Macklin to play for CPL's Asheboro Copperheads

Former Nash Central star baseball player Xavier Mackin will play in the Coastal Plain League this coming summer for the Asheboro Copperheads.

Macklin is looking to continue the offensive form that earned him first-team All-MEAC honors as a freshman and landed him on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association’s first team Freshman All-American squad.

Macklin, a 6-2, 190-pounder, hit .364 for the Aggies last spring with 12 homers and 51 RBI. He led the team in hits and also stole 14 bases. Macklin played briefly with the Wilson Tobs in the CPL last summer, but returned here to play American Legion ball and led his team to the state tournament by hitting close to .500.

He was named Area I Player of the Year.

Asheboro opens its season against Wilmington on Wednesday, May 26 at home at McCrary Park.

Twin County athletes sign football LOIs

Four Twin County athletes have signed national letters-of-intent to play college football.

Here are bios on those players. Good luck to you all at the next level!

DUKE

Takoby Cofield (Offensive line, 6-6, 300) Tarboro, Tarboro High School

Three-year letterman at Tarboro under coach Jeff Craddock ... Tabbed the 40th-top offensive tackle in the nation and the 15th-best overall prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com ... Listed as the third-best offensive lineman in North Carolina and the 17th-top overall prospect in the state by the Charlotte Observer ... All-Mid Atlantic Region choice by SuperPrep ... Started 42 career games while helping Tarboro to a three-year record of 36-8 with three state playoff berths, one runner-up finish (2008) and one championship (2009) ... In 2009, helped Tarboro to 15-1 overall record and the 2-A state championship with a 28-3 win over Burnsville Mountain Heritage in the title game ... Carded over 100 pancake blocks on offense while registering 40 tackles and 20 tackles for loss on defense as a senior ... 2009 Honorable mention All-Southern selection by the Orlando Sentinel ... 2009 First team 2-A All-State pick by NCPreps.com ... Helped Tarboro to 14-2 ledger and state runner-up finish in 2008 ... Two-time first team all-conference and all-area selection ... Helped North Carolina to a 24-14 win over South Carolina in the annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas on December 19, 2009 in Spartanburg, S.C. ... Also lettered in track and field ... Born January 22, 1992 ... Son of Ava and Toney Cofield

Cofield Video


ELON

Phillip Dobbins (Offensive line, 6-3, 275) Elm City, Southern Nash High School

Dobbins was a starter in the 2009 Shrine Bowl as well as a first-team All-Big East Conference pick by the league’s coaches. A team captain, Dobbins was chosen as the academic athlete of the year. The 6-3, 275-pound lineman helped Brian Foster’s team to the fourth round of the North Carolina 3-AA playoffs. The squad posted its best season in 20 years in 2009, going 11-4. Phillip is the son of Terry and Jeanette Dobbins and currently has a 4.47 GPA.

Dobbins Video


WOFFORD

Andrew Gehring (Defensive Back, 6-2, 179) Elm City, Southern Nash High School

Gehring is a three-sport athlete at Southern Nash High School, lettering three years in basketball, twice in football and twice in baseball. As a senior, started at cornerback and safety as the football team was 11-4 and reached the Eastern Finals. Named All-Conference and All-Area as a junior and senior. Also named All-Conference honorable mention in basketball and received the team’s Golden Glove award in baseball.


LENOIR-RHYNE

DeMarcus Jones (Defensive End, 6-3, 220), Bailey, Southern Nash High School

Jones exploded on the scene as a standout defensive end this past season with 59 tackles, 13 for loss; 8 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Gainey closing in on No. 300

Rocky Mount head girls basketball coach Pam Gainey is growing ever nearer to 300 wins for her career.

With the Lady Gryphons' 58-46 victory over Nash Central last Thursday, Gainey picked up win No. 292 for her career. She's in her 17th season as RMHS' head coach.

Four conference games remain, and if they keep winning, two more Lady Gryphon wins will come in the Big East tourney. Sadly, Rocky Mount will not make up its regular season games at home with J.H. Rose or at Hertford County.

So the odds are, if Rocky Mount wins its second round playoff game, Gainey will reach the milestone this season.

But you never know when a team, even a good one, will stump its toe, so we'll have wait this one out.

