Vote for Barton!

Guys, below is a reprint of Wilson Daily Times assistant sports editor Paul Durham's recent blog entry in support of voting for Barton College's mens basketball team for an ESPY award, which will be given out later next month.

Normally, being a N.C. Wesleyan graduate, I wouldn't advocate doing anything sports-wise for the rival Bulldogs, but I am taking an exception here.

The last minute of Barton's Div. II national championship game was incredible. Sadly, I saw only the last three minutes of the contest - but I was screaming at the top of my lungs when the clock hit zero!

Take time to watch the video clip (click on the link in the blog entry) and re-live those final moments - then vote for the Bulldogs in the ESPY balloting!


The Bulldogs need your vote!

By Paul Durham
Assistant Sports Editor, Wilson Daily Times

Remember this?

Seriously, if you saw it, you can't forget it.

Now you can help make Barton College's incredible victory in the NCAA Division II men's basketball championship even more memorable.

The Bulldogs are up for a coveted ESPY Award, given annually by ESPN to top performers and moments from the previous non-calendar year.Barton's stirring 77-75 defeat of previously unbeaten Winona State (Minn.) University in the Div. II national championship had ESPY all over it the day it happened.Bulldogs senior point guard Anthony Atkinson scored 10 points in 45 seconds as Barton overcame a seven-point deficit to win by a point on Atkinson's buzzer-beater layup.

The team is one of four finalists in the newly created category Best Finish.

You can vote here as often as you like.

Originally, ESPN told Barton officials that, in addition to the Best Finish category, Atkinson would be up for Best Championship Performance as well.

"Obviously, ESPN decided to revise things a little bit," said Barton Director of Athletics Gary Hall, who indicated he was unsure why that was. My guess is that the powers-that-be at self-proclaimed Worldwide Leader in Sports decided that tiny little Barton College should just get one nomination.

That's fine because the Bulldogs should win it.

I say "Should" because, despite lesser competition, it's not a slam-dunk, given their virtual anonymity.

One challenger, the Preakness finish, is nearly as anonymous.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' four straight home runs in the ninth-inning to tie the San Diego Padres was remarkable but it was an otherwise non-descript regular-season game.

Kevin Harvick's thrilling .02-seconds win against Mark Martin at the Daytona 500 carries some weight but it's hardly the first NASCAR photo-finish.

No one has ever seen anything like Atkinson and the Bulldogs' frantic finish to knock off Winona.

If you factor in Atkinson's two other buzzer-beaters in the three Elite Eight games in Springfield, Mass., it's a no-brainer.

All we can do is hope — and vote.

The Huffmans are coming! The Huffmans are coming!

For several years, the Rocky Mount High husband-wife duo of Mike and Pam Gainey have been the only married couple who each coach a varsity sport in the Nash-Rocky Mount school system.

That will change next month!

Chris and Michelle Huffman will double that number to two. Pending signing all the paper work, the couple will be in the N-RM system as head varsity coaches. But unlike the Gaineys, the Huffmans will be at different schools.

Husband Chris will take on the head varsity baseball coaching duties at Nash Central, while wife Michelle will be the new head softball coach at Rocky Mount High. The couple hope to move their family to the area next month. They are the proud parents of a five-year-old daughter and three-year-old son.

Chris, 38, comes to Nash Central after four seasons as head coach at Fayetteville's Terry Sanford High. He is a Hoke County native, and a graduate of Douglas Byrd High and UNC-Pembroke. Michelle, 29, is a native of Fayetteville and is a South View High and UNC-Pembroke grad. She has been the head softball coach at Gray's Creek High since the school opened four years ago.

I'd like to welcome the Huffmans to the area and we all look forward to seeing them bring success to their respective squads.

All-NEW 6 3-A Conference Spring Sports Athletes announced

The NEW 6 3-A Conference has released its all-conference teams for the 2007 spring sports season.

Nash County's teams faired well in spring competition - winning league titles in boys tennis (Southern Nash), baseball (Northern Nash, Rocky Mount), softball (Northern Nash, Wilson Fike), girls track (Rocky Mount) and boys track (Nash Central). Girls soccer and boys golf were won by Wilson Fike.

