Gainey gets No. 200!

Rocky Mount head boys basketball coach Mike Gainey is given the game ball from his 200th coaching victory by Gryphon assistant coach Keith Barnes on Feb. 6. (Photo/David Hahula)

Rocky Mount head boys basketball coach Mike Gainey recorded his 200th career victory on Tuesday, Feb. 3 in the Gryphons' 65-43 win at NEW 6 Conference foe Southern Nash.

Gainey, with his win over SouthWest Edgecombe Friday, now has a career record of 201-102 (.663) in 12 seasons as the team's head coach.

His wife, Pam Gainey - girls basketball coach, is churning her way toward 300 career wins. Gainey, who recently moved over to RMHS as a physical education teacher (replacing retired Debbie Webb) after several years at Edwards Middle School, has 272 wins (272-127, .681) as she coaches her 16th season with the Lady Gryphons.

If the girls go really deep into the state playoffs and do well next season, Gainey might just reach the 300-win mark late next season. The only other girls coaches in the Twin Counties with more wins are SouthWest Edgecombe's Sandra Langley and Northern Nash's Grover Battle.

RMHS cancer donation in honor of Dudley Whitley

The family of the late Dudley Whitley was on hand on Friday, Jan. 30 at the Rocky Mount-Northern Nash basketball game as $1,379.16 was raised and given in his name and Rocky Mount High to the Jimmy V Foundation as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer initiative sponsored by the N.C. Coaches Association.

One dollar for every ticket sold that evening, plus donations from the crowd, went toward that total.

Whitley served in many posts during his tenure with the then-Rocky Mount City School System, including athletic director, principal and superintendent.

Pictured were (l-r) grandson Lee Whitley, son-in-law Dwayne Pridgen, daughter Beth Pridgen, widow Sheila Whitley, daughter-in-law Crystal Whitley, son Dee Whitley and grandson Ben Whitley.

(Click on picture to enlarge)

(Photo/David Hahula)