THE PAM GAINEY FILE

2009-10 - 14-2 (through 1/28/10)
2008-09 - 22-5, NEW 6 3-A champ, tourney champ, playoffs
2007-08 - 23-2, NEW 6 3-A champ, tourney champ, playoffs
2006-07 - 16-11, playoffs
2005-06 - 8-18, playoffs
2004-05 - 17-8, Big East 4-A champs, playoffs
2003-04 - 23-5, Big East 4-A champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2002-03 - 22-3, Big East 4-A champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2001-02 - 20-3, Big East 4-A champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2000-01 - 24-3, Big East 4-A champs, tourney champs, playoffs
1999-00 - 20-5, Big East 4-A 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 - 292-130, .692 winning percentage (17th season)

(Eight conference titles, seven conference tournament crowns, eight 20-win seasons, one sectional title, 15 straight playoff appearances)

Whitley honored by Wilson Hot Stove League

Dudley Whitley, the former Rocky Mount High School coach and athletic director who passed away on Jan. 3 of last year, was recently honored by the Wilson Hot Stove League at its annual banquet.

Whitley was also a baseball standout for Rocky Mount, N.C. State, the Rocky Mount Leafs and the Wilson Tobs. He played seven seasons in the minor leagues.

The banquet program was dedicated in memory of Whitley, along with Wilsonians Don Thompson, Bennett Flowers and Tom Lofton.

Gilbert Ferrell, who served as a coach at Wilson Fike and later as Wilson County's high school athletic director, spoke about all four at the banquet, including Whitley.

"He was a first-class guy," Ferrell said. "The one thing he taught me most was that there's a difference between rivals and enemies. You can have rivals without having enemies."

Top N.C. HS Boys Basketball Scorers; Mabry's No. 16

Rocky Mount senior Tashawn Mabry (background) buries a 3-pointer against Northern Nash that put him past Phil Ford on the school's all-time scoring list. The game was halted seconds later to honor Mabry for his feat. (Photo/David Hahula)

When Rocky Mount senior Tashawn Mabry moved past Phil Ford last week on Rocky Mount's all-time scoring list, he also moved into the top 20 of the state's all-time scorers.

Check out where Mabry stands right now, below:

1. 3,307 JamesOn Curry Eastern Alamance 2000-2004
2. 2,846 Akeem Richmond Southern Lee 2005-09
3. 2,758 Lawrence "Cotton" Clayton Kitrell Zeb Vance 1956-59
4. 2,577 Josh King Trinity 2000-04
5. 2,575 Vernon Odom Bandys 1979-82
6. 2,574 Donald Williams Garner 1988-91
7. 2,503 Mike Cottrell Cullowhee 1984-87
8. 2,481 Chris King Hobbton 1984-88
9. 2,469 Scooter Sherrill West Rowan 1996-2000
10. 2,424 Julius Powell Newton-Conover 2001-05
11. 2,388 Justin Johnson Cherryville 2004-08
12. 2,382 Claude "Sleepy" Taylor Bartlett Yancey 1970-74
13. 2,375 Tony Byers Lincoln Academy/Bessemer City 1966-70
14. 2,366 Shon Coleman West Iredell 1992-96
15. 2,285 Brian Frazier Roanoke Rapids 1987-91
16. 2,210 Tashawn Mabry Rocky Mount 2006-present

17. 2,203 Brian Hege Ledford 1988-92
18. 2,157 Anthony Oliver North Duplin 1985-881

19. 2,135 James McCleave Bandys 1975-79
20. 2,122 Justin Strickland East Davidson 2002-06
21. 2,104 Jason Thompson Chatham Central 2000-04
22. 2,102 Jenis Grindstaff McDowell 1993-97
23. 2,100 John Virgil Elm City 1974-76
24. 2,093 Phil Ford Rocky Mount 1972-74
25. 2,087 Courtney Alexander Durham Jordan 1991-95
26. 2,087 Donte Minter West Rowan 1998-2002
27. 2,082 Russell Stephens Williams Township 1986-89
28. 2,071 Jay Moody Blue Ridge 1993-97
29. 2,063 Michael Ellis South Iredell 2001-04
30. 2,059 Trellonie Owens Bladenboro 1986-90
31. 2,042 Ray Respess Pantego 1958-61
32. 2,039 Jerry Stackhouse Kinston/Oak Hilll 1989-92
33. 2,035 Joe Ladd Lowell 1951-55
34. 2,031 Kevin Strickland North Surry 1984-87
35. 2,015 Donnie Seale Morehead 1986-89
36. 2,007 Dewayne Grant Davie County 1973-77
37. 2,000 Jeremy Atkinson Wilson Fike 2005-09

