A family of excellence!

        Terrell, Tia and Tanika Hudgins with their Athlete of the Year awards.         

(click on image to enlarge)

How often does a family's kids all go on to become an Athlete of the Year at their high school? Virtually never.

But Darius and Leslie Hudgins have been blessed with three children that have done just that.

On May 24 when the youngest, Tia, was announced as Rocky Mount High School's 2012 Female Athlete of the Year, the family had pulled off the triple crown!

Sibling Tanika got it started when she won Female Athlete of the Year in 2002, followed by brother Terrell with Male Athlete of the Year in 2005 - which was preceded a few weeks before by the announcement of his NCHSAA Male Athlete of the Year honor.

Then Tia topped it all off on that exciting Thursday evening.

What an athletically-gifted family! And don't forget about the athletic contributions made by their cousins Calvin, Kelly and Ezra Hudgins.

They all have been truly blessed!

Tia has one more high school duty - to play in the N.C. Coaches Association East-West All-Star Girls Basketball Game in Greensboro in July.

Believe it or not, all three will have had that experience by summer's end, too. Tanika was coached by her high school coach Pam Gainey in playing for the East in the girls' All-Star basketball game in 2002. Terrell quarterbacked the East's football team in the 2005 gridiron All-Star game. 

Rocky Mount claims Big East's Wells Fargo Conference Cup

For the fourth straight year, Rocky Mount has won the Wells Fargo Conference Cup for the Big East Conference. 

The Cup is awarded to the school that achieves overall excellence in varsity sports - based on a point system that rewards each school for its final standings in each sport.

Over the past four years, Gryphon sports teams have won outright or tied for 27 Big East Conference championships. On the strength of winning three conference titles in the spring season (women's soccer, men's track and field,  women's track and field), Rocky Mount piled up 176.5 points for the year to retain the Cup.

Nash Central was in third place after the winter season, but it moved up to second at 171.5 points thanks to high finishes in softball, baseball and men's track and field.

Wilson Hunt, which was second going into the spring, dropped to third place at 161 points, despite winning the league in baseball.

Here are the final standings:

2011-12 Big East 3-A Conference Wells Fargo Cup Standings 

Rocky Mount 176.5

Nash Central 171.5

Wilson Hunt 161

Wilson Fike 160.5

Southern Nash 156

Northern Nash 145

Bell, Browder lead Big East All-Conference squad, both named All-State

Sydney Browder

Caroline Bell

To the winners go the spoils.

Rocky Mount won the 2012 Big East Conference regular season girls soccer title. With that win came six All-Conference first-team selections - including Offensive Player of the Year Sydney Browder and Co-Defensive Player of the Year Caroline Bell.

Browder, a junior midfielder and Bell, a senior defender, were also selected to the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association's 3-A All-State Team - a first not only for Rocky Mount, but for Nash County as well.

Gryphon players also voted to the first team were junior forward Kasey Cooke, senior forward Lauren Smith, senior defender Brittany Kropp and junior goalkeeper Tyisha Hardy. RMHS freshman defender Emily Vick was an honorable mention selection.

Rocky Mount head coach Andrew Nick was Conference Coach of the Year. Nick also received the honor of being the NCSCA's Region 3 Coach of the Year.

2012 Big East All-Conference
Girls Soccer Team

First Team

 
• Kasey Cooke, Rocky Mount
• Sydney Browder, Rocky Mount
• Caroline Bell, Rocky Mount
• Lauren Smith, Rocky Mount
• Brittany Kropp, Rocky Mount
• Tyisha Hardy, Rocky Mount
• Gillian Dillard, Wilson Fike
• Sophia Carter, Wilson Fike
• Somer Jones, Wilson Fike
• Laura Bland, Wilson Fike
• Carly Ferrell, Wilson Fike
• McKenzie Blackwell, Wilson Hunt
• Madison Blackwell, Wilson Hunt
• Megan Raper, Wilson Hunt
• Danielle Wilson, Wilson Hunt
• Claire Fleming, Northern Nash
• Alexus Hill, Northern Nash
• Natalie DePalma, Northern Nash
• Abigail Ross, Nash Central
• Vanessa Batchelor, Nash Central
• Laney Ezzell, Southern Nash
• Tori Parker, Southern Nash

Honorable Mention

• Emily Vick, Rocky Mount
• Megan Boswell, Wilson Fike
• Allison Strickland, Wilson Hunt
• Chandler Pierce, Northern Nash
• Briana Eley, Nash Central
• Desiree Perry, Southern Nash 

Offensive Player of the Year - Sydney Browder, Rocky Mount

Co-Defensive Player of the Year - Caroline Bell, Rocky Mount

Co-Defensive Player of the Year - Sophia Carter, Wilson Fike

Conference Coach of the Year -  Andrew Nick

Longtime RMHS football videographer passes

Earnest Graham "Gray" Capps

Aside from perhaps the returning players and coaches at Rocky Mount High School and myself, there had to be no other individual more excited to see Rocky Mount's new football stadium open than Gray Capps.

