Kinston-RM Legion game 2 rained out, moved to Thursday

KINSTON - Game 2 of the American Legion Area I East series final between Rocky Mount Post 58 and Kinston Post 43 was rained out Wednesday evening.

Rain moved into Lenoir County about 40 minutes before game 2 was to start. That rain combined with the rain that hit the field at Kinston High School Tuesday evening made the field unplayable.

Game 2 now has been moved to Thursday at 7 p.m.

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL AREA I EAST FINALS
(best of five)

KINSTON POST 43 (14-7) vs. ROCKY MOUNT POST 58 (20-5)

GAME 1 - Rocky Mount Post 58 10, Kinston Post 43 2

GAME 2 - Rocky Mount Post 58 @ Kinston Post 43 (Kinston HS), ppd. rain - moved to Thursday, July 15, 7 p.m.

GAME 3 - Kinston Post 43 @ Rocky Mount Post 58 (Gryphon Stadium), Friday, July 16, 7 p.m.

GAME 4 - (if necessary) Rocky Mount Post 58 @ Kinston Post 43 (Kinston HS), Saturday, July 17, 7 p.m.

GAME 5 - (if necessary) Kinston Post 43 @ Rocky Mount Post 58 (Gryphon Stadium), Sunday, July 18, 7 p.m

RMHS alum helps start new Triangle sports website

If what's going on in Triangle area sports is down your line - whether it's the ACC, minor league baseball or the Hurricanes, then you might check out this new website: The Capital Sports Report at: http://capitalsportzone.blogspot.com/

Rocky Mount High School alum and ex-Rocky Mount Telegram sports editor Cliff Barnes has joined forces with three of his sports writing collegues, Neil Amato (Durham Herald-Sun,Wilmington Star-News), Dane Huffman (Raleigh News and Observer, WRAL.com) and Steve Wiseman ([Columbia, S.C.] The State), in producing the blog-oriented site.

So you can tell - these guys love sports!

The site first appeared on the Internet in May.

Barnes, who has won over 60 state, regional and national writing awards during his career, is a 1978 RMHS grad and culminated his senior year as the sports editor of UNC's Daily Tar Heel newspaper with the coverage of the Dean Smith's first national championship - UNC's dramatic 1982 win over Georgetown in the Louisiana Superdome.

Check this site out!

Post 58 wins Area I East series opener with Kinston Post 43

- Post 58's Spencer Bell

Kinston Post 43's pitching staff was less than stellar Tuesday evening in its game 1 outing with Rocky Mount Post 58 in the American Legion Area I East title series.

Kinston saw three pitchers (Cody Heath, Josh Harris, Matt Jones) come to the mound and they combined to give up nine hits, 12 walks and uncorked eight wild pitches.

It was a recipe for disaster for Kinston as it fell 10-2 to Post 58 at Gryphon Stadium. The two teams will continue their best-of-five battle Wednesday at Kinston High School. Game time is 7 p.m.

In the process, Post 58, up 1-0 in the series, recorded its 20th win (20-5) of the season - the second consecutive season it has done so (20-6 in 2009).

But things didn't start that way for Post 43.

Rocky Mount starter Jeremy Sloop issued four straight balls to ECU-bound Josh Lovick to start the game, then gave up a single to Landon DeBrul. Lovick went to third on the throw in, while DeBrul trotted over to second. Consecutive sacrifice flies by Wes Sowers and Mike Potter platted Lovick and DeBrul, respectively, to give Kinston a quick 2-0 advantage.

But that was the last time Post 43 would see the lead.

Post 58 struck for three runs in the second, six in the fifth and one more in the sixth to put the game on ice.

Cameron Ramsey's two-run double fueled the third, while Spencer Bell's RBI single and Tyler Clark's two-run base hit broke open the fifth.

And it could have been worse for Post 43.

Rocky Mount stranded 12 base runners on the night. Kinston, which tallied just five hits, left three on base. Eight Post 58 batters combined to collect nine hits on the evening with Spencer Bell leading the way (2-for-3, two RBI, two runs scored).

Sloop, after his shaky start, ended up going eight innings before letting Bill Clark pitch the ninth.

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL
AREA I EAST FINAL SERIES
GAME 1
@ Gryphon Stadium, Rocky Mount

Rocky Mount Post 58 10
Kinston Post 43 2

Post 43 200 000 000 - 2 5 0
Post 58 030 061 00x - 10 9 0

WP - Jeremy Sloop (8 IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 5K)
LP - Cody Heath (2 IP, 4H, 3R, 3ER, 5BB, 0K)

Leading hitters:

Post 43 - Landon DeBrul 2-4, R; Josh Lovick 1-3, R; Mike Wetherington 1-4, 2B; Brad Hunter 1-3

Post 58 - Spencer Bell 2-3, 2 RBI, R; Cameron Ramsey 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, R; Tyler Clark 1-4, 2 RBI, R; Collins Cuthrell 1-4, 2 RBI; Matthew Berry 1-2, R; Thomas Berry 1-2, 2B, R; Kyle Norville 1-5, 2B; T.J. Taylor 1-3.

Records: Post 43 14-7, Post 58 20-5.

Preview Notebook: Kinston Post 43 makes deepest Legion playoff run since 1970

By Ryan Herman
Kinston Free Press

KINSTON - All the offensive firepower Kinston Post 43 head coach Ronnie Battle boasted about before the season started has jolted the team into a place it hasn’t been in quite some time.

The lack of pitching depth Battle was worried about before the summer’s first pitch wasn’t quite as bad as he thought it could be.

With a lineup loaded with big bats and a pitching staff that has defied expectations, Post 43 has made its deepest run in American Legion playoff action since 1970.

The Southern Division champion will face Northern Division champion Rocky Mount Post 58 in a best-of-five series to determine the Area I East champion that begins at 7 tonight at Rocky Mount. Games 2 and 4 will be held at Kinston High, also at 7 p.m.

Post 58 (19-5) is the defending conference title-winner, and is 4-0 in the postseason thus far, including a two-game sweep of Edenton Post 40 in the semifinals.

“This is a first for us,” Battle said, who has coached Post 43 for 13 years. “The talent level in Kinston and Lenoir County has gotten better each year.”

It took Kinston (14-6) three games to topple Wilson Post 13 over the weekend in a best-of-three conference semifinal series. Post 43 won Game 1 11-6 on Friday and fell 7-6 on Saturday.

It advanced to its first conference championship series in 40 years with a 6-1 win at Viking Field Sunday night, a process Battle said started when he began scouting area players and giving by-invitation-only roster spots instead of open tryouts.

“We started inviting players instead of holding tryouts because someone can really shine in a tryout then you find out as the season goes along he wasn’t really that talented,” Battle said.

“When you get the right group, things can happen.”

Battle knows his boys of summer will have a tough task against Post 58 if it wants a berth in the state tournament held in Asheboro later this month.

Rocky Mount boasts nine players from the home high school that went 22-3 this spring, three of whom were on the Gryphons’ 2008 state 3A championship team — Collins Cuthrell, Thomas Berry and Cameron Ramsey.

Cuthrell and Berry have banged a combined 17 home runs — 10 by Cuthrell, who has signed with Barton College — and each is hitting over .400.

“I know that Rocky Mount is a good, aggressive team. I see them similar to us in that they like to slug the baseball,” Battle said. “We’re going to have to continue to play solid baseball.

“We’re looking forward to it.”