Gryphons grab top spot in CarolinaPreps.com 3-A poll

SANFORD - Rocky Mount's boys basketball team was voted to the top 3-A team in the state in the latest CarolinaPreps.com poll released Sunday evening.

The Gryphons pulled off three victories last week (86-59 vs. Wilson Fike; 105-75 vs. Southern Nash; 76-45 vs. SouthWest Edgecombe).

CarolinaPreps.com Boys Basketball Poll

3A

1. Rocky Mount 13-1

2. Northern Guilford 14-2

3. South Central 15-1

4. North Forsyth 12-3

5. Hickory 15-2

6. Carson 15-2

7. Hunter Huss 13-2

8. CB Aycock 14-2

9. Concord 10-5

10. Northern Vance 13-2

Honorable Mention

DH Conley 11-5

Jacksonville 13-5

North Buncombe 11-4

Mabry goes for record Tuesday

It looks like Tashawn Mabry will have to have an above average night to become Rocky Mount's leading scorer.

The senior forward is averaging 21 points a game this season - almost five points under his average of a year ago - basically he's getting a lot more scoring help from his teammates this season.

He needs 23 points against Northern Nash at home Tuesday to past the immortal Rocky Mount and UNC great Phil Ford on the school's all-time scoring list. Mabry is at 2,071 and Ford stands at 2,093. So a mark that has stood for 36 years is about to come down. I was there in Greensboro when Ford scored that final point in the 1974 4-A playoffs.

But Ford got used to seeing his marks go down last season when his 2,290 points scored at UNC - the school record for 31 years, went down to Tyler Hansbrough.

But Ford will likely hold on to one other prep record which leads the state - career points per game at 27.7. Ford played in 75 games during his career (1971-74). Mabry has played in 87 going into Tuesday's contest - with at least eight more to play in.

Ironically, another area player is next on the state's all-time scoring list after Ford - former Elm City and UNC standout John Virgil at 2,100 points.

Gryphon alum entertains former teammates in China

- 2005 RMHS grad Adam Kluger playing club soccer in China

When former Gryphon soccer player Adam Kluger asked his friends and former RMHS soccer teammates to come visit him over Christmas and play a little soccer while they were in town, they went a little further than across the state, or even the country.

How about halfway across the world!

Kluger, who graduated from UNC in 2009, made his way to China and began teaching and tutoring English there.

And over Christmas, his brother Alex, along with brothers Andrew, Scott and Stephen Peacock, and brothers Dennis and Justin Adams made the trip to Shanghai to see their buddy ... and sibling.

Adam has recently taken a position in busines finance with an Italian company based in Shanghai. But he still tutors in his spare time.

The above picture is him playing for Team Azzurie. Adam arranged for all seven of them to practice together with the team. He was second in their league in scoring the season before, despite joining the team in mid-season.

Imagine - seven former Gryphons playing on a soccer field in China! How cool is that?

2010 Big East 3-A Conference Master Varsity Baseball Schedule

Big East Conference baseball fans - print this one out! Here is a master schedule for every game played by all six league members for the upcoming season - including the Easter Tourneys five of them will play in.

Enjoy!

(subject to change)

March 1

Southern Nash @ Beddingfield, 5:00

March 2

JH Rose @ Rocky Mount, 4:00
Fike @ North Johnston, 4:30
Roanoke Rapids @ Nash Central, 4:30
CB Aycock @ Hunt, 5:00

March 3

Southern Nash @ Bunn, 4:00
Eastern Wayne @ Northern Nash, 4:30

March 4

Southern Nash @ Bunn, 4:00
Nash Central @ Smithfield-Selma, 4:00
Northern Nash @ South Central, 4:30
Fike @ North Johnston, 4:30
Hunt @ Beddingfield, 5:00