Capps and his brother Ken, both Rocky Mount alums, have been filming Rocky Mount High School varsity and junior varsity football games for the last 22 seasons. 

They both could be seen at every home game on the right side of the press box - with both of them operating cameras to record play-by-play for the Gryphon coaches.

And on the road, they  were there, too - whether opposing film crews gave them room or not.

One filmed action at the line of scrimmage, while the other took the wide angle of both teams.

They tried to give the coaches two angles of all the action.

Gray gave me grief during last season after the new stadium's home stands were fairly completed and the press box was in place. 

"Where am I going to stand?" "Are we going to lose space?'' "Where's the elevator for the press box?" were the kind of questions I'd get from him in conversations all last season in anticipation of playing football on campus for the first time school history. He figured I had all the answers.

Sadly, he won't have to worry about all those things now.

He will be watching from way above the press box!

Gray lost his very short battle with cancer Tuesday afternoon. He was 61. He was diagnosed in March and he basically never left the hospital once he was admitted. 

Like the late Jack Allsbrook, who accommodated the football officials and kept the clock at Rocky Mount games for over 40 years, Gray was a fixture who was as emotionally involved with every Rocky Mount kid as the coaches.

He had walked in their shoes.

He was an offensive guard for Rocky Mount - Class of '71. He and his wife Peggy never had children, but in a way, all those Gryphon players were like his kids. All he wanted them to do was to play hard and smart.

And he'd catch it all on tape.

We will all miss him so much, especially when the Gryphons open their new stadium on Friday, Aug. 17.

But we all know he WILL have the best seat in the stadium!

Moss receives national honor

Benton Moss

Rocky Mount's all-time winningest pitcher has picked up a national accolade after his first season with the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Four-year Gryphon starter Benton Moss has been named as a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

Moss, won a school record 32 games (32-3) at RMHS, completed his first year with a 7-2 record and a 1.94 ERA - tops among UNC's starters.

He came up a win short of the freshman pitching victory record set by former Gryphon hurler Carter Harrell who went 8-4 for UNC in 2002. But Moss had more innings pitched and more strikeouts.

Moss made 17 appearances with 16 starts. He threw 79 innings and struck out 83 batters.

Moss and his once Gryphon teammate Hobbs Johnson posted UNC's only wins on the mound during the NCAA Regionals in Chapel Hill last weekend.

2012 Big East All-Conference Baseball Teams

First Team

Jacob Page, Wilson Hunt

Alex Nguyen, Wilson Hunt

Parker Lamm, Wilson Hunt

Dillan Howard, Wilson Hunt

Zach Williams, Wilson Hunt

Logan Butts, Wilson Hunt

Khalil Macklin, Nash Central

Tyler King, Nash Central

Jordan Taylor, Nash Central

Dillon Moore, Nash Central

Derrick Carter, Northern Nash

David Wiliams, Northern Nash

Luke Joyner, Northern Nash

Jake Green, Northern Nash

Zach Parris, Southern Nash

Ryan Shearin, Southern Nash

Kevin Boykin, Southern Nash

Jeremy Johnson, Rocky Mount

Will Edwards, Rocky Mount

Travis Ricks, Wilson Fike

Honorable Mention

Cody Pittman, Wilson Hunt

Kyle Taylor, Nash Central

Dimaggio Silver, Northern Nash

Clay Whitley, Southern Nash

Spenser Ramsey, Rocky Mount

Charlie Vaughan, Wilson Fike

Player of the Year - Jacob Page, Wilson HUnt

Pitcher of the Year - Tyler King, Nash Central

Conference Coach of the Year - Jon Smith, Wilson Hunt

Post 58 splits doubleheader at Windsor Saturday

Played at Bertie High School 

GAME 1 

Coleman-Pitt Post 58 20, Windsor Post 37 3 - 5 inn.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E	LOB
Coleman-Pitt Post 58	0	4	1	6	9					20	17	1	6
Windsor Post 37	0	3	0	0	0					3	6	2	6

WP: Cameron Webb
LP: Lucas Groover
Leading hitters: P58 - Khalil Macklin 3-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI; Spiers Miller 3-3, 2B, 3 RBI; Jeremy Lucas 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2R 

GAME 2 

Windsor Post 37 10, Coleman-Pitt Post 58 9 

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E	LOB
Coleman-Pitt Post 58	0	1	0	3	1	0	4			9	6	6	8
Windsor Post 37	0	3	0	4	3	0	-			10	9	3	7

WP: Dallas Beich
LP: Spenser Ramsey

Leading hitters: P58 - Jeremy Lucas 2-2, 2R; Khalil Macklin 1-3, 2B, 2R; Jeremy Sloop 1-4, 2 RBI

N-RMS Graduation Schedule is set ... and staggered!

