Rocky Mount football moving to 1390 AM

- RMSH alum Wes Bradshaw

When ESPN Sports Radio 1490 AM decided earlier this spring to not broadcast Rocky Mount football games on the air, the biggest Rocky Mount sports fan in Rocky Mount just wouldn't stand for it.

Ummm, now I am pretty big, but this guy is even bigger - physically and in his love for Gryphon sports - in particular, Rocky Mount varsity football!

Wes Bradshaw (RMSH Class of 2000) has been part of many Gryphon football radio broadcasts with 1490 as a color commentator.

Due to 1490's indifference to perhaps showcase possibly one of Rocky Mount's best teams in recent memory, Bradshaw has taken things into his own hands.

He has worked out a deal for Gryphon football to be on the radio as Rocky Mount will be returning to its roots - WEED 1390 AM. The station carried Rocky Mount football, lastly with Steve Dickens and myself providing area fans all the Gryphon gridiron action.

But Hurricane Floyd did in the broadcast three games into the 1999 season as the station, then located off Sunset Ave. just past Sam's Club, was flooded and destroyed.

The station, now called 1390 .. The Word, is a soul gospel station now, but was extremely receptive to having Rocky Mount football back on the air.

And for you Rocky Mount football fans living on the outskirts of town, 1390 AM has a stronger signal at night than 1490 AM - so that will be a plus!

We'll have more details about the broadcast as summer progresses, but Bradshaw will need the help of all area businesses who have been past sponsors of Rocky Mount football on-the-air, and all those new clients who might want to get on board.

After all, the product is first-class. RMHS was 14-1 last season and is 57-10 over the last five seasons. With 18 starters coming back next season, hopes are high for the best season ever!

And you businesses out there, you can go along for the ride!

Contact Bradshaw at 452-3280 or email him at blackbirdxpress@yahoo.com if you're interested in commercial time on the broadcast or any other advertising issues.

I'm pretty glad Bradshaw, who will handle play-by-play duties on the broadcast, has decided to make this undertaking. I just can't imagine Rocky Mount football playing to dead air!

NOTE: RM football will be a part of a "Game of the Week" series on WZAX 99.3 FM, but only two to three select games.

Hudgins voted Male Athlete of the Year at Elon

ELON – Sophomore All-American football wide receiver Terrell Hudgins (Rocky Mount, N.C./Rocky Mount) came away with Stein H. Basnight Outstanding Male Athlete Award honors to top all accolades bestowed at the 34th Annual Elon University Athletics Awards Banquet Tuesday evening at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Stein H. Basnight Outstanding Athlete Award has been presented annually since 1958 in memory of the late Stein H. Basnight of Chapel Hill by his family to the most outstanding Phoenix male and female athletes of the year, as determined by the Elon Department of Athletics’ administrative staff. Jesse Basnight, Jr. and his wife, Janis Basnight, represented the Basnight family at the banquet.

Hudgins logged 10 Elon, Southern Conference or NCAA records while pacing the Elon football team to its best season in eight years last fall. The Walter Payton Award finalist led the Football Championship Subdivision in receptions and receiving yards per game on his way to earning not only First Team All-Southern Conference recognition, but First Team All-America accolades as well. Behind Hudgins’ performances, Elon finished the 2007 campaign ranked 23rd in the FCS in both The Sports Network and the coaches polls.

Nash County winners!

Former Nash County standouts Brian Allen (Southern Nash) and Zach Woodley (Northern Nash), now freshman members of the Pitt Community College baseball team, hold the championship plaque at the NJCAA Region X tournament in Burlington on May 11. The Bulldogs won the tournament with a 6-1 victory over Louisburg College.

(Photo - Courtesy of Terry Woodley)

Until this season, the last time Rocky Mount's baseball team ...

... won a playoff game was ...

May 8, 2001 - Rocky Mount 5, Hillsborough Orange 0

At Orange, Rocky Mount senior pitcher Carter Harrell threw a one-hitter and struck out a school-record 19 batters en route to the win. RMHS had eight hits and Orange helped the Gryphons' cause with three errors. Future UNC signee Paul Jenkins was 3-for-3.


... had a no-hitter in the postseason was ...

May 9, 2000 - Rocky Mount 2, New Hanover 0

After recording seven one-hitters in his career, Carter Harrell finally got his first and only no-no in this first-round 4-A playoff matchup. He struck out 10 and walked one that evening, while RMHS got six hits and one run each in the second and sixth (a Harrell RBI-double). Not a bad effort outing since that Wildcat lineup included dangerous hitters in twins Darryl and Trevor Lawhorn - both of whom eventually went on to play at East Carolina.


