Gryphons start Big East Conference play this week

Rocky Mount's basketball teams had a very busy start to the season - playing 13 games before the Christmas break. That's at least five more games than any of the other three schools in the county.

Sadly, that means those other county schools will still be playing as many as three games a week in January. Northern Nash's deep run into the football playoffs means playing quite a few makeup games with several teams - including Tarboro, which really put off a lot of hoop contests after repeating as 2-A state football champion.

The Gryphons will host Hertford County Wednesday (6 p.m., 7:30 p.m.) to end its non-conference slate and then open Big East Conference play Friday by hosting Nash Central.

The varsity boys are 10-3, while the varsity girls are 11-2. The girls have even won two tournament titles (Triangle Tip-off Tournament, Nash County Christmas Basketball Tournament).

Here is a listing of statistical leaders for the boys and girls with more than half the season in the rear view mirror.

BOYS

Scoring

1. Exzavier Cooper, 13.6

2. Tecoby Hines, 11.8
3. Dante Battle, 7.9

Rebounding

1. Dante Battle, 6.1
2. Tecoby Hines, 5.4
3. Exzavier Cooper, 4.8

Assists

1. Bruce Applewhite Jr., 3.4
2. Lavon Brutus, 1.2
3. Kenyatta Bullock, 1.0

GIRLS

Scoring

1 Tia Hudgins, 16.5

2. J'Kyra Brown, 12.1

3. Timisha Walker, 11.0

Rebounding

1. Timisha Walker, 7.3

2. Tia Hudgins, 5.6

3. J'Kyra Brown, 5.2

Assists

1. J'Kyra Brown, 3.5

2. T'yais Cooper, 2.5

3. Marquita Hines, 2.1

(Photos/David Hahula)