March 5

Rocky Mount @ Durham Riverside, 4:00
Beddingfield @ Fike, 5:00
Southern Nash @ Roanoke Rapids, 5:00
Bunn @ Nash Central, 7:00

March 6

Hunt @ South Central, 1:00
Rocky Mount vs. Ardrey Kell - Impact Classic, Cary, TBA

March 8

Louisburg @ Southern Nash, 4:30
Goldsboro @ Fike, 7:00

March 9

Rocky Mount @ JH Rose, 4:00
DH Conley @ Northern Nash, 4:30
Hunt @ CB Aycock, 5:00
Nash Central @ Tarboro, 7:00

March 10

Eastern Wayne @ Hunt, 5:00
Roanoke Rapids @ Southern Nash, 5:00
Fike @ Goldsboro, 7:00

March 11

Durham Riverside @ Rocky Mount, 4:00
Bunn @ Southern Nash, 4:00
Northern Nash @ DH Conley, 4:30
Fike @ Beddingfield, 5:00
Tarboro @ Nash Central, 7:00

March 12

Nash Central @ Roanoke Rapids, 5:00

March 13

Oxford Webb @ Rocky Mount, 1:00
Bunn @ Fike, 1:00

March 15

Southern Nash @ Southern Vance, 4:00

March 16

Nash Central @ Bunn, 7:00

March 17

Smithfield-Selma @ Nash Central, 4:00
Rocky Mount @ Roanoke Rapids, 5:00
Fike @ Bunn, 6:00
Holly Springs @ Hunt, 6:30

March 18

Northern Nash @ CB Aycock, 5:00
Beddingfield @ Southern Nash, 5:00

March 19

Princeton @ Fike, 4:00
Beddingfield @ Hunt, 5:00

March 20

Tarboro @ Rocky Mount, 1:00
Hunt @ Eastern Wayne, 1:00

March 22

Southern Vance @ Southern Nash, 4:00
Hertford County @ Nash Central, 7:00

March 23

Rocky Mount @ Oxford Webb, 4:00
Farmville Central @ Hunt, 5:00

March 24

Roanoke Rapids @ Rocky Mount, 4:30
Rosewood @ Fike, 5:00
Northern Nash @ Eastern Wayne, 5:00

March 25

Nash Central @ Hertford County, 7:00

March 26

Southern Nash @ Louisburg, 4:30

March 27

Northern Nash @ East Wake, 2:00

March 30

Fike @ Southern Nash, 7:00
Northern Nash @ Hunt, 7:00
Rocky Mount @ Nash Central, 7:00

March 31

Nash Central @ Fike, 7:00

April 1

Southern Nash @ Northern Nash, 7:00
Rocky Mount @ Hunt, 7:00

April 3

Rocky Mount vs. Smithfield-Selma - Johnston Co. Easter Invitational, 11:00
Fike - Louisburg Easter Tournament, TBA
Northern Nash - George Whitfield Invitational, Kinston, TBA

April 5

Fike - Louisburg Tourney, TBA
Rocky Mount - Johnston Co. Tourney, TBA
Northern Nash - Whitfield Tourney, TBA

April 6

Hunt vs.Champmanville (WVa.) - Forest Acres Classic (A.C. Flora HS, Columbia, S,C.), 11:00
Fike - Louisburg Tourney, TBA
Rocky Mount - Johnston Co. Tourney, TBA
Northern Nash - Whitfield Tourney, TBA

April 7

Nash Central vs. Jefferson Forest (Va.) - Tarboro Classic, 1:30
Hunt vs. Sumter (SC) - Forest Acres Classic (A.C. Flora HS, Columbia, S,C.), 2:00

April 8

Hunt vs. Westminister (Miami,Fl.) - Forest Acres Classic (A.C. Flora HS, Columbia, S,C.), 2:00
Nash Central - Tarboro Classic, TBA

April 9

Nash Central - Tarboro Classic, TBA
Hunt vs. TBA - Forest Acres Classic (A.C. Flora HS, Columbia, S,C.), TBA

April 13

Nash Central @ Northern Nash, 7:00
Fike @ Rocky Mount, 7:00
Hunt @ Southern Nash, 7:00

April 15

Fike @ Northern Nash, 7:00
Nash Central @ Hunt, 7:00
Rocky Mount @ Southern Nash, 7:00