.... won a second-round playoff game was ...

May 11, 2000 - Rocky Mount 3, South Johnston 1 (8 innings)

At South Johnston in the 4-A playoffs, Paul Jenkins not only got the win (five-hitter, 9 Ks), but he hit a two-run home run over the right-center field fence to help give RMHS a 3-1 victory. The head coach of South Johnston that day - our very own Pat Smith!


... won at least 20 games in consecutive seasons was ...

1995 and 1996

RMHS was 23-3 in 1995 and 23-4 in 1996. The 1995 squad lost to New Hanover in the third round, while the 1996 team fell to Lee County in the 4-A East finals - no best-of-three back in those days!


... scored as many as nine runs in a postseason game was ...

May 15, 1998 - Rocky Mount 9, Hope Mills South View 3

These two teams played in Cumberland Co. Down 3-2 going into the seventh, the Gryphs struck for seven runs to blow the game open. The winning pitcher - Rocky Mount assistant coach Jason Battle - who hurled a three-hitter.


... played a scheduled doubleheader was ...

March 19, 1999 - RM 5, Douglas Byrd 0; RM 5, Douglas Byrd 0

With both games going five innings, Rocky Mount swept visiting Douglas Byrd. Jon-Charles Harrell, older brother of Carter, got the win in both games. He allowed two hits and struck out six in the opener, and gave up three hits and K'ed three in the nightcap. Jimmy Bullard helped him out with a home run in the first contest, while brother Carter blasted one in game 2. RMHS had seven hits in each game. This season, RMHS split two-seven innings games at Gryphon Stadium with South Granville .. a 4-0 win, and a 6-5 defeat.


... won four straight Rocky Mount Invitational Baseball Tournament titles was ...

1994, 1995, 1996, 1997

RM beat Beddingfied in 1994 finals (7-2) and the Bruins again (6-0) in 1995, then stopped Northern Nash 8-5 in 1996 and beat Durham Jordan 6-2 in 1997. The current RMHS four-title winning streak is as follows:

• 2008 - Rocky Mount def. Northern Nash, 6-5, to finish 3-0 in round-robin format
• 2007 - Rocky Mount def. Southern Nash, 13-1
• 2006 - Rocky Mount def. Northern Nash, 6-2
• 2005 - Rocky Mount def. Northern Nash, 5-2

Barnes gets football scholarship offer from Duke

- RMHS offensive lineman Whit Barnes

When Rocky Mount offensive lineman Whit Barnes opened his mail Thursday afternoon, he had to catch his breath.

He received a letter from the Duke University football staff offering him a scholarship to play college football for the Blue Devils - under new head coach David Cutcliffe. To say he and his parents, Russ and Martha Barnes, were on Cloud 9 would be an understatement. An opportunity to get a free college education from Duke is what they thought most of. Football took a back-burner - at least for a few moments.

The 6-foot-4, 270-pound rising senior, who sports a 4.1 GPA, was named to the NCPreps.com 3-A All-State team after helping the Gryphons to a 14-1 season last year. He assisted RMHS in setting a school record for rushing yardage and total offense in 2007.Several more offers may come in before Barnes decides to accept Duke's.

With 18 starters coming back this fall, many feel this might be the year for the senior-ladened Gryphons. Barnes and many of his senior teammates may get several offers each before the first Wednesday of February, national signing day, rolls around.

Jenkins out of the hospital

Just as I was about to do blog feature on former Rocky Mount athlete Oliver (O.J.) Jenkins, he suddenly makes news for the wrong reason.

A senior center fielder for N.C. Central in its first season playing at the Div. I level, Jenkins and his Eagle teammates were playing the second game of a doubleheader at Chowan University last Saturday (April 26) when Jenkins ran into a pole in the outfield fence trying to make a catch.

Jenkins' injury was so serious that he was rushed to Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville where he spent time in the Intensive Care Unit. He apparently injured a kidney, but luckily it never stopped functioning.

He was released by midweek from the hospital and is recuperating at home.

Before his injury, the former Juan Chesson Award winner at RMHS had started 31 of 32 games for the Eagles and led the team in at-bats (101), runs scored (20) and base-on-balls (15). He was an All-CIAA performer last year.

Jenkins has played football the last four seasons as a wide receiver and long snapper.