Kinston Post 43 player roster

KINSTON - Here is the player roster for Kinston Post 43, coached by former longtime Kinston High School head coach Ronnie Battle. Kinston is 14-6 coming into its Area I East title series with Rocky Mount Post 58.

The two teams will meet in game 1 Tuesday at Gryphon Stadium.

No., Player, Position, School

1 - Joshua Lovick, INF, graduated Kinston High, signed with East Carolina

2 - Everett Charlton, OF, graduated from South Lenoir

3 - Scottie Ginn, P, graduated from North Lenoir

4 - Cody Heath, P, graduated from Kinston, had signed with Southeastern C.C.

5 - Brad Hunter, OF, graduated from South Lenoir, signed with Pitt C.C.

6 - Alex Brann, C, rising soph. at Barton (signed)

7 - Ty Eason, INF, graduated from South Lenoir

8 - Tyler Potter, INF, redshirt fresh. at UNC-Pembroke

9 - C.J. Bradshaw, OF, rising junior at Kinston

10 - Wes Sowers, INF, rising senior at Greene Central

11 - Patrick DuBose, P, graduated from Parrott Academy

12 - Mike Wetherington, P/OF/C, rising soph. at Pitt C.C. (signed)

14 - Logan Deaver, P, graduated from South Lenoir, signed with Lenoir C.C.

15 - Landon DeBruhl, INF, graduated from Kinston

16 - Matt Jones, INF/P, graduated from Bethel Christian Academy

22 - Josh Harris, INF, graduated from South Lenoir

It will be Kinston Post 43 vs. Rocky Mount Post 58 - starting Tuesday

There will be no rematch with Wilson Post 11 this summer for the Area I East title for Rocky Mount Post 58.

Kinston Post 43 topped Wilson 6-1 Sunday evening at Kinston High School in game 3 of their American Legion Area I East semifinal series. This will be Kinston's deepest foray into the Legion playoffs since 1970. Rocky Mount Post 58 is the defending Area I champion.

Post 43 will now face Post 58 beginning Tuesday (7 p.m.) at Gryphon Stadium in their best of five series for the Eastern Division title. A victory in this series will guarantee the winner a berth in the N.C.State Tournament set for later this month at McCrary Park in Asheboro.

Here is the schedule for the conference final series:


AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL AREA I EAST FINALS
(best of five)

KINSTON POST 43 (14-6) vs. ROCKY MOUNT POST 58 (19-5)

GAME 1 - Kinston Post 43 @ Rocky Mount Post 58 (Gryphon Stadium), Tuesday, July 13, 7 p.m.

GAME 2 - Rocky Mount Post 58 @ Kinston Post 43 (Kinston HS), Wednesday, July 14, 7 p.m.

GAME 3 - Kinston Post 43 @ Rocky Mount Post 58 (Gryphon Stadium), Thursday, July 15, 7 p.m.

GAME 4 - (if necessary) Rocky Mount Post 58 @ Kinston Post 43 (Kinston HS), Friday, July 16, 7 p.m.

GAME 5 - (if necessary) Kinston Post 43 @ Rocky Mount Post 58 (Gryphon Stadium), Saturday, July 17, 7 p.m.

Cuthrell leads Post 58 to rout of Edenton Post 40

EDENTON - Rocky Mount Post 58 rode the momentum that came in the ninth inning Friday night in its big comeback win to an outright rout Saturday afternoon.

Game 2 of its American Legion Area I East semifinal series with Edenton Post 40 turned into a blowout as RM parlayed 12 hits into a 17-3 seven-inning demolition at Historic Hicks Field.

Post 58 (19-5) will have to wait one more day to see who it will face in the Area I East final series. Wilson Post 13 sneaked past Kinston Post 43 7-6 Saturday evening to take that series to a game 3 Sunday in Kinston.

The winner will play a best-of-five series to decide the conference champ beginning Tuesday at Gryphon Stadium.

Collins Cuthrell, who had a superior season with the Rocky Mount Gryphons this past spring (RM Telegram Hitter of the Year), has outdone his RMHS season as he popped his ninth and 10th home runs of the summer in registering four RBI and three runs scored.

Cuthrell not only leads the team in home runs, but in runs scored (38), hits (38), doubles (10) and RBI (30) - all numbers greater than he had in the 25 games he played with RMHS. His .422 batting average is second to Thomas Berry's .433, who slammed a home run , too, Saturday - his seventh. He knocked in two runs and scored four times.

Tyler Clark got into a grove Saturday going 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run blast. He tallied four RBI and scored twice.

Brandon Denton would up with the win as it turned out to be a staff day for Post 58. Also getting action on the mound were Jeremy Trevathan, Trellis Ashley and Mike Smith. Each pitched an inning apiece.


American Legion Area I East Semifinals
Game 2 @ Historic Hicks Field, Edenton

Rocky Mount Post 58 17
Edenton Post 40 3
(7 innings)

Post 58 104 534 0 - 17 12 2
Post 40 021 000 0 - 3 5 3

WP - Brandon Denton (4IP, 3H, 3R, 3 ER, 7BB, 2K)
LP - Austin Cook (3IP, 5H, 5R, 5ER, 2BB, 0K)

Leading hitters:

Post 58 - Collins Cuthrell, 2-3, 2 HRs, 4 RBI, 3R; Tyler Clark 2-4, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2R; Thomas Berry 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, 4 R.

Post 40 - Daniel Oliver 2-2, HR, RBI

Records: Post 58 19-5, Post 40 8-10.

Post 58 rallies with wild ninth inning

If Edenton Post 40 head coach Bob Jordan had been a little more patient in the bottom of the ninth Friday night, Rocky Mount Post 58 would likely be heading to its game two meeting with Post 40 in the semifinals of the American Legion Area I East semis down 0-1.

As it was, up 5-0, Jordan lifted starter Chad Whitehead, who gave up two singles with one out in the frame, for Daniel Oliver.

The two former Lawrence Academy stars, who both clouted home runs to give Post 40 its seemingly insurmountable lead, would see their fine efforts on the night go by the wayside.

That ptiching move opened the door for the unbelievable.

Post 58 would crank out four more hits and bring eight more batters to the plate for an astounding 6-5 victory over Edenton. T.J. Joyner's two-run single brought in Spencer Bell and Mike Smith for the tying and winning runs.

Four of Post 58's runs came with two outs - incredible!

Now, what Post 40 team will show up Saturday? It will rely on pitcher Austin Cooke to get to it to game three Sunday. I honestly don't think, however, that Post 40 has the depth of pitching to dig out of the hole it fell into Friday.

Post 58 has won four straight over Edenton this season - and Saturday might make it five consecutive.

On the other side of the Area I East bracket in Kinston Friday, Wilson Post 13 fell to Kinston Post 43 11-6 in their semifinal series opener. Kinston rallied from being down 4-0 at one point.

Kinston's players had heavy hearts, however, as their teammate Taylor Humphrey (South Lenoir) and his younger sister died in a single-car wreck in Georgia earlier in the week during a family trip to Florida. The mother, father and a sister survived the accident.

Several Post 43 players will be pallbearers for the two Saturday before playing game 2 in Wilson that evening.

Cuthrell awarded Angello-Chesson Scholarship

RALEIGH - Collins Cuthrell, a member of the Rocky Mount High School Class of 2010, is the latest recipient of a $1,000 scholarship in honor of Joe Angello (’87) and Juan Chesson (’85) through The Gryphon Fund.

Cuthrell, who was a two-year starter in football and a three-year starter in baseball, has signed a national letter-of-intent to play baseball at Barton College in Wilson.

