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.

The Holt "300" Plaque

Above is a picture of the plaque that Rocky Mount alum Gene Taylor and myself came up with to give to Rocky Mount football coach B.W. Holt to commemorate his 300th career win back in September.

Due to production delays, we weren't able to give it to Coach Holt until just before the Christmas holidays, despite the fact that we wanted to present it to Holt in a public forum.

So to the many people who helped fund this project, thank you.

And since most of you never had a chance to see the final product, click on the picture to see a bigger version of the project.

Coach Holt now has it proudly hanging in his home in Bristol, Tn.

Rocky Mount's Jenkins signs with East Carolina

Rocky Mount senior defensive back Jacobi Jenkins prepares to sign a letter-of-intent to play football for East Carolina Wednesday. Looking on are his parents Erma and Carl Jenkins and Rocky Mount head coach B.W. Holt.

(Photo/David Hahula)

Mabry goes for 1,000 tonight

Rocky Mount sophomore forward Tashawn Mabry will join a pretty exclusive club tonight in the Gryphons' NEW 6 Conference contest against Southern Nash.

With seven points scored, Mabry will join the 1,000-point club for boys basketball at Rocky Mount High School (1953-2008) - joining former All-Americas Phil Ford (Class of 1974 - 2,093 pts.) and Buck Williams (Class of 1978 -1,402) and former All-Staters George McClain (Class of 1982) and Jeff Battle (Class of 1978).

Only Ford will have made the club quicker. Mabry, who is averaging nearly 24 points a game, will have reached the milestone in just 45 games.

It's been over 25 years since anyone has reached the mark, although several have gotten close - including - Larry Lucas, Terrell Hudgins and Shelton Whitaker.

Gryphons claim NEW 6 wrestling crown

From staff reports
Wilson Daily Times

RED OAK -- Rocky Mount claimed the 3-A NEW 6 Conference wrestling championship Saturday at Northern Nash but wrestlers from Southern Nash and SouthWest Edgecombe earned individual titles.

The Firebirds boasted NEW 6 champions in Buddy Tom at 119 pounds, and senior Matt Watson at 189, while the Cougars had Landon Lucas at 103.

Southern Nash finished fourth in the team standings with 151 points behind Rocky Mount (201), Nash Central (166) and Northern Nash (157.5).

Fike was fifth with 62 points, one head of SouthWest Edgecombe. The Golden Demons' best showings were third-place finishes by Vincent Webb at 112, Hunter Myers at 152 and Cameron Jernigan at 215.

Southern Nash's Matt Swanson was the runner-up at 125 while Firebirds teammate Darryl Emig was second at 130.

Lucas ran his record to 12-0 with a pin of Nash Central's Miles Pringle at 3:47. Ken Mooring at 189 and Adrian Smith at 285 finished third for the Cougars.

Watson clipped Northern Nash's Nelson Pierce to escape with the championship while Tom handed Nash Central's Lane Parker a major decision at 14-4.

Rocky Mount and Nash Central each had four individual champions. The Gryphons and the Bulldogs move onto the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A dual-team playoffs, beginning today.

The 3-A East Regional tournament will be held at Winterville's South Central High on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15-16. Individual regional assignments will be announced at the conclusion of the dual-team playoffs this weekend.

NEW 6 Conference Championship

(Saturday @ Northern Nash High School)

TEAM SCORES

Rocky Mount 201, Nash Central 166, Northern Nash 157.50, Southern Nash 151, Fike 62, SouthWest Edgecombe 61

INDIVIDUAL FINALS RESULTS

103 pounds -- Landon Lucas (SWE) pin Miles Pringle (NC), 3:47.

112 -- Ahmir Scott (RM) dec. Jacob Robinson (NC), 3-0.

119 -- Buddy Tom (SN) maj. dec. Lance Parker (NC), 14-4.

125 -- Chandler Phillips (RM) pin Matt Swanson (SN), 2:58.

130 -- Francisco Alfaro (RM) pin Daryl Emig (SN), 1:16.

135 -- Tavis Richardson (NN) pin Charles Wooten, 3:18.

140 -- Steven Luper (NC) pin Dominique McCallop (NN), 3:33.

145 -- Jasmine Cooper (NC) pin Bryan Sweet (NN), 2:52.

152 -- Ryan Kitchen (NC) maj. dec. Justin Atkinson (RM), 11-1.

160 -- Donny Wacenske (NC) pin Anthony Miller (RM), 1:45.