Highlights of Fike-Rocky Mount baseball game

To watch highlights of Rocky Mount's 9-8, 11-inning loss at Wilson Fike Tuesday evening, click here:

Wilson Daily News video - Rocky Mount vs. Wilson Fike

The Holt Connection continues

Former Rocky Mount assistant football coach Brent David is now the head football coach at Winston-Salem Carver.

He is the 15th gentleman to have coached under or played for Rocky Mount head football coach B.W. Holt to become a high school head football coach.

David was an assistant at RMHS for four seasons before leaving in 2007 an assistant position at Carver - nearer the hometown of him and his wife in High Point. The last three seasons here he was the defensive coordinator.

Here is the list of those 15 men:

Brent David - head coach , Winston-Salem Carver ...... asst. to Holt at Rocky Mount

Scott Cummings - head coach, Knoxville-West (Tn.) ..... asst. to Holt at Tennessee High (Tn.)

Greg Stubbs - head coach, Tennessee High (Tn.) ..... asst. to Holt at Tennessee High (Tn.)

Scott Johnson, head coach, Starmount ..... asst. to Holt at Starmount

Joe Hutchens, head coach, Starmount ..... asst. to Holt at Starmount

Joey Weatherman, head coach, Dixon .... played for Holt at Starmount

Monte Chipman, head coach, East Wilkes ..... played for Holt at Starmount

Elbert Thomas, head coach, West Montgomery ..... asst. to Holt at West Montgomery, played for Holt at Starmount

Steve Johnson, head coach, Cummings ...... played for Holt at Franklinton

Dickie Schock, head coach, Orange/Franklinton ..... played for Holt at Starmount, asst. at West Montgomery/Rocky Mount

Charlie Haire, head coach, Wilkes Central, West Montgomery ...... asst. to Holt at Starmount

Tim Pruitt, head coach , Watauga, West Wilkes, Cherryville ...... asst. to Holt at Starmount

Tommy Piper, head coach, Franklinton ..... played for Holt at Franklinton, asst. to Holt at Franklinton

Stu Holt, head coach, New Smyrna Beach (Fl.) ...... played for Holt at Starmount

Chad Smith, head coach, Northern Nash ...... asst. to Holt at West Montgomery, Rocky Mount

Former Gryphon teaching, coaching at Wilson Hunt

If you attended the Rocky Mount Invitational Baseball Tournament earlier this week and saw Wilson Hunt play, you might have seen a familiar face in the Warriors' dugout.

Adam Weaver, who played collegiately at UNC and Elon, is now an assistant baseball coach at Hunt. Weaver, who teaches math at Hunt, knows his way around Gryphon Stadium. He was a four-year starter for the Gryphons from 1999 to 2002.

Weaver, whose dad Danny coached him at Rocky Mount, was voted to the Rocky Mount Telegram's Top 50 Greatest Twin Counties Athletes list a few years ago. A shortstop with tremendous range and arm strength, Weaver set the school record for career hits with 121 (also tops in the Twin Counties) - including 27 doubles. He closed his career with a .366 batting average.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that one his kids, senior catcher Chris Lamm, won the Hits Award for the tournament.

Weaver could also steal bases. He was 60-for-66 in his career as a base thief. And on the odd occasion when his dad told him to go to the mound, he got the job done there, too. He had a 5-0 as a pitcher.

But his ability on the football field was really underrated. He started the 2000 season as quarterback for the Gryphons and passed for 1,127 yards and eight touchdowns. His late touchdown run at New Bern that season gave the Gryphs a huge Big East upset win. He was also the team's second-leading rusher.

He decided that he'd concentrate solely on baseball his senior year.

His Hunt squad lost 4-2 to Rocky Mount in the tournament opener Monday. But a bit of a payback was on his mind.

He was heard to say later that day that Rocky Mount had better watch out for Hunt should they meet again come playoff time.

Looks like he's fully entrenched as a Warrior now, doesn't it!

2007 RMHS Football Highlights

If you have a desire to see some highlights of the Gryphons' fine 14-1 football season, then click on any of the links below to see some clips of games from the 2007 campaign. These are all from WRAL's Football Friday Show with Rocky Mount native Tom Suiter.

2007 Football Friday Videos

Wilson Hunt vs. Rocky Mount
Northern Vance vs. Rocky Mount
Greenville Rose vs. Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount vs. Southern Wayne
Southern Nash vs. Rocky Mount
Nash Central vs. Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount vs. Wilson Fike
Rocky Mount vs. Northern Nash
Union Pines vs. Rocky Mount
South Granville vs. Rocky Mount
Southern Wayne vs. Rocky Mount
Tom Suiter's Extra Effort Award: Manuel Davis
Rocky Mount vs. Western Alamance

Former Gryphon picks Appalachian State

Former Rocky Mount pitcher Ryan Waldrep will apparently play college baseball at Appalachian State.