Back in 2000, I remember being slightly upset that my boss' parents had a grandchild graduating at Wilson Hunt and one at Wilson Fike - and their ceremonies were being held at the same time.

Why put a set of grandparents or any relatives in such a predicament in the same county or school system! Stagger the start times for all the schools if they must be the same day.

Alas, Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has done that for the first time since the 1992-93 merger - that I can remember.

Here is the schedule for the system's four high schools:

SATURDAY, JUNE 9

Northern Nash High School - 9 a.m. - main gym

Nash Central High School - 11 a.m. - main gym

Southern Nash High School - 2 p.m. - main gym

Rocky Mount High School - 4 p.m. - main gym

The said thing is that these graduations are being held inside - with limited seating. Tickets will still be needed to get into these festivities.

Best of luck to these Classes of 2012!

2012 RM Coleman-Pitt Post 58 Legion Baseball Schedule/Results

(all home games played at Gryphon Stadium)

Postponement, cancellations will be in red, scores in blue.

May 23 - PITT COUNTY, 7 p.m. - ppd. rain. moved to July 3

May 24 - @ Johnston County (Smithfield-Selma HS) -ppd. to June 26

May 27 - @ Rowan County (Catawba College) - W, 11-5

May 29 - NORTH CHATHAM - W, 9-4

May 30 - @ North Chatham - W, 5-1

May 31 - AHOSKIE - W, 7-3

June 2 - @ Windsor (Bertie HS) - W, 20-3; L, 10-9

June 4 - @ Ahoskie (Hertford Co. HS) - W, 13-2

June 5 - @ Pitt County (Pitt CC) - L, 12-4

June 7 - @ Cherryville (Memorial Stadium) - L, 7-6; L, 13-2

June 14 - WILSON COUNTY - W, 8-3

June 15 - EDENTON - W, 15-7

June 18 - AHOSKIE - W, 12-2

June 19 - ELIZABETH CITY - W, 13-3

June 23 - WILSON - W, 6-4

June 24 - @ Edenton - W, 16-5; W, 6-5

June 26 - @ Johnston County - W, 4-1
June 27 - JOHNSTON COUNTY - L, 14-2

June 29 - @ Wilson County - W, 16-12

July 1 - @ Elizabeth City (Northeastern HS) - W, 10-2, W, 15-0

July 2 - WINDSOR - forfeit - W, 1-0
July 3 - PITT COUNTY - W, 10-0

July 5 - WAYNE COUNTY, 7 p.m. - canceled

July 7 - @ Apex (Apex HS) - L, 16-3
July 9 - APEX, 7 p.m. - canceled

July 12 - Area 1 East Playoffs - Rd. 1 - Game 1 vs. New Bern - W, 9-0 
July 13 - Area 1 East Playoffs - Rd. 1 - Game 2 @ New Bern - postponed
July 14 - Area 1 East Playoffs - Rd. 1 - Game 2 @ New Bern - W, 11-4
July 16 - Area 1 East Playoffs - Rd. 2 - Game 1 vs. Pitt County, 7 p.m.

2012 Rocky Mount Coleman-Pitt Post 58 Jr. Legion Baseball Info

For the first time, Rocky Mount's Coleman-Pitt Post 58 is sponsoring a Junior Legion baseball team. Head coach of the team is Tyler Clark (N.C. Wesleyan '13, Northern Nash '09). He is being assisted by Cameron Ramsey (Campbell '13, RMHS '09) and Chad Womble (N.C. Wesleyan '11, RMHS '07).

Here is the roster. Down below is the 2012 schedule.

2012 Rocky Mount Coleman-Pitt Post 58 Junior Legion Baseball Roster 

(Player, Number, High School) 

Arrington, Christian (#4) - Southern Nash
Arthur, Carson (#12) - Roanoke Rapids
Barrett, Tyler (#16) - Northern Nash
Clontz, Chandler (#13) - Rocky Mount
Dupree, Will (#6) - Tarboro High School
Follmer, Dalyn (#2) - Southern Nash
Jones, Linwood (#8) - Rocky Mount
Martinez, Luis (#14) - Hobgood Academy
Moore, Hunter (#17) - Northern Nash
Morris, Andy (#3) - Rocky Mount
Perry, Christian (#1) - Nash Central
Phelps, Cole (#18) - Roanoke Rapids
Roupp, Chase (#10) - Faith Christian
Taylor, Kyle (#11) - Nash Central
Varnell, Micah (#15) - Rocky Mount
Vester, Nick (#5) - Northern Nash
Vick, Garrison (#9) - Nash Central
Vincent, Kyle (#7) - Roanoke Rapids 