171 -- Dedrick Silver (RM) by inj. default Marquez Arnold (NN).

189 -- Matt Watson (SN) dec. Nelson Pierce (NN), 6-5.

215 -- Joe Young (NN) pin Guy Williamson (RM), 2:20.

285 -- Terrance Holland (NN) dec. Quintin Jeffries (NC), 2-1, 2 OT.

Editor's note - This is RMHS' fifth conference title of the 2007-08 sports season.

Pam Gainey nearing 250 career victories

Rocky Mount girls basketball coach Pam Gainey is nearing another milestone in her coaching career.

Gainey, a native of Goldsboro and a former player at East Carolina, is in her 15th season at Rocky Mount and in the coming two weeks or so should reach the 250-win plateau. RMHS, currently sporting a fine 14-1 record, travels to Nash Central and Northern Nash next week before returning home on Tuesday, Feb. 5 with Southern Nash.

Should her girls win all three contests, Gainey will have her 250th victory.

Gainey, who has been the victorious East head coach at the NCCA East-West All-Star Game, will be an assistant for the N.C. girls squad in the Carolinas Classic N.C.-S.C. All-Star Games at Winthop University in South Carolina in March.

Below is a breakdown of her 15 seasons at RMHS.

PAM GAINEY

2007-08 - 14-1 (through 1/25/08)
2006-07 - 16-11, playoffs
2005-06 - 8-18, playoffs
2004-05 - 17-8, Big East champs, playoffs
2003-04 - 23-5, Big East champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2002-03 - 22-3, Big East champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2001-02 - 20-3, Big East champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2000-01 - 24-3, Big East champs, tourney champs, playoffs
1999-00 - 20-5, Big East champs, tourney champs, playoffs
1998-99 - 20-6, playoffs
1997-98 - 12-12, playoffs
1996-97 - 12-13, playoffs
1995-96 - 14-10, playoffs
1994-95 - 15-10, playoffs
1993-94 - 10-14

Career - 247-122, .670 winning percentage (15th season)

RMHS announces 2007 fall sports award winners

Varsity Football (NEW 6 Champion)

MVP - Emmanuel Davis
Defensive Player of the Year - Brian Goodwin
Offensive Player of the Year - Marquavis Alston
Billy Smith Award - Ezra Hudgins

JV Football (NEW 6 Champion)

MVP - Offense - Collins Cuthrell
MVP - Defense - Marcus Jones

Volleyball (NEW 6 Champion)

Best Offensive Player - Rashida Davison
Best Defensive Player - Corinne Fischer

JV Volleyball

Best All-Around - Lauren Campbell
Most Outstanding Server - Heather Hunter

Girls Tennis (NEW 6 Co-Champion)

MVP - Kate Gray
Coach's Award - Hannah Becilla

Boys Soccer (NEW 6 Champion)

MVP - Kingsley McLeod
Defensive MVP - Stephen Peacock
Coaches Award - Matthew Moore

JV Boys Soccer

Most Improved - Jaron Fields

Coaches Award - Trevor Smith

Boys Cross Country

Outstanding Performer - John Deans
Coach's Award - Robert Westpahal
Leadership Award - Brandon Evans

Girls Cross Country

Oustanding Performer - Latoya Applewhite
Coach's Award - Nancy Thai
Leadership Award - Erica Wesonga

Triple Crown Winner (fall) - John Deans

NEW 6 All-Conference fall athletes:

FIRST TEAM

Girls Tennis: Caroline Gray, Kate Gray, Ashley Pearsall
Boys Soccer: Jack Becilla, Kingsley McLeod, William Barringer
Girls Cross Country: Latoya Applewhite
Volleyball: Rashida Davison (Player of the Year), Devon Eby, Corrine Fischer
Football: Emmanuel Davis (Defensive Player of the Year), Ezra Hudgins, Nick Hahula (K), Brian Goodwin (two positions: DB, KR), Torey Lee, Whit Barnes, Jacobi Jenkins, Marquavis Alston, Keith Strickland, Nick Harrison

SECOND TEAM

Girls Tennis: Hannah Becilla
Boys Soccer: Stephen Peacock, Matt Moore, Matt Wayland
Boys Cross Country: Richard Dean, Brandon Evans
Volleyball: Danita Whitaker

Football: Nick Hahula (RB), Dedrick Silver, Brandon Dennis

HONORABLE MENTION

Boys Soccer: Justin Adams
Volleyball: Holly Campbell
Football: Chris Pittman

Rocky Mount Invitational Baseball Tournament kicks off April 5

For the first time since 1999, the Rocky Mount Invitational Baseball Tournament will have just six teams in its lineup. The 33rd edition of the event is set for Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, April 5, 7 and 8 at Gryphon Stadium.

