NC/SC All-Star Baseball Challenge - teams split games

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - North Carolina came away with a 9-2 win in Game 2 of the N.C.-S.C. All-Star Baseball Challenge Friday after dropping rain-delayed Game 1 8-3 at BB&T Field, home of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

Rain in the Conway S.C. area Thursday evening curtailed Game 1 of the event which started at Coastal Carolina's Watson Stadium.

Game 1 was suspended with South Carolina leading 8-3 going into the bottom of the sixth inning. S.C. had plated seven runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead before play was stopped. But North Carolina had no luck in making a comeback when play was resumed.

In Game 3, Eastern Wayne's John Wooten, son of Rocky Mount alum Sonny Wooten (a member of the 1973 RMSH 4-A baseball state championship team), was the hitting star. The East Carolina-bound slugger, who led the state in home runs this past season (18), knocked in three runs.

Rocky Mount's Brian Goodwin and Ben Fish and Northern Nash's Tyler Joyner, who participated in the event, all got quite a bit of playing time in both games. In Game 3, Fish picked up a hit and scored a run, while Goodwin had two infield hits. Fish even caught Joyner for a time in Game 1 Thursday.

Womble to play in Hawaii this summer, then at NCWC

Former Rocky Mount pitcher Chad Womble (RMHS '07) is flying for the first time in his life this week. But what a destination for his maiden flight - HAWAII!

Womble (6-1, 175), who graduated from Florence-Darllington Technical College a few weeks ago (AA in Business Administration), got an offer to play summer baseball in the Hawaii Collegiate Baseball League. He'll be playing for the Kamuela Paniolos - one of six teams in the league.

In case you're wondering, a paniolo is a cowboy or horseman.

His first practice is Thursday morning - only hours after his flight arrived. Players from all over the country make up the team's roster - including two players from N.C.'s Gardner-Webb. On average, they will play a game a day six days a week. The season concludes with a tournament the last week of July.

From looking at their schedule, Womble and his teammates play the majority of their 35 games in the late morning or early afternoon which leaves plenty of time for surfing and sightseeing.

Womble, who had a career record of 22-7 while at RMHS, will be staying pretty close to home when he gets back home. He has decided to close his final two seasons of college baseball at N.C. Wesleyan, the first Gryphon baseball player in years to play for the Battling Bishops.

Post 58 Legion baseball season underway

You will have to forgive Coleman-Pitt Post 58 second-year head coach Matt Bryan for starting the bulk of his 2009 American Legion baseball season a bit late.

Quite a few of his players played for Northern Nash, which reached the NCHSAA 3-A East regional final series two weekends ago.

The team he's involved with during the school year, Eastern Wayne (as an assistant coach), not only beat Northern in that regional series, but lost out in the 3-A state championship series 2-1 to Lake Norman at Zebulon's Five County Stadium last weekend. So he's has had a lot on his plate.

But it will be totally clear this week as Post 58 get its season going full throttle. Bryan managed to make his team's opener Sunday at New Bern, but it fell to Post 24 14-4.

Post 58 was led Northern Nash's Mike Williams who had three hits. NN's Brandon Denton got the loss on the hill. He allowed seven runs on seven hits in his four innings of work. He recorded five strikeouts.

Ironically, the winning pitcher for New Bern that evening was named Gabe Brown. Of course, there is a Gabe Brown on Post 58's roster, too.

Post 58 faced Tarboro on the road Tuesday evening, but the game was rained out.

All its home games will be played at Northern, with the exception of its game Sunday with Edenton at N.C. Wesleyan's Bauer Field. Expect Post 58 to rotate from Northern Nash, to Rocky Mount to Nash Central as a home field during the coming years, says Bryan.

Right now, just 10 more games are on the schedule, but more contests may be added.

Bryan is still trying to solidify his lineup. He learned late last week that Rocky Mount senior Brian Goodwin would not be playing with the team. He was invited to play with a well-respected travel team (Midland Redskins) in Ohio for the summer.

But he has several players back from a squad that went 14-2 during the regular season in 2008 and won its division, but fell in two straight games to New Bern in the opening round of the Divisional Playoffs.

"I wish Brian all the best in whichever way he uses his talent - whether in college or professionally," said Bryan, a N.C. Wesleyan College graduate who now works at Spring Creek High School in Wayne County. "You know, we could use his bat because he could make us deeper. But right now, pitching arms are our biggest concern."