Coaches: 

Tyler Clark – Head Coach
Cameron Ramsey – Asst. Coach
Chad Womble – Asst. Coach 

2012 Schedule


May 30 - WAYNE COUNTY SOUTH, 7 p.m.
June 1 -  WAYNE COUNTY SOUTH, 7 p.m.
June 2 - EDENTON, 7 pm.
June 3 - @ Spring Creek (Spring Creek HS), 2 p.m.
June 5 - SPRING CREEK, 7 p.m.
June 7 -  @ Spring Creek (Spring Creek HS), 6 p.m.
June 11 - @  CB Aycock, 7 p.m.
June 12 - CB AYCOCK, 7 p.m.
June 13 - @ CB Aycock, 7 p.m.
June 16 - WAYNE COUNTY WEST, 7 p.m.
June18 - @ Wayne County West (Rosewood HS), 7 p.m.
June 19 - @ Wayne County West (Rosewood HS), 7 p.m.
June 20 - @ Wayne County North (Eastern Wayne HS), 7 p.m.
June 21 - WAYNE COUNTY NORTH, 7 p.m.
June 25 - WAYNE COUNTY NORTH, 7 p.m.
June 29 - ELIZABETH CITY, 6 p.m.
July 6 - WILSON, 7 p.m.
July 7 - @ Wilson (Hunt HS), 7 p.m.
July 8 - WILSON, 7 p.m.
July 9 - All Conf. Games must be completed
July 12 - Playoff Start

Post 58 wins over North Chatham 5-1

PITTSBORO - Despite leaving 13 men on base, Rocky Mount Coleman-Pitt Post 58 still managed to post a 5-1 win over North Chatham Wednesday evening at Northwood High School. 

It returns home Thursday for its first Area I East -North Division matchup of the season - a visit from Ahoskie Post 102. Game time is 7 p.m. at Gryphon Stadium. 

Post 58 struck for a run in the fifth, three in the sixth and one more run in the ninth for its total. North Chatham, which fell 9-4 in Rocky Mount the night earlier, scratched for its lone run in the eighth.

Rocky Mount (2-0) managed just seven hits - three of them coming from Roanoke Rapids product Kyle Pratt. After going hitless night against North Chatham Tuesday, he was 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. No other Post 58 hitter had more than one hit.

Former Northern Nash hurler Jeremy Lucas got the win for Post 58. The current Barton team member went six innings, allowed no runs on seven hits, walked no one and struck out 11. Dillon Moore went two innings in relief, followed by Jeremy Trevathan with an inning of work.


Rocky Mount Coleman-Pitt Post 58 5

North Chatham 1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E	LOB
Coleman-Pitt Post 58	0	0	0	0	1	3	0	0	1	5	7	0	13
North Chatham	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	8	1	8

WP: Jonathan Lucas 
LP: Dylan Bounds

Leading hitters: Post 58 - Kyle Pratt 3-5, 2B, 2R; Khalil Macklin  2-3, 3B, 2 RBI, R.. North Chatham - Victor Stinsen 3-4, RBI

Fish, Cuthrell, Johnson destined for Wilson

Ben Fish

Three former Rocky Mount High School baseball players are expected to spend part of their summer in Wilson playing for the Coastal Plain League's Wilson Tobs.

Rising senior Ben Fish (Campbell University) and rising juniors Collins Cuthrell (Barton College) and Hobbs Johnson (UNC) have all signed with the club. Cuthrell and Fish are currently with the team, which has its opening game next Tuesday evening at Fleming Stadium.

Johnson may be a bit busy elsewhere for a while.

Collins Cuthrell

The lefty is still playing as the No. 3 starter for the Tar Heels as they enter NCAA regional playoff action this weekend. Should the Tar Heels win their regional, they are slated to host a super regional. A victory there would send UNC to Omaha for yet another chance at national title.

Fish and Cuthrell are two of the best offensive players in RMHS history. But how will they do with a wooden bat?

Between going to Post 58 Legion games, go check out live Gryphon alumni in action!

Rocky Mount Coleman-Pitt Post 58 Baseball Roster

Here is the Senior Legion roster for Post 58's baseball team. It features players from several different high schools - including East Wake and Washington.

