Another doubleheader Friday night at RMHS

Everyone knows that it's just a blessing to still be playing basketball a week after your conference tournament.

That means your team or teams have won two straight playoff games and is in the NCHSAA sectional finals. Just one game away from next week's East regionals - which have been moved this season from Greenville (Williams Arena, Rose High School) to Fayetteville and the Crown Coliseum Complex.

That's exactly where Rocky Mount is now with not one, but both varsity basketball teams.

And they will be playing familiar foes Friday evening.

The Rocky Mount girls, sporting a 25-3 worksheet - a school record for wins by a girls team, will meet South Central (24-4) for the third time this campaign. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.

South Central (24-4) features two Div. I signees in point guard

Ja'Nesha Ebron (East Carolina) and forward Danielle Butts (UNC).

For a head-to-head comparison of the two teams , click here!

The Gryphon boys (21-7) are trying their best to repeat as 3-A state champions. They will tangle with West Craven (23-5) in the nightcap at about 7:30. The two teams met last season in the sectional semifinals at RMHS and the Gryphons won handily 94-66.

To see a head-to-head comparison with the Eagles and Rocky Mount, click here!

Following a great evening last Friday before a packed house, perhaps RMHS can pull off another double win to send it packing down I-95!

Fish, Macklin off to hot starts this college baseball season

Ben Fish and Xavier Macklin ... in their Little League days!



Campbell Univeristy sophomore Ben Fish and N.C. A&T University junior Xavier Macklin now!

The two all-time RBI-leaders from Rocky Mount and Nash Central met up, perhaps, for the last time last weekend.

Former Gryphon catcher Ben Fish is now behind the plate as a sophomore at Campbell University, while one of Nash Central's greatest athletes, Xavier Macklin, is a junior outfielder for the N.C. A&T University Aggies. Their two schools met in a four-game set last weekend and the Camels won the series 3-1.

Both have had solid starts to the season already. Macklin, after four starts, has three home runs, knocked in seven and is batting .428.

Fish, after three stints in the lineup, has two doubles, four RBI and is batting .429.

Two summers ago, the twosome provided plenty of power for the Coleman-Pitt Post 58 American Legion baseball team that made a run at the state championship after claiming their first Area 1 title in decades.

The two comblined to hit 22 home runs and knock in 73 batters in an awesome display of offense.

But Macklin will likely not be around for his senior season in Greensboro. The two-time All-MEAC performer, is expected to go pro after the MLB Draft in June.

Thanks to Ben's dad Don for providing the above pictures and turning the clock back on these two.

Help out Gryphon baseball by purchasing discount cards

It may be a little known fact, except to parents, that baseball is the least funded of the major sports on the high school athletics landscape. The financial support is so much greater with football and basketball. 

And like the other 360 or so high school programs in the state, Rocky Mount's storied baseball program needs that help, too.

The five state championship banners hanging from the wall at Gryphon Stadium don't buy Turface, fertilizer and all the various sundries needed to support a prep baseball program.

To raise money for their assorted needs, Rocky Mount's baseball players are now selling discount cards to area businesses, restaurants and eateries.

Cost of the cards are $20 each and you can buy them from any Rocky Mount baseball player and from head coach Kent Cox. I would imagine if you stop by before any practice session the rest of the coming season at the Stadium, he will accommodate you.

Businesses on the cards include: Chick-fil-A, Outback Steakhouse, Lamana's, Gardner's Barbecue, Sonic, IHOP, Subway, Andy's, El Tapatio, Dunkin' Donuts, Domino's Pizza, Jersey Mike's, Zaxby's, Arby's, Texas Steakhouse, Shell Rapid Lube and The Bowling Center.

The cards are good for one year. So get one for any member of the family. The purchase price can be made up in a hurry!