He is looking for pitching performances from Denton, Alex Pearce (UNC-Pembroke via Nash Central), Tyler Joyner (Northern Nash), Dillon Cockrell (Rocky Mount) and Mike Smith (Northern Nash),

"Our pitching is not deep at all," said Bryan, "but we've got guys that are good enough to get people out. What I need are arms!"

Bryan likes to break the game of baseball up into three phases: hitting, pitching and defense. He says his defense looks good, but he will be looking to some veterans for that hitting support.

"I'm looking for some older guys to step up like Gabe Brown (Rocky Mount), Cockrell, Wesley Joyner (Northern Nash) and Pearce (at catcher)," said Bryan.


Coleman-Pitt Post 58 American Legion Baseball Roster
Player, Name, Number, Position, Batting/Throwing, School

Gabe Brown - 1, IF, R/R, Rocky Mount
Bill Clark - 21, P, OF R/R, Home Schooled
Tyler Clark - 14, C, OF, R/R, Northern Nash
Dillon Cockrell -13, P, IF, R/R, Rocky Mount
Collins Cuthrell -16, IF, R/R, Rocky Mount
Brandon Denton - 20, P, OF, R/L, Northern Nash
Ben Fish - 17, C, R/R, Rocky Mount
Nick Hahula - 27. P, OF, R/R, Rocky Mount
Grant Johnson - 4, IF, R/R, Rocky Mount (ECU)
Tyler Joyner - 9, P, IF, L/L, Northern Nash
Wesley Joyner - 2 IF R/R, Northern Nash
Alex Pearce - 7, C, P R/R, UNC-Pembroke (Nash Central)
Cameron Ramsey -18 IF, R/R, Rocky Mount
Mike Smith - 3, IF/OF, R/R, Northern Nash
T.J .Taylor - 5, OF, P, L/L, Nash Central
Ray Velazquez - 8, P, R/R, Southern Wayne
Mike Williams -10, P, IF, R/R, Northern Nash

Head Coach: Matt Bryan (second season)

Coleman-Pitt Post 58 Schedule

June 7 - @ New Bern - L, 14-4 - (0-1, 0-0)
June 9 - @ Tarboro - ppd., rain
June 11 - @ Kinston - W, 7-2 - (1-1, 0-0)
June 14 - EDENTON - W, 15-6 - 2-1, 1-0)
June 17 - @ Tarboro - W, 28-3 - (3-1, 2-0)
June 18 - WILSON - W, 12-2 - (4-1, 3-0)
June 19 - @ Ahoskie - W 10-8 - (5-1, 4-0)
June 20 - @ Wilson - W, 14-3 - (6-1, 5-0)
June 21 - @ Edenton - L, 12-10 - (6-2, 5-1)
June 22 - AHOSKIE - W, 12-11 - (7-2, 6-1)
June 24 - TARBORO, 7 p.m.
June 27-28 - @ Garner Tournament, TBA

2009 NEW 6 Softball All-Conference Teams

Here are the NEW 6 All-Conference Softball Teams from the 2009 campaign:

First Team

• Brianne McKenney, Northern Nash
• Melissa Avent, Northern Nash
• Raven Lee, Northern Nash
• Taylor Braswell, Southern Nash
• Ashley Tharrington, Southern Nash
• Ashley Bone, Nash Central
• Tiffany Macklin, Nash Central
• Haley Wishall, SouthWest Edgecombe
• Katelyn Suggs, Wilson Fike
• Laura Alford, Rocky Mount

Second Team

• Samantha Gurganus, Northern Nash
• Lindsay Bailey, Northern Nash
• Lauren McGrath, Northern Nash
• Olivia Lamm, Southern Nash
• Tawny Richardson, Southern Nash
• Megan Murray, Nash Central
• Samantha Perry, Nash Central
• Kayla Hinton, SouthWest Edgecombe
• Leslie Finch, Wilson Fike
• Cary Mosher, Rocky Mount

Honorable Mention

• Betsy Braswell, Northern Nash
• Hilary Wilson, Southern Nash
• Lesley Murray, Nash Central
• Rebecca Wells, SouthWest Edgecombe
• Baker Sharpe, Wilson Fike
• Clyteshia Garner, Rocky Mount

Top Awards

• Player of the Year -- Ashley Bone, Nash Central
• Conference Coach of the Year -- Greg Tharrington, Northern Nash

Northern Nash's Bissette to play football at Ashland (Oh.)

