams to the Regionals.
The playoff ride is not good news for the Jaguars of Rocky Mount Prep. Their fourth meeting of the year goes to Riverside Martin for the third time but surely this is the most important one Riverside 66 RM Prep 62.
Just like this year the Gryphons played Northern in the Christmas Tournament just like they collided with Nash Central this year. They met in both conference meeting and met Northern for the conference tournament. Twice just like with the Bulldogs this year. One of those meetings with Northern was for the right to go to the semi finals in Fayetteville just like tonight except tonight's winner is heading to Northern Durham who crushed topsoil 61-25. The team heading to Greensboro will be the Lady Gryphons who handle Nash Central 56-39.
Keyanna Spivey scored 25 points and Michelle Gainey 15 in Scoring more than the entire Bulldog team.
Just maybe Terry Sanford's 16-11 record was very deceiving. The Knights of Northern Nash have not run over anybody in the playoffs so far and again tonight all Northern Knights fans can be glad Darius Spradley plays for the the green and gold.
Northern led by six at end of the first quarter. The second, third and almost all the fourth Terry Sanford inched closer and closer and then it happened again. Tied 56 all and the clock ticking down to under ten seconds Henry Drake knows there is only one person who needs the ball in his hands with the clock ticking down Darius Spradley. Spradley and the Knights are heading to round four as Terry Sanford fails to tie and another home game beating Terry Sanford 58-56.
Northern will take on the number three seed Eastern Guilford who shipped East Alamance 82-62. Round four is Tuesday.
It has not happened since 2012 when Rocky Mount boys and girls advanced to the Regional Semi finals so Northern boys and Gryphons girls help send two Big East teams to the Regionals.
The playoff ride is not good news for the Jaguars of Rocky Mount Prep. Their fourth meeting of the year goes to Riverside Martin for the third time but surely this is the most important one Riverside 66 RM Prep 62.
Show Down Time
Rocky Mount Lady Gryphons won the regular season Big East Title. Nash Central won the Big East Tournament title their first ever in their history season ending tournament title. The winner will play in the East Regional semi finals against either N E Guilford 27-1 Number one seed in the east or Topsoil 17-9 the 7th seed. Should NE Guilford win they host either Big East team. Should Topsoil win they would travel to Rocky Mount or host Nash Central.
The Match Up.
Nash Central 18-8 @ Rocky Mount 21-3 6 pm tonight
These two have played four times each winning twice. Nash Central won their first meeting in the Christmas Tournament 40-36. Michaela Nelms scored 17 for the Bulldogs while Keyanna Spivey had 10 for the Gryphons. The first conference meeting the Gryphon won in Rocky Mount 61-52 with Nelms scoring 20 and Spivey 23. The encounter in the Dog Pound the Gryphons won 51-36 as Nelms scored 12 and Spivey 24. Then last week in the conference tournament final the Bulldogs score a 52-49 win. Nelms finds the nets for 21 and Spivey 25.
Those four meetings the average score has been 49-45 Rocky Mount. Interestingly the Bulldogs are averaging 12 points above what Rocky Mount averages as they have held all teams to 33 per game. Nash Central must find a way to slow Keyanna Spivey below her 20.5 average against the Bulldogs. Rocky Mount has fared better when Michaela Helms was held below her average. 16 in the two Rocky Mount wins. 19 in the Bulldogs wins. Which one will accomplish what they have to do to win?
The Match Up Terry Sanford 16-11 @ Northern Nash 24-3 6pm tonight
The Bulldogs average 55 points per game while Northern scores at a 71 clip. First look it would seem that Terry Sanford will have to slow down the pace of this game. The other side of the ball the Bulldogs hold the opposition to 51 points while the Knights 55. If the stats don't lie then this will be a run and gun attempt by Northern and a walk up the court attempt by Terry Sanford.
Sanford has three double digit scorers in which the Knights will have to contend with. Telligence Johnson leads the team at 14 per contest followed by Player Stats 13.5 and Gabe Harbison 11.8. Stats is the top rebounder at 8.5. The heart and soul of the Knights is Darius Spradley who has been playing on a bad toe. The Knights will need him at his best plus not in any foul trouble.
The Match Up Riverside Martin 22-3 @ Rocky Mount Prep 22-5 7pm
Have met three times this season with Riverside winning twice. Prep won at home 69-68. Lost at Riverside 77-63 and just last weekend at NC Wesleyan lost in Tournament 67-58
Riverside is led by Markel Freeman 18 pts per game. His main help comes from Jordan Spruill 12.6 and Jadaki Bonds 13.1. Prep counters with Keyshawn Bryant 18 points. His main help comes from teammates Trevor Batchlor 10.6 and Jayden Draugh 10.1
Any of the four teams still alive from Nash County that win will officially be playing Tuesday in the Eastern Regional semi's. Three can make it we know one will and there is a chance that only one Will unless all involved play the greatest game ever.