April 20

Northern Nash @ Rocky Mount, 7:00
Nash Central @ Southern Nash, 7:00
Fike @ Hunt, 7:00

April 22

Southern Nash @ Fike, 7:00
Hunt @ Northern Nash, 7:00
Nash Central @ Rocky Mount, 7:00

April 26

Rocky Mount @ Louisburg, 6:00

April 27

Nash Central @ Fike, 7:00
Hunt @ Rocky Mount, 7:00
Northern Nash @ Southern Nash, 7:00

April 29

Northern Nash @ Nash Central, 7:00
Rocky Mount @ Fike, 7:00
Southern Nash @ Hunt, 7:00

May 4

Fike @ Northern Nash, 7:00
Nash Central @ Hunt, 7:00
Southern Nash @ Rocky Mount, 7:00

May 6

Rocky Mount @ Northern Nash, 7:00
Nash Central @ Southern Nash, 7:00
Hunt @ Fike, 7:00

May 10

South Central @ Northern Nash, 7:00

May 14

NCHSAA Baseball State Playoffs - First Round, TBA

Gryphons to play in the Johnston Co. Easter Invitational

- Gryphon senior lefty Hobbs Johnson

For the first time since 1976, Rocky Mount's baseball team will being playing in someone else's Easter tournament.

Rocky Mount will join Smithfield-Selma, Cardinal Gibbons, West Johnston, Fayetteville Academy, Clayton, Harnett Central and host South Johnston in the 2010 Johnston County Easter Invitational April 3, 5-6.

The Gryphons will open the event on Day 1 (Saturday) at 11 a.m. against Smithfield-Selma.

The event, which was started in 1991 by former South Johnston and Rocky Mount head coach Pat Smith, will also have a Home Run Derby on Day 1 at 3 p.m. - between Game 2 and Game 3.

Smith, who led not only led the Gryphons to a state title, but the Trojans also in 1990, has an event award named for him - the Pat Smith Most Outstanding Defensive Award. An Outstanding Hitter (Andy Pleasant) Award along with the (John Stott Memorial) MVP will be given out after the championship game.

A 17-member All-Tournament team will be selected with four going to the first place team.

Here is Day 1's schedule:

2010 Johnston County Easter Invitiational
@South Johnston HS

SATURDAY, APRIL 3

Game 1 - Rocky Mount vs. Smithfield-Selma, 11 a.m.
Game 2 - Cardinal Gibbons vs. West Johnston, 1 p.m.
Home Run Derby, 3 p.m.
Game 3 - Fayetteville Academy vs. Clayton, 5 p.m.
Game 4 - Harnett Central vs. South Johnston, 7:30 p.m.

Clayton is the defending champion.

JOHNSTON COUNTY EASTER INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONS

2009 - Clayton
2008 - Middle Creek
2007 - South Johnston
2006 - Jack Britt
2005 - Jack Britt
2004 - South Johnston
2003 - Smithfield-Selma
2002 - South Johnston
2001 - Cape Fear
2000 - South Johnston
1999 - Clayton
1998 - Clayton
1997 - Fuquay-Varina
1996 - Fuquay-Varina
1995 - Clayton
1994 - South Johnston
1993 - South Johnston
1992 - Princeton
1991 - Rosewood

JOHNSTON COUNTY EASTER INVITAIONAL
HOME RUN DERBY CHAMPION

2009 - Josh Elmore, Fayetteville Academy
2008 - Kris Richards, West Johnston
2007 - Quincy Lattimore - Middle Creek
2006 - Trenton Lansgton - Smithfield-Selma



- Photo, Baseball America

Jenkins win ECU Football Award

East Carolina redshirt freshman Jacobi Jenkins was honored with an award on Saturday, Jan. 9 as the Pirate football program closed the 2009 season with the team, parents, coaches, athletic staff and Pirate Club members gathering for the annual awards banquet held at the Greenville Convention Center.

Jenkins, a standout defensive back for the Gryphons, received the Special Teams Crunch Award.

As a receiver, Jenkins played in 11 games and caught two passes for 11 yards during the season.

ECU, which claimed claiming back-to-back Conference USA Championships and subsequent AutoZone Liberty Bowl appearances, closed the season with a 9-5 record.