2012 Rocky Mount Coleman‐Pitt Post 58       Senior American Legion Baseball Roster

Name (High School - Graduating Class/College)

Jonathan Aparicio (East Wake HS – 2012)
Ryan Barham (Nash Central HS ‐ 2014)
Matthew Berry (Rocky Mount HS ‐ 2011/Barton College)
Hatteras Brooks (Washington HS – 2011/NC Wesleyan College)
Abel Hernandez (Roanoke Rapids HS ‐ 2012)
Chase Johnson (Tarboro HS ‐ 2012)
Tyler King (Nash Central HS ‐ 2014)
Jeremy Lucas (Northern Nash HS ‐ 2011/Barton College)
Khalil Macklin (Nash Central HS ‐ 2014)
Spiers Miller (Tarboro HS ‐ 2011/Barton College)
Dillon Moore (Nash Central HS ‐ 2012)
Kyle Pratt (Roanoke Rapids HS ‐ 2011)
Spenser Ramsey (Rocky Mount HS ‐ 2013)
Jeremy Sloop (Nash Central HS ‐ 2011/Wake Technical Community College)
Jordan Taylor (Nash Central HS ‐ 2012)
Jeremy Trevathan (Rocky Mount HS ‐ 2011)
Colton Vaughan (Nash Central HS ‐ 2013)
Cam Webb (Tarboro HS ‐ 2011/Pitt Community College)
Tyler Wooten (Tarboro HS ‐ 2012)

Coaches:

Team Manager/Head Coach ‐ Hank Jones
Assistant Coach ‐ Pat Smith
Assistant Coach ‐ Britt Johnson

Rocky Mount hosts last Athletic Awards at campus

Rocky Mount's Athletes of the Year Paul Lilley and Tia Hudgins

Rocky Mount High School held its last Athletic Banquet on its current campus Thursday evening and it was a memorable night in the old main gym.

There were several highlights including Michael and Pam Gainey receiving the Dudley Whitley award. Longtime football coach and Athletic Director Walt Wiggins made a rare appearance on campus to present a plaque to one of his former players and coachhes, current Assistant Principal and 1980 RMHS alum Linwood Weeks, who has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the summer.

The boys basketball team also received their rings as a reward for winning the NCHSAA 3-A state championship back in March. For seniors Terrill Hilliard and Tevin Taylor, they join 1997 alum and ex-trackster Nick Winkel, who was an assistant for the boys track team this past spring, who have two state titles on their resumes.

A complete list of all awards winner for the spring, winter and fall seasons is below - 

SPRING

Female Athlete of the Year - Tia Hudgins
Male Athlete of the Year - Paul Lilley
Female Scholar Athlete of the Year - Caroline Bell
Male Scholar Athlete of the Year - William Crumpler
Juan Chesson Award - Holly Fryar

Varsity Baseball

Most Outstanding Player - Jeremy Johnson
Most Improved - Damian Smith
Coaches' Award - Andy Morris

JV Baseball

Most Valuable - Chandler Clontz
Most Consistent - Caleb Chandler

Boys Golf

Most Consistent - Gardner Noble
Coaches' Award - Dylan Matthews

Girls Soccer

Offensive Player of the Year - Kasey Cooke
Defensive Player of the Year - Tyeisha Hardy
12th Player Award - Kaitlyn Worsley

Varsity Softball

Most Valuable - Precious White
Best Defensive Player - Carmen Richardson
Most Improved - Daiza Brown

JV Softball

Most Valuable Player - Haley Coppedge
Most Improved - Anada Woodley

Boys Tennis

Most Valuable Player - James Smith
Coaches' Award - William Garrison

Boys Track

Most Valuable Player - Paul Lilley
Coaches' Award - Octavis Smith
Coaches' Award - Michael Hines

Girls Track

Co-Most Valuable Player - Savasja Davis
Co-Most Valuable Player - Fantacy Bryant
Most Improved - Takeyra Thomas


WINTER


Varsity Boys BasketballMost Improved - Dante Battle
Gryphon Pride Award - Levon Brutus
Most Valuable - Terrill Hilliard

JV Boys Basketball

Coaches Award - Thomas Cooper
Impact Player Award - Aumir Pittman

Varsity Girls Basketball

Coaches Award - Alexus Cooper
Leadership Award - Tia Hudgins
Most Valuable Player - J'Kyra Brown
JV Girls Basketball

Most Dependable - Taquiyah Battle
Most Improved - Treona Bynum

Boys Swimming

Co-Most Valuable Player - Zachary Vestal
Co-Most Valuable Player - Sam Haynes

Girls Swimming

Coaches' Award - Rebecca Pridgen
Coaches' Award - Alex Whicker

Boys Indoor Track

Most Valuable Player - Paul Lilley
Coaches' Award - Retho Williams
Coaches' Award - Rodie Shambley

Girls Indoor Track

Coaches' Award - Savasja Davis

Wrestling

Coaches Award - Janicento Williamson
Most Improved - Elliott Whitehead
Most Outstanding Wrestler- Alex Knight