RED OAK - Northern Nash senior Casey Bissette has agreed to an offer to attend Div. II Ashland University in Ohio as a punter/kicker for the nationally-ranked Eagle squad.

Bissette was a four-year year varsity soccer player as was considered to be one of the best goalies in school history. This past year, Bissette set school records as a goalie for most shutouts in a season, most consecutive shutouts and fewest goals allowed in a season.

In his senior year, Bissette decided to play football along with soccer in the same season. He soon showed his talent for kicking and punting and began attending national competitions and camps.

He was ranked 23rd in the nation with former Oakland Raider Ray Guy of Ray Guy Kicking and fourth in the southeast region. He soon began training with former Atlanta Falcon player Jimmy Rafter with Rafter Pro Training out of Atlanta, Ga. From there, he continued to consistently place in national competitions which earned him looks and offers from numerous colleges from Div-IA to Div. III levels.

Bissette felt Ashland had the best fit. The Eagles have an impressive football history with 16 championships, over 400 wins and over 100 All-Americans since their program began. The Eagles have participated in the NCAA Div. II National Playoffs in 2007 and 2008, and in 2008 were only one win away from making it to the championship game. National polls have Ashland ranked 14th in the nation for preseason.

Besides an outstanding football program, Bissette also chose Ashland based on its academic excellence. Bissette was also awarded the Provost's Scholarship from Ashland University for his academic achievements. He plans to major in pre-med. Ashland has a 99 percent success rate in graduating pre-med students with their first choice in medical internships.

Bissette is due to report to football camp Aug. 1.

Goodwin will not be in town for MLB Draft

I was really looking forward to being with Rocky Mount center fielder Brian Goodwin and his family this Tuesday while watching the Major League Baseball Draft. I wanted to be there to see the look on his face when his name was called - whatever round it may have happened.

But alas, I will not get that opportunity as Brian's plans for the night have changed. In fact, his plans for the summer have done an about face.

Goodwin, who had planned to play American Legion baseball here for Post 58 this summer, got a more interesting offer for his summer vacation. He'll be playing with a travel team called the Midland Redskins in Amellia, Oh. just outside of Cincinnati.

In fact, when the Draft starts, Goodwin will be on the playing field in a Midland contest - one about 35 the team plays in each summer.

But I plan to talk to him right after his game is over about his selection.

He will be flying back to North Carolina the following day. Then he will be headed to Myrtle Beach along with Gryphon teammate Ben Fish for the N.C.-S.C. Baseball Challenge. He'll attend RMHS' graduation Saturday and then hop a flight back to Cincinnati.

Stay tuned.

Vote for your most memorable football game coached by Holt!

Here is your chance to look back over the last six years of Gryphon football games under former head coach B.W. Holt and vote for the one that sticks with you the most.

I selected six very memorable games and you can vote for yours too at the top of the right column of this page.

Just looking at them conjures up such memories, don't they?

2009 NEW 6 Girls Soccer All-Conference Teams

Here are the 2009 NEW 6 Girls Soccer All-Conference teams. Rocky Mount. which finished second in the league, placed three girls on the first team and two on the second team.

Tramicka James, who almost single-handedly led Fike to a NEW 6 basketball tournament championship win over the Lady Gryphons, was voted girls soccer MVP.

FIRST TEAM

Kelsey Benson, Rocky Mount (Mid.);

Holly Campbell, Rocky Mount (Gk.);

Sarah Dillard, Fike (Gk.);

Ally Glover, Northern Nash (Gk.);

Tramicka James, Fike (For.);

Michelle Karr, Rocky Mount (Def.);

Meredith Pruden, Fike (Mid.);

Natalie Rich, Nash Central (Mid.);

Brittany Wells, Nash Central (Mid.);

Kimberly Williams, Northern Nash (Mid.);

Natalie Winslow, Fike (Def.)

SECOND TEAM

Hannah Brock, Southern Nash (Mid.);

Lauren Campbell, Rocky Mount (Def.);

Mackenzie Elliott, Northern Nash (Mid.);

Lydia Hunt, Nash Central (For.);

Macey Phelps, Northern Nash (Mid.);

Allison Raper, Rocky Mount (Soph.);

Melanie Sloop, Nash Central (Def.);

Michelle Smith, Fike (Def.);

Jameka Thompson, Fike (Def.);

Morgan Varnell, SW Edgecombe (For.);

Ti'era Worsley, Southern Nash (Gk.)