Deloach helps end NSU's losing streak

TALLAHASSEE, Fl. - Former Northern Nash star guard Michael Deloach scored a game-high 25 points to help Norfolk State snap its school-record 11-game losing streak with a 78-65 win over Florida A&M Monday night at the Alfred Lawson Center.

Deloach, a senior, scored 14 points in the second half as the Spartans (2-12, 1-2 MEAC) outscored the Rattlers (3-12, 1-2) 49-36. NSU got its first win since a 72-71 decision over Maine on Nov. 16.

The win also snapped the Spartans’ 11-game road losing streak but was their fifth win in a row over FAMU. NSU’s last victory away from Echols Hall was a 68-62 triumph at Hampton on Jan. 31, 2009.

Deloach is averaging 21 points a game and 4.7 rebounds per contest.

Though Deloatch was a Knight, his dad Michael and uncle Steve were both Gryphons!

Gainey nearing 300 wins

Rocky Mount head girls basketball coach Pam Gainey is nearing 300 wins for her career.

With the Lady Gryphons' 51-30 victory over Nash Central last Friday, Gainey picked up win No. 286 for her career. She's in her 17th season as RMHS' head coach.

With a little luck and possibly her ninth regular season conference title along the way, Gainey could pick up that coveted victory sometime late this season.

Only two other current area coaches have that many wins - SouthWest Edgecombe's girls coach Sandra Langley and Northern Nash's girls coach Grover Battle. Those two combined have also claimed five state titles.

PAM GAINEY

2009-10 - 8-2 (through 1/08/10)
2008-09 - 22-5, NEW 6 3-A champ, tourney champ, playoffs
2007-08 - 23-2, NEW 6 3-A champ, tourney champ, playoffs
2006-07 - 16-11, playoffs
2005-06 - 8-18, playoffs
2004-05 - 17-8, Big East 4-A champs, playoffs
2003-04 - 23-5, Big East 4-A champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2002-03 - 22-3, Big East 4-A champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2001-02 - 20-3, Big East 4-A champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2000-01 - 24-3, Big East 4-A champs, tourney champs, playoffs
1999-00 - 20-5, Big East 4-A 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 - 286-130, .688 winning percentage (17th season)

(Eight conference titles, seven conference tournament crowns, eight 20-win seasons, one sectional title, 15 straight playoff appearances)

Ginn passed over for Grand Valley head job

The new head coach at Grand Valley State is not Jack Ginn.

The former N.C. Wesleyan head coach was passed over for the position by the team's defensive coordinator Matt Mitchell. Mitchell is a six-year veterean of GVSU's staff and is the school's seventh head coach.

Ginn, I know, will get his chance to be a head coach once again. Ginn is expected to stay on as wide receivers coach at the school.

In other NCWC football-related news, former Battling Bishop linebqacker and Northern Nash Knight Bo Brown is now a graduate assistant at Mississippi State. Brown, who also served as an assistant coach at NCWC last season, will also be working as a strength and conditioning coach for the MSU program.

He and his wife Brittany relocated to Starkville over the Christmas holidays.

Ginn up for Grand Valley State head job

Former N.C. Wesleyan head football coach Jack Ginn is a candidate for the head football job at Grand Valley State (Allendale, Mi.).

Ginn, who has been an associate head coach/wide receivers coach at the Div. II powerhouse the last two seasons, is reported to be one of three current assistants up for the job.

The opening came about when new Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly hired Grand Valley State head man Chuck Martin to be his defensive coordinator earlier this week. Kelly is also a former head coach of the Lakers.

Ginn started the football program at N.C. Wesleyan six years ago and was a candidate for the Rocky Mount head football job last summer. Ginn was having trouble selling his home here and was commuting back and forth from Michigan. He was considering moving back to Rocky Mount. With that possibility, he was interested the Gryphon football job opening.

But when his home finally sold early this past summer, he withdrew his application for the RMHS job and moved his family to Michigan with him.

In his four years at NCWC, Ginn compiled a 23-17 overall record and an 18-9 USA South mark, having produced the first-ever undefeated conference champion with a 7-0 league record in 2007. Additionally, Ginn produced 42 All-Conference players, two Defensive Rookies of the Year, two Offensive Rookies of the Year, and two Offensive Players of the Year.