Here are those all-conference teams (baseball and tennis announced in an earlier blog entry). Rocky Mount's players are in bold face:

BASEBALL

First team

Jason Gay, Northern Nash; Andrew Webb, Northern Nash; Zach Woodley, Northern Nash; Tyler Joyner, Northern Nash; Chad Womble, Rocky Mount; Brian Goodwin, Rocky Mount; Bentley Massey, Fike; Thomas Moore, Fike; Brian Allen, Southern Nash; Xavier Macklin, Nash Central

Second team

Daniel Moore, Northern Nash; Dillon Cockrell, Rocky Mount; Jim Leggett, Rocky Mount; Chris Berry, Rocky Mount; Jacob Davis, Fike; David Gibbons, Fike; Brian Graley, Southern Nash; Alex Pearce, Nash Central; Scott Tharrington, SW Edgecombe; Patrick Goodwyn, SW Edgecombe

Honorable Mention

Ben Fish, Rocky Mount; Jeremy Proctor, Northern Nash; Zach Crumpler, Wilson Fike; Ben Wilson, Southern Nash; Cody High, Nash Central;

Player of the Year: Jason Gay, Northern Nash (.488 BA, 9 2B, 12 HRs, 43 RBI)


BOYS TENNIS

First team

Tyler Harris, Southern Nash; Michael Barnes, Southern Nash; Kevin Murray, Southern Nash;
Ethan Page, Southern Nash; Griffin Benton, Fike; John Lucas, Northern Nash

Second team

Kyle Ramsey, Southern Nash; Justin Davis, Southern Nash; Alex Durham, Rocky Mount;
Sameer Prasada, Rocky Mount; Robert Lapp, Nash Central; Matthew Fleck, Fike

Honorable Mention

Trey Sprye, Rocky Mount; Travis Kirkpatrick, Rocky Mount; Andrew Votipka, Nash Central; Nico Cedeno, Fike; Andy Wright, Northern Nash; Randall Moore, SW Edgecombe

Player of the Year - Tyler Harris, Southern Nash


GIRLS SOCCER

First team

Barksdale Thompson, Fike (forward); Tramicka James, Fike (forward); Erin Menzel, Fike (defender); Natalie Winslow, Fike (defender); Sarah Farris, Fike (midfielder); Auburn Smith, Rocky Mount (sweeper); Hannah Amend, Rocky Mount (defender); Michelle Barringer, Rocky Mount (midfielder); Kimberly Williams, Northern Nash (midfielder); Danielle Yates, Northern Nash (forward); Reyna Garcia, Southern Nash (midfielder)

Second team

Sarah Dillard, Fike (goalkeeper); Holly Campbell, Rocky Mount (goalkeeper); Allison Adams, Northern Nash (defender); Caroline Tippette, Northern Nash (forward); Natalie Rich, Nash Central (midfielder); Brittany Wells, Nash Central (midfielder); Lydia Hunt, Nash Central (forward); Melanie Sloop, Nash Central (defender); Bethany Barnes, Southern Nash (defender); Laura Howell, SW Edgecombe (forward); Kristen Worrells, SW Edgecombe (midfielder)

Honorable mention

Sarah Sallenger, Fike; Victoria Bashore, Nash Central; Kristin Ezzell, Northern Nash; Ashley Pearsall, Rocky Mount; Sarah Murray, Southern Nash; Caitlin Bell, SW Edgecombe

Player of the Year: Barksdale Thompson, Fike


SOFTBALL

First team

Kellen Skinner, Fike; Amber Miller, Fike; April Langley, Fike; Melissa Avent, Northern Nash;
Lindsay Bailey, Northern Nash; Ashley Tharrington, Southern Nash; Ashley Bone, Nash Central; Janna Oxendine, Nash Central; Haley Wishall, SW Edgecombe; Anna Catherine Bullard, Rocky Mount

Second team

Katelyn Suggs, Fike; Michole Brown, Fike; Jessica Pulliam, Northern Nash; Samantha Gurganus, Northern Nash; Melissa Williams, Northern Nash; Nikki Perry, Southern Nash; Brittany Pope, Southern Nash; Tiffany Macklin, Nash Central; Kendra Stallings, SW Edgecombe; Tori Dickens, Rocky Mount

Player of the Year: Kellen Skinner, Fike


BOYS GOLF

Zach Gliarmis, Fike; Rob Pate, Northern Nash; Hunter Wishall, SW Edgecombe; Spencer Jones, Fike; Shane Floars, SW Edgecombe; Ryan Yarbrough, Fike; Tucker Phillips, SW Edgecombe; Prescott Hill, Fike; Jacob Griffin, SW Edgecombe; Carson Keel, Rocky Mount

Player of the Year: Zach Gliarmis, Fike

A note for RMHS Booster Club Members

Hello Gryphons,

Just a quick update on things going on and the events upcoming.

The sponsor banner sales have started and have shown very strong interest with five sold thus far. Here is a picture of the Proud Parent banner so you can see the quality that we’ll be offering to our sponsors.

We have plenty of selling forms, so if there are any volunteers willing to help sell some, just give us a call (443-7506) and we'll be glad to get you the forms. Our goal is to have 25 sold before our first home football game (Aug. 17).