As in 1999, schedule conflicts for schools due to an early Easter date and separated dates for spring breaks made it almost impossible to bring eight teams into the field.

Northern Nash, Wilson Hunt, Southern Nash and Rocky Mount all return from the 2007 field. Back in the lineup is Nash Central, which has participated in the Tarboro Classic the last few seasons.

New to the event is Fort Mill High School from Fort Mill, S.C. The Yellow Jackets won their conference last season and last year the school won S.C.'s version of the Wachovia Cup for overall sports excellence in the 4-A classification.

Since there is no single elimination round with six teams, a tournament champion will be crowned by the following means: if a team goes undefeated; should two or more teams tie for the best record, then the following tiebreakers will be used: fewest runs allowed; then head-to-head; then total runs scored.

Rocky Mount is the three-time defending champion and has won the event 11 times.

2008 SCHEDULE

Saturday, April 5

Game 1: Southern Nash vs. Nash Central, 1 p.m.
Game 2: Northern Nash vs. Fort Mill, S.C., 4 p.m.
Game 3: Rocky Mount vs. Wilson Hunt, 7 p.m.

Monday, April 7

Game 1: Rocky Mount vs. Fort Mill, S.C., 1 p.m.
Game 2: Southern Nash vs. Wilson Hunt, 4 p.m.
Game 3: Nash Central vs. Northern Nash, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 8

Game 1: Nash Central vs. Wilson Hunt, 1 p.m.
Game 2: Southern Nash vs. Fort Mill, S.C., 4 p.m.
Game 3: Rocky Mount vs. Northern Nash, 7 p.m.

Championship Qualifiers

Champion - One team goes undefeated
Tie-Breakers:
1. Fewest runs allowed
2. Head-to-Head
3. Runs scored

A 12-team All-Tournament Team will be voted on by the media
Individual Awards: MVP; Most Hits; Top Defensive Player

Past Rocky Mount Gryphons Easter/Invitational Baseball Tournament Champions

Here are the past champions of the Rocky Mount Gryphons Easter/Invitational Baseball Tournament. The event has been also called the Rocky Mount Breakfast Optimist Annual Tournament (1977-89, '91, '93, '95-'99) and the Wilson Breakfast Optimist Invitational Tournament (1990, '92, '94). Wilson's Optimists hosted the tourney in alternate years over a five-year period at Fleming Stadium.

PAST CHAMPIONS

2007 - Rocky Mount def. Southern Nash, 13-1
2006 - Rocky Mount def. Northern Nash, 6-2
2005 - Rocky Mount def. Northern Nash, 5-2
2004 - Wilson Hunt def. Washington, 5-3 (5 inn., rain-shortened)
2003 - Morrisville Green Hope def. Rocky Mount 6-1
2002 - Kernersville Glenn def. Durham Riverside, 7-3
2001 - Kernersville Glenn def. Wilson Fike, 4-1
2000 - Durham Jordan def. Rocky Mount, 8-6
1999 - round-robin w/6 teams - no champion
1998 - final day of tournament rained out (RMHS, Beddingfield made the finals)
1997 - Rocky Mount def. Durhan Jordan, 6-2
1996 - Rocky Mount def. Northern Nash, 8-5
1995 - Rocky Mount def. Wilson Beddingfield, 6-0
1994 - Rocky Mount def. Wilson Beddingfield, 7-2
1993 - Northern Nash def. Southern Nash, 6-5
1992 - Greene Central
1991 - Greene Central
1990 - Greene Central def. Roanoke Rapids, 8-2
1989 - Southern Nash
1988 - Rocky Mount
1987 - Roanoke Rapids
1986 - Southern Nash
1985 - Roanoke Rapids
1984 - Roanoke Rapids
1983 - Roanoke Rapids
1982 - Northern Nash
1981 - Rocky Mount
1980 - Rocky Mount
1979 - Rocky Mount
1978 - Sanderson
1977 - Garner

2008 NEW 6 Basketball Standings - Jan. 8

BOYS

School	Conf.	Pct.	Overall	Pct.
Wilson Fike	0-0	.000	11-2	.846
Nash Central	0-0	.000	9-3	.750
SW Edgecombe	0-0	.000	8-3	.727
Rocky Mount	0-0	.000	7-3	.700
Northern Nash	0-0	.000	6-6	.500
Southern Nash	0-0	.000	4-7	.364

GIRLS

School	Conf.	Pct.	Overall	Pct.
Rocky Mount	0-0	.000	9-1	.900
SW Edgecombe	0-0	.000	7-4	.636
Southern Nash	0-0	.000	7-4	.583
Northern Nash	0-0	.000	7-5	.600
Wilson Fike	0-0	.000	7-6	.538
Nash Central	0-0	.000	6-6	.500

Wilson Hot Stove League Banquet set for Jan. 21

If you are a fan of local baseball, then you can't miss out on this.