Past winners have gone on to further their education at North Carolina State, North Carolina Central, UNC-Charlotte, East Carolina and North Carolina Wesleyan.

Over $21,000 has been donated since The Fund began.

For those wishing to donate or would like more information on The Gryphon Fund, send an email to gryphonfund@aol.com.

Your donation is tax-deductible and will help future graduates of Rocky Mount High School .

If you would like to donate now, make your check out to the Triangle Community Foundation (www.trianglecf.org) and memo the check to "The Gryphon Fund" and mail to: The Gryphon Fund, c/o Triangle Community Foundation, 324 Blackwell Street, Suite 1220, Durham, N.C. 27701.

Here is a complete list of recipients:

Angello-Chesson Scholarship Winners

2010 - Collins Cuthrell
2009 - Hunter Perry
2008 - Malcolm Armwood
2007 - Taylor Huffman
2006 - Jonathan Tyndall
2005 - Kelion Lawrence
2004 - Terrance Thorne

Danny Talbott: 'Sports world has changed greatly'

(Note: Thanks to my friend Wilson Times sports editor Paul Durhan for letting me reprint this article on arguably Rocky Mount's greatest athlete ever)

By Keith Barnes
Wilson Times

WILSON - Whenever the discussion arises as to who might have been the best all-around high school athlete in the history of North Carolina one name that always pops up is Danny Talbott.

Talbott is somewhat of a sports legend in these parts and his accomplishments while at Rocky Mount Senior High School still border on the unbelievable.

As a three-sport athlete during his senior year (1962-63), he led his teams to 4-A state championships in football, basketball and baseball, a feat not accomplished either before or since and highly unlikely to ever occur again at any level.

Furthermore, Talbott was not only a member of each team but was also its leader and star player, although he's quick to point out that these championships were total team efforts.

Maybe so, but his teammates would probably also admit that without his presence there would likely have been no championships.

Following high school Talbott took his talents to the University of North Carolina where he again played three sports during his freshman year and part of sophomore year.

He eventually had to cut back slightly, though, and eventually dropped basketball but continued a brilliant career as a football quarterback and as a pitcher/first baseman on the baseball team.

Talbott was named Atlantic Coast Conference Football Player of the Year and ACC Athlete of the Year in 1966 and "The Sporting News" named him All-America as a first baseman.

In 2003 he was finally inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall-of-Fame, an honor which many felt he should have received much earlier.

Talbott, now retired following a 33-year career in the pharmaceutical business, still lives in Rocky Mount with his wife, Myrlene.

He was in town recently to participate in the N. C. Baseball Museum Celebrity Golf Tournament at Wedgewood Public Golf Course and prior to teeing off sat down to discuss several topics including the state of sports in general.

While Talbott readily admits that sports has been an important factor in his life, he also cautions that the sports world has changed greatly since he played and in some ways might be in danger of getting out of hand.

"Athletics is a great training tool for life," he said. "It teaches discipline, relationships and getting along with others but it should be kept in perspective.

"You wonder if some of the young kids playing sports today now are really enjoying what they're doing or if they're there (playing sports) because they're pushed into it by parents living through their kids," he said. "Also, I've got a problem when 8-year-old kids are playing in tournament games on Sunday morning when they should be in church."

Talbott credits several factors for his personal success in athletics.

"The Lord blessed me with the ability but there were lots of good coaches that took a lot of time to teach me," he said. "We were all given different abilities but it just so happened that mine were the kind that got written about more in the paper."

One coach about whom Talbott speaks highly is Henry Trevathan, who coached him in the seventh and eighth grades.

Trevathan later became head football coach at Ralph L. Fike High School, where he led the team to three straight 4A state championships in 1967-69.

Talbott also praised his teammates, many of whom still live in the area and he sees occasionally.

"I got to play with a great bunch of guys," he said. "We were like a family."

Regarding today's superstar college and pro athletes:

"Some athletes this day and time think they're bigger than life," said Talbott. "I think they need to come down off their pedestals and realize it's (sports) not all about them." Anyone who lived in Wilson or Rocky Mount during the late '50s or early '60s probably remembers the fierce football rivalries between the two high schools during that era and Danny Talbott was right there in the thick of much of the action.

"The Rocky Mount-Wilson rivalry was so strong we each actually had closed practices the week of the game," he recalled. "It was a great rivalry but we (players on both teams) were all good friends."

While here, Talbott got to talk with Trevathan, who was also a guest at the golf tournament and earlier had these comments to make about his former pupil.

"I've seen lots of great athletes in North Carolina but Talbott ranks with the best," said Trevathan. "Once in a while nature comes along and gives us something special and Danny was special."

Post 58 will face Edenton Post 40 in Round 2

Rocky Mount Post 58 will face fellow North Division member Edenton Post 40 in Round 2 of the American Legion Area I East baseball playoffs.

Post 40 advanced to Round 2 with its 3-2 win over Pitt County Post 39 Wednesday evening in Winterville. It won its series two games to one. Post 58 swept New Bern Post 24 in Round 1 with victories of 14-4 and 19-0.

Post 58 (17-5) will start its best of three series with Edenton (8-8) beginning Friday at 7 p.m. at Gryphon Stadium.

Post 58 swept Post 40 during the regular season (3-0) with wins of 12-11, 11-7 and 10-6.

AMERICAN LEGION AREA I EAST BASEBALL PLAYOFFS

Round 2 - Edenton Post 40 vs. Rocky Mount Post 58

Game 1 - Friday, July 9, at Rocky Mount, Gryphon Stadium, 7 p.m.

Game 2 - Saturday, July 10, at Edenton, Historic Hicks Field, 12 noon

Game 3 - Sunday, July 11, at Rocky Mount, Gryphon Stadium, 7 p.m. - if necessary

Season ends for New Bern's Post 24

By Adam Thompson
New Bern Sun Journal

NEW BERN - If anything, the youthful Post 24 American Legion baseball team gained some valuable experience this summer.

But it will have to wait until next season to showcase what it’s learned. Post 24’s trying season ended Tuesday with a 19-0 loss to Rocky Mount Post 58 at Boykin Field.

A day after defeating Post 24 14-4, Rocky Mount concluded the best-of-three game series with a 14-hit performance.

With the majority of its players as high school underclassmen, Post 24 was simply out-manned by a Rocky Mount squad that featured eight college players.

In its final game of the summer, Post 24 started two rising sophomores in high school, two kids that recently graduated, one college student and four more underclassmen at New Bern High School.

Post 24 finished with a 3-18 record.

“In reality, we were playing a level above our heads,” said Post 24 coach Gary Smith. “Legion is a funny game. Some programs butter the bread on the legion side and some are looking to develop their high school program, and that’s what we are looking to do.”

Post 24’s offense was limited to just three base hits, including doubles from 2009 New Bern graduate Eric Kosco and NBHS rising junior Bill Little.

Rising sophomore Whitman Barnes reached base twice on a single and a walk.

The pitching staff of NBHS grad Jim Robinson, Barnes, Little and Kosco combined to strikeout 15, but also yielded 12 walks.

Barnes and Kosco each struck out six batters.

“I’ve had teams that were a lot better, that I just haven’t enjoyed as much,” Smith said. “I think, this summer, this has been a great bunch of guys to be around, the ones that have continued to show up and been here every game. They’ve continued to play hard and continued to improve.”

Rocky Mount jumped on Post 24 early, dropping four runs in the top of the first inning and five more in the second.