Waldrep, a lefty who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs around 200 pounds, made a verbal commitment to the school this week according to the ImpactBaseball.com website.

Waldrep, who left Rocky Mount after a stellar sophomore season, has spent the last two years playing both basketball and baseball at South Brunswick in Southport.

In 2006, Waldrep was the NEW 6 Baseball Player of the Year - going 4-2 and setting a school record for the lowest ERA in school history - 0.15 - the fourth lowest in N.C. state history.

Here is an excerpt from a column by the Wilmington Star-News sports writer Chuck Carree about Waldrep's draft chances come June:

At 6-foot-5, 205, Waldrep intrigues me because I know little about him, except he played high school basketball and he is left-handed.

"I don't know if he is one everybody is on,'' said one scout, who described him as a sleeper.

Waldrep pitches comfortably at 86-87 mph and tops out at 88 mph.

"He is a guy I would at least like to keep an eye on,'' the scout said. "I only saw him briefly. He is a big kid. His arm worked OK and his throwing angles are good. He might be throwing harder than that in a couple of years.''

Waldrep is leaning toward signing with either Appalachian State or Elon after deciding not to pursue college basketball. He has qualified academically with more than 1,200 on the SAT and a 3.5 grade-point average.

Last week, Elon saw him pitch against Hoggard, when he threw three innings and struck out eight and allowed one unearned run. He says only two players made contact for outs. The run he allowed reached on a passed ball.

"He's got potential,'' said South Brunswick coach Lee Shelton. "I don't think he has fully been tapped out.''

Waldrep said his curve has improved since he received pointers last summer at Appalachian State's camp, where he said they clocked his fastball at 90 mph. He also throws changeups down in the strike zone to keep hitters off balance.

To solidify his future draft status, he hopes to add several miles per hour to his fastball.

"I have to learn to focus a little bit better too,'' he said.

While I have never seen Waldrep pitch, my guess is he will benefit from three years of college. The same can be said of virtually every high school senior.

2008 Rocky Mount Football Preview Capsules

HEAD COACH: B.W. Holt


CAREER RECORD: 308-110-2


RECORD AT RMHS: 57-11


CONFERENCE: NEW 6 Athletic


CLASS: 3A

COLORS: Blue-Black/Gold


MASCOT: Gryphons


2007 RECORD: 14-1; 5-0


LETTERMEN RETURNING: 36


STARTERS RETURNING: Off: 8 – Def: 8


OFFENSIVE FORMATION: Wing T


DEFENSIVE FORMATION: 4-3



STRENGTHS: Experience. Good senior leaders.



WEAKNESSES: Depth on the offensive line and defensive front.

2008 OUTLOOK: "It could be a good year if we can develop the right chemistry."

2008 SCHEDULE

Aug. 22 --- EAST FORSYTH (E)

Aug. 28 --- @ Wilson Hunt

Sep. 5 --- @ Northern Vance

Sep. 12 ---- @ J.H. Rose

Sep. 19 --- HERTFORD COUNTY

Sep. 26 --- SOUTHERN WAYNE

Oct. 3 --- open

Oct. 10 ---- NORTHERN NASH*

Oct. 17 --- @ SouthWest Edgecombe*

Oct. 24 --- @ Southern Nash*

Oct. 31 --- @ Nash Central*

Nov. 7 ---- WILSON FIKE*

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS -

SENIORS:

BRIAN GOODWIN (Athlete, 6-1, 182, 4.4) - All-Conference perfomer as a kick returner and a defensive back. Two-year starter. As a returner, he brought back two punts for touchdowns and two kickoffs for scores in 2007. Good hitter from his safety position (42 tackles, three pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and an interception). He may see some time at QB in 2008. Has baseball scholarship offer from UNC. College prospect.

NICK HAHULA (PK/FB/LB, 225, 4.75) - Could be one of the best kickers in the state. Rocky Mount's all-time kick scorer (180 pts.- 132 PATs, 16 FGs) and second in all-time points scored (216). All-Conference performer. Set school record for kicking points in a season in 2007 (73) and made a school-record seven field goals. Rushed for 679 yds. and scored six TDs from his fullback position. College prospect.