The discounts include:

Chick-fil-A - Free sandwich w/meal purchase

Outback Steakhouse -  Free Bloomin' Onion w/adult entree

Lamana's - Free 8-pc. wings w/purchase

Gardner's - Free barbecue sandwich w/combo purchase

IHOP - 20% off entire check

Subway - Free 6" sub w/purchase of 6" sub

Andy's - Free orange/lemonade - no purchase necessary

El Tapatio - Buy a combo, 2nd purchase 1/2 off

Dunkin' Donuts - Buy 6 donuts/get 6 free

Domino's Pizza - Free med. pizza w/purchase of large pizza

Jersey Mike's - Free mini-Mike w/purchase of reg combo

Zaxsby's - Free meal deal w/purchase of meal

Arby's - Buy one roast beef sandwich, get one free

Texas Steakhouse - Free appetizer or dessert w/purchase of 2 steak entrees

Shell Rapid Lube - $5 off oil change

Bowling Center - Buy one game, get one free

The Gainey Files - the postseason begins!

Since this begins the postseason, I thought I'd remind Gryphon Nation how successful Rocky Mount's husband and wife duo of Mike and Pam Gainey have been.

So here are their records as Rocky Mount's hoop teams begin the state playoffs - in a season that saw Pam top the 300-victory plateau and, in fine style, Mike reaching the 250-win mark in his team's Big East Conference Tournament triumph last Friday night.

THE GAINEY FILES - UPDATED (2-24-2011)

Pam Gainey - girls basketball

2010-11 - 25-3, Big East 3A co-champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2009-10 - 17-6, Big East 3A champ, playoffs
2008-09 - 22-5, NEW 6 3A champ, tourney champ, playoffs
2007-08 - 23-2, NEW 6 3A champ, tourney champ, playoffs
2006-07 - 16-11, playoffs
2005-06 - 8-18, playoffs
2004-05 - 17-8, Big East 4A champs, playoffs
2003-04 - 23-5, Big East 4A champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2002-03 - 22-3, Big East 4A champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2001-02 - 20-3, Big East 4A champs, tourney champs, playoffs

2000-01 - 24-3, Big East 4A champs, tourney champs, playoffs

1999-00 - 20-5, Big East 4A champs, tourney champs, playoffs

1998-99 - 20-6, playoffs

1997-98 - 12-12, playoffs

1996-97 - 12-13, playoffs

1995-96 - 14-10, playoffs

1994-95 - 15-10, playoffs

1993-94 - 10-14

Career - 320-137, .700 winning percentage (18th season)

(Ten conference titles, eight conference tournament crowns, nine 20-win seasons, one sectional title, 17 straight playoff appearances)


Mike Gainey - boys basketball

2010-11 - 22-8, Big East 3A tourney champ, playoffs, sectional champs
2009-10 - 24-3, Big East 3A champ, playoffs, sectional champs, regional champs, 3-A state championship
2008-09 - 17-11, NEW 6 3A tourney champ, playoffs
2007-08 - 19-7, NEW 6 3A champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2006-07 - 14-14, playoffs
2005-06 - 16-12, NEW 6 3A champs, tourney champs, sectional champs
2004-05 - 17-9, playoffs
2003-04 - 22-7, playoffs
2002-03 - 25-2, Big East 4A champs, tourney champs, sectional champs

2001-02 - 19-2, Big East 4A champs, tourney champs, playoffs

2000-01 - 13-11, playoffs

1999-00 - 12-12, playoffs

1998-99 - 16-10, Big East 4A tourney champs, playoffs

1997-98 - 17-6, playoffs

Career - 253-114, .690 winning percentage - 14 seasons

(Five conference titles, seven conference tournament crowns, four 20-win seasons, four sectional titles, a regional title, an NCHSAA state title (2010), all 14 seasons in the playoffs)

Twin Counties teams in the NCHSAA basketball playoffs, schedules

Eight Twin Counties basketball teams will hit the hardwoods Monday with dreams of bringing home a state title - just like the Rocky Mount Gryphons did a year ago.

The NCHSAA state basketball playoffs will get underway with several area teams participating. Five teams will be hosting, including two doubleheaders, and three squads will be hitting the road.

On the boys' side, Rocky Mount Prep, in its first-ever NCHSAA playoff game, North Edgecombe, Rocky Mount, Nash Central and Northern Nash will be in action to start the postseason, while North Edgecombe, Rocky Mount and Northern Nash will represent the girls.

Here is all the action Monday evening. Get out and go to a game!