On Aug. 11, the officers of the Booster Club will need to meet with Ms. Lou Buck for pictures for the 2007 RMHS Football Program.

Our next meeting will be Aug 13, since most of us may be on vacation as we will be during the second week of July.

Ron & Susan Driver
Co-Presidents, RMHS Athletic Booster Club

Hiatt joins Gryphon football coaching staff

What do the following high schools have in common: Harnett Central, West Carteret, Richmond County, Millbrook, North Surry, Lexington, Richlands, Lenoir (West Caldwell), Valdese (East Burke)?

No clue?

All nine have had a head football coach named Ed Hiatt. Hiatt, 68, is joining Rocky Mount's varsity football staff this summer and will coach the defensive line. He is a Mt. Airy native and a Presbyterian College grad who currently resides in Durham.

After being in the coaching business for almost 40 years, Rocky Mount head football coach B.W. has a network the FBI would be envious of. There doesn't seem to be a gridiron coach worth his salt that Holt doesn't know or have regular contact with - active or retired.

So when he needed another assistant for his staff (he may add as many as two new ones this summer), he cruised around that network and found a much-traveled, but a multi-dimensional coach to add to his staff. You might have called him early in his career a self-professed reviver of down football programs.

The two have known each other for some 25 years. Holt asked him to join the staff and Hiatt jumped at the chance to work with his old friend.

Hiatt started working with the RM program this week as he assisted with the NFL High School Player Development Camp. His teaching position this fall is still being worked out.

NN's Smith announces his gridiron staff

By Charles Alston
Nashville Graphic

RED OAK - It's been a well-guarded secret around Northern Nash's campus all spring. Everyone's been wondering who would be on new head coach Chad Smith's football staff.

At long last, Smith has finally gotten his staff in place for the 2007 football campaign.

Aside from one spot which re-opened just last week, the first-year head coach will have a mixture of old faces and new faces - and some old faces are in new coaching positions.

"This is the best bunch I could have ever assembled," said Smith, who was named in late December to take over the Knights' program after spending the last four years on the sidelines at Rocky Mount. "I've got some really good people helping me this year.

"There were three things that were very important to me in choosing my assistants," Smith said. "They needed to be strong in character, hard-working, with their knowledge of football a distant third. I lucked out to be blessed with getting a group that has it all."

Smith's one vacancy is on offense at the quarterback/running backs coach position. He had that spot filled until that coach decided to take another job. However, he plans to have someone in that position very soon.

OFFENSE:

Chad Smith: The head coach will coach the offensive line and will be the offensive coordinator. Smith will run a spread offense that is very similar to what Navy runs, but he plans to throw it a bit more. With the development of his depth later, he may dabble with a no-huddle attack.

Rick Ruffin: Ruffin returns and will be the wide receivers coach and will be head coach of the JV squad.

Brian Collis: A recent graduate of East Carolina, Collis will assist with the offensive line and coach the JV offensive line. He is the nephew of new Richmond County head coach Paul Hoggard.
Eddie Harris: Smith says Harris "bleeds Northern Nash green and gold." Harris, a 2000 NN graduate and a non-faculty assistant, will coach the slotbacks.

DEFENSE

Scott Henson: In his second year on the staff, the Indiana native will be the defensive coordinator. Smith calls him "a diamond in the rough" and he found him to be pleasant surprise once he arrived to the program.

Dan Richwalski: The current interim NN athletic director (Jim Brett retired at the end of the school year) will rejoin the football staff. He will be the assistant head coach, direct the special teams and assist with the inside linebackers.

Grover Battle: The veteran of the staff will coach the defensive line.

Earl Womack: Also a fixture on the NN sideline for many years, Womack will coach the defensive line.

Corey Mercer: NN's other non-faculty assistant, Mercer will coach the outside linebackers and will be the JV defensive coordinator.

A.B. Whitley: Whitley may be Smith's most talked-about acquisition. Whitley, who helped Raymond Cobb's North Edgecombe squads to two state titles as defensive coordinator and more recently headed Cobb's defense at SouthWest Edgecombe, has joined the Knights' family. Whitley is a late 60s graduate of Northern and he wants to end his coaching career at his alma mater.

Whitley will coach the defensive secondary for the Knights.

"He wanted to come back and be a part of rebuilding the program to where it was," Smith said of Whitley. "I am very glad to have him. I've got some heavy hitters coaching my defense. I've really been blessed to get some real good people to help me."

The turnout at summer workouts have been solid so far, Smith says.

"I've never been prouder to see how these kids are busting their butts to get better," he said.