WHIT BARNES (OL, 6-4, 272, 5.15) - All-State and All-Conference performer. Two-year starter who can play center or tackle. Very smart player and a good leader. Led an offensive line that helped the team set a school record for rushing - 4,676 yds - ninth highest mark in N.C. history. College prospect.

TORY LEE (OL, 6-1, 255, 5.1) - Two-year starter at tackle. All-Conference performer. Very quick and smart. Will also play on the defensive side of the ball in 2008.

CHRIS PITTMAN (OLB, 6-1, 190, 4.7) - Racked up 120 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2007. He also recovered three fumbles - returned one for a TD. Expected to be the leader of the defense in 2008. College prospect.

NICK HARRISON (DE, 6-3, 215, 4.75) - All-Conference performer. Led team in sacks with seven. Recorded 39 tackles and recovered a fumble. Very quick and strong, Can play at the next level. Started all 15 games as a junior. College prospect.

JARRON BATTLE (OL, 6-1, 315, 5.5) - Should be an anchor for the offensive line. Very strong - 600 squat, 325 bench..

GREG WILLIAMS (OL, 6-3, 265, 5.3) - Started all 15 games last season as a junior. A quick guard. Could be special.

KEITH STRICKLAND (SE, 6-1,172, 4.6) - All-Conference performer. Led team with 24 receptions for 501 yds. and two TDs. Great hands.

HIAWATHA BUNN (QB/DB, 6-1, 175, 4.5) - Started six games at QB in 2007 before an ankle injury sidelined him. Ran for 273 yds. and three TDs, passed for 189 yds. and two TDs. Ran in four 2-point conversions. Very good athlete. Could be a two-way player in 2008.

BRANDON DENNIS (OL/DL, 6-2, 232, 5.0) - Started all 15 games in 2007. Will play some defense in 2008. Very good athlete and very smart.

JOHN WELLS (NG, 5-9, 215, 4.9) - Tallied 52 tackles and five sacks last season. Started all 15 games in 2007.

JERMAINE FIELDS (DE, 6-2, 215, 4.75) - Amassed 82 tackles in 2007 and recorded 3.5 sacks. He also recovered three fumbles. Very quick and strong. Can play at the next level. Good speed. College prospect.

ZACK WILLIAMS (DB, 6-0, 175, 4.5) - Picked off two passes in 2007 and played in every game. Also had two pass deflections and nine tackles. Very quick. A good coverage man.

DEDRICK SILVER (OLB/SS, 5-10, 165, 4.7) - Very smart player and a good tackler. Had 72 tackles in 2007. He deflected three passes and had a sack and a fumble recovery.

JUNIORS:

MARQUAVIS ALSTON (HB, 5-10, 170, 4.5) - All-Conference performer. Led the team in rushing as a sophomore in 2007 with 189 carries for 1,576 yds. and 24 touchdowns.

JORDAN FORD (HB/DB, 5-8, 162, 4.5) - Spent time on the varsity and JVs in 2007. Carried the ball just 39 times on the varsity, but ran for 448 yards (11.5 yds. per carry) and three TDs.

AARON BARNES (LB, 6-1, 215, 4.9) - Could be very good. Started most of the games in 2007. Had 67 tackles and two sacks.

COLLINS CUTHRELL (QB, 6-0, 165) - Led JV team to a 10-0 season in 2007 and kept its winning streak alive at 22 straight wins. Passed for 1,056 yds. and 12 TDs. Ran for 116 yds. and three TDs. Could push other QBs for the starting job.

MARCUS JONES (SE/DB, 6-0, 170) - Very good athlete. Great hands. Led JVs with 27 catches for 485 yds. and five TDs. During the JV season, he had two interception returns for a TD, a fumble return for a TD and a punt return for a TD.

2008 NEW 6 Master Baseball Schedule

Have you ever wondered what baseball team Northern Nash was playing, while attending a Rocky Mount game? Or what other squads NEW 6 baseball teams were playing, period?

Well, this should solve your problem.

How about a master schedule that has the games of all six NEW 6 Conference members on it!

Below, I am posting such a schedule and feel free to print it out, or refer back to it anytime. When six different teams play on any six days of the week, it can get a bit daunting to keep up with them.

Now, you can - starting with this week's games!