Post 24’s Barnes slowed Rocky Mount momentarily by striking out the side in the third inning.

“Everybody wants to win. I’d rather win than eat, but I also have to remember what this year was designed to do and that was to get guys like Whitman and Trent Wynn and (Bill) Little and (Ross) Leggett some experience,” Smith said.

Rocky Mount extended its lead with three runs in the fourth and seven in the fifth.

Post 24, who had just one batter reach on a walk, stranded five runners on base. Defensively, Post 24 committed four errors to none for Post 58.

Rocky Mount (17-5) left eight runners on base. Collins Cuthrell, Kyle Norville and Brandon Denton had three hits apiece for Rocky Mount. Bill Clark drove home three runs with a double in the fifth.

NOTE: Rocky Mount Post 58 will host either Edenton Post 40 or Pitt County Post 39 in a best of three series beginning Friday at 7 p.m. at Gryphon Stadium.

2010 American Legion Baseball Area One Playoffs

AREA ONE PLAYOFFS - NORTH CAROLINA SENIOR LEGION BASEBALL

Winning Team to State Tournament in Asheboro - beginning July 24

EAST

#1 - Rocky Mt Post 58 8-1
vs.
#4 - New Bern Post 24 1-7


#3 - Edenton Post 40 3-6
vs.
#2 - Pitt County 39 6-3


#3 -Wayne County 5-4
vs.
#2 - Wilson Post 13 7-2


#4 - Ahoskie Post 102 0-9
vs.
#1 - Kinston 6-3


WEST

# 1 Clayton Post 71 8-1
vs.
# 4 BYE


# 2 Durham Post 7 4-4
vs.
# 3 Apex Post 124 4-5


# 3 Raleigh Post 1 1-7
vs.
# 2 Garner Post 232 6-3


# 1 Cary Post 67 9-0
vs.
BYE


Quarter Finals
Best of Three
July 5-7

Semi-Finals

Best of Three

July 9-11

Conference Finals

July 13 - 17

Best of Five

Area Finals

July 19-21

Best of Three

Merrifield delivers for the Gamecocks

Bill Merrifield got the job done for the 1980 Rocky Mount Gryphons with winning a state baseball title. But he couldn't lead his Wake Forest college teams to an NCAA championship.

His son Whit, a junior, got that job done last night as his single to right in the 11th inning knocked in the winning run to give South Carolina a 2-1 win over UCLA in the final national title game at Rosenblatt Stadium.

Ironically, Wake Forest is the only ACC school ever to win a national baseball title - and USC is a former ACC member.

It's South Carolina's first national championship after previous NCAA title appearances in 1975, 1977 and 2002. The Gamecocks beat the Bruins on Monday 7-1 to go up 1-0 in the title series.

South Carolina finishes the year 54-16. UCLA ends its season 51-17.

I talked to both Merrifields the summer before Wes' freshman season and I wondered why he didn't go to Wake - like his dad. After all, dad Bill is still involved with Wake as a vice president of ISP Sports.

Whit said he wanted to make his own mark, which would have been pretty tough after his dad had been a two-time ACC Player of the Year and voted to Wake Forest's Sports Hall of Fame.

In May of 2007, he said the following in an interview with ImpactBaseball.com about his goals in life.

"Well, my first goal in life is to raise a loving family and be a great dad. My second goal is to graduate from USC with a degree in whatever I choose to major in. Then, I think like any baseball player, my long term goal is to make it to the big leagues.

"But first I want to go to USC and earn a starting job and work from there. I want to know that when I hang up my cleats, even if I didn't reach my goal, I know that nobody worked harder than me and I did all I could to reach my goal. But I look forward to a long career in baseball and feel like God has blessed me with enough talent to reach my goals. So I am excited to see what the future has to hold for me."

We've seen a portion of his future and it's pretty bright.

After last night, I'd say he's made his mark at South Carolina.

Goodwin playing in Cape Cod League

You had to know that Brian Goodwin would probably spend his summer doing something special.

And he is.

Last summer, the former Gryphon star, who led North Carolina in several offensive categories after his freshman season, helped the Midland Redskins to the Connie Mack World Series title.

This summer, he is playing in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League, which is celebrating its 115th year of existence.

Goodwin is playing for the Harwich Mariners, who will have a 44-game schedule this summer. They play their home games at the 4,000-seat Whitehouse Field in Harwich, Ma., a town of about 12,000 people located on Cape Cod about a 90-minute ride southeast of Boston.

After 10 games in the wood bat league, Goodwin is batting .342 (13-38 - ranked fifth in the League) with seven runs scored and three RBI.

And there is another Rocky Mount connection that might have drawn Goodwin to Harwich, perhaps.

The Mariners' general manager is Ben Layton, who spent many years as the director of new Rocky Mount Sports Complex - across from the Gryphons' football home.

Perhaps Goodwin can help Harwich, which has had current pros Tim Lincecum, Jason Bartlett and Carlos Pena as alums, to a Cape Cod League title.

The last time it won the championship was in 2008 when another Tar Heel helped that effort - former all-time UNC great Dustin Ackley who signed with Seattle.

Harwich will also get help from East Carolina's John Wooten, son of former Gryphon baseballer Sonny Wooten.

A regular season Goodwin adversary will also try to get Harwich a title. N.C. State's Pratt Maynard, who faced Goodwin not ony with the Wolfpack, but in his high school days at South Granville, is one of Harwich's main sluggers.

Gryphons ranked 19th in preseason football poll

NCPreps.com has released its 2010 Top 20 Preseason High School Football Teams for each classification.

Rocky Mount has been voted 19th in the 3-A Class poll.

These polls were voted on by the state's head coaches.

This information and much more will be included in the newest edition NC Prep Football News Yearbook that will be available around the first of July. The book will have 138 pages this year.

Anyone that wishes to buy a copy can contact Deana King at http://us.mc537.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=gatarams@yahoo.com for details. The cost is $20 at a store or $25 priority mail.

3A CLASS

1. West Rowan
2. South Point
3. A.L. Brown
4. Asheville
5. Havelock
6. Tuscola
7. Crest
8. Eastern Alamance
9. Hertford County
10. Concord
11. Anson County
12. Hibriten
13. N. Guilford
14. Char Catholic
15. South Johnston
16. Ashbrook
17. Douglas Byrd
18. NE Guilford
19. Rocky Mount
20. Burns

RMHS ties in Omaha

Whit Merrifield takes a cut in the batting cage. (Photo/The State)

South Carolina may be on the verge of elimination at the College Baseball World Series, but one former Gryphon is still glad to be in Omaha.

Former Rocky Mount two-sport athlete Bill Merrifield (RMHS Class of '80) is in Omaha watching his son Whit play for the Gamecocks as they face elimination today when they play Arizona State.

Whit, a junior infielder/outfielder, and his teammates lost their opening game to Oklahoma (4-3). Two losses and they're headed back to Columbia.

Whit, who had a 26-game hitting streak going earlier this season, was picked in the ninth round of the 2010 MLB Draft earlier in the month. He was the 269th overall pick in the draft by the Kansas City Royals.

Whit also recently received 2009-10 Earnest Brooks Co-Male Student-Athlete of the Year honors at South Carolina. He shared the award with golfer George Bryan IV.

He played his prep career at Davie County High School.

Post 58 win its 10th straight game

With the likes of Rocky Mount's all-time RBI leader Ben Fish and former Nash Central great Xavier Macklin gone from the squad, some may have thought there might be an offensive drop off with the 2010 version of Coleman-Pitt Post 58's American Legion baseball team.