The Knights will have scrimmages at South Johnston (Aug. 9) and at West Montgomery (Aug. 11) before hosting Wilson Beddingfield in their season's opener on Aug. 17.

Post 58 Update - July 7

COLEMAN-PITT POST 58 LEGION SCHEDULE - UPDATED RESULTS - 07/01
(home games in bold, results in red)

June 2 - DH vs. NEW BERN (4-1 W; 5-4 W) 2-0 overall, 0-0 conf.
June 6 - @ Tarboro (20-1 W - 7 inn.) 3-0 overall, 1-0 conf.
June 12 - @ Wilson (17-10 W) 4-0 overall, 2-0 conf.
June 13 - PITT CO. 39 – cancelled
June 14 – TARBORO (17-2 W) 5-0 overall, 3-0 conf.
June 15 - @ Pitt 39 – cancelled.
June 16 - DH - EDENTON (6-2 L, 10-5 L) 5-2 overall, 3-2 conf.
June 17 - @ Kerr Lake (12-6 W) 6-2, 3-2 conf.
June 18 - PITT CO. 160 (11-1 W) 7-2, 3-2 conf.
June 19 - @ Ahoskie (12-1 W) 8-2, 4-2 conf.
June 20 - @ Kinston - PPD., rain
June 21 - @ Washington (9-0 W) 9-2, 5-2 conf.
June 22 – WASHINGTON (16-4 W) 10-2, 6-2 conf.
June 23 - @ Raleigh Post 297 (4-2 L) 10-3, 6-2 conf.
June 24 - AHOSKIE (14-5 W) 11-3, 7-2 conf.
June 26 - RALEIGH POST 297 (10-0 L) 11-4, 7-2 conf.
June 27 - KERR LAKE (12-2 W) 12-4, 7-2 conf.
June 29 - CLAYTON POST 71 – PPD., rain.
June 30 - DH – BENSON (20-3 W; 14-8 W) 14-4. 7-2 conf.
July 3 - PITT CO. POST 39 - cancelled
July 5 – DURHAM (7-6, 10 inn. L) 14-5, 7-2 conf.
July 6 - @ Pitt Co. Post 39 (17-5 W) 15-5, 7-2 conf.
July 8 – DH vs. APEX (8-4 L; 9-8 W) 16-6, 7-2 conf.
July 9 - @ Pitt Co. 160 (South Central HS) - cancelled
July 10 - @ Snow Hill - cancelled
July 11 – WILSON, 7 pm
July 12 - SNOW HILL - cancelled
July 13 - KINSTON - cancelled
July 14 - DH @ DURHAM - cancelled
July 16 – League Playoffs Begin

Post 58 rips Edgecombe Co. 17-2 Thursday

Nash Co. Post 58, even without its most productive hitter Xavier Macklin, still pounded out 17 hits Thursday en route to a 17-2 Area One East North Division spanking of Edgecombe Post 316 Thursday evening at RMA Academy in a shortened seven-inning contest.

Chad Womble got the win going four innings. He gave a solo homr run to Justin Murray in the first inning, but only allowed one hit during the rest of his outing. He walked two and struck out six batters.

Macklin suffered an injury in Post 58's 17-10 win over Wilson Tuesday and sat out the Edgecombe Co. game.

With Pitt Co. 39 postponing its games bot this past Wednesday and Friday due to a lack of players (attending NC State Games), Post 58 will entertain Edenton for a doubleheader Saturday starting at 3 p.m.


COLEMAN-PITT POST 58 LEGION SCHEDULE
(home games in bold)

June 2 - DH vs. NEW BERN (4-1 W; 5-4 W) 2-0 overall, 0-0 conf.
June 6 - @ Tarboro (20-1 W - 7 inn.) 3-0 overall, 1-0 conf.
June 12 - @ Wilson – 7 pm (17-10 W) 4-0 overall, 2-0 conf.
June 13 - PITT CO. 39 – 7 pm - PPD.
June 14 – TARBORO – 7 pm (17-2 W) 5-0 overall, 3-0 conf.
June 15 - @ Pitt 39 – 7 pm (Guy Smith Stadium) - PPD.
June 16 - DH - EDENTON – 3 pm (6-2 L, 10-5 L) 5-2 overall, 3-2 conf.
June 17 - @ Kerr Lake - 5 pm (TBA)
June 18 - PITT CO. 160 - 7 pm
June 19 - @ Ahoskie - 7 pm
June 21 - @ Washington – 7 pm
June 22 – WASHINGTON – 7 pm
June 23 - @ Raleigh Post 297 - 7 pm (Millbrook HS)
June 24 - AHOSKIE – 7 pm
June 26 - RALEIGH POST 297 – 7 pm
June 27 - KERR LAKE - 7 pm
June 29 - CLAYTON POST 71 – 7 pm
June 30 - DH – BENSON – 3 pm
July 3 - PITT CO. POST 39 - 7 pm
July 5 – DURHAM, 7 pm
July 6 - @ Pitt Co. Post 39 - 7 pm
July 8 – DH vs. APEX – 3 pm
July 9 - @ Pitt Co. 160 (South Central HS)
July 10 - @ Snow Hill, 7 pm
July 11 – WILSON, 7 pm
July 12 - SNOW HILL, 7 pm
July 14 - DH @ DURHAM, 5 pm (Old DBAP)
July 16 – League Playoffs Begin