Former Gryphon QB takes head football job at South Brunswick

Roman Kelley, son of former Rocky Mount head football coach George Kelley, has now followed in his dad's footsteps and become a high school head coach.

Kelley, a 1997 RMHS grad, is the new head football coach at South Brunswick High in Southport. He was hired last week, one of 55 applicants for the job. He'll replace Gordon Walters, who took a very lucrative head coaching job in South Carolina.

Kelley didn't begin his life after college seeking a career in coaching. He started out in the business world, but a friend wanted him to help him coach at South Granville as a volunteer. He started there and was hooked.

He later took an assistant position at Topsail and later at South Brunswick, where there they found their new man right under their noses. By the way, he managed to find time to get married after he took the Topsail position.

Ironically, his dad George is the principal at West Brunswick. I wonder which side of the field mom Doris will be sitting on when the two schools meet this fall?

Kelley had a solid career as QB for the Gryphons. His career stats: 142-for-327 for 2,110 yards. He threw 27 touchdowns, but hurled 24 interceptions while under center in 1995 and 1996.

Fish signs with Campbell University

Rocky Mount senior catcher Ben Fish signed a national letter of intent to play baseball at Campbell University Thursday evening after the school's winter/spring sports banquet.

Pictured above (l-r) on the front row are father Don Fish, Fish and mother Ashley Fish. On the back row are RMHS assistant baseball coach Kent Cox, head baseball coach Pat Smith, assistant coaches Tom Jones and Hank Jones and RMHS athletic director Mike Gainey.

Fish finished the 2009 season as the team's leading hitter with a .427 average (32/75) and tops on the list in runs batted in with 28. He also had six doubles, three home runs and scored 20 times.

He completed his three-year varsity career with a school record 81 RBI, to go along with his 71 runs scored, 18 doubles and 11 home runs. He finished his career with 95 hits (fourth highest in school history) and a batting aveage of .380.

Bulldogs ease in through the back door

I was totally shocked, but extremely happy that Nash Central's varsity baseball team made the NCHSAA 3-A playoffs. The pairings were released by the NCHSAA Wednesday.

But how happy should I be?

The Bulldogs, who closed out the regular season with a 7-13 record, received a wild card entry into the postseason and will travel to face Coastal No. 1 seed D.H. Conley (14-9) in Hollywood Friday evening.

Three years ago, Nash Central made the playoffs as a wild card, but it had a whopping15 victories and a decent chance of making some headway in the playoffs. However, things must have been pretty bad in the eastern 3-A ranks this season for a wild card to get in with seven wins.

SouthWest Edgecombe must be really kicking itself. It had eight wins, but needed just one more win in NEW 6 play last week to head to the diamond party.

Who could've seen this coming? Early reports to me suggested either Eastern or Western Alamance had the wild cards spots sewn up.

But when Northern Guilford had to forfeit all its baseball wins Wednesday (as well as its boys 3-A basketball state title) as part of the school's messy multi-sport ineligibility scandal that is still ongoing, the door for the Bulldogs may have opened.

I wish the 'Dogs luck. They will need it!

The rest of the NEW 6: Rocky Mount will get the postseason party started Thursday when it hosts Eastern Carolina No. 4 seed Southern Wayne (12-14). Game time is 7 p.m.

Friday, weather permitting (my guess is that no one will get a game in around here Friday), NEW 6 No. 2 seed Northern Nash (14-7) will host Bartlett Yancey at 7 p.m. Early notice on the Knights' opponent was off, too.

At first, some thought Dudley would be coming to Red Oak, then it changed to Northern Guilford. But things can change in a couple of days, so the school that produced WTVD11's Larry Stogner will be headed to Nash County.

Southern Nash (8-13), the NEW 6 No. 4 seed, will travel to Erwin to face Cape Fear Valley No. 2 Triton (18-5) Friday. NEW 6 No. 3 Wilson Fike (12-8) will visit ECC No. 2 seed C.B. Aycock (18-6) and play each other for the third time this season come Friday.

Really early start: Two teams in the east got the playoffs going even earlier than Rocky Mount and Southern Wayne.

West Carteret and Currituck played their 3-A east opener in Barco Wednesday, with the Patriots winning on the road 10-1. They now await the winner of the Eastern Wayne-Northeast Guilford contest next Tuesday.