Varsity Cheerleading

Coaches Award - Ami Thai
Coaches Award - Chelsea Brown
Most Dedicated - Brandy Pittman
Best All-Around - Alexsis Bryant

JV Cheerleading

Best All-Around - Brittany Collins


FALL


Varsity Football

Offensive MVP - Mason Hines
Defensive MVP - Rodquez Greene
Coaches' Award - Delasio Bartley
Billy Smith Award - Ben Winstead

JV Football

Offensive MVP - Josh Carter
Defensive MVP - Keyaad Coley

Volleyball

MVP - Tia Hudgins
Coaches' Award - Evie Hunter
Coaches Award - Precious White

JV Volleyball

Coaches' Award - Takia Draughn
Most Improved - Bailey Smith

Girls Tennis

MVP - Mackenzie Warner
Coaches  Award - Caroline Bell

Boys Cross Country

MVP - Mason Holt
Coaches' Award - Tyler Strother
Most Improved - Kathan Bender

Girls Cross Country

MVP - Nefertiti Thigpen-Conyers
Coaches' Award - Autumn Pilgreen
Most Improved - Grayson Hicks

Boys Soccer

Blue/Gold Award - Matt Boudreau
Coaches' Award - Gardner Noble
Gryphon Award - Logan Barnes

Girls Golf

Most Consistent - Ali Martin
Most Improved - Ashleigh Matia
Coaches' Award - Bailey Lewis

Former Gryphon coach Holt signs with RM Academy

New Rocky Mount Academy head football coach B.W. Holt.

Rocky Mount Academy announced on its website Friday that former Rocky Mount head football coach B.W. Holt has signed on to be the new head football coach at its school.

RMA plays eight-man football in the Carolinas Conference 8-Man Football League and is a member of the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association.

Holt, 67, is just one of four active coaches in North Carolina with 300-plus wins. A former assistant coach in the East-West and Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas games, he led the Gryphons to a runner-up finish in the NCHSAA 3-A eastern finals in 2008. He also guided Rocky Mount to two other eastern final berths. He recorded a 71-12 record and won four conference titles during his tenure as the Gryphons' head coach.

"We are pleased to announce that Mr. Holt has signed with us to head up our football program and coach the varsity team," said Beth Covolo, RMA Head of School, on the website posting. "To the people of Rocky Mount, Coach Holt certainly needs no introduction. He is one of the most beloved coaches in the history of Rocky Mount football. His reputation for developing not only fine football players but exceptional people is a perfect fit for our school and our community. We are thrilled to have him lead our program and join the Rocky Mount Academy family."

Holt will be replacing Andy Jackson, who was head coach at RMA for many seasons. Holt was a candidate for the Gryphons' opening for a head coach earlier this spring, but he was not chosen to reprise his role as the school's winningest football coach - percentage-wise (84 percent).

During his 39 years as a head coach, Holt led teams to 20 conference titles and 21 playoff appearances. He has sent 60-plus high school football players to the college level - including seven from his 2008 squad - his last at Rocky Mount.

He had concluded his career with a coaching record of 321-112-2 after stops at Southwestern Randolph, Franklinton, Starmount, Tennessee High (Tn.), West Montgomery and Rocky Mount.

2012 Rocky Mount Baseball Statistical Leaders

Here are the statistical leaders from the 2012 Rocky Mount varsity baseball season. The top 5 players in each hitting and pitching category is listed.

HITTING

Batting Average

1. Jeremy Johnson .342

2. Ben Winstead .286

3. Will Edwards .250

3. Collin Watson .239

3. Spenser Ramsey .227

Hits

1. Jeremy Johnson 27

2. Collin Watson 16

3. Spenser Ramsey 15

4. Andy Morris 14

T5. Micah Varnell 12

T5. Will Edwards 12

Doubles

1. Spencer Ramsey 3

T2. Jeremy Johnson 2

T2. Damian Smith 2

T4. Micah Varnell 1

T4. Collin Watson 1

T4. Andy Morris 1

T4. Ben Winstead 1

T4. Sam Lilley 1

Triples

1. Jeremy Johnson 2

2. Andy Morris 1

Home Runs

1. Spenser Ramsey 2

T2. Jeremy Johnson 1

T2. Collin Watson 1

RBI

1. Spenser Ramsey 20

2. Jeremy Johnson 13

T3. Andy Morris 7

T3. Micah Varnell 7

5. Collin Watson 5

Runs Scored

1. Jeremy Johnson 19

2. Micah Varnell 12

3. Will Edwards 11

T4. Collin Watson 10

T4. Andy Morris 10

Walks

1. Micah Varnell 13

2. Collin Watson 10

3. Andy Morris 9

4. Spenser Ramsey 8

5. Will Edwards 6

PITCHING

Wins

1. Jeremy Johnson 4 (4-4)

T2. Spenser Ramsey 2 (2-2)