The 34th annual Wilson Hot Stove League banquet will be held Monday, Jan. 21, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Bill Ellis Convention Center.

Special guest for the event will be Josh Hamilton, who was recently traded from the Cincinnati Reds to the Texas Rangers, is a former Raleigh Athens Drive High School star. Hamilton was the No. 1 pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball draft by the Tampa Bay Rays.Hamilton will be receiving the Trot Nixon "Gamer" Award.

The 26-year-old Hamilton was one of baseball's best comeback stories last season, when he finally made it to the majors after years of alcohol and drug abuse nearly ended his career. He batted .292 in his first major league season with 19 homers and 47 RBIs in 298 at-bats.Other former major leaguers and guests will be announced later as their plans to attend are confirmed.

Tickets for the banquet, which includes a meal, are $20 each and can be obtained at Dick's Hot Dog Stand, EB Sports, the Wilson Tobs office or North Carolina Baseball Museum -- both located in Fleming Stadium.

All proceeds benefit the North Carolina Baseball Museum.

I had the pleasure of attending last year and I had a blast. I took the biggest Boston Red Sox fan in town (Wes Bradshaw - in terms of girth, but I am right behind him - in second) with me and he was blown away to meet Trot Nixon, even though Nixon became a Cleveland Indian just days before.

It was also the first time in a few years that I had been able to speak to in-person former N.C. Wesleyan and now UNC head baseball coach Mike Fox.

Get your tickets soon! There were nearly 1,000 people at last year's affair, which honored Goldsboro native and former Yankee manager Clyde King.

2008 RMHS varsity baseball schedule

- Senior Jim Leggett needs just six victories to become Rocky Mount's all-time leader in pitching wins (26). Donnie Bobbitt (Class of '86) has the record with 25 (25-6).


FEB. 19 - 3:30, Scrimmage @ South Johnston
FEB. 21 - 3:30, Scrimmage - BUNN
FEB. 25 - 4:00, J.H. ROSE
FEB. 28 - 5:00, @ South Granville
MAR. 1 - TBA. @ USA Baseball Complex, Cary vs. Jamestown Ragsdale
MAR. 4 - 4:30, WASHINGTON
MAR. 7 - 4:30, SOUTH GRANVILLE
MAR. 10 - 4:30, @ Washington
MAR. 13 - 4:30, ROANOKE RAPIDS
MAR. 15 - 1:00, @ D.H. Conley
MAR. 17 - 5:00, @ Roanoke Rapids
MAR. 26 - 7:00, NORTHERN NASH
MAR. 28 - 7:00, @ Southern Nash
APRIL 1 - 7:00, SOUTHWEST EDGECOMBE
APRIL 3 - 7:00, WILSON FIKE
APRIL 5 - TBA, RM EASTER TOURNAMENT
APRIL 7 - TBA, RM EASTER TOURNAMENT
APRIL 8 - TBA, RM EASTER TOURNAMENT
APRIL 12 - 1:00, @ J.H. Rose
APRIL 15 - 7:00, @ Nash Central
APRIL 17 - 7:00, @ Northern Nash
APRIL 22 - 7:00, SOUTHERN NASH
APRIL 24 - 7:00, @ SouthWest Edgecombe
APRIL 29 - 7:00, @ Wilson Fike
MAY 1 - 7:00, NASH CENTRAL
MAY 5 - 7:00, @ Bunn (Endowment)
MAY 9 - TBA, NCHSAA 1st Round - 3-A Playoffs


Junior center fielder Brian Goodwin, who has verbally committed to UNC, should be an offensive and defensive spark plug for the Gryphs.

NEW 6 sports schedules rotated

Rocky Mount High sports fans may not have noticed it but the sports schedules involving NEW 6 Conference games have been rotated.

Meaning, Rocky Mount won't start the league season with SouthWest Edgecombe and it won't end it with Northern Nash like it has the previous two years in the conference.