RMHS baseball stat leaders

Now that the regular season is technically over, you might want a gander at the Gryphons' team stat leaders - after 20 games. Here is the top five in each category. The NEW 6 Conference leader in each field will be in parenthesis at the bottom of the category.

BA

.453 - Ben Fish
.397 - Collins Cuthrell
.388 - Brian Goodwin
.327 - Thomas Berry
.316 - Dillon Cockrell

(.440 - Cuthrell)

RUNS

24 - Collins Cuthrell
20 - Brian Goodwin
19 - Ben Fish
16 - Michael Whitehead
14 - Carter Varnell

(12 - Cuthrell, Goodwin)

RBI

25 - Ben Fish
16 - Brian Goodwin
16 - Dillon Cockrell
13 - Thomas Berry
12 - Collins Cuthrell

(16 - Fish)

DOUBLES

7 - Brian Goodwin
6 - Thomas Berry
5 - Ben Fish
5 - Dillon Cockrell
4 - Collins Cuthrell

(4 - Berry, Fish)

TRIPLES

1 - Brian Goodwin
1 - Collins Cuthrell
1 - Thomas Berry

(1 - Cuthrell)

HRs

3 - Ben Fish
3 - Brian Goodwin
2 - Carter Varnell
2 - Chris Pittman
2 - Collins Cuthrell

(3 - Goodwin)

STOLEN BASES

15 - Brian Goodwin
10 - Collins Cuthrell
5 - Hobbs Johnson
4 - Michael Whitehead
3 - Parker Helms

(6 - Goodwin)

PITCHING WINS

7 - Benton Moss
7 - Hobbs Johnson
3 - Nick Hahula
1 - Dillon Cockrell

(5 - Moss)

ERA

0.00 - Dillon Cockrell
0.97 - Benton Moss
1.04 - Hobbs Johnson
1.82 - Nick Hahula

(0.28 - Moss)

STRIKEOUTS

95 - Hobbs Johnson
50 - Benton Moss
19 - Nick Hahula
5 - Dillon Cockrell
2 - Parker Helms

(44 - Johnson)

• RMHS is averaging seven runs a game and allowing 1.5.
• The team's batting average is .319.
• The squad's team ERA is 1.32.
• RMHS has hit 13 home runs in 20 games. The 2008 team only 12 in 33 games.

Coach 'Diggs' says goodbye

(Click on picture to enlarge) Rocky Mount's seniors (l-r: Nick Hahula, Gabe Brown, Chris Pittman, Cameron Ramsey, Ben Fish, Brian Goodwin, Dillon Cockrell) huddle around Coach Diggs (aka. Jammy Mitchell) after the Wilson Fike game on Senior Night. (Photo/Don Fish)

It's so hard to believe its been four years since would-be ninth graders Ben Fish, Cameron Ramsey, Brian Goodwin, Dillon Cockrell and Gabe Brown played on that Nash County Babe Ruth 14-Year-Old All-Stars baseball team that made it to the World Series championship game.

All those memories came flowing back when I ran into Jammy Mitchell, the assistant coach on that great team, in the press box before Wednesday's Senior Night game with Wilson Fike. Of course. RMHS PA announcer Wes Bradshaw, who Jammy was talking with before my arrival, had the pleasure of broadcasting those games back to the area on WRMT 1490 AM.

Where has the time gone!

Mitchell came out to honor his boys. Their head coach Travis Ward would have also been in attendance too, but he was celebrating his first anniversary with his wife with a trip to New York City. But I know he was thinking of them when they hit the field for their last regular season home game.

More that likely, Mitchell will take in Northern Nash's home finale with Nash Central Friday to send off their seniors from his squad: Tyler Clark, Mike Williams and Tyler Joyner. Clark's dad Greg was an assistant with Mitchell on the team.

Fike's Flowers to be inducted into Barton's Athletic Hall of Fame

Barton College announced the 2009 induction class to its Athletic Hall of Fame Friday. Among the honorees will be Wilson Fike head baseball coach Will Flowers.

A member of Barton's Class of 1976, Flowers, a baseball standout at the school, is in his 28th season as the Golden Demons' head coach.

Flowers, who led Fike to the 1999 NCHSAA 3-A state championship, has a career record of 372-264 going into the last week of the 2009 baseball regular season.