T2. Will Edwards 2 (2-5)

4. Sam Lilley 1 (1-1)

5. Collin Watson 0 (0-1)

Innings Pitched

1. Jeremy Johnson 57.0

2. Will Edwards 42.3

3. Spenser Ramsey 33.7

4. Sam Lilley 15.7

ERA

1.Sam Lilley 2.675

2. Jeremy Johnson 2.861

3. Spenser Ramsey 3.11

4. Will Edwards 3.31

Strikeouts

1. Jeremy Johnson 80

2. Will Edwards 38

3. Spenser Ramsey 34

4. Sam Lilley 8

RMHS Old-Timers Bios

Wes Bradshaw, one of the organizers of the recent Rocky Mount Alumni Baseball Game, asked me to write the player introductions for the pregame festivities. The fans at the game enjoyed hearing about all these former players. So I decided to share these bios with the rest of Gryphon Nation.

So below are those bios. Enjoy reading about your favorite former Rocky Mount players.

Jeremy Ward – One of Rocky Mount’s top career pitchers who had 12 wins his senior season, he was a four-year starter who also ranks in the top five in five different career hitting categories. He played collegiately at Wake Forest and Long Beach State and was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks. From the Class of ’96 ……

Chad Womble – He has a career record on the mound of 22-7, a four-year starter who surprised a lot folks with his bat. He led the team in strikeouts his senior season. He played collegiately at NC Wesleyan. From the Class of ’07 ……

Grant Johnson – The starting first baseman for the 2008 3-A state championship team, he’s also the single-season at-bat leader with 114 – From the Class of ’08 …..

Dillon Cockrell – A four-year starter at shortstop who could do a little pitching too. He has the school record for the most games played in a Rocky Mount uniform. He 4-0 on the mound a member of 2008 3-A state championship team. – From the Class of ’09 ….,

Adam Weaver - A four-year starter at shortstop, few know he went 6-0 as a pitcher. He is the school’s career leader in at-bats, triples and stolen bases. He is one of only two RM players to have over 100 hits in his career. He played collegiately at UNC and Elon – From the Class of ’02 ….

Tommy Warrick – A member of the 1973 4-A state championship team, he shares the school record for RBIs in a game with 7. He hit two HRs in the contest. He played collegiately at Louisburg and East Carolina. From the Class of ’74 ….

Eddie Joe Lynch – He helped lead the Blackbirds to the 1967 4-A State Championship – on the mound and at the plate – as RM, a team that featured three starters that batted over .400, posted a two-game sweep of West Mecklenburg. He was 5-1 on the mound and hit .375 for the season. From the Class of ’67 …

Jim Leggett  – When he graduated, he was the school’s all-time winningest pitcher with 28 victories. A four-year starter who is the career leader in innings pitched, he helped lead the 2008 team to the 3-A state title. He hit .413 his senior season. From the Class of ’08 ….

Braxton Hill – He was solid hitter and pitcher for the Gryphons. His senior season, he was tied for first in doubles, second in total hits, runs scored and total bases, From the Class of ’02 …

Hank Jones – A four-year starter, he helped the Gryphons win three straight conference titles. Unfortunately, he was the losing pitcher in RM’s last playoff game each of those seasons. He had career pitching record of 20-7. In one game, he was throwing it so badly, his coach Shelton Chesson pulled him from the game after four pitches. He will start his third season as head coach of Rocky Mount Coleman-Pitt Post 58’s American Legion team right here next week at Gryphon Stadium. From the Class of ’86 … 

Jason Battle – This player was a first-team All-Conference performer in football, basketball and baseball his senior year. He played both baseball and football at N.C. A&T. He was an assistant coach for the 2008 3-A state title baseball team. He has just been named as Rocky Mount’s new head football coach. From the Class of ’98 … 

Paul Jenkins – A two-year starter for the Gryphons, he combined with Carter Harrell to make a formidable duo on the mound for RM. Many won’t forget the eighth-inning solo home run he hit to center field on the road to beat South Johnston in the 2000 4-A state playoffs. He also got the win in the game. He threw a no-hitter against Northern Nash his senior season. He signed to play collegiately at UNC. From the Class of 01’ …

Carter Varnell – He was a starting right fielder and a member of the 2008 3-A state championship baseball squad. From the Class of 2010 ……

Cameron Ramsey – He was a member of the 2008 3-A State championship team and he was starting right fielder his senior season. From the Class of ’09 …

William Barringer – A three-year starter in left field and a member of the 2008 3-A state title baseball team, he is second in single-season at-bats for the Gryphons and was a consistent run producer throughout his career. He is also one of the select few who have hit a grand slam in this park. From the Class of ‘08 …

Gerry Smith  – A reserve player, he got into 23 games his senior season with 47 at bats. He was on a squad that started the season 16-0 and was nationally ranked. From the Class of ’95 ….