NASH/EDGECOMBE PREP BASKETBALL TEAMS PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Boys

1-A - Rocky Mount Prep (19-11) @ Goldsboro (17-7), 8 p.m.
1-A - Perquimans (17-7) @ North Edgecombe (21-2), 8 p.m.
3-A - Currituck (2-21) @ Rocky Mount (19-7), 7:30 p.m.
3-A - Nash Central (15-9) @ West Craven (21-5), 7 p.m

3-A - Northern Nash (15-7) @ Southern Lee (18-4), 7 p.m.

Girls

1-A - Mattamuskeet (6-12) @ North Edgecombe (15-9), 6:30 p.m.

3-A - Jacksonville (10-14) @ Rocky Mount (23-3), 6 p.m.

3-A - Currituck (2-21) @ Northern Nash (19-3), 7 p.m.

RMHS players sweep MVP honors at Big East Tourney

To the winners go the spoils.

Rocky Mount's basketball teams swept the 2011 Big East Conference Tournament. And in accordance with the tournament rules, the MVP of the girls' and boys' events is from the winning team.

For the girls, sophomore forward J'Kyra Brown was selected by media representatives, while the boys' honor went senior forward Exzavier Cooper.

Here is a complete listing of the All-Tournament teams.

2011 Big East Conference All-Tournament Basketball Teams

BOYS

Jalen Hendricks, Nash Central
Nate Pittman, Nash Central
Tyrell Vinson, Wilson Hunt
Parker Lamm, Wilson Hunt
Darius Freeman, Northern Nash
Deshawn Freeman, Northern Nash
Terrill Hilliard, Rocky Mount
Exzavier Cooper, Rocky Mount - MVP

GIRLS

Quanesha Brown, Wilson Hunt
Denesha White, Wilson Hunt
Alicia Baines, Wilson Fike
Meredith Pruden, Wilson Fike
Alexus Hill, Northern Nash
Khadijah Richardson, Northern Nash
Tia Hudgins, Rocky Mount
J'Kyra Brown, Rocky Mount - MVP

2011 Big East 3-A Conference Tournament Results

Rocky Mount pulls off a sweep!

@ Rocky Mount High School

BOYS

Monday, Feb. 14

#3 Nash Central 68, #6 Wilson Fike 47
#4 Northern Nash 71, #5 Southern Nash 60

Wednesday, Feb. 16

#4 Northern Nash 68, #1 Wilson Hunt 65.
# 2 Rocky Mount 76, #3 Nash Central 62

Friday, Feb. 18

Championship game

#2 Rocky Mount  71, #4 Northern Nash 68

GIRLS

Tuesday, Feb. 15

#3 Wilson Fike 75, #6 Nash Central 48
#4 Wilson Hunt 57, #5 Southern Nash 53, OT

Thursday, Feb. 17

#1 Rocky Mount 49, #4 Wilson Hunt 39
# 2 Northern Nash 59, #3 Wilson Fike 49

Friday, Feb. 18

Championship game

Rocky Mount 55, Northern Nash 40

Gainey nearing 250 career wins

The Rocky Mount boys basketball team can get their head coach Mike Gainey his 250th career victory with three more wins this season.

Rocky Mount hosts Northern Nash Friday. With a victory, it would get the No. 2 seed from the Big East Conference and will get a bye in next week's tournament - ironically, at RMHS.

Should the Gryphons then make the tourney finals and win, Gainey would get his 250th triumph - and head into the playoffs on a double high note.

But these games aren't played on paper. So come out Friday and next week to see if the Gryphons can get him this nice milestone.

THE MIKE GAINEY FILE - updated

2010-11 - 17-7
2009-10 - 24-3, NCHSAA 3-A state champions, Big East champs, regional champs, sectional champs, playoffs
2008-09 - 17-11, NEW 6 tourney champ, playoffs
2007-08 - 19-7, NEW 6 champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2006-07 - 14-14, playoffs
2005-06 - 16-12, NEW 6 champs, tourney champs, sectional champs, playoffs
2004-05 - 17-9, playoffs
2003-04 - 22-7, playoffs
2002-03 - 25-2, Big East champs, tourney champs, sectional champs, playoffs
2001-02 - 19-2, Big East champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2000-01 - 13-11, playoffs
1999-00 - 12-12, playoffs
1998-99 - 16-10, Big East tourney champs, playoffs
1997-98 - 17-6, playoffs