The College's Bulldog Club and Hall of Fame Induction Banquet will be held as part of Homecoming Week on Friday, Oct. 23. This event will also feature a celebration of 100 years of intercollegiate athletics at the institution and a memorabilia display.

Congrats, coach!

2009 NEW 6 Boys/Girls Track and Field Results

Here are the complete results from Wednesday's NEW 6 Conference Boys/Girls Track and Field Meet held at Nash Central High School. RMHS' results are in bold:

GIRLS

Rocky Mount (RM) 204, Nash Central (NC) 99, Fike (F) 85, SouthWest Edgecombe (SWE) 61, Southern Nash (SN) 51, Northern Nash (NN) 45.

Results

SHOT PUT -- Denise Harrison (SWE), 34 ft., 8 in; Whitaker (RM), Alzer (NN), Harper (F), Battle (NC), Hinton (NC).

DISCUS -- Denise Harrison (SWE), 106-11; Johnson (SN), Whitaker (RM), Ward (RM), van Bree (F), Pittman (SWE).

LONG JUMP -- Jessica Barnes (SWE), 16-7 1/2; Applewhite (RM), Cofield (NC), Farmer (RM), Blizzard (F), Davis (RM).

TRIPLE JUMP -- Domonica Coleman (SN), 35- 1/2; Applewhite (RM), Brown (RM), Farmer (RM), Washington (NC), Mills (SN).

HIGH JUMP -- Jasmine Williams (NC), 5-8; Battle (RM), Flinn (F), Pitchford (NC), Bass (NC), Batten (NN).

POLE VAULT -- Rachel Boykin (SN), 8-0; Thai (RM), Worley (RM), Pitchford (NC), Emig (SN), Davis (RM).

4 X 800 RELAY -- Rocky Mount (Michaela Thorne, Marquita Hines, Nancy Thai, Erika Wesonga), 10:31; Fike, Northern Nash, Nash Central.

100-METER HURDLES -- Xaviera Bass (NC), 16.81; Sledge (RM), Thompson (RM), Barnes (RM), Williams (SN), Pitt (F).

100 -- Jessica Barnes (SWE), 13.25; James (F), Cofield (NC), Brown (RM), Harper (F), Tyner (RM).

4 X 200 -- Nash Central (Garbielle Foster, Jennifer Cofield, Jasmine Williams, Tyrqua Washington), 1:52.80; Rocky Mount, Northern Nash, SouthWest Edgecombe.

1,600 -- Jentzen Jones (F), 5:47; Hanson (F), C. Warren (NC), Wesonga (RM), Thorne (RM), K. Warren (NC).

4 X 100 -- Fike (Shaa Locus, Jaleesa Harper, Tramicka James, Talaya Hall), 52.87; Rocky Mount, SouthWest Edgecombe, Nash Central, Northern Nash, Southern Nash.

400 -- Jasmine Williams (NC), 1:01.18; Applewhite (RM), Farmer (RM), Hines (RM), Whitehead (SWE), Cooper (NC).

300 HURDLES -- Domonica Coleman (SN), 51.96; Thompson (RM), Sledge (RM), Barnes (RM), Clark (NN), Springer (NN).

800 -- Erika Wesonga (RM), 2:30.31; Jones (F), Thorne (RM), Hines (RM), Batten (NN), Ross (NN).

200 -- Jennifer Cofield (NC), 27.49; Euwell (SWE), Brown (RM), Tyner (RM), Bullock (NN), Foster (NC).

3,200 -- Hanson (F), 12:45; McKenney (NN), C. Warren (NC), Reaves (F), Davis (F), Thai (RM).

4 X 400 -- Rocky Mount (Erika Wesonga, Marquita Hines, Micheala Thorne, Latoya Applewhite), 4:24.82; Northern Nash, Southern Nash, Nash Central.

BOYS

Nash Central (NC) 184.3; Northern Nash (NN) 126.5; Fike (F) 115.4; Southern Nash (SN) 47.5; Rocky Mount (RM) 46.9; SouthWest Edgecombe (SWE) 36.4.

Results

SHOT PUT -- Keith Thomas (NN), 46 ft.; Jordan Crudup (NC), C.J. Baines (F), Howard (SN), Evans (NC), Young (NN).

DISCUS -- Jordan Crudup (NC), 134-02; Baines (SN), Pittman (NC), Thomas (NN), Williams (SN ), Evans (NC).