Jeff Collins – A member of the 1973 4-A state championship baseball team, he also excelled in basketball where started his senior season with the great Phil Ford. He is among several former RM athletes to go on to be chosen as a Morehead Scholar. He is a member of the N.C. House of Representatives. From the Class of 1974 …

J.J. Jones – He was a three-sport athlete at RMHS – football, wrestling and baseball.  He played football at Elizabeth City State. From the Class of ‘91

David Ange – A solid infielder, he played on two conference champions. He had a walk-off single that plated the winning run in a playoff game his sophomore season. He led his team in triples his junior season. He played collegiately at UNC-Wilmington. From the Class of ’97 ….

Chris Berry – Who could have had a better senior season than this guy? He slapped 35 hits including 11 doubles, knocked in 37 runs and scored 38 times. He also came on as a pitcher during 2008’s state championship run. He even threw a no-hitter in RM’s playoff opener.  From the Class of ’08 ….

Eric Johnson – A solid hitter who could hit for power. He had a 5-RBI outing in his career and he is one of the select few to hit two home runs in a game. From the Class of ’98 …

Jeff Williams –  A three-year starting outfielder for the Gryphons, he batted .290 his senior season.  From the Bicentennial Class, the Class of ‘76 …

Jason Womble – This pitcher was second on the team in strikeouts his senior season. He led the squad with an ERA of 1.67. From the Class of ’04 …

Eddie Coats – He could hit and steal bases. He batted .373 his senior season. He led the team in doubles and was third in stolen bases. In his first season pitching since junior high, he led the team with a 6-2 record. He was tops on the squad in strikeouts and ERA. From the Class of ’83 ….

Marcus Mitchell – He played catcher for the Gryphons. He played collegiately at Pffiefer University. From the Class of ’91 ….

JR Johnson – A self-admitted reserve player during his career, since his played during the Phi-Slamma-Jamma era of U. of Houston basketball, he coined that he belonged to “ Chi Ridea Pinea‘’  From the Class of ’84 ….

Michael Parker – He was a solid lefty pitcher for the Gryphons. He in the top 10 in single-season strikeouts. He threw a no-hitter against North Davidson during the 2003 RM Easter Tournament. He played collegiately at Barton College. From the Class of ’04 ……

Timmy Tucker  - A two-year starter for the Gryphons who took conference titles those seasons.  In his junior season, he had a 5-RBI night in a playoff contest at Cary. A sure-handed first baseman. From the Class of ’79 …..

Harold Joyner –   A two-year starter third baseman for the Gryphons, he played collegiately at N.C. A & T University. From the Class of '92 ….

John Fagala – Before Major League Baseball starting using the term “walk-off”, this player had one – a single his senior season to knock in the winning run over Eastern Wayne. He hit .305 his senior year and was tied for the team lead in triples. From the Class of ’83…

Doug Roberson  - As a second baseman, he was a member of the 1967 4-A state championship team. From the Class of ’67 …

Doug Roberson III – A member of one of the most offensive-minded teams in school history in 1995, he was one of six starting seniors that made a trip to the 4-A Eastern finals the next season. He hit .338 that year and led the team in doubles. From the Class of ’96……

Nick Hahula – He was a reserve player who rose off the bench to contribute to 2008’s state championship run. He got in the rotation late in the season and recorded three wins. From the Class of ’09 …

Will Johnson – A three-year starter at shortstop, this player concluded his senior season with a .328 average with four doubles, four triples, 16 RBI and a team-leading 28 runs scored.  He played collegiately at Barton College. From the Class of  ’05…..

Gary Miller - A two-year starter, he was a consistent hitter who helped the Gryphons to a conference title. As an American Legion Post 58 player, he was the last batter to get a hit at old Municipal Stadium. MVP of the RM Breakfast Optimist Easter Tournament. From the Class of '88 .... 

Late added players ....

Terrell Hudgins - A two-year starter at third base and pitcher, he led his team in several categories his senior season, including at-bats (76), batting average(.371), hits (26), RBIs (24), and was second in runs scored (23). He was named NCHSAA Male Athlete of the Year his season year - the highest accolade any high school athlete can achieve in this state. He played football collegiately at Elon where he broke several NCAA records for receiving. From the Class of '05 ...

Collins Cuthrell - One of Rocky Mount's great  all-time hitters, he is of the the top career leaders in home runs with 10, including a season-record seven his senior year. He is in the top 10 of virtually every hitting catergory in the record book. He is playing collegiately at Barton College. From the Class of '10 ...