Career - 248-113, .675 winning percentage (14th season)

(Five conference titles, six conference tournament crowns, three 20-win seasons, three sectional titles, one regional title, state championshp, made playoffs all 14 seasons)

2011 Nash Central Football Schedule announced

2011 NASH CENTRAL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 19 - TARBORO

Aug. 26 - SMITHFIELD-SELMA

Sept. 2 - ROANOKE RAPIDS
Sept. 9 - @ Hertford County

Sept. 16 - @ New Bern

Sept. 30 - @ Rocky Mount

Oct. 7 - WILSON FIKE

Oct. 14 - NORTHERN NASH

Oct. 21 - @ Wilson Hunt

Oct. 28 - @ Southern Nash

Gryphons headed back to the Glaxo

The GlaxoSmithKline Holiday Invitational Basketball Tournament, one of the nation's top prep basketball Christmas tournaments, will celebrate its 40th birthday when it gets underway this Christmas (Dec. 26-29) at Broughton High School's Holliday Gym in Raleigh.

I gather, the event's organizers are waxing nostalgic as they invited Rocky Mount's boys basketball team back to play in the event. The Gryphons played in the very first tournament - back in 1972 at the Raleigh Civic Center.

There will be more on this as it comes out. RMHS head coach Mike Gainey asks just one request of the event's schedule makers - "Can I be in a bracket with the Millbrooks and Broughtons and not the Word of Gods?"

Rocky Mount, in its last appearance in 2008, lost to Word of God (67-41), beat North Mecklenburg  in overtime (66-62) and fell to Middle Creek (64-51) in the fifth place game.

I got to thinking about all the great prep players that have played in the event. And someone had already done the work for me.

The News and Observer's Tim Stevens came up with his best players of each decade of the event .. and I have no problem with his list. See what you think! I will boldface those who played in North Carolina - prep and/or college

The 1970s

Phil Ford, Rocky Mount (1972-73), Buck Williams, Rocky Mount (1977), Danny Young, Enloe (1978-79), Harold Thompson, Raeford Hoke (1978-79), Joe Perry, Broughton (1975-76).

The 1980s

Anfernee Hardaway, Memphis Treadwell (1989); Rodney Rogers (Hillside, 1989), Shawn Bradley, Emery County, Utah (1989); Allan Houston, Louisville Ballard (1988), Jason Kidd, Alameda, Calif., St. Joseph (1988); Billy Owens, Carlisle, Pa. (1987); Rodney Monroe, Hagerstown (Md.) St. Maria-Goretti (1986), Nate McMillan, Enloe (1981), Bernard Terrell, Broughton (1986-87); Jamie Holland (Wake Forest-Rolesville.)

The 1990s

Donald Williams, Garner (1990), Travis Best, Springfield Central, Mass. (1990); Chris Duhon, Slidell (La.) Salmon (1999); Ron Curry, Hampton, Va. (1997); Mike Miller, Mitchell, S.D. (1997); David West, Garner (1997); Tim Thomas, Paterson, N.J. (1995), Adonal Foyle, Hamilton (N.Y.) Central, (1993); Randy Livingston, New Orleans Newman (1992); Jerry Stackhouse, Kinston (1991); Rodrick Rhodes, Jersey City St. Anthony (1991).

The 2000s

John Wall, Raleigh Word of God (2007-08), C.J. Leslie, Word of God (2007-09); Mason Plumlee, Arden Christ (2008); Lorenzo Brown, Centennial, Ga. (2008); Ryan Kelly, Ravenscroft (2008); Tasmin Mitchell, Denham Springs, La. (2004); Josh Smith, Mouth of Wilson, Va., Oak Hill (2003); Rajon Rondo, Mouth of Wilson, Va., Oak Hill (2003); P.J. Tucker, Enloe (2002); Luol Deng, Blair Academy (2002); Charlie Villanueva, Blair Academy (2002)

Tuesday's Big East Basketball Scores

BOYS

Northern Nash 64, Wilson Fike 60 - OT (NN's Darius Freeman got eight of his 18 pts. in OT)
Wilson Hunt 57, Nash Central 53 (Hunt clinches regular season title)
Rocky Mount 73, Southern Nash 43 (RM's Terrill Hilliard 20 pts.)