So far, the offense hasn't diminished a bit as Post 58 registered its10th straight victory in beating Ahoskie Post 13 13-2 in eight innings Monday evening at Hertford County High School.

The win was also its fourth in three days as it won a doubleheader over Ahoskie at home Saturday (11-0, 5-0) and beat longtime rival Wayne County Post 11 8-4 Sunday at N.C. Wesleyan Bauer Field.

Players like Nash Central's T.J. Taylor and Rocky Mount's Collins Cuthrell have provided much of the pop to Post 58's offense this summer.

Taylor, who will play at Wake Community College next season, and Cuthrell, who has signed with Barton College, hit back-to-back homers Monday to power Post 58 past Ahoskie. For Taylor, who leads off for Post 58, it was his team-leading seventh dinger of the season while Cuthrell unloaded his fifth.

Tyler Clark, a rising sophomore at N.C. Wesleyan and a former Northern Nash Knight, joined the team last week and has made an immediate contribution. He had a two-run home run Monday as part of Post 58's 12-hit attack.

Clark, who has played just six games, leads the team with a .476 batting average.

Despite not playing home games at the smaller field at Northern Nash, Post 58's offensive prowess has continued (a .315 team batting average, 22 home runs and nearly eight runs a game through 15 contests). Five Post 58 starters are batting at least .400 (the others are Thomas Berry .438; Cuthrell .421; Taylor .420; and Matthew Berry .400).

Where the team (12-3, 5-0 Area I East) may have improved most is in its depth of pitching. Former Tarboro standout and current Barton player Kyle Norville, who is more known for his bat, got the win in Ahoskie - going 5 1/3 innings. Eight different Post 58 pitchers have recorded at least one win this summer.

Even former Rocky Mount lefty Hobbs Johnson, who is in summer school at North Carolina, returns to play for the squad on the weekends. He got the win Sunday in Post 58's victory over Wayne County.

Rocky Mount Post 58 outslugs Pitt Co. Post 39

WINTERVILLE — Rocky Mount Post 58 extended its winning streak to six games as it pulled away in a one-run game in the seventh to record an 8-5 win over Pitt County Post 39 Thursday evening at Pitt Community College.

The loss was just the second of the season (9-2) for Post 39 as several of its players are participating in the State Games of North Carolina. It managed just seven hits and left an amazing 15 base runners stranded.

Up 4-3 to start the seventh, Post 58, which banged out 14 hits on the evening, exploded for three two-out runs to move in front 7-3. Four hits in the frame did the trick for Rocky Mount including a Matthew Berry RBI-triple followed by a two-run home run by Kyle Norville.

Post 58 started the game with Berry on the hill, but four pitchers later, Spence Bell was on the hill to record the final outs. Berry got the win on the night.

Rocky Mount will return to action Saturday at home with a doubleheader against division member Ahoskie Post 102. Game 1 starts at 3 p.m.

Rocky Mount Post 58, Pitt County Post 39

Post 58 201 010 301 — 8 14 5

Post 39 002 100 011 — 5 7 3

WP — Matthew Berry (1-0), LP — Jesse Wilbourn

Leading hitters: RM — Matthew Berry 3-4, 3B, 3 RBI; Kyle Norville 2-4, 3 RBI, R; Collins Cuthrell 3-4, 3R; Tyler Clark 2-5, 2R. Pitt — Cameron Cecil 1-4, 2R; Wilbourn 1-5, RBI; Sean Peters 2-5.

Records: RM Post 58 8-3; Pitt Co. Post 39 9-2.

First Dudley Whitley Memorial Award presented to Foster

Presenting the first Dudley Whitley Outstanding Coach Award to Southern Nash's Brian Foster were Sheila Whitley, wife of the late Dudley Whitley, son Dee Whitley (far left) and daughter Beth Pridgen (far right). (Contributed photo) - click on image to enlarge

NASHVILLE - Friends and family of Dudley Whitley, longtime coach and administrator, recently established an annual award to honor his memory. The Dudley Whitley Memorial Award recognizes a coach who exemplifies Whitley’s goals, character and sportsmanship as well as one who serves as a positive role model for students.

Whitley served both Rocky Mount City Schools and Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools during his 35-year career in education. Whitley began his career as a teacher and coach. Later, he served as Assistant Principal, Principal, Athletic Director for Rocky Mount High School, NRMPS Director of Special Services, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent. His most recent role in the education was as Athletic Director for Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools.

The role Whitley cherished most and will long be remembered for is that of coach. During his tenure, Whitley experienced triumphs as the head coach of the 1963 4-A State Championship Baseball team and defeats as the head coach of the football team ending the season with a 0-10 record.

However, his athletes most frequently remember that Coach Whitley taught them to be humble winners and to be dignified in losses and to always strive to be the very best person possible both on and off the field.

The first Dudley Whitley Memorial Outstanding Coach’s Award was recently presented to Southern Nash High School Coach Brian Foster.

Foster serves as an outstanding role model not only for athletes, but for fellow coaches as well. He stresses character and excelling in the classroom as much if not more than excelling on the field of play.

Foster has been a role model and a mentor to athletes throughout his career and has been instrumental in shaping and impacting the lives of many student-athletes at Southern Nash High School.

NRMPS Athletic Director Angie Miller commented, “The award presented tonight is a very special award that shows true dedication to the athletic program at Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools. Mr. Whitley was a well-respected man with the highest values and principles. This first memorial award went to a very deserving coach and teacher, Brian Foster. He is extremely dedicated to his students and athletes. Foster is a strong role model for students at NRMPS. It has been my honor to have known Mr. Whitley and Coach Foster. These two men are what make athletics such a powerful and rewarding profession.”

Southern Nash High School Principal, Rosalie Bardin added, "Mr. Foster is the epitomy of a role model for our students and staff. He is caring, dedicated and sincere with all students. In many instances, Brian is a father figure to students. He is a person that students can rely and depend upon to provide guidance and advice on issues they are facing. Mr. Foster helps students make the right decision both on and off the field. We are truly grateful that Brian is member of the SNHS team and congratulate him on receiving the very first Dudley Whitley Memorial Award."

Moss, Johnson, Cuthrell, T. Berry make first-team All-Big East

- Benton Moss, Hobbs Johnson, Collins Cuthrell, Thomas Berry

WILSON - With second-place team Wilson Hunt making it all the way to the NCHSAA 3-A state championship series, the release of the Big East Conference All-Conference baseball team was delayed.

But Tuesday, the honorees were announced.

Rocky Mount, which claimed the regular season title, led the squad with four selections to the first team - topped by junior Benton Moss, who was also voted Pitcher of the Year. Moss will sign with North Carolina this fall. Seniors Collins Cuthrell (Barton), Hobbs Johnson (North Carolina) and junior Thomas Berry also received first-team nods.

Only one other Nash County squad had a first-teamer. Nash Central.Bulldog center fielder and senior T.J. Taylor was that selection. Taylor reportedly will be playing for Wake Community College next season.

Southern Nash, Northern Nash and Nash Central each had players selected to the second team. The Knights saw senior Brandon Denton and junior Jeremy Lucas tabbed for the second team. Southern Nash saw senior Kyle Shields and junior Luke Mercer also make the second team.

The Bulldogs' lone second-team selection was Jalen Hendricks.