Prior to coming to NCWC, Ginn served two years as an assistant coach at Shepherd College, an NCAA Division II school in Shepherdstown, WV. During his tenure, Shepherd compiled a two-year record of 15-5, and set 16 offensive school records. From 1997-2000, Ginn was the Offensive Coordinator at Wartburg College, a NCAA Division III school in Waverly, IA . His offense averaged 35 points per game over the four-year period, setting 19 school records and helping Wartburg achieve a 35-6 record.

Virgil's college career is over

Former Rocky Mount Gryphon Stephan Virgil has seen his college career at Virginia Tech come to a premature end.

The senior defensive back has been ruled academically eligible under NCAA guidelines for the Hokies' match-up against Tennessee Thursday in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta. So for a second straight season, Virginia Tech's football team will be missing a starter for its bowl game because of academic issues.

Virgil has had his problems with injuries this season. After playing in VT's 34-24 loss to Alabama in the season opener - also in Atlanta, he injured his left knee making a tackle on the game's final play. The injury kept him out of the lineup for the Hokies' next two games.

Hudgins finishes second in Payton Award voting

Terrell Hudgins' mom Leslie took this picture of Terrell and his competitors Deji Karim of Southern Illinois' and Armanti Edwards (Appalachian State) at the NCAA's Div. I banquet in Chattanooga, Tenn. last Thursday evening. Edwards, who has led App. State to two national titles, won the Walter Payton Award that evening.

Vote for Hudgins - TWICE!

The News and Observer needs help finding their Triangle Area Athlete of the Deacde - for high school, college and the pros - male or female.

In my mind, former Rocky Mount High star athlete Terrell Hudgins could possibly win this thing in two categories. He was the N&O's Male HS Athlete of the Year in 2005, and he was the NCHSAA's Male Athlete of the Year the same year.

And unless you have been under a rock, you have to know about Hudgins' record-breaking pass catching exploits in his four years at Elon.

So if you go to http://share.triangle.com/node/30000 and put his name in the high school and college fields, perhaps he will have a better chance of winning these votes! Vote as much as you like for Terrell Hudgins! Deadline is Dec. 11 for the nominees, then after that, should Hudgins make the list - vote for him until the end of the year.

Below is the text of their request for voting from the N&O's website:

The possibilities range from Dustin Ackley to Brian Zoubek, but The News&Observer sports department needs your help to find the one and only area athlete of the decade. Your choice can be male or female and from any sport at any level of competition. The only limitations are time and area.

We're looking for someone who participated from 2000 through 2009 and competed in the general Triangle area, which we can expand to include East Carolina and Wake Forest candidates.

Obviously, this is a big-tent project. The winner could come from high school, college or the pros and from sports that cover the gamut from land, water or ice.

We'll do the counting and announce the results, but the most important part of the process is up to you the reader. Give the matter some thought and then enter your choices below. We'll accept submissions until December 11.

In case you need a refresher of his college and HS careers, here is some background info:

NCAA Records

• 207 - combined receptions in one season (FCS record with former teammate Michael Mayers in 2007)

• 395 - career receptions (all NCAA Division I record)

• 123 - receptions in a season (done in 2009; FCS record)

• 8.8 - career receptions per game (FCS record)

• 5,250 - career receiving yards (all NCAA Division I record)

• 116.7 - career average yards gained receiving per game (FCS record)

• 28 - career games gaining 100 or more yards receiving (all NCAA Division I record)

• 1.2 - career touchdown passes caught per game (ties FCS record)

• 34 - career games with a touchdown catch (FCS record)

• 4 - career 1,000-yard receiving seasons (all NCAA Division I record)

SoCon Records

• 10 - games in a season with 100 or more receiving yards (done in 2009)

• 5 - consecutive games with 100 or more receiving yards (done once in 2006 and twice in 2009)

• 2,538 - combined receiving yards in a season (with former teammate Michael Mayers in 2007)

• 3 - career 200 or more receiving yard games (tied)

• 52 - career receiving touchdowns

• 1,633 - receiving yards in a season (done in 2009) Elon Records

• 16 - receptions in a game (vs. Liberty and at Furman in 2007; at Furman in 2009)

• 4 - touchdown receptions in a game (vs. Liberty in 2007)

• 18 - touchdown receptions in a season (2007)

High School Resume

Played varsity football, basketball and baseball at RMHS. 2005 NCHSAA Male Athlete of the Year.