GIRLS

Northern Nash 47, Wilson Fike 38 (NN's Alexus Hill 15 pts.)
Wilson Hunt 60, Nash Central 48 (Hunt's Lizzie Madden, Danisha White each had 16 pts.)
Rocky Mount 58, Southern Nash 52 (RM's J'Kyra Brown 19 pts.)


Wed. games
 
Northern Nash @ Nash Central (snow makeup)

2011 Northern Nash football schedule released

2011 NORTHERN NASH FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug 19 - WILSON BEDDINGFIELD, 7:30 p.m.
Aug 26 - @ Southern Wayne, 7:30 p.m.
Sep 2 - @ Tarboro, 7:30 p.m.
Sep 9 - SOUTH CENTRAL, 7:30 p.m.
Sep 16 - @ Wilmington Laney, 7:30 p.m.
Sep 30 - WILSON HUNT, 7:30 p.m.
Oct 7 - @ Southern Nash, 7:30 p.m.
Oct 14 - @ Nash Central, 7:30 p.m.
Oct 21 - WILSON FIKE, 7:30 p.m
Oct. 28 - ROCKY MOUNT, 7:30 p.m.

Tarboro's Craddock tabbed to coach in Shrine Bowl

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Tarboro head football coach Jeff Craddock has been selected to be an assistant coach for the North Carolina squad at the 75th Annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.

The two-time state championship coach, who just completed his seventh season leading the Vikings, was announced along with the staffs for North Carolina and South Carolina Monday. The game will be played on Saturday, Dec. 17 at Gibbs Stadium on the campus of Wofford University.

The Tar Heel  team will be led by Shelby Crest's Mark Barnes. Along with Craddock, he will be joined by Barry Shuford (Charlotte Olympic), Gregg Thomas (Apex), Pete Gilchrist (North Forsyth), Richard Bailey (Jack Britt) and Randy Ledford (South View). Barnes, who spent many years at Scotland County, was an assistant on the 2001 team.

The Sandlappers will be guided by Chuck Jordan (Conway). His assistants will be Ken Cribb (Bluffton), David Bundrick (Lexington), Ken Schofield (Great Falls), Mike Lancaster (Dorman), Johnny White (Cheraw) and Walter Wilson (Calhoun County). Jordan was an assistant on the 1999 team.

Craddock has recorded a 69-26 record as Tarboro's head coach, including an eye-popping 45-3 mark over the last three campaigns. 

THE JEFF CRADDOCK FILE

2004 - 8-4 (playoffs)
2005 - 3-8
2006 - 6-6 (playoffs)
2007 - 7-5 (playoffs)
2008 - 14-2 (lost in 2-A state title game)
2009 - 15-1 (won 2-A state title)
2010 - 16-0 (won 2-A state title)

Total - 69-26 (.726 winning percentage)

2011 Rocky Mount football schedule is out!

Rocky Mount's 2011 varsity football schedule has been released!

And the Gryphons will start another season on the road, but at a new venue - Bunn High School.

The first of three straight road games to open the season will begin in Franklin County with the Gryphons' first-ever meeting with the Wildcats. 

That will be followed by a second straight visit to Windsor to face Bertie, and then they will head up to Hertford County the following week.

Rocky Mount will open its 24th and last season at the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex with SouthWest Edgecombe on Friday, Sept. 9. It will be the first of four consecutive home contests for the Gryphons.

2011 ROCKY MOUNT FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug 19 - @ Bunn, 7:30 p.m.

Aug 26 - @ Bertie, 7:30 p.m.

Sep 2 - @ Hertford County, 7:30 p.m.

Sep 9 - SOUTHWEST EDGECOMBE, 7:30 p.m.

Sep 16 - J.H. ROSE, 7:30 p.m.

Sep 30 - NASH CENTRAL, 7:30 p.m.

Oct 7 - WILSON HUNT, 7:30 p.m. (HOMECOMING)

Oct 14 - @ Wilson Fike, 7:30 p.m.

Oct 21 - SOUTHERN NASH, 7:30 p.m.

Oct 28 - @ Northern Nash, 7:30 p.m.