The Match Up.
Nash Central 18-8 @ Rocky Mount 21-3 6 pm tonight
These two have played four times each winning twice. Nash Central won their first meeting in the Christmas Tournament 40-36. Michaela Nelms scored 17 for the Bulldogs while Keyanna Spivey had 10 for the Gryphons. The first conference meeting the Gryphon won in Rocky Mount 61-52 with Nelms scoring 20 and Spivey 23. The encounter in the Dog Pound the Gryphons won 51-36 as Nelms scored 12 and Spivey 24. Then last week in the conference tournament final the Bulldogs score a 52-49 win. Nelms finds the nets for 21 and Spivey 25.
Those four meetings the average score has been 49-45 Rocky Mount. Interestingly the Bulldogs are averaging 12 points above what Rocky Mount averages as they have held all teams to 33 per game. Nash Central must find a way to slow Keyanna Spivey below her 20.5 average against the Bulldogs. Rocky Mount has fared better when Michaela Helms was held below her average. 16 in the two Rocky Mount wins. 19 in the Bulldogs wins. Which one will accomplish what they have to do to win?
The Match Up Terry Sanford 16-11 @ Northern Nash 24-3 6pm tonight
The Bulldogs average 55 points per game while Northern scores at a 71 clip. First look it would seem that Terry Sanford will have to slow down the pace of this game. The other side of the ball the Bulldogs hold the opposition to 51 points while the Knights 55. If the stats don't lie then this will be a run and gun attempt by Northern and a walk up the court attempt by Terry Sanford.
Sanford has three double digit scorers in which the Knights will have to contend with. Telligence Johnson leads the team at 14 per contest followed by Player Stats 13.5 and Gabe Harbison 11.8. Stats is the top rebounder at 8.5. The heart and soul of the Knights is Darius Spradley who has been playing on a bad toe. The Knights will need him at his best plus not in any foul trouble.
The Match Up Riverside Martin 22-3 @ Rocky Mount Prep 22-5 7pm
Have met three times this season with Riverside winning twice. Prep won at home 69-68. Lost at Riverside 77-63 and just last weekend at NC Wesleyan lost in Tournament 67-58
Riverside is led by Markel Freeman 18 pts per game. His main help comes from Jordan Spruill 12.6 and Jadaki Bonds 13.1. Prep counters with Keyshawn Bryant 18 points. His main help comes from teammates Trevor Batchlor 10.6 and Jayden Draugh 10.1
Any of the four teams still alive from Nash County that win will officially be playing Tuesday in the Eastern Regional semi's. Three can make it we know one will and there is a chance that only one Will unless all involved play the greatest game ever.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Big Night For Big East
Nash Central @ Rocky Mount 6pm Saturday
Terry Sanford @ Northern Nash 6pm Saturday
Riverside Martin @ Rocky Mount Prep 7pm Saturday
We talked yesterday about the triple offensive threat that Northwood was going to present against the Lady Gryphons of Rocky Mount.
Rocky Mount jumped to a first quarter lead of 20-12. 30-23 was the halftime Gryphons lead. Then that Gryphons defense took over. Rocky Mount managed only 10 points in the 3rd and fourth quarters each. Between the half and the end of the game the Gryphons defense held Northwood to only 12 points and bring home a 50-35 win.
Including the second half of Tuesday's first round game the Lady Gryphons have held Westover and Northwood to 15 points in the second half of both games. Remember these are playoffs games where the teams have earned their way into the playoffs.
Keyanna Spivey if she's not Big East player of the year there should be an investigation led the way with 24 points and 15 rebounds. The Gryphons Earned a home game after a major upset.
The Lady Bulldogs of Nash Central traveled to Cameron to take on Union Pines.The ride back to Rocky Mount will be a loud joyous ride home as the Lady Bulldogs have pulled off and upset of a team with only two losses.
Like Rocky Mount Nash Central jumped out early leading by 10 16-6 after a quarter. Much like what their mascot name says they grabbed hold of the Union Pines team by the collar and didn't let go still leading by ten at the half. The lead melted to nine after three quarters but a spirited run by Union Pines could not make up the difference as the Bull Dogs out scored UP 17-14 in the fourth to spring the upset score of 54-42
This sets up a third round showdown between the top two teams in the Big East Rocky Mount and Nash Central. Don't know yet when this game will be played but be there early. These two have already played each other twice splitting winning two each. Rocky Mount won the only game at Rocky Mount 61-52.
Up in the Rocky Mount story I gave you my pick for player of the year for the girls. Now what about the boys? Northern Nash played conference foe Fike tonight after having controlled both games during the regular season. The Knights are banged up and tonight they got all they wanted from the Golden Demons.