RM area baseball players at State Games

GREENSBORO - The 2007 State Games of North Carolina are being held in the Triad Area this summer and the high school baseball tournament, with rising juniors and seniors, is being played at three sites: UNC-G, First Horizon Park and War Memorial Stadium.

The state is divided into eight regions by the NCHSAA, and the Rocky Mount area is in Region 3. Two Rocky Mount players and one from Northern Nash are representing this area. Gryphons Jim Leggett and Brian Goodwin and Northern's Tyler Joyner. Leggett is also playing for ImpactBaseball.com's Dirtbags traveling team, while Goodwin and Joyner are staples on the Nash County Post 58 squad.

Region 3 begins play Thursday at 3 p.m. versus Region 1 (northeatern NC) at UNC-G. Friday, it plays a 7 p.m. contest against Region 5 (Triad Area) at UNC-G. Saturday, Region 3 moves over War Memorial Stadium for a 1 p.m. tilt with Region 7 (northwestern NC).

The Gold Medal game will played at 2 p.m. Sunday at UNC-G. The Region 3 team is coached by Dave Kline (Kerr-Vance Academy). For more on the tournament, go to http://www.ncsports.org/.

Region 3 roster

Bryan Bass - Northern Durham
Kevin Bratcher - Ravenscroft
Landon Adams - Middle Creek
Cameron Richards - Knightdale
Jacob Dixon - Roanoke Rapids
Jim Leggett - Rocky Mount
Kris Richards - West Johnston
Tyler Joyner - Northern Nash
Jeremy Dowdy - Wakefield
Blaze Tart - Riverside
Steele Myers - Durham Jordan
Brian Goodwin - Rocky Mount
Zack Howell - Garner
Dylan Kipp - Green Hope
Zac Crumpler - Fike
Jerry Glover - South Johnston
Jake Dailey - Cedar Ridge
Pratt Maynard - South Granville
Cameron Connor - Fuquay-Varina
Corey Thompson - Apex

Rocky Mount without an endowment game - for now!

Due to an oversight, Rocky Mount's 2007 football season opener with Goldsboro (an endowment game) has been cancelled.

A verbal agreement was made with Goldsboro's head coach earlier in the year to play not one, but two endowment games at Rocky Mount the next two seasons. But that agreement was with a head coach who has since resigned.

In the meantime, Goldsboro signed fellow Wayne County school Rosewood to fill out its schedule. It left the Gryphons with no opener - during a time where almost every school has its schedule set for the next two seasons.

Rocky Mount is making efforts to find another endowment opponent. If one can't be found, RMHS will likely play a second scrimmage.

I will keep you informed on RMHS' search for another season-opening opponent.

2007 All-NEW 6 Baseball Team

Here is the 2007 All-NEW Baseball Team as voted by the head coaches of the league:

First team

Jason Gay, Northern Nash (40/82, .488; 9 2B, 12 HR, 32R, 43 RBI)
Andrew Webb, Northern Nash (30 R)
Zach Woodley, Northern Nash (10-2, 1.76 ERA,86K)
Tyler Joyner, Northern Nash (10-3, 128 K)
Chad Womble, Rocky Mount (7-3, 1.60 ERA; .300, 13R, 17 RBI)
Brian Goodwin, Rocky Mount (.356, 29R, 17 RBI, 13 SB, HR)
Bentley Massey, Fike (9-3, 2.28 ERA, 80 K)
Thomas Moore, Fike (.418, 32R, 2 HR, 37 RBI)
Brian Allen, Southern Nash (.389, 23R, 30 RBI; 2-1, 36K)
Xavier Macklin, Nash Central (.368, 2HR, 20 RBI)

Second team

Daniel Moore, Northern Nash
Dillon Cockrell, Rocky Mount
Jim Leggett, Rocky Mount
Chris Berry, Rocky Mount
Jacob Davis, Fike
David Gibbons, Fike
Brian Graley, Southern Nash
Alex Pearce, Nash Centra
lScott Tharrington, SouthWest Edgecombe
Patrick Goodwyn, SouthWest Edgecombe