2008 NEW 6 CONFERENCE

BASEBALL MASTER SCHEDULE


Monday, March 3

Nash Central @ Wilson Hunt, 4:30

Tuesday, March 4

SW Edgecombe @ Hertford Co., 4:00
D.H. Conley @ Northern Nash, 4:30
Wilson Fike @ Wilson Hunt, 4:30 - ppd. rain
Washington @ Rocky Mount, 4:30
Southern Nash @ Beddingfield, 4:30

Wednesday, March 5

Southern Vance @ Southern Nash, 4:00
Wilson Fike @ Wilson Hunt, 4:30

Thursday, March 6

Northern Nash @ South Central, 4:30
Nash Central @ Wilson Beddingfield, 4:30
SW Edgecombe @ North Pitt, 5:30

Friday, March 7

South Granville @ Rocky Mount - DH, 4:30
Wilson Hunt @ Wilson Fike, 4:30

Southern Nash @ Roanoke Rapids, 5:00

Saturday, March 8

Hertford Co. @ SW Edgecombe, 1:00

Monday, March 10

Wakefield @ Nash Central, 4:00
Farmville Central @ SW Edgecombe, 4:30
Wilson Hunt @ Southern Nash, 4:30
Rocky Mount @ Washington, 4:30
South Granville @ Northern Nash, 5:00

Tuesday, March 11

Southern Nash @ North Johnston, 4:00
Princeton @ Wilson Fike, 4:30

Wednesday, March 12

Wilson Beddingfield @ Nash Central, 4:30
SW Edgecombe @ Bertie, 4:30
Smithfield-Selma @ Northern Nash, 4:30

Thursday, March 13

Roanoke Rapids @ Rocky Mount, 4:30
Bunn @ Nash Central, 4:30
Wilson Fike @ Rosewood, 5:00

Friday, March 14

North Johnston @ Southern Nash, 4:00

Saturday, March 15

Tarboro @ SW Edgecombe, 1:00
Rocky Mount @ D.H. Conley, 1:00

Monday, March 17

North Pitt @ SW Edgecombe, 4:30
Rocky Mount @ Roanoke Rapids, 5:00
Rosewood @ Wilson Fike, 5:00
Tarboro @ Nash Central, 7:00

Wednesday, March 19

Raleigh Enloe @ Northern Nash (E), 6:00

Thursday, March 20

Harnett Central @ Nash Central, 4:30

Friday, March 21

SW Edgecombe vs. Hobgood, 4:00 (Tarboro Classic)

Saturday, March 22

SW Edgecombe vs. TBA (Tarboro Classic)

Monday, March 24

SW Edgecombe vs. TBA (Tarboro Classic)
Wilson Fike @ Wilson Beddingfield, 7:00

Wednesday, March 26

Northern Nash @ Rocky Mount, 7:00
Wilson Fike @ SW Edgecombe, 7:00
Southern Nash @ Nash Central, 7:00

Thursday, March 27

Nash Central @ Wakefield, 4:00

Friday, March 28

Wilson Fike @ Northern Nash, 7:00
Rocky Mount @ Southern Nash, 7:00
SW Edgecombe @ Nash Central, 7:00

Monday, March 31

Nash Central @ Bunn, 4:30

Tuesday, April 1

Northern Nash @ Southern Nash, 7:00
SW Edgecombe @ Rocky Mount, 7:00
Nash Central @ Wilson Fike, 7:00

Thursday, April 3

Nash Central @ Northern Nash, 7:00
Wilson Fike @ Rocky Mount, 7:00
Southern Nash @ SW Edgecombe, 7:00

Saturday, April 5

Southern Nash vs. Nash Central, 1:00 (RM Tourney)

Northern Nash vs. Fort Mill, S.C., 4:00 (RM Tourney)
Rocky Mount vs. Wilson Hunt, 7:00 (RM Tourney)

Monday, April 7

Rocky Mount vs. Fort Mill, S.C., 1:00 (RM Tourney)
Southern Nash vs. Wilson Hunt, 4:00 (RM Tourney)

Nash Central vs. Northern Nash, 7:00 (RM Tourney)

Tuesday, April 8

Nash Central vs. Wilson Hunt, 1:00 (RM Tourney)
Southern Nash vs. Fort Mill, S.C., 4:00 (RM Tourney)
Rocky Mount vs. Northern Nash, 7:00 (RM Tourney)

Thursday, April 10

C.B. Aycock @ Wilson Fike, 7:00

Friday, April 11

Wilson Beddingfield @ Wilson Fike, 7:00

Saturday, April 12

Rocky Mount @ JH Rose, 1:00
SW Edgecombe @ Tarboro, 1:00

Tuesday, April 15

Northern Nash @ SW Edgecombe, 7:00
Rocky Mount @ Nash Central, 7:00
Wilson Fike @ Southern Nash, 7:00