The Sweet Potato Bowl is back on!

Southern Nash has released its 2011 varsity football schedule and it will begin it with the renewal of the Sweet Potato Bowl - the Firebirds vs. SouthWest Edgecombe.

The two old rivals, who haven't played the last two seasons, will get together in their respective season openers on Friday, Aug. 19 at Southern Nash.

The Firebirds will also play Wilson Beddingfield, Bunn, Roanoke Rapids and South Granville in the non-conference part of their schedule. Gone are Franklinton and a non-conference tilt with Big East member Nash Central.

If you were looking for a Nov. playing date on their slate, there won't be one.

The NCHSAA has shorten the regular season from 12 weeks to 11. So you will likely see many more teams playing just 10 games instead of 11(giving up endowment games) and not sacrificing their open dates. Southern will be open on Sept. 23.

2011 SOUTHERN NASH FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

• Aug. 19 -- SOUTHWEST EDGECOMBE
• Aug. 26 -- WILSON BEDDINGFIELD
• Sept. 2 -- BUNN
• Sept. 9 -- at Roanoke Rapids
• Sept. 16 -- at South Granville
• Sept. 30 -- at Wilson Fike
• Oct. 7 -- NORTHERN NASH
• Oct. 14 -- at Wilson Hunt
• Oct. 21 -- at Rocky Mount
• Oct. 28 -- NASH CENTRAL

Friday's Big East Basketball Scores

BOYS

Rocky Mount 100, Wilson Fike 74 (RM's Kenyatta Bullock career-high 21 pts.)
Northern Nash 75, Nash Central 47 (NN's Deshawn Freeman career-high 37 pts.)
Wilson Hunt 69, Southern Nash 32 (Warriors shoot 53 percent from the floor)

 GIRLS

Rocky Mount 63, Wilson Fike 54 (RM's Pam Gainey records her ninth 20-win season)
Northern Nash 41, Nash Central 28 (NN won despite not scoring a FG in the 3rd qtr.)
Southern Nash 49, Wilson Hunt 48 (Ladybirds' first conference win of the season)

Twin Counties football signees

SOUTHERN NASH

TO COASTAL CAROLINA:
Alkeem Thomas

LB, 5-11, 200

A two-time Wilson Times All-Area and All-Big East 3-A Conference, including first team honors as a senior ... Recorded 98 stops and an interception with seven TFL and two sacks ... As a junior, tallied 132 tackles with 10 TFL and three sacks ... Placed fifth in the 2010 state 110 hurdles while winning the both the regional and conference 110 and 300-meter hurdles titles ... Also played basketball ... Coached by Brian Foster.

Aaron McFarland
DE, 6-1, 215

Selected to play in the annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas ... A two-time, first team All-Big East 3-A Conference pick, once at tight end and once at defensive end ... As a senior, recorded 63 tackles, including 25 for losses and seven sacks, with three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries ... As a junior, named all-area as his blocking helped the Firebirds rush for 4,200 yards ... As a wrestler, earned all-conference and all-area, placing second in his conference in the 285-pound weight class, weighing just 205 pounds.

TO LENOIR-RHYNE

Trendell Lynch

RB, 5-9, 180

Amassed 698 yards and 12 touchdowns on 125 carries his senior season ... He earned all-area and all-conference acclaim, was regarded the Firebirds' top blocker and tabbed a team captain.

NORTHERN NASH


TO NORTHWOOD (Mi.)

Rashad Hedgepeth
RB, 5-9, 180

Helped lead the Knights to a 10-4 record, a share of the Big East Conference title and Northern's first playoff berth in five seasons .. led Northern Nash in rushing with Hedgepeth rushed for a team-high 1,493 yards on 183 carries and scored 17 touchdowns... All-Conference selection.