Wilson Hunt senior Zach Houchins was voted Player of the Year, while Hunt head coach Jon Smith was accorded Coach of the Year honors. Houchins, a senior who started his career at Wilson Fike, batted .530 (53-100), scored 41 runs, knocked in 33 runs and tallied 14 doubles, a triple and six home runs.

2010 Big East Baseball All-Conference Teams

First team

Thomas Berry, Rocky Mount

Collins Cuthrell, Rocky Mount

Zach Houchins, Wilson Hunt

Hobbs Johnson, Rocky Mount

Zack Lee, Wilson Hunt

Benton Moss, Rocky Mount

Kyle Pittman, Wilson Hunt

William Prince, Wilson Fike

T.J. Taylor, Nash Central

Mitchell Wheeler, Wilson Fike

Second Team

Matthew Berry, Rocky Mount

Spencer Bell, Rocky Mount

Cody Britt, Wilson Hunt

Michael McLawhorn, Wilson Fike

Cullen Carter, Wilson Fike

Jalen Hendricks, Nash Central

Brandon Denton, Northern Nash

Jeremy Lucas, Northern Nash

Luke Mercer, Southern Nash

Kyle Shields, Southern Nash


Honorable Mention

Tevin Boykin, Southern Nash

Tyler Mizelle, Nash Central

Jackson Pardue, Wilson Fike

Fuller Weatherly, Northern Nash

Michael Whitehead, Rocky Mount

Seth Wiggs, Wilson Hunt

Player of the Year

Zack Houchins, Wilson Hunt

Pitcher of the Year

Benton Moss, Rocky Mount

Coach of the Year

Jon Smith, Wilson Hunt

Post 58 makes it two in-a-row over Post 13

- Post 58's Matthew Berry

ROCKY MOUNT - You might say Wilson Post 13 has suffered a twin killing from Rocky Mount Post 58 - literally.

Not only has Post 58 taken two straight from Post 13, its twin combo of Matthew and Thomas Berry provided the important ammo.

Last week, Thomas' solo bomb in the 10th garnered Post 58 an 8-7 Area 1 East victory. Monday night, Matthew had the honor of slamming a three-run homer in the first to stake Rocky Mount to a 4-0 lead and an eventual 9-3 win.

Jeremy Sloop got the win for Rocky Mount as he went 7 1/3 innings. He allowed three runs on nine hits - eight of which were singles. His defense also helped him out by turning four double plays through five innings of action.

Bill Clark came on in relief in the eighth and allowed just one base runner on a single in the ninth.

Michael McLawhorn got the loss for Post 13. Mitchell Wheeler and Avery Harper also time on the mound for Wilson.

Also homering for Post 58 was center fielder T.J. Taylor. He hit a solo shot to dead center field in the sixth. Collins Cuthrell had three hits on the night and scored three times,

N.C. Wesleyan's Tyler Clark joined the team Monday evening and responded with a 1-for-3 effort with a double and two runs scored.

Post 58 will host Pitt County Post 39 Wednesday at 7 p.m.


Rocky Mount Post 58 - 9
Wilson Post 13 - 3

Post 13 000 020 010 - 3 10 3
Post 58 401 100 21x - 9 11 1

WP - Jeremy Sloop (7.1IP, 9H, 3R, 3ER, 3R, 0BB, 2K)
LP - Michael McLawhorn (2IP, 3H, 5R, 5ER, 1BB, 0K)

Leading hitters:

Post 13 - Seth Wiggs 2-3, R; Zach Houchins 2-4, 2B; Cody Britt 2-4, David Gibbons 1-3, RBI.

Post 58 - Collins Cuthrell 3-4, 2B, RBI, 3R; Matthew Berry 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, R; T.J. Taylor 2-4, HR, RBI, 2R; Spencer Bell 2-2, 2 RBI; Tyler Clark 1-3, 2B, 2R; Thomas Berry 1-5, RBI, R

Record - Post 13 2-4, 0-2 Area I East; Post 58 7-3, 2-0

Cuthrell signs with Barton College

Rocky Mount senior Collins Cuthrell signs to play baseball for Barton College next season. Seated with Cuthrell are (front, l-r) are father J.C., sister Hunter and mother Dawn. Standing in the rear are RMHS athletic director Mike Gainey and head baseball coach Kent Cox. (Photo/David Hahula) - Click on picture to enlarge

Thursday was a big day for Rocky Mount senior Collins Cuthrell.

The two-sport star decided to concentrate on one sport at the next level as he signed to play baseball at Div. II Barton College in Wilson.

He is the third Gryphon in this decade to play of the Bulldogs (Michael Parker, RMHS Class of '03, Will Johnson, '05). Both became starters in the program.

Cuthrell had entertained ideas of playing both baseball and football at Div. III and USA South Conference member Methodist University, a fellow league member with N.C. Wesleyan College. But he felt that playing both would be problematic with all the preparation required for both sports.

Cuthrell led the Gryphon baseball team with a school-record of home runs (7), RBI (27) and runs scored (29) while batting .385, second highest average on the team. A three-year starter (third base and shortstop), he concluded his career with a .333 batting average (81-for-233), knocked in 67 runs (second all-time behind Ben Fish's 82) and scored 70 runs.

He also piled up 10 career home runs - just one behind Fish's career mark of 11.

His stats on the gridiron were impressive, too.

He amassed up just over 2,500 yards passing to rank third all-time in yardage behind Terrell Hudgins and Eddie Coats. He also tossed 16 touchdown passes in completing 51 percent of his attempts. He helped guide the Gryphons to a 21-6 record in his two seasons as the starting quarterback.

Goodwin earns Freshman All-America honors

TUCSON, Ariz. - Former Rocky Mount High School baseball standout and UNC freshman Brian Goodwin was honored Wednesday with a spot on the 2010 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Team, as chosen by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. For the ninth straight season, North Carolina has had at least one freshman garnering All-America honors.

Goodwin started all 60 games this season in the outfield compiling a .291 batting average with seven home runs and a team-leading 63 RBI. The freshman tied the single season school record with eight triples in 2010, a record that has stood in Tar Heel history since 1949.

The Rocky Mount native registered a .409 on-base percentage en route to reaching base seven times, which is believed to be a UNC record, March 16 against Princeton. The rookie notched a team-best eight assists from the outfield and was named to the NCAA Norman Regional All-Tournament Team last weekend.

2010 Coleman-Pitt Post 58 results - June 13

5/26: RMT Post 58 @ Durham Post 7 - W, 7-2
RMT Post 58 @ Durham Post 7 - L, 2-3

5/29: RMT Post 58 @ Thomasville Post 284 - W, 12-2

5/30: RMT Post 58 @ Shelby Post 82 - L, 6-8
RMT Post 58 @ Shelby Post 82 - L, 4-5

6/1: RMT Post 58 @ N. Raleigh Post 297 - W, 6-2

6/2: Durham Post 7 @ RMT Post 58 - ppd., rain

6/5: N. Raleigh Post 297 @ RMT Post 58 – W, 8-7

6/7: RMT Post 58 @ Clayton Post 71 – W, 11-7

6/8: RMT Post 58 @ Wilson Post 13 – W, 8-7 (10 inn.) **

** Area 1 East contest

Post 58 will next hit the field Monday when it entertains Wilson Post 13. Game time is 7 p.m. at Gryphon Stadium.

To keep up with Post 58 action, click here!