LONG JUMP -- Darrus Parker (F), 21-8; Brake (NC), Dunican (F), Jenkins (SWE), Wiggins (NN), Rogers (NC).

TRIPLE JUMP -- Jory Stephens (F), 42-8; Powell (SN), Brake (NC), Alston (RM), Bovia (F), Copeland (NC).

HIGH JUMP -- Martez Finch (F), 6-2; Bovia (F), Hicks (SN), (tie) Richardson (NC), J. Dupree (SWE), Copeland (NC), Simmons (RM), Stephens (F).

POLE VAULT -- Devin Williams (NN), 12 ft.; Chambless (RM), Bowers (RM), Taylor (NC), (tie) Barrett (SN), Lara (NC).

4 X 800 RELAY -- Fike (Joseph Speight, Calvin Dorvilier, Jonathon Bennett, Cody Jones), 8 min., 20 sec.; Nash Central, Northern Nash, Southern Nash, Rocky Mount.

10-METER HURDLES -- Danny Allen (NC), 14.86; Leonard (NC), Banks (NN), Wiggins (NN), Jones (RM), Thomas (SN).

100 -- Michael Farr (F), 11.46; R. Parker (F), Michael (NC), Wiggins (SWE), Howard (SN), J. Dupree (SWE).

4 X 200 -- Northern Nash (Devin Williams, Danny Fretz, Tavis Richardson, Travon Banks), 1:31.02; Fike, SouthWest Edgecombe, Nash Central, Rocky Mount, Southern Nash.

1,600 -- Dillon Hawley (NC), 4:30.15; White (NC), Williams (NN), Hannon (RM), Frazier (F), Judd (NC).

4 X 100 -- Fike (Michael Farr, Zamese Braswell, Rashad Parker, Melvin Howard), 43.79; Nash Central, SouthWest Edgecombe, Southern Nash, Rocky Mount, Northern Nash.

400 -- Devin Williams (NN), 50.09; D. Jenkins (SWE), Felix (NC), Deans (RM), (tie) Simmons (RM), Williams (NN).

300 HURDLES -- Travon Banks (NN), 39.82; Allen (NC), Leonard (NC), Thomas (SN), Brake (NC), Wiggins (NN).

800 -- Danny Fretz (NN), 2:01.2; McLaughlin (NN), Richardson (NC), Jones (F), Bennett (F), Alfaro (RM).

200 -- Devin Williams (NN), 22.82; T. Michael (NC), C. Michael (NC), Mosley (NC), D. Dupree (SWE), Coppedge (SN).

3,200 -- Dillon Hawley (NC), 9:43; White (NC), Williams (NN), Hannon (RM), Frazier (F), Warren (NC).

4 X 400 -- Northern Nash (Travon Banks, J.J. McLaughlin, Tavis Richardson, Danny Fretz), 3:30.7; Nash Central, Fike, SouthWest Edgecombe, Southern Nash, Rocky Mount.

NN's Joyner has milestones vs. Gryphons

Gryphons baseball fans may not want to see this, but here you go.

As many who attended the first Rocky Mount-Northern Nash baseball game a few weeks ago saw, Northern senior pitcher Tyler Joyner recorded 15 strikeouts. Among those Ks was his 300th career strikeout. But Joyner and the Knights lost the contest, 2-0.

Well, when Tyler and his boys faced the Gryphons last week in their 2-0 victory, the win was Tyler's 25th of his career. After beating Wilson Fike in the first of two games in Northern's historic doubleheader (never had a league doubleheader been played) Tuesday, Joyner, who has signed with East Carolina, moved to 26-8 for his four-year career.

And his draft stock has also picked up in the last few weeks - going by the number scouts seen at his recent games. Even his future head coach Billy Godwin checked in on his lefty signee at the most recent RN-NN war.

We may see him and Brian Goodwin drafted on June 9.

B-Good makes run at RMHS record book

Rocky Mount senior Brian Goodwin has already set some school baseball records, but even more are in reach of the talented, 6-1, 180-pound Gryphon.

Check out his records and the records that may be in reach by the player, many say, will be drafted in the first round of the MLB Draft on June 9.

As the season progresses - after each game, I will update these numbers!