TO CAMPBELL

Mitchell Wells
TE, 6-4, 230

Caught eight receptions for 134 yards (16.8 yards per catch) for the Knights this past season ... helped an offensive line that picked up over 3,000 yards rushing


TARBORO

TO UNC-PEMBROKE

Ronzell Telfair
Offensive Line, 6-4, 295

Helped lead Vikings to a perfect 16-0 record and their second-straight 2A state championship as a prep senior … Earned all-conference laurels after anchoring an offensive line that paved the way for a team that averaged 40 points per game … Led team in both pancake blocks and grade … Part of a Tarboro squad that compiled a 31-1 record during his final two prep seasons

Kendall Jacobs

Defensive Back, 5-10, 175

Helped lead Vikings to a perfect 16-0 record and the 2A state championship as a prep senior … Earned first team all-conference laurels after registering 61 tackles (42 solo) and eight interceptions … Averaged better than 20 yards per punt return on special teams … Integral part of defense that surrendered just eight points a game during his senior season.

Tom Nelson is Wilson Fike's new head football coach

By Paul Durham

Wilson Times

WILSON - Having completed his tour of Wilson County high school football coaching jobs, Tom Nelson might be home at last.

The Hunt High graduate (Class of 1989) and former Beddingfield High head coach officially became the 13th varsity football head coach at Fike High on Monday. Nelson, who has spent the past five seasons as North Johnston's head coach, returns to the school where he began high school as a freshman in the fall of 1985. His third head coaching job, he hopes, will be his last.

"If they will keep me, this is going to be my last move," Nelson declared in a telephone interview Thursday afternoon. "This one is about our family. My wife works in Wilson, my kids play soccer in Wilson, we spend all of out time in Wilson. It's all about coming back to Wilson."

Nelson and his wife, Emily, are the parents of three daughters: Reily, age 11; Reece Ann, 9, and Reagan, 5.

He was an assistant coach at Hunt, where he starred as a player, for five years before becoming Beddingfield's head coach. But those past associations are just that for the new Golden Demons leader.

"Once you get into a place and get to know the kids and work hard together, that becomes your focus," Nelson stated. "It's not about where you were or any of that, it's about getting your team prepared to play well."

UNDERSTANDS FIKE TRADITION

He takes over at Fike for Kim Brown, who was not retained after two seasons. Nelson will continue to teach history at North Johnston, which he will also teach at Fike, for the rest of the school year but will come to Fike to teach the after-school weight-lifting class beginning in mid-February.

"We're just excited to have someone like Tom," said Fike Principal Steve Ellis. "Especially a coach who has a proven record of winning, someone who's good with kids and probably what we need about now.

"He's got Wilson roots, he knows the community and the tradition at Fike."

Ellis said he pointed out to Nelson the Fike program wasn't dead and there is a lot of support for Demons football. Fike won three consecutive state 4-A championships from 1967-69 and still carries name recognition throughout the state.

"We're a little different from the other schools," said Ellis, who played quarterback at Fike in the 1980s. "You see those banners and football's what we were known for."

"I am so excited," Nelson said. "Really when you look at places in the whole state, there's not many that have the history and tradition that Fike has."

Nelson went 32-21 in four years with the Bruins and 33-28 in five seasons at North Johnston for a career mark of 65-49. Only one of his teams failed to make the postseason. Nelson understands the pressure to succeed might be greater at Fike than at North Johnston, where he guided the Panthers to the second-best record (9-3) in school history last fall. Fike has gone 2-9 each of the last two seasons and has yet to win a game against 3-A Big East Conference opponents.

"I'm excited about it," said Nelson, who graduated from and played football at Lees-McRae College. "I have a good grasp on things that have gone on there in the past and am looking very much forward to getting that turned around. We're going to go in there and work hard everyday."

HARD DECISION

But leaving North Johnston wasn't easy, he said.

"It was a terribly hard decision," Nelson said. "I was telling my kids (at North Johnston) that ever since I've been a head coach, the group I've been closest to was the 2005 team at Beddingfield because we grew up together. But this group at North Johnston, we are very close."

It wasn't easy for North Johnston to get the news either.

"Obviously there's no doubt we're sad to lose him," said North Johnston Principal Tim Harrell. "Not only did he do an excellent job on the athletic field, but Wilson Fike is getting an outstanding history teacher because he works very, very hard in the classroom and he takes as much pride with his kids in the classroom as he does on the football field.

"But I understand, like anybody does, in this day and time you've got to do what's best for your family."

Harrell also praised Nelson's commitment to North Johnston.

"One thing he wanted to do was make sure North Johnston was left in the best possible position it could be, both with the football team and in the class room," Harrell said.