Honorable Mention

Ben Fish, Rocky Mount
Jeremy Proctor, Northern Nash
Zach Crumpler, Wilson Fike
Ben Wilson, Southern Nash
Cody High, Nash Central

Player of the Year: Jason Gay, Northern Nash
Conference Champion Coach: Pat Smith, Rocky Mount; Al Carter, Northern Nash

Post 58 tops Wilson Co. by a touchdown, 17-10

By Tom Ham
Wilson Daily Times

WILSON - Credit the Wilson American Legion baseball team with enough moxie to avoid being victimized by the 10-run lead rule Tuesday night.

Otherwise, Post 13's 2007 miseries in Fleming Stadium continued with a 17-10 Area One Eastern Division North Conference loss to Post 58 of Rocky Mount-Nash County. Nine Wilson errors led to 13 unearned Post 58 runs as Post 13 tumbled to 5-4 overall and 2-2 in the conference.

Post 58, undefeated in four games, pounded three Wilson pitchers for 15 hits in notching its second conference victory.

"We can't play at home," Wilson head coach Rusty Dail flatly said. "We just can't play right now. It's frustrating.

"We have to make up our minds to come to play. Some of us are just going through the motions. I don't have the answer. If I'd had nine more (players) I would have put them out there."

The contest lingered nearly three hours and the regulation nine innings as the result of Wilson, down 17-4, scoring five runs in the bottom of the eighth.

Down to its last out, Post 13 forced the ninth inning on center fielder Zach Moore's two-run single.Leading 10-4, Post 58 sent 11 batters to the plate in pouring across seven runs in the top of the eighth.

Third baseman Chris Berry batted 3-for-6 and drove in three runs for Post 58. Center fielder Daniel Moore, shortstop Andrew Webb, second baseman Brian Allen, right fielder Xavier Macklin and left fielder Dillon Cockrell each collected two hits. Allen scored four runs and Daniel Moore, Webb and Gay three each.

Gay doubled in a run and scored on Macklin's single to stake Post 58 to a 2-0 lead in the top of the opening inning against starting Post 13 pitcher Matthew Watson, a left-hander.But Wilson retaliated with four runs in the bottom of the first.

The bases were loaded when first baseman Thomas Moore cleared them with a one-out triple.
Third baseman Brett Allen singled in Moore.

Post 58 reclaimed the lead for keeps with three unearned runs in the top of the second. The bases were loaded but wound up empty when Watson's pick-off throw toward first base wound up in the right-field corner.

After the opening inning, Post 58 starting pitcher Zach Woodley blanked Wilson on three hits the next six innings. Woodley completed his evening's work by working out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh. Woodley, 2-0, had thrown just six pitches the previous three games.

"I hadn't thrown in four weeks (except for the six pitches) and you've got to find your rhythm," Woodley reasoned. The right-hander noted the approach is different for nine-inning Legion games as compared to seven-inning outings on the mound for Northern Nash High.

"I would have liked to have done a little better," Woodley evaluated. "I threw a lot of off-speed pitches after the first inning because I couldn't get the fastball in the zone. I had to try something. We won, we're 4-0 — I'll take it."

Wilson wound up with 11 hits, including two each from Zach Moore, second baseman Joseph Toler and Thomas Moore. Toler also tripled. Designated hitter-right fielder Jacob Davis scored three runs.

Watson, Post 13's ace last season, took the loss to even his mark at 1-1. Right-handers Jeremy Efird and Tony Whitehead followed him to the mound.

"We are just as good as they are," Dail insisted. "They threw their best and we put the ball in play. But we were passive at the plate and you're not going to win against anybody when you commit nine errors."

Wilson steps outside the conference to welcome New Bern this evening at 7 in Fleming Stadium.

Dail's post-game message to his player was brief: "Be here at 4:30."

Post 58 17
Wilson 10

POST 58 WILSON Post 13

AB R H BI AB R H BI
D Moore 5 3 2 0 Moore 4 2 2 2
Webb ss 5 3 2 2 Toler 2b-ss 4 1 2 1
Bn Allen 2b 4 4 2 0 Lamm c 5 0 0 0
Gay 1b 4 3 1 1 Davis dh-rf 4 3 1 0
Macklin rf 5 0 2 2 T Moore 1b 3 1 2 3
Jhnson pr-rf 1 1 0 0 Emdn ph-1b 2 1 1 1
Pierce c 5 1 1 1 Taylor lf 3 0 0 0
Berry 3b 6 1 3 3 Nygard ph-lf 2 1 1 0
Hodges dh 5 0 0 0 Bt Allen 3b 3 0 1 1
Woodley p 0 0 0 0 Jones ss 4 1 1 1
Womble p 0 0 0 0 Massey 2b 1 0 0 0
Joyner p 0 0 0 0 Whithd rf-p 4 0 0 0
Cockrell lf 5 1 2 2
Totals 45 17 15 11 Totals 39 10 11 9