FOOTBALL

A three-year starter, Hudgins passed for 1,687 yds. (78-174) and 22 touchdowns (only five interceptions) … Rushed for 393 yds. and 14 touchdowns ... Led Rocky Mount to its first Big East 4-A Conference title since 1990. He helped the Gryphons to a 12-1 record – at the time - tied for most wins in school history. He led Rocky Mount to three straight playoff appearances – prior to 2006, it was the first such occurrence at Rocky Mount since 1977-79 … Set school records for career passing (5,524), touchdown passes (61), touchdown responsibility (77) … Helped the 2004 Rocky Mount squad set school records for scoring (534) and total yards (4,687).

2004 Big East Conference Player of the Year
2004 Rocky Mount Telegram Offensive Player of the Year
Member of NCPreps.com 2004 4-A All-State Team
Played for the East in the 2005 N.C. Oasis Shrine East-West All-Star Game

BASKETBALL

A two-year starter at forward, Hudgins led the Big East Conference in scoring (20.6) and rebounding (12.0) this past winter as Rocky Mount finished second in the Big East and recorded a 17-9 record (second-round loss to Millbrook) … Also led Gryphons in field goal percentage (.688), steals (52) and blocked shots (32)… Scored a career-high 32 points against Southeast Raleigh… Scored 944 points in just two seasons as a Gryphon for fifth place on the all-time Rocky Mount scoring list – behind Phil Ford (2,079), Tashawn Mabry (1,899), Buck Williams (1,440), George McClain (1,209) and Larry Lucas (1,056)

2005 Big East Player of the Year
Big East All-Conference performer (2004, 2005)
2005 Rocky Mount Telegram Player of the Year
Honorable mention NCPreps.com All-State 4-A Team

BASEBALL

An All-Big East Conference player in 2004, Hudgins played third base, first base and pitched. He helped Rocky Mount to a 15-6 record this season - up from a 10-14 campaign the previous spring. He batted .387 with two doubles, a triple, two home runs, 21 RBI and 22 runs scored. On the mound, the right-hander was 4-3 with a 2.49 ERA.

Smith adds to his team

- Pictured, left to right, Ashton, Shepherd and Hunter Smith (click on picture to enlarge)

EASLEY, S.C. - Former Rocky Mount assistant football coach and Northern Nash head coach Chad Smith is beginning to have the makings of a pretty good offensive line - right in his very own home!

Smith and his wife and former RMHS teacher Hannah added to their roster on Nov. 18 with the birth of their third son, Shepherd Owen. He weighed eight pounds, nine ounces and was 21.25 inches long - the biggest of the three boys at birth, says Hannah.

Congrats to the Smiths and their families for their new addition!

These Smith boys, I bet, will make for some pretty good O-linemen one day. I know Chad will see that!

Noble makes MEAC All-Conference Team

NORFOLK, Va. - Redshirt sophomore Kendall Noble was named to the MEAC second-team All-Conference football team recently. The 6-foot-4, 292-pound offensive lineman played left tackle for the Spartans as they went 7-4 this past season.

He was also named MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week in NSU's game against Howard.

Noble, who is majoring in kinesiotherapy, lettered and started for three years at Rocky Mount High. He was a first-team all-conference and all-county selection as a junior and senior and helped the team win the North Carolina 4-A regional championship as a junior. He played in the North Carolina East-West All-Star game his senior year and he also lettered in track and field four seasons at RMHS.

His brother Wayne Jr., also a former Gryphon football standout, was a senior defensive back this past season at Winston-Salem State.

Word has it that his former Gryphon teammate and former Shrine Bowler Nazir Levine, who was out this season with an injury at WSSU, will transfer and join his old teammate on the O-line at Norfolk State.

Chauncy Perry, a senior offensive lineman at Virginia Union University, was named to the CIAA All-Conference second team. Perry, who is 6-2 and 325 pounds, is a computer information systems major. Perry was three-year starter for the Gryphons (2003-05).