Gryphons to invade Greensboro Coliseum Monday evening

Three Rocky Mount High School athletes will play their final prep event of their careers Monday evening at Greensboro Coliseum.

Basketballers Terrill Hilliard, Tia Hudgins and Alexus Cooper will be playing in the N.C. Coaches Association East-West All-Star Men's and Women's Basketball Games. The women will start at 6:30 p.m., while the men will take the court around 8:30.

Here are the bios of the Rocky Mount participants that will appear in the official program of the games. These three athletes are the 16th, 17th and 18th Rocky Mount students to play in the games since 2000 - more than any school in the Twin Counties or the Big East Conference. 

Terrill Hilliard

Terrill. . . Rocky Mount High. . .6-6, 189 lb. forward. . . coached by Michael Gainey. . . as a senior, averaged 19.4 points 7.5 rebounds. . . named NCPreps 3A All-State, District  3 Player of the Year, All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, Telegram All-Area, team MVP and captain. . . NC-SC All-Star Game participant. . . played for 3A state championship team. . . as a junior, named All-Area, East Regional All-Tournament. . . as a sophomore, played on 3A state championship team. . . signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Wingate University. . . undecided about major. . . his parents are his role models. . . favorite college athlete is Harrison Barnes. . . favorite pro athlete is James Harden. . . says “I feel very proud to be considered one of the best in the East and be able to represent Rocky Mount.  I’m expecting to get better from playing against high competition and gain more knowledge from the coaches and players.” 

Tia Hudgins

Tia. . . Rocky Mount High. . . 5-8 guard. . . coached by Pamela Gainey. . .as senior, averaged 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals. . . named All-Conference, 2012 Athlete of the Year. . . Leadership Award recipient. . . joined the “1,000 Point Club”. . . as junior, named All-Conference. . . Coaches Award recipient. . . as sophomore, named All-Conference. . . Coaches Award recipient. . . named Player of the Year and twice named team MVP in volleyball and also competed in track and soccer. . . member of National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Project Hart. . . plans to attend Queens University where she will major in computer information systems. . . her siblings Tanika and Terrell are her role models. . . says  “I feel honored to play in the East-West All-Star game.  I am the third sibling to receive such an honor.  I’m expecting to win as well as to gain new friends and have this experience of playing in the all-star game.” 

Alexus Cooper

Alexus. . .Rocky Mount High. . .5-8 guard. . .coached by Pamela Gainey. . .as a senior, averaged 12.6 points, 3.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 steals. . .named All-Area…High School Invitational Basketball All-Tournament Team. . .participated in the North/South All-Star Game. . .as junior, did not play due to injury. . . as sophomore, averaged 12.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2 assists, 2.3 steals. . .named All-Area Player of the Year. . .also competed in cross country and track and field. . .received honors chord and NC Scholar chord. . . signed an athletic grant-in-aid with Eastern Kentucky University where she will major in criminal justice. . .her mother is her role model. . .favorite pro athlete is Derrick Rose. . . says  “I feel honored and excited to be able to participate in the all-star game.  I’m expecting to again a good experience from the game.”