This game was close all the way with neither side being able to take control. This is where you insert the player of the year. Fike tied the score with under a minute to play at 57 all. Darius Spragley said boys follow me. Sinking a jump shot with 22 seconds to play to give the Knights the lead then after a Fike missed shot sank two free throws to send Northern to round three after a 61-57 win. If Spradley is not Big East Player of the year call in the SBI.
It turns out to be a big night for Nash County basketball. Rocky Mount Prep has advanced after beating River Mill Academy 67-54
Northern will host Terry Sanford a 64-53 winner over Eastern Wayne. We will be posting both times of the Nash Central Rocky Mount girls game and Northern Terry Sanford as soon as they are known
Terry Sanford @ Northern Nash 6pm Saturday
Riverside Martin @ Rocky Mount Prep 7pm Saturday
We talked yesterday about the triple offensive threat that Northwood was going to present against the Lady Gryphons of Rocky Mount.
Rocky Mount jumped to a first quarter lead of 20-12. 30-23 was the halftime Gryphons lead. Then that Gryphons defense took over. Rocky Mount managed only 10 points in the 3rd and fourth quarters each. Between the half and the end of the game the Gryphons defense held Northwood to only 12 points and bring home a 50-35 win.
Including the second half of Tuesday's first round game the Lady Gryphons have held Westover and Northwood to 15 points in the second half of both games. Remember these are playoffs games where the teams have earned their way into the playoffs.
Keyanna Spivey if she's not Big East player of the year there should be an investigation led the way with 24 points and 15 rebounds. The Gryphons Earned a home game after a major upset.
The Lady Bulldogs of Nash Central traveled to Cameron to take on Union Pines.The ride back to Rocky Mount will be a loud joyous ride home as the Lady Bulldogs have pulled off and upset of a team with only two losses.
Like Rocky Mount Nash Central jumped out early leading by 10 16-6 after a quarter. Much like what their mascot name says they grabbed hold of the Union Pines team by the collar and didn't let go still leading by ten at the half. The lead melted to nine after three quarters but a spirited run by Union Pines could not make up the difference as the Bull Dogs out scored UP 17-14 in the fourth to spring the upset score of 54-42
This sets up a third round showdown between the top two teams in the Big East Rocky Mount and Nash Central. Don't know yet when this game will be played but be there early. These two have already played each other twice splitting winning two each. Rocky Mount won the only game at Rocky Mount 61-52.
Up in the Rocky Mount story I gave you my pick for player of the year for the girls. Now what about the boys? Northern Nash played conference foe Fike tonight after having controlled both games during the regular season. The Knights are banged up and tonight they got all they wanted from the Golden Demons.
This game was close all the way with neither side being able to take control. This is where you insert the player of the year. Fike tied the score with under a minute to play at 57 all. Darius Spragley said boys follow me. Sinking a jump shot with 22 seconds to play to give the Knights the lead then after a Fike missed shot sank two free throws to send Northern to round three after a 61-57 win. If Spradley is not Big East Player of the year call in the SBI.
It turns out to be a big night for Nash County basketball. Rocky Mount Prep has advanced after beating River Mill Academy 67-54
Northern will host Terry Sanford a 64-53 winner over Eastern Wayne. We will be posting both times of the Nash Central Rocky Mount girls game and Northern Terry Sanford as soon as they are known
Second Round Tonight
More than half the field that started the playoffs Tuesday night from this area are still alive. Not many teams with losing records left and certainly the competition level increases with every victory. Let's take a look at our local survivors that are playing tonight.
Northwood Girls 22-6@ Rocky Mount 20-3 6pm: Lady Gryphons win their 20th game with their victory over Westover. Northwood finished second in the Big Eight with a10-2 conference record trailing Orange 11-1. They average 50.4 points per game while on defense they hold down their foes to 39.75. The Gryphons score at a 57 per game pace while yielding only 33.
Northwood has a trio of scorers that the Lady Gryphons will have to contend with. Kadie Snipes averages 16.6 and is joined by Chandler Adams 15.2 and Kristian Eaves 15.1. These three players score 47 points a game while Rocky Mount only gives up 33 so something has to give. Keyanna Spivey 19 points 9 rebounds will be a load for Northwood to worry about.
Northwood beat JF Webb in the opening round 45-42 while the Gryphons swarmed Westover 70-9. The winner of this game will meet the winner of the Union Pines/ Nash Central meeting. If the Gryphons win they would travel to Union Pines Saturday and if Nash Central wins to come to Rocky Mount. Northwood wins they would travel to either winner of the Union Pines/ Nash Central game.
Fike 18-8 @ Northern Nash 23-3 7pm: Regardless of what sport it is it seems the Big East also winds up playing another Big East team somewhere in the playoffs. I guess that means we win a lot of playoff games and as the teams fall by the wayside we are beating the other leagues and that leaves Big East teams only to play. These two teams played twice during the season Northern winning both 89-74 at Fike and 84-65 at Northern.