The old order for Rocky Mount was:

SW Edgecombe, Southern Nash, Nash Central, Wilson Fike, Northern Nash

The new order for RMHS, starting with the winter sports, is:

Northern Nash, Southern Nash, SW Edgecombe, Wilson Fike, Nash Central

The Gryphons will really experience the change next Friday (Jan. 11) when Northern Nash makes a return trip to RMHS' gym for their NEW 6 basketball openers.

Now, what will really feel funny is when the Knights come to Gryphon Stadium for their NEW 6 baseball opener on Wednesday, March 26 - at 7 p.m., no less.

How many of us can ever say say that you had to bundle up for a Rocky Mount-Northern Nash regular season baseball game?

There is a possibility that the league's football schedules could see some changes next fall, too.

Stay tuned!

Rocky Mount "Battles" its way to tournament titles

Montrell Battle and Dyonna Battle were the only Rocky Mount basketball players who had ice treatments Friday before hitting the court for their respective tournament championship game.

Seems like both took turns puttting Northern Nash on ice later that evening as the two claimed MVP honors at the Nash County Christmas Tournament at Rocky Mount High.

Montrell scored 42 points over the two-tournament and pulled down 13 rebounds. Dyonna had 34 points in her two games.

A closer look at the All-tournament team revealed some trends.

Southern Nash's Alyse Hall and Nash Central's Trey Sumler, both juniors, and Northern Nash senior Nikki Battle made the team for the third straight season.

Making their second straight appearance on the All-Tournament team were Rocky Mount's Tashawn Mabry and Nash Central's Jasmine Sessoms.

Here's a look at the last three Nash County Christmas Tournament All-Tournament teams:

2007

BOYS

Tim Brathwaite, Southern Nash
Trey Sumler, Nash Central
Octavius Lyons, Northern Nash
Toncellis Davis, Northern Nash
Tashawn Mabry, Rocky Mount
Montell Battle, Rocky Mount - MVP

GIRLS

Jasmine Sessoms, Nash Central
Alyse Hall, Southern Nash
Nikki Battle, Northern Nash
Danielle Edmondson, Northern Nash
Deaudra Brown, Rocky Mount
Dyonna Battle, Rocky Mount - MVP

2006

BOYS

Marcus Howard, Southern Nash

Brian Thomas, Northern Nash

Matthew Cooper, Rocky Mount

Tashawn Mabry, Rocky Mount

Trey Sumler, Nash Central - MVP

Michael Speight, Nash Central

GIRLS

Alyse Hall, Southern Nash

Stephanie Allen, Rocky Mount

Nikki Battle, Northern Nash

Doneka Whitehead, Northern Nash

Jasmine Sessoms, Nash Central

Janna Oxendine, Nash Central - MVP

2005

BOYS

Chastain Dickens, Rocky Mount - MVP

Tory Parker, Rocky Mount

Marcus Howard, Southern Nash

Trey Sumler, Nash Central

Steven Baker, Northern Nash

GIRLS

Kha'isha Thomas, Nash Central - MVP

Jelissa Ward, Nash Central

Nikki Battle, Northern Nash

Shay Holloway, Northern Nash

Alyse Hall, Southern Nash

What was the top sports story from the Twin Counties Area in 2007?

What's your answer?

I have compiled, what I think, are the top sports stories from the area for 2007.

In no particular order, they are:

1. SouthWest Edgecombe's girls basketball team reaches the NCHSAA 3-A state championship game.

2. North Edgecombe's boys basketball team reaches the NCHSAA 1-A state championship game.

3. Former Southern Nash star Gary Tharrington helps Appalachian State to a shocker for the ages - an upset win at Michigan.

4. Rocky Mount's football team posts a record 14 wins en route to the NCHSAA 3-A East finals.

5. N.C. Wesleyan's football team wins the USA South title, makes the NCAA D-III playoffs and wins a game - posting nine straight victories in the process!

6. Northern Nash's baseball team reaches the NCHSAA 3-A East finals series.

7. Rocky Mount's B.W. Holt records his 300th career football victory.

8. Former Southern Nash star Gary Tharrington is a defensive stalwart for Appalachian State in its NCAA FCA Championship Game win over Delaware.

9. Former Rocky Mount football standout Terrell Hudgins leads the nation in receptions per game and reception yards per game for Elon.

Down the right column of this page, you may vote for one these events as the top area story of 2007.

Cast your vote now! Voting ends Friday, Jan. 4!