BRINGING EXCITEMENT

Nelson's Beddingfield teams were known for their high-powered spread offenses. His 2004 team, featuring all-state quarterback Bennett Johnson, accumulated nearly 4,000 passing yards. But Nelson cautions that he's not married to the passing game. Most of his Panthers teams were run-oriented.

"That has become the perception since I was at Beddingfield, but the reality is: I like to win," he said. "And we're going to do whatever it takes to win."

One thing Nelson said he plans to bring with him to Fike is the up-tempo, no-huddle offense that he ran successfully at North Johnston.

I think it's going to be exciting for the kids. We're going to try to build on that," he said.

With a statewide hiring freeze in place, Nelson might not be able to bring any of his North Johnston staff to Fike but he already is well-acquainted with most of the Demons assistant coaches.

"When you bring in someone like Tom, first you've got someone with credibility and then you've got someone who's familiar with all the coaches here. He knows he's going to have a quality staff here," Ellis said. "I don't think we could've done this with someone nobody knew."

Nelson's eager to meet with his new players, which he will do next week, and let them know what he has planned for Fike football.

"I'm going to try to meet with as many kids as possible to tell them what we're going to be about," he said. "I want every kid at Fike High School who dreams of playing football and being part of something special to come out and be a part of what we're going to be doing."

(My thanks to Wilson Times sports editor Paul Durham for allowing me to reprint this article.)

2011 Big East Basketball Standings - Jan. 28

BOYS

Con. All

Wilson Hunt       5-1 10-6

Nash Central     4-1 11-5

Rocky Mount     3-2 13-6
Southern Nash  3-3   5-8
Northern Nash   1-4  10-5
Wilson Fike       0-5  1-15

GIRLS

Con. All

Rocky Mount      5-0 17-2
Northern Nash   4-1 12-2
Wilson Fike       4-1 10-6
Wilson Hunt       2-4  6-10
Nash Central     1-4  3-12
Southern Nash   0-6  2-11



Friday scores

BOYS

Nash Central 66, Rocky Mount 65, OT

Wilson Hunt 61, Northern Nash 51

Southern Nash 50, WIlson Fike 42

GIRLS

Rocky Mount 46, Nash Central 24

Northern Nash 54, Wilson Hunt 45

Wilson Fike 45, Southern Nash 32

Rocky Mount girls ranked No. 5 in state; It's Rocky Mount-Northern Nash night!

HAMPTONVILLE - In the latest NCPreps.com HS/Media Basketball 3-A Polls released Monday evening, Rocky Mount's girls team is ranked No. 5, up three spots from No. 8 last week.

The Gryphon girls will take their 15-2 record to Red Oak tonight for a matchup with Northern Nash, which is 10-1 and ranked in the honorable mention.category. I am one of 17 voters in the weekly poll and I had the Lady Knights ranked No. 10 on my ballot, but they didn't receive as much love from my fellow voters this week.

An upset by Northern tonight (a rare Tuesday meeting) might garner it more attention statewide.

As for the boys, Rocky Mount will be looking for a bit of payback when it visits the Knights. Thanks to Michael Brackett's 12-footer, Northern beat RMHS in the Nash County Christmas Tournament. Both teams have dropped a Big East contest already (RM to Wilson Hunt, NN to Southern Nash), so both will be fighting to stay a half-game behind Wilson Hunt in the win column in league play.

NCPreps.com HS/Media 3A Girls Basketball Poll

1. North Iredell 12-1 (13) - 164
2. Forestview 11-3 (2) - 117
3. South Point 14-1 (2) - 109
4. Asheboro 15-2 - 97
5. Rocky Mount 15-2 - 90
6. South Central 10-4 - 63
7. Union Pines 15-2 - 61

8. Parkwood 15-2 - 53

9. Williams 13-1 - 40

10. Eastern Guilford 14-2 - 33

Honorable Mention: Erwin (14-3) - 29; Hickory (15-2) - 23; RS Central (12-4) - 12; Freedom (13-6) - 5; Ledford (11-3) - 5; West Carteret (12-3) - 4; Tuscola (12-4) - 4; Northern Nash (10-1) - 3; Carson (11-4) - 1; Northern Guilford (15-3) - 1