Fike averages 66 per game while Northern scores at a 71 points a game pace. Fike is led by Samson Strickland scores 19 a game and yanks down 10.7 rebounds per contest. He gets help from Tyshaud Lucas 10 points and Ricky Fuller11.6 points per game. Northern is led by Darius Spragley 17.9 points and Undray Cherry 13.6. Raymond Bullock controls the boards at 8.2 per game.
The winner of this game is set to meet the winner of 8 seed Eastern Wayne 12-14 at home to Terry Sanford 15-11. If Northern wins they are home to either Saturday night. If Fike wins they go to either.
The big question in this game is the health of the Knights as it seems in the last couple of weeks that they have had the injury bug to hit them. They controlled both games against the Golden Demons during the season. Are the Knight's injuries enough to give Fike an opportunity?
Nash Central 17-8 @ Union Pines 24-3: This is a tough match up for the Lady Bulldogs. Union Pines averages 52 points per ball game while the Lady Dogs 49. Leading point producer for UP is Byona Shields at 16.1 and her main helper Hadiya Baiser 11.7 and rebounds at 7.9.
Nash Central will respond with Michaela Nelms 18.4. She also grabs 8.1 rebounds. Two others get double digits points in Myia Spivey 10.8 and Kayalia Mitchell 10.2
The winner of this game meets Rocky Mount/Northwood winner. If Union Pines wins they host either. If Nash Central wins they would go to Rocky Mount or visit Northwood.
Other games:
River Mill Academy 19-7 @ Rocky Mount Prep 21-5
Girls :
SouthWest Edgecombe 19-4 hosting North Johnston17-9
Northwood Girls 22-6@ Rocky Mount 20-3 6pm: Lady Gryphons win their 20th game with their victory over Westover. Northwood finished second in the Big Eight with a10-2 conference record trailing Orange 11-1. They average 50.4 points per game while on defense they hold down their foes to 39.75. The Gryphons score at a 57 per game pace while yielding only 33.
Northwood has a trio of scorers that the Lady Gryphons will have to contend with. Kadie Snipes averages 16.6 and is joined by Chandler Adams 15.2 and Kristian Eaves 15.1. These three players score 47 points a game while Rocky Mount only gives up 33 so something has to give. Keyanna Spivey 19 points 9 rebounds will be a load for Northwood to worry about.
Northwood beat JF Webb in the opening round 45-42 while the Gryphons swarmed Westover 70-9. The winner of this game will meet the winner of the Union Pines/ Nash Central meeting. If the Gryphons win they would travel to Union Pines Saturday and if Nash Central wins to come to Rocky Mount. Northwood wins they would travel to either winner of the Union Pines/ Nash Central game.
Fike 18-8 @ Northern Nash 23-3 7pm: Regardless of what sport it is it seems the Big East also winds up playing another Big East team somewhere in the playoffs. I guess that means we win a lot of playoff games and as the teams fall by the wayside we are beating the other leagues and that leaves Big East teams only to play. These two teams played twice during the season Northern winning both 89-74 at Fike and 84-65 at Northern.
Fike averages 66 per game while Northern scores at a 71 points a game pace. Fike is led by Samson Strickland scores 19 a game and yanks down 10.7 rebounds per contest. He gets help from Tyshaud Lucas 10 points and Ricky Fuller11.6 points per game. Northern is led by Darius Spragley 17.9 points and Undray Cherry 13.6. Raymond Bullock controls the boards at 8.2 per game.
The winner of this game is set to meet the winner of 8 seed Eastern Wayne 12-14 at home to Terry Sanford 15-11. If Northern wins they are home to either Saturday night. If Fike wins they go to either.
The big question in this game is the health of the Knights as it seems in the last couple of weeks that they have had the injury bug to hit them. They controlled both games against the Golden Demons during the season. Are the Knight's injuries enough to give Fike an opportunity?
Nash Central 17-8 @ Union Pines 24-3: This is a tough match up for the Lady Bulldogs. Union Pines averages 52 points per ball game while the Lady Dogs 49. Leading point producer for UP is Byona Shields at 16.1 and her main helper Hadiya Baiser 11.7 and rebounds at 7.9.
Nash Central will respond with Michaela Nelms 18.4. She also grabs 8.1 rebounds. Two others get double digits points in Myia Spivey 10.8 and Kayalia Mitchell 10.2
The winner of this game meets Rocky Mount/Northwood winner. If Union Pines wins they host either. If Nash Central wins they would go to Rocky Mount or visit Northwood.
Other games:
River Mill Academy 19-7 @ Rocky Mount Prep 21-5
Girls :
SouthWest Edgecombe 19-4 hosting North Johnston17-9
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