Rocky Mount Police are investigating the fourth homicide of the year.

NORTHERN NASH WRESTLER JAHKEL HOOKER (LEFT)

WILSON -- Parity was the big winner during last Saturday's action at the annual Big East Conference Team Dual Wrestling Tournament.
Under normal circumstances, it is fairly easy to predict how the final standings at the event will shake down.
But this year's tournament was hardly ordinary as teams took turns defeating each other to set up a fantastic finale.

NASH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMER ETHAN KING

ROCKY MOUNT -- Nash County's high school swim teams were offered one final tune-up last Wednesday before their respective conference championships.
It was an opportunity the competitors were more than happy to take advantage of at the Harrison Family YMCA Pool.
Nash Central prepped for its appearance at last Friday's Eastern Plains Conference Championships -- and the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs were able to successfully defend their crowns.

NC'S ZHTERRICA CHERRY

FARMVILLE -- The Eastern Plains Conference has boasted a recent tradition of having at least one girls basketball team with the possibility of making a run at a North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Championship.
In 2018-19, that club appears to be the Farmville Central Lady Jaguars, who are undefeated and loaded with size, talent and depth.

NORTHERN'S JOSEPH CHERRY-BLUE

FRANKLINTON -- Last season, Coach Henry Drake's Northern Nash Knights came to Franklinton with one loss and struggled to get a win over the Red Rams, who were struggling through a two-victory campaign.
This year wasn't much different. A solid second half after a slow start was able to help the Knights win their 15th straight triumph by way of a 66-51 victory over Franklinton last Thursday night in Big East Conference boys hoops action at the FHS Gymnasium in Franklin County.

NASH CENTRAL BOYS HOOPS STANDOUT JAVON BRINKLEY

FARMVILLE -- When Farmville Central won the Eastern Plains Conference Tournament Boys Basketball Championship last season, it was considered to be just the beginning for the Jaguars, who were able to take the title despite having a roster loaded with freshmen and sophomores.
Farmville Central, a state champion three years ago, has picked up right where it off this time around.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The North Carolina Wesleyan College men's basketball team thrilled the sold-out home crowd with an exhilarating come-from-behind overtime victory over visiting conference foe Pfeiffer University 128-123 last Saturday afternoon for its fifth straight win.
The Bishops used balanced scoring throughout the game including double-digit points from six different players to keep pace with the hot-shooting Falcons.

NORTHERN NASH'S KANASIA ARRINGTON

FRANKLINTON -- Few opposing venues have proven to be inhospitable to Grover Battle during his glorious tenure as the girls basketball coach at Northern Nash High School.
Franklinton, however, is shaping up to be one of those not-too-hot spots for Battle and his Lady Knights.

RALEIGH -- North Carolina State University baseball's Patrick Bailey, Kent Klyman and Will Wilson have been named D1Baseball Preseason All-Americans in advance of the 2019 season.
The Wolfpack is one of just four teams nationally with three players on the team and the only program from the ACC. All three earned a spot on the third team.

NASH COUNTY -- Listed are updated futsal scores from the Nash County Parks and Recreation Department's Winter Sports Season:

RED OAK -- For the second time in three seasons, Northern Nash's Varsity Cheerleading team was able to capture the Big East Conference Championship as part of an event held at Rocky Mount High School in December.
The girls were able to overcome a high-level of adversity throughout the past season.

GREENVILLE -- The East Carolina University baseball team received its fourth preseason national ranking of the 2019 season after being picked No. 12 by Baseball America the publication announced Monday.
The Pirates have also earned national rankings from D1Baseball (No. 11), Perfect Game (No. 11) and Collegiate Baseball (No. 35).

Southern Nash's Luke Coble (top) prepares to finish off a pinfall during the Firebirds' team match against Wilson Fike at the annual Big East Conference Wrestling Dual Team Championships last Saturday at the Fike Gymnasium.

Nash Central High School's Ashanti Anstead tries to find an open teammate during last Friday night's game at Farmville Central in Eastern Plains Conference girls basketball action. The host Lady Jaguars were 64-25 winners.

Northern Nash's Davontae Wiggins (center) attempts to split the Franklinton defense during last Thursday's Big East Conference boys basketball showdown in Franklin County.

Northern Nash's Hannah Evans (with ball) tries to drive against Franklinton's Meaghan Dohnert during last Thursday's league girls basketball contest at the FHS Gymnasium.