Thursday, April 17

Rocky Mount @ Northern Nash, 7:00
SW Edgecombe @ Wilson Fike, 7:00
Nash Central @ Southern Nash, 7:00

Tuesday, April 22

Northern Nash @ Wilson Fike, 7:00
Southern Nash @ Rocky Mount, 7:00
Nash Central @ SW Edgecombe, 7:00

Thursday, April 24

Southern Nash @ Northern Nash, 7:00
Rocky Mount @ SW Edgecombe, 7:00
Wilson Fike @ Nash Central, 7:00

Tuesday, April 29

Northern Nash @ Nash Central, 7:00
Rocky Mount @ Wilson Fike, 7:00
SW Edgecombe @ Southern Nash, 7:00

Thursday, May 1

Nash Central @ Rocky Mount, 7:00
Southern Nash @ Wilson Fike, 7:00

Friday, May 2

Wilson Fike @ Rocky Mount, 7:00 (tiebreaker game)

SW Edgecombe @ Northern Nash, 7:00

Monday, May 5

South Central @ Northern Nash, 7:00
Southern Nash @ Roanoke Rapids, 7:00

Wednesday, May 7

D.H. Conley @ Northern Nash, 4:30

Alley-OOP!

This is a great shot taken of Rocky Mount's Tashawn Mabry on a alley-oop pass from Antoine Williams for a dunk against SouthWest Edgecombe in the NEW 6 Conference Tournament finals last Friday evening.

With the game tied at 59-all, Mabry's basket allowed the Gryphons to pull away for the win!

(Photo/David Hahula)

The Jason Bishop Show at NCWC's Dunn Center

Being a North Carolina Wesleyan graduate, I wish to give some publicity to an event slated to take place at the Dunn Center. Here's one you don't want to miss!

The Jason Bishop Show

It might be 60 degrees outside in Rocky Mount, N.C. on March 1, but it will be snowing inside.

Jason Bishop, an award-winning illusionist, will be performing at the Dunn Center at N.C. Wesleyan College on March 1 at 8 p.m. and -- hold onto your hat -- snow will magically come flying down from the rafters, literally showering the audience.

But that's not all. Interacting with members of the audience, Bishop will turn some lucky person's one dollar bill into $100.

Believing that you have to bring magic into the future, Bishop combines cutting edge technology, LCD and Plasma screens, an iPod Touch, state-of-the-art lighting, and a rocking contemporary soundtrack as the backdrop for his stunning magical displays. Like David Copperfield and Criss Angel, Bishop is one of the country's most versatile illusionists.

Don't miss the Jason Bishop Show performing live at the Dunn Center for Performing Arts at N.C. Wesleyan College on March 1 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $15 to $20 and can be purchased at www.ncwc.edu/arts/DunnCenter. To see clips from Bishop's performances visit http://www.thejasonbishopshow.com/.

Twin Counties hoop teams ready to start playoffs

The Twin Counties will see six girls teams and four boys teams hit the hardwood for the first round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association state basketball playoffs.

For the girls, Rocky Mount, SouthWest Edgecombe, Southern Nash, Tarboro and North Edgecombe knew they were in before this past weekend. Northern Nash was the last one asked to the dance as the Lady Knights were issued a wild card berth into the party Saturday afternoon.

The reward for Grover Battle and his girls ... they get to go to 25-0 South Central. YIKES!!!!

RMHS, Southern Nash and Tarboro will have the home-court advantage for the first round.

As for the boys, Rocky Mount, SouthWest Edgecombe, Nash Central and North Edgecombe are ready to go dancing. RMHS, SouthWest and North Edgecombe all get to stay home for round 1.

The girls start sectional play Monday, while the boys begin on Tuesday. All games will start at 7 p.m.

Here is the first-round schedule for all the area teams:


GIRLS --- MONDAY, 7 p.m.

3-A - Burlington Williams (13-11) @ Rocky Mount (22-1)
3-A - Northern Nash (11-14) @ South Central (25-0)
3-A - Rockingham County (22-5) @ Southern Nash (14-9)
3-A - SouthWest Edgecombe (12-11) @ Oxford Webb (21-4)
2-A - Bunn (10-15) @ Tarboro (19-6)
1-A - North Edgecombe (9-17) @ Camden (16-10)

BOYS --- TUESDAY, 7 p.m.