Score by innings:

Post 58 230 023 070 — 17
Wilson 400 000 051 — 10

E-Watson 2, Bt. Allen 3, Lamm, T. Moore, Toler 2, Berry, Webb, Pierce. DP-Post 58. LOB-Post 58, Wilson 7. 2B-Gay, Berry. 3B-T. Moore, Bn. Allen, Toler. SB-Bn. Allen, Macklin, D. Moore 2. S-Webb.

Pitching

IP H R ER BB SO

Post 58
Woodley (W 2-0) 7 6 4 2 3 3
Womble 1 4 5 2 1 2
Joyner 1 1 1 0 1 0

Wilson
Watson (L) 42/3 7 7 2 3 7
Efird 21/3 4 7 2 2 0
Whitehead 2 4 3 0 0 0

HBP-D. Moore (by Efird), Gay (by Efird). WP-Joyner. PB-Pierce 2.

Gryphon athletes sign on the dotted line

Demetric Marshall and Jason Tyler signed to play football at West Hills Community College in Coalinga, California last week. They are joined by RMHS athletic director Michael Gainey, assistant football coach Chris Lee, head football coach B.W. Holt, Jason's father Rossie Tyler and RMSH principal Judy Bradshaw. Absent from the picture was C.J. Ford, who has also signed with the school.





Chad Womble signed to play baseball for Florence-Darlington Technical College in Florence, S.C. last week. He is joined by his parents Charlene and Dennis Womble. Looking on are RMHS athletic director Michael Gainey, head baseball coach Pat Smith and RMHS principal Judy Bradshaw.

Photos/David Hahula

2007 NEW 6 Boys Tennis All-Conference Team

Here is the 2007 NEW 6 Boys Tennis All-Conference team. Southern Nash's Tyler Harris, who went undefeated in team play, was Player of the Year.

First Team

Tyler Harris - Southern Nash

Michael Barnes - Southern Nash

Kevin Murray - Southern Nash

Ethan Page - Southern Nash

Griffin Benton - Fike

John Lucas - Northern Nash

Second Team

Kyle Ramsey - Southern Nash

Justin Davis - Southern Nash

Alex Durham - Rocky Mount

Sameer Prasada - Rocky Mount

Robert Lapp - Nash Central

Matthew Fleck - Fike

Player of the Year - Tyler Harris, Southern Nash (headed to N.C. Wesleyan)

Edgecombe's new Legion squad full of Nash Co. players

When Coleman-Pitt Post 58 heads over to Tarboro Wednesday evening for its North Division, Area 1 East matchup with new Edgecombe Co. Post 316 at Municipal Stadium, it may seem more like a reunion than a baseball game.

Post 316, head coached by Charles Johnson and assisted by Mills Davis, Todd Brewer and Rick Norville, will have six players who played in Nash County this past spring.

Cody High, Drew Fairman and Justin Murray played at Nash Central, Deseray Rosser and Courtney Arrington closed out their careers at Northern Nash, and Brian Graley was a standard on the mound at Southern Nash. Former Northern Nash Knight Jeff Davis, who just completed his first year at Barton, is also on the squad.

Post 316's other players are from Tarboro High (Patrick Ruffin, Drew Davis, Kyle Norville, Matthew Boykin), SouthWest Edgecombe (Patrick Goodwyn, Scott Tharrington, Nick Wells), Williamston (A.J. Peaks, Trey Peaks) and Hobgood Academy (Adam Whitehead).

Coleman-Pitt Post 58 American Legion Schedule

Here is Coleman-Pitt Post 58's American Legion baseball schedule for this summer.

Go out to Alexander Field at Rocky Mount Academy and support these boys! They have 17 home games, including a few doubleheaders - like the one they swept over New Bern Post 24 Saturday in their season openers (4-1, 5-4). There is no excuse to not catch them a few times this season!

Four Gryphon players are on Post 58's roster this summer: Chad Womble, Chris Berry, Grant Johnson, Dillon Cockrell.

They are joined by five from Northern Nash (Jason Gay, Andrew Webb, Zach Woodley, Daniel Moore, Tyler Joyner), two from Nash Central (Xavier Macklin, Alex Pearce) and one from Southern Nash (Brian Allen). Adam Hodges is the lone player from Rocky Mount Academy.