2010 Rocky Mount Coleman-Pitt Post 58 American Legion Roster

ROSTER

Player, Name, Number, Position, Batting/Throwing, School, HS Class

Trellis Ashley, 13, P, IF, R/R, Nash Central HS, 2011
Spencer Bell, 22, IF, P, R/R, Rocky Mount HS, 2010
Matthew Berry, 3, IF, P, OF, R/R, Rocky Mount HS, 2011
Thomas Berry, 14, C, L/R, Rocky Mount HS, 2011
Bill Clark, 21, P, OF, R/R, Home-school, 2010
Collins Cuthrell, 20, IF, R/R, Rocky Mount HS, 2010
Brandon Denton, 12, P, OF, C, L/R, Northern Nash HS, 2010
Parker Helms, 8, OF, P, IF, R/R, Rocky Mount HS, 2010
Hobbs Johnson, 2, P, OF, R/L, Rocky Mount HS, 2010
Benton Moss, 23, P, OF, R/R, Rocky Mount HS, 2011
Kyle Norville, 4 OF, P, IF, L/L, Barton College, 2009 (Tarboro HS)
Cameron Ramsey, 6, OF, IF, R/R, Wake Community College, 2009 (Rocky Mount HS)
Jeremy Sloop, 11, C, P, IF, OF, R/R, Nash Central HS, 2011
Mike Smith, 5, IF, OF, R/R, Northern Nash HS, 2009
Grant Stallings, 17, C, R/R, Northern Nash HS, 2010
TJ Taylor, 7, OF, P, L/L, Nash Central HS, 2010
Jeremy Trevathan, 10, P, OF, IF, R/R, Rocky Mount HS, 2011
Fuller Weatherly, 1, OF, R/R, Northern Nash HS, 2011
Michael Whitehead, 9, IF, R/R, Rocky Mount HS, 2010

Head Coach: Hank Jones (#26)
Asst. Coach: Britt Johnson (#25)
Athletic Officer: Joe Bell

2010 Coleman-Pitt Post 58 American Legion Baseball Schedule

- Head coach Hank Jones


Sat., June 5 - N. Raleigh Post 297 (RMHS), 12 noon

Sun., June 6 - vs. TBA , (Durham Athletic Park), 2;30 pm

Tues., June 8 - Wilson Post 13 at Wilson (Fleming Stadium), 7 pm**

Mon., June 14 - Wilson Post 13 (RMHS), 7 pm**

Wed., June 16 - Pitt Post 39 (RMHS), 7 pm

Thurs., June 17 - Pitt Post 39 at Greenville (Guy Smith Stadium) 7 pm

Sat., June 19 - Ahoskie Post 102 (RMHS), 3 pm** (DH)

Sun., June 20 - Wayne County Post 11 (NCWC's Bauer Field), 3 pm

Mon., June 21 - Ahoskie Post 102 at Ahoskie (Hertford County HS), 7 pm**

Tues., June 22 - Wilson Post 13 (RMHS), 7 pm**

Wed., June 23 - Edenton Post 40 (RMHS), 7 pm**

Sun., June 27 - Edenton Post 40 at Edenton (Hicks Field), 5 pm** (DH)

Mon., June 28 - Wayne County Post 11 at Mt. Olive (Mt. Olive College), 7pm

** Conference Games

Home Games in Bold

(DH) - Double Header (Two 7-inning Games)

Hunt will face East Rowan for 3-A title

For the first time since 1999, a Wilson County team will be going after a state title in baseball.

Wilson Hunt, a team Rocky Mount beat twice during the Big East Conference season, will face East Rowan in the NCHSAA 3-A state baseball championship series beginning Friday.

The last Wilson team to get this far - Wilson Fike beat T.C. Roberson for the NCHSAA 3-A title in 1999.

In all likelihood, the Warriors (26-4) will play their series at Five County Stadium in Zebulon or at N.C. State's Doak Field.

Of course, Gryphon fans will remember that East Rowan was downed in 2008 in the 3-A title series 2-1 to give Rocky Mount its fifth state title.

2009-10 RMHS sports award winners

FALL SPORTS

Varsity Football

Collins Cuthrell - Outstanding QB/Receiver
Nah'jerrelle Graves - Outstanding DL
Marquavis Alston - Outstanding RB
Aaron Barnes - Outstanding LB
Marcus Jones - Outstanding DB
Zebebee Battle - Billy Smith Lineman Award

JV Volleyball

Evie Hunter - Most Valuable Player
Alexus Threatt - Best Defensive Player

Varsity Volleyball

Lauren Campbell - Coaches Award
Kendria Worley - Extra Effort Award
Danita Whitaker - Most Outstanding Player

Girls Varsity Tennis

Lindsay Thomas - Most Valuable Player
Kate Gray - Coaches Award
Addie Keeter - Coaches Award

Cross Country/Boys

Daniel Hannon - Most Valuable Player
James Bonds - Most Improved

Cross Country/Girls

Neferteti Thigpen - Most Improved
Zikeena Parker - Co-Most Valuable Player
Latoya Applewhite - Co -Most Valuable Player

Boys Soccer

Justin Marsigli - Outstanding Offensive Player
Drew Gorham - Outstanding Defensive Player
Andrew Morales - Most Valuable

Girls Golf

Morgan Lewis - Top Golfer
Emily Brown - Most Improved

WINTER SPORTS

Indoor Track

Boys:
MVP - Winston McLaughlin
Most Improved - Culpriest Clark
Coaches' Award - Christopher Miller

Girls:
Outstanding Performer - Zikeena Parker
Outstanding Performer - Michaela Thorne

Swimming:

Girls:
MVP - Kristi Barnes
Coaches' Award - Lauren Campbell
Most Improved - Janeeka Harris

Boys:
MVP - Zachary Vestal
Coaches' Award - Ross Bradley
Most Improved - Clark Covolo

JV Cheerleaders:

Best Attitude - Brandi Whitaker
Most Spirited - Brittney Chambers

Varsity Cheerleaders:

Best All Around - Aerostata Brown
Coaches' Award - Brandy Murray
Coaches' Award - McAuley Fish

JV Girls Basketball:

Most Outstanding - Precious White
Most Improved - Kelsey Daniels

Varsity Girls Basketball:

MVP - Danita Whitaker
Coaches' Award - Latoya Applewhite
Most Improved - Timisha Walker

JV Boys Basketball:

Co-MVP - Mason Hines
Co-MVP - Kenneth Peoples

Varsity Boys Basketball:

Most Valuable - Tashawn Mabry
Offensive MVP - William Young
Gryphon Pride Award - Hakeem Parker

Wrestling:

Co-MVP - Chandler Phillips
Co-MVP - Janicento "JK" Wiliamson
Coaches' Award - Mason Holt

SPRING SPORTS

Boys Track:

Most Valuable Runner - Devonte Jenkins

Coaches' Award - Paul Lilley

Most Improved - Culpriest Clark

Girls Track:

Most Valuable Performer - Zikeena Parker

Leadership Award - Nancy Thai

Gryphon P.R.I.D.E. Award - Marquita Hines

Girls Soccer:

MVP - Sydney Browder

Defensive Player of the Year - Kate Gray
Offensive Player of the Year - Allison Raper
Player of the Year - Kate Gray

Varsity Baseball:

Cy Young Award - Hobbs Johnson
Most Improved - Spencer Bell
Mr. Consistency Award - Collins Cuthrell
Charlie Hustle Award - Michael Whitehead

JV Baseball:

Most Improved - Abu Bakar Raja

Armed Services Award: Addie Keeter, Andrew Bowers

JUAN CHESSON AWARD - Carter Varnell

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR - Danita Whitaker

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR - Marquavis Alston

FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR - Addie Keeter

MALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR - Andrew Bowers

SWE gym named for Langley; Jenkins sisters enshrined in Hall of Fame

By Tom Ham, Wilson Times

PINETOPS -- The steeped girls basketball tradition at SouthWest Edgecombe High originated with the Jenkins sisters, Alphelia and Bridget, and their coach, Sandra Langley.