RECORDS (updated - 5-25-09)

Game (this record is still in research)

Most hits: 4 (4-4) Collins Cuthrell vs. Northern Nash, 2009; 4 (4-4) Brian Goodwin vs. Tarboro, 2009; 4 (4-5) Brian Goodwin vs. Southern Nash, 2007; 4, (4-4) Gabe Brown vs. Franklin, 2007; 4 (4-5) Carter Harrell vs. Durham Jordan, 2001; 4 (4-4), Ben Hedgepeth vs. New Bern, 1999; 4 (4-4), Ben Hedgepeth vs. Northern Nash, 1999; 4 (4-4), Ben Hedgepeth vs. Northern Vance, 1999; 4 (4-4), Jason Battle vs. Terry Sanford, 1998; 4 (4-4), David Ange vs. Conley, 1997; 4 (4-5), Jeremy Ward vs. Northern Nash, 1995

Most doubles: 4, Brian Goodwin vs. Tarboro, 2009;

Season

Most hits: 44, Brian Goodwin, 2008;
Most runs: 45, Brian Goodwin, 2008;
Most doubles: 15, Brian Goodwin, 2008;

Career

Most hits: 126, Brian Goodwin (2006-09)
Most runs: 109, Brian Goodwin (2006-09);
Most doubles: 35, Brian Goodwin (2006-09);
Most walks: 65, Brian Goodwin (2006-09); 65, Jeremy Ward (1993-96)

RECORDS BEING CHASED!

Career

Most at-bats (min. 200 at-bats): 331, Adam Weaver (1999-2002); 323, Brian Goodwin (2006-09);

Most triples: 12, Adam Weaver (1999-2002); 10, Brian Goodwin (2006-09);

Most RBI: 81, Ben Fish (2007-09); 66, Chris Berry (2006-08); 66, Jeremy Ward (1993-96); 62, Brian Goodwin (2006-09)

Most stolen bases: 60 (60/66), Adam Weaver (1999-2002); 53 (53/58), Brian Goodwin (2006-09)

Highest BA: .399 (83-203), Tommy Crocker, (1973-75); .390 (126-323), Brian Goodwin (2006-09);

Games played: 106, Dillon Cockrell (2006-09); 104, Brian Goodwin (2006-09); 99, Jeremy Ward (1993-96); 97, Hank Jones (1983-86); 92, Adam Weaver (1999-02)

Games won: 86, Dillon Cockrell (86-20 - 2006-09); 84, Brian Goodwin (84-20 - 2006-09); 82, Jim Leggett (82-26, 2005-08); 71, Jeremy Ward (71-28 - 1993-96); 68, Ben Fish (68-15 - 2006-09); 68, Hank Jones (68-28-1 - 1983-86); 66, Grant Johnson, Wiliam Barringer, Chris Berry (66-18 - 2006-08); 63, Adam Weaver (63-29 - 1999-02)

Donation to Relay for Life

(click on picture to enlarge)

Mike Gainey (far left) of Rocky Mount High School and Henry Drake (far right) of Northern Nash High School turned over a check for $950.90 to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event held at the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex Friday and Saturday. Amanda Bell and Sherry Harris, co-chairpersons of Relay for Life, accepted the donation for the American Cancer Society.

Proceeds from the Rocky Mount-Northern Nash Faculty Basketball Challenge last Tuesday at Rocky Mount's gym made the donation possible. Incidently, Rocky Mount beat the Knights 49-31.

(Contributed photo)

Jenkins shines in ECU's Purple-Gold Game

Former Rocky Mount star athlete Jacobi Jenkins showed some of his speed and pass catching talent in East Carolina's annual Purple-Gold football game at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Jenkins, the NCHSAA 3-A state champion in the 110 hurdles in 2008, signed with the Pirates in February last year and was redshirted this past fall. But it looks as though he is in the Pirates' offensive plans for the 2009 season.

Playing for the Pirates, the 6-foot, 175-pound wide receiver caught five passes for 55 yards in a 31-10 loss to the ECU squad.

RMHS' Battle signs with Queens University

Rocky Mount senior Dyonna Battle signed a national letter-of-intent Wednesday to play basketball at D-II Queens University in Charlotte next school year.

Pictured above (click on picture to enlarge) is Battle flanked by her mother Gail and and her father Donnell. Looking on are, left, Dyonna's coach Pam Gainey and Rocky Mount athletic director Mike Gainey.

Read more about her signing on Rocky Mount's sports website rockymounthigh.ihigh.com next week. (Photo/David Hahula)