Lance Peck is back for his second season as head coach. Ted Williams (Northern Nash, NC Wesleyan) is his assistant.

The Northern Conference of the Area 1 Eastern Division is comprised of Tarboro, Edenton, Ahoskie, Wilson, Washington and Post 58 (Nash County).

COLEMAN-PITT POST 58 LEGION SCHEDULE

(home games in bold)

June 2 - DH vs. NEW BERN (4-1 W; 5-4 W) 2-0 overall, 0-0 conf.
June 6 - @ Tarboro (20-1 W - 7 inn.) 3-0 overall, 1-0 conf.
June 12 - @ Wilson – 7 pm (17-10 W) 4-0 overall, 2-0 conf.
June 13 - PITT CO. 39 – 7 pm - PPD.
June 14 – TARBORO – 7 pm
June 15 - @ Pitt 39 – 7 pm (Guy Smith Stadium) - PPD.
June 16 - DH - EDENTON – 3 pm
June 17 - @ Kerr Lake - 5 pm (TBA)
June 18 - PITT CO. 160 - 7 pm
June 19 - @ Ahoskie - 7 pm
June 21 - @ Washington – 7 pm
June 22 – WASHINGTON – 7 pm
June 23 - @ Raleigh Post 297 - 7 pm (Millbrook HS)
June 24 - AHOSKIE – 7 pm
June 26 - RALEIGH POST 297 – 7 pm
June 27 - KERR LAKE - 7 pm
June 29 - CLAYTON POST 71 – 7 pm
June 30 - DH – BENSON – 3 pm
July 3 - PITT CO. POST 39 - 7 pm
July 5 – DURHAM, 7 pm
July 6 - @ Pitt Co. Post 39 - 7 pm
July 8 – DH vs. APEX – 3 pm
July 9 - @ Pitt Co. 160 (South Central HS)
July 10 - @ Snow Hill, 7 pm
July 11 – WILSON, 7 pm
July 12 - SNOW HILL, 7 pm
July 14 - DH @ DURHAM, 5 pm (Old DBAP)
July 16 – League Playoffs Begin

NFL is coming to RMHS ... sort of!

The National Football League is coming to Rocky Mount High June 18-21 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the RMHS gym.

Here is an overview of the program from NFL.com:

The NFL High School Player Development program addresses the many issues facing high school football programs in communities-in-need.

The following issues have been identified by a number of professionals, including, urban-based high school coaches, college football recruiters in Divisions I – III, collegiate coaches in Divisions I – III, NFL General Managers and Player Personnel Directors:

• A lack of feeder systems and introduction to the game results in decreased interest in playing high school football.
• Today’s players are deficient in game fundamentals.
• Academics disqualify many football players.

Objectives

The program sets out to achieve the following objectives:• Provide high school players from inner-city public schools with academic support through counseling in areas such as class standings, core course selection, maintaining a GPA, preparing for standardized tests and preparing for life after school.
• Increase exposure of urban-based, high school football players to college coaches and recruiters in Divisions I-III.
• Increase access to academic records for college recruiters.
• Create a new pool of quality and fundamentally sound athletes from communities-in-need through innovative teaching methods and drills developed by leading NCAA and NFL coaches who contribute their input and signature on position skill development exercises and methods.

How the program works

NFL High School Player Development provides incoming, fall season, sophomores, juniors and seniors a program focusing on academic counseling as well as specific football skill training by position. Each participant gains a full awareness of what it takes to become a successful high school and collegiate student-athlete, along with the resources and information to meet NCAA Clearinghouse requirements.

The program is comprised of an online academic and life skill curriculum and 10 hours of on-field, fundamental skill development by position. All program participants spend five hours of on-field programming at an offensive position and the remaining five hours at a defensive position of their coach’s choice.

Guest speakers address participants on life skills and football issues for 20 minutes prior to each practice. At the conclusion of the program, each participant receives a personalized portfolio.

This portfolio measures each player’s skill development by position and provides a complete breakdown of that player’s skill techniques. It also notes issues that need to be addressed in order to improve and advance to the next skill level.

Participants have the opportunity to meet with counselors to review and evaluate their academic standings and to receive an academic recommendation action plan.

This plan positions them to be eligible and fully prepared to meet NCAA Clearinghouse requirements and student-athlete demands while in college.

Led by Rocky Mount head football coach B.W. Holt, several RM assistant coaches as well as other coaches from area schools will be instructing at this camp. This may be the most important camp an aspiring high school football player may ever attend.

And it is free! Yes, free. The NFL is underwriting all the cost, so all you have to do is show up and participate. This is open to all football players in the surrounding Twin County area.

Mark your calendars now!