In their combined five varsity seasons, the Jenkins sisters, with Alphelia a year older than Bridget, combined for nearly 4,000 points and a pair of N.C, High School Athletic Association championships.

Since the sisters' departure, Langley, the only head girls basketball coach in the school's history, has guided the Lady Cougars to two more state titles and Langley is nearing 700 career wins.

Alphelia and Bridget Jenkins were honored at the start of SouthWest's athletic banquet on Monday night with their induction as the fifth class into the SouthWest Edgecombe High Athletic Hall of Fame, increasing membership to 11.

The pair unexpectedly shared the spotlight when first-year Principal John Westberg dropped a proverbial bombshell upon Langley.

Westberg announced that the Edgecombe County Board of Education, earlier in the day, approved naming the SouthWest gymnasium as "Sandra Shelton Langley Gymnasium." Langley, banquet master of ceremonies, was stunned, visibly shaken.

Alphelia Jenkins described she and her sister, who was not present, being inducted into the hall of fame on the same evening that the school gym was named in Langley's honor as "remarkable."

"I'm very happy for her," added Alphelia Jenkins, who now resides in Newport News, Va. She explained that Bridget Jenkins, now a resident of Suitland, Md., and employed by the Department of Transportation, could not attend because of a conflict.

"This is quite an honor, obviously with the program's history that we started. It's a long time coming. It means a lot to both of us. When we got the nominations, we were both very ecstatic," said Alphelia Jenkins, who accepted both commemorative plaques.

Langley hailed the Jenkins sisters as "two good role models."

Both Jenkinses starred for the 1981 team that defeated Burnsville Mountain Heritage 65-64 for the state championship. Bridget Jenkins then ignited the 1982 Lady Cougars to a state-championship triumph against Shelby Crest High. Both teams were undefeated. Alphelia and Bridget Jenkins are the program's only two first-team Converse All-Americans.

Alphelia Jenkins, a tremendous leaper at 6-foot-1, scored 2,007 career points, trailing only Tyneshia Lewis among SouthWest's career scorers. The Associated Press proclaimed Alphelia Jenkins as all-state in 1981.

She continued her career at Old Dominion University and was joined by her sister as two of the nine players on ODU's 1985 national championship team. Upon her graduation from ODU in 1985, Alphelia Jenkins played professionally in Ireland and, at age 32, tried out with the Charlotte Sting and the New York Liberty in the fledgling WNBA. She also toured Spain with the U.S. National Team.

Alphelia Jenkins' life after basketball includes finance, banking and youth services.

Bridget Jenkins amassed 1,958 career points and starred for the two state-championship teams that were nationally ranked by USA Today. The 1982 team was ranked in the top 15. Heralded as a "pure jump shooter," Bridget Jenkins was proclaimed All-State in 1981 and 1982.

She signed with East Carolina University but transferred to ODU after one year. ODU's 1985 national-championship team earned a spot in the finals against Georgia thanks to Bridget Jenkins blistering the nets for 22 points in the final eight minutes of the semifinal against Northeastern Louisiana.

Bridget Jenkins, Old Dominion's Most Valuable Player in 1987 -- the year she graduated, enlisted in the U.S. Army and landed All-Army acclaim before ending her basketball career with a major knee injury.

Alphelia Jenkins' jersey No. 32 and Bridget Jenkins' jersey No. 23 at SouthWest have been retired.

"We accept these awards with much pride and dignity," Alphelia Jenkins spoke in behalf of her sister. "And we are both fully aware that our legacy began right here at SouthWest Edgecombe."

SouthWest Edgecombe is where Langley never left after launching her esteemed coaching career with brief stints at North Edgecombe and West Edgecombe. She is a graduate of South Edgecombe.

Struggling to regain her composure, Langley commented: "It doesn't get any better. I love my community, love basketball and love my former players. I've had good players, good support and good administrators.

"I've been in the right place at the right time. (First SouthWest Principal Cecil) Long saw something in me and decided to give me the job. I came in with some superstars (including Jenkins sisters); I can't take credit for it. I'm shocked."

Langley became SouthWest's athletic director in 1991. She joked that her love for the school is extensive to the point her husband, Gerald, once suggested: "Why don't you just go and sleep out there."

"But I was determined to show," she added in a serious tone, "that you can be a female, have a family (two sons), God in your life, work -- all of it -- if you are willing to do it the right way."

Former Gryphon assistant football coach calls it quits at Winston-Salem Carver

By Mason Linker, Winston-Salem Journal

WINSTON-SALEM - Brent David's stay as Carver's football coach is over after two seasons.

Saying he thought that there might be a better person to coach the team, David turned in a letter of resignation late last week.

David, 39, coached Carver to a 19-8 record, including 8-5 last fall. The Yellowjackets' 2009 season ended with a 16-14 loss to Lincolnton in the second round of the NCHSAA 2-A playoffs.

"It's a great place over here, and as far as the talent, it's here," David said. "They have a very good team coming back. The nucleus is here. But everyone in the entire program needs to be heading in the same direction, not only the head coach but the assistants and everyone involved.

"Those are the key components to win a state championship, and I didn't think that was happening with me as head coach.

"I wish the kids the best of luck and (Athletics Director) Aaron Bailey, who does a good job, and I am sure they will find the right fit for Carver."

Bailey said that the position will be advertised and that there's a possibility of naming an interim head coach from the current staff.

"We want to make sure the program stays afloat and that there's a common voice the players can relate to," Bailey said. "Coach David has been going to workouts, he has consistently been in the weight room with the kids. I don't know what changed.

"I think Coach David did a good job. From what I saw, he is a very knowledgeable football coach and knows the game without a shadow of a doubt. He did a good job, and his results indicated that."

David, a native of High Point who played linebacker at Appalachian State, took over at Carver in 2008 after several seasons as an assistant at Rocky Mount. Carver finished 11-3 in his first season, losing 20-16 to West Rowan in the Class 3-A quarterfinals. West Rowan, winner of the last two 3-A titles, needed two long, trick-play touchdowns to win.

David said he planned to continue to teach physical education at Carver and take a year off from coaching. He said he would like to continue working with athletes in the weight room and that he would do anything he could for the players.

"I'll do anything that will help this team," he said. "That was the reason for me stepping down. I think the program was taking a hit. I felt like we were trying to do it the right way, we were going in the right direction, but I felt like it might be a little better without me.

"By no means am I done as a coach. I will continue to work on my craft, do some scouting and take in as many seminars and clinics as I can and try to get better. I am kind of proud of the decision I made.

"I have waited all my life for a head-coaching job, and this was a good opportunity. But sometimes you have to do a self-assessment and see if I am what this situation needs. Someone else might be able to do a better job over here."

RMHS boys basketball team awarded rings Thursday

Here are shots of Rocky Mount head boys basketball coach and athletic director Mike Gainey's state championship ring.

Duplicates of this ring were awarded to team members, assistant coaches and team managers and trainers of the team Thursday evening at the school's annual athletic banquet and awards ceremony.

Click on each shot to enlarge.