3-A - Eastern Alamance (12-10) @ Rocky Mount (17-6)
3-A - Northeast Guilford (18-9) @ SouthWest Edgecombe (16-8)
3-A - Nash Central (19-7) @ Oxford Webb (18-6)
1-A - Camden (17-8) @ North Edgecombe (24-1)

# - Since North Edgecombe plays Camden in both boys and girls, both games may be played on the same evening!

2008 NEW 6 All-Tournament Basketball Teams

Here are the 2008 NEW 6 Conference All-Tournament Teams as announced Friday at the conclusion of the league's tournaments at Wilson Fike:

GIRLS

Alyse Hall, Southern Nash
Monique Williams, SouthWest Edgecombe
Jasmine Sessoms, Nash Central
Jessica Harrison, Nash Central
Dyonna Battle, Rocky Mount
Deaudra Brown, Rocky Mount
Arkeneisha Melton, Rocky Mount - MVP

BOYS

A.J. Hines, Wilson Fike
Trey Sumler, Nash Central
Eugene Jenkins, SouthWest Edgecombe
Detrail Jenkins, SouthWest Edgecombe
Nick Hutcheson, Rocky Mount
Alonzo Sharpe, Rocky Mount
Tashawn Mabry, Rocky Mount - MVP

2008 NEW 6 Conference Basketball Tournament slate - updated

@ Fike High School, Wilson

First round

MONDAY

Boys
#3 SW Edgecombe 57, #6 Northern Nash 44
#4 Nash Central 62, #5 Southern Nash 27

TUESDAY

Girls
#6 Nash Central 47, #3 Fike 39
#4 SW Edgecombe 38, #5 Northern Nash 24

Semifinals

WEDNESDAY

Boys
#1 Rocky Mount 74, #4 Nash Central 71
#3 SW Edgecombe 52, #2 Fike 48

THURSDAY

Girls
#1 Rocky Mount 71, #4 SW Edgecombe 48
#6 Nash Central 43, #2 Southern Nash 38 - OT

Finals

FRIDAY

Boys

Consolation (to break tie for the No. 3 playoff spot)

#4 Nash Central 55, #2 Wilson Fike 45

Girls

Championship

#1 Rocky Mount 74, #6 Nash Central 55

Boys
Championship

#1 Rocky Mount 75, #3 SW Edgecombe 68

Good news on Fike's Flowers

I talked to Wilson Fike athletic director John Gay after the Fike-Rocky Mount basketball game Tuesday evening about the condition of Golden Demons' head baseball coach Will Flowers.

As reported here, Flowers suffered a stroke in January and was hospitalized at Pitt Memorial Hospital.

I am glad to report that Flowers did return home after a few weeks in the hospital and is feeling well enough to attend Fike's baseball practices. But he's not back coaching quite yet, nor is he is back teaching at Fike.

His speech, which was affected by the stroke, is returning back to normal, but he hasn't regained the strength he had before his incident. Fike's assistant coaches are conducting the practices, which officially started this past Monday.

Let's pray that Will continues to improve. I'd love to see him coaching in the dugout at Gryphon Stadium when Fike comes calling on the Gryphons on April 3.

We won't have a long wait for the next 1,000-point scorer

As most of you know, Rocky Mount sophomore Tashawn Mabry topped the 1,000-point scoring mark last week. Gryphon fans had to wait 26 years to see a boys basketball player reach that feat.

And the last female to reach that milestone was guard Latoya Armstrong back in 2003. Armstrong is No. 3 on the girls all-time scoring list with 1,127 points.

It won't be another 26 to see a male hit that mark, and it won't be long before Kim Taylor, Danielle Powell and Armstrong will have company in the 1,000-point club.

For the boys, current Rocky Mount point guard Alonzo Sharpe could quite possibly make it by the end of next season. Sharpe, coming off a career-high 28 points Friday against SouthWest Edgecombe, topped the 700-point level and is at 703 - with the rest of this season and all of the 2008-09 campaign ahead of him.

Also, should junior forward Montrell Battle be eligible to play next season and remains so for the whole season, he could reached the mark, too. At this juncture, he has 718 points as a Gryphon.

Now for the girls.

Junior forward Dyonna Battle may be the first of the bunch to get there, however.

Battle, brother of former RMHS sports standout Jemonte Battle (Class of 2000), has scored 758 points. She should top 800 before the season ends, so she should hit the 1,000-point mark near or just after Christmas next season.

The reason all these players are making a bid for 1,000 points is that all three had productive scoring seasons as freshmen, and they have steadily built on their point production each of the ensuing seasons.

So it's very conceivable that three RMHS hoopsters could well join the 1,000-point club in the same season.