Gryphon News and Notes

Rocky Mount senor Tia Hudgins goes for career-point No. 1,200 Friday night in the showdown for the Big East Conference's No. 1 seed at Northern Nash.

After a 10-point night against Southern Nash, she needs six more to reach 1,200.

She has passed Latoya Armstrong and is No. 4 on the school's girls basketball scoring list.

Next on her move up the scoring ladder is No. 3 Dyonna Battle at 1,290 points.

Twins get off to good starts on diamond

Twins Thomas and Matthew Berry, who have played baseball together all their lives, are now playing apart at the college level - both at the Div. II level.

Thomas has a starting spot at Lander University (Greenwood, S. C,), while sibbling Matthew got a starting nob at Barton College as it opened its season last weekend.

Thomas batted in the No. 2 hole for the Bearcats who won their series with two wins over Newberry in their Lander's brand new stadium.

Matthew ended up notching Barton’s first three-hit game of the season. In his first career start, Berry rapped three hits in four trips. His collegiate debut actually came in Friday’s second game, but he did not have an official at-bat. 

Gryphons tossed from NCHSAA dual team playoffs

Rocky Mount's wrestling team has woeful time in its first-round matchup with Western Harnett in the NCHSAA dual team wrestling playoffs. It was played at Western and the Gryphons dropped the meeting by a 48-15 score.

They concluded their fine season with a 32-9 record.

Northern Nash, the Big East's No. 2 seed, also saw its season end with a 40-27 loss to Hillsborough Orange.

Last regular seasons game at gym

For those who were at Rocky Mount's gym last Tuesday night, they were witnessing some history. The contests with Southern Nash were the last regular season games ever played in the 59-year-old venue.

While sitting there watching games, I couldn't help but recall the two seasons when basketball was even played there.

During the 1967-68 season, a pipe under the floor burst. The end result had the floor warping. The then-Blackbirds ended up playing their season at N.C. Wesleyan's Everett Gymnasium.

You younger folk might remember the last time the Gryphons had to leave their home floor.

It was during the 1999-2000 season. Lingering water brought on by the rains of Hurricane Floyd warped the floor once again. 

The Gryphons were forced to play the whole season at Northern Nash's gym. 

Sounds great, doesn't it?