BALL CONTROL. Nash Central’s Josh Mullins (right) avoids the defense of Southern Nash’s Raquan Blount during last Saturday’s game.

STANHOPE -- From a standings perspective, not much was at stake in the Big East Conference standings when Southern Nash entertained Nash Central last Saturday in boys basketball action.
But the game would prove to be one of the top season highlights for NCHS in an otherwise disappointing campaign.
For one contest, however, Coach Renny Taylor’s Bulldogs soared and overcame a pair of deficits on two occasions en route to stunning the homestanding Firebirds by a 61-54 margin at the SN Gymnasium.

ESCAPE MOVE. Nash Central’s Alexia Jones avoids Southern Nash’s pressure defense during Monday night’s Big East Tournament hoops showdown.

ROCKY MOUNT -- As a sign of club unity, members of the Nash Central High School girls basketball squad simply have the word ‘Teammate’ on the back of their warmup jerseys -- as opposed to each player’s individual name.
Central needed a key contribution from every one of those invididuals Monday during the opening round of the Big East Conference Girls Basketball Tournament at Rocky Mount.

IN THE CLUTCH. Kayla Mitchell played well Monday for Nash Central Middle School in the semifinals of the Tri-County Conference Basketball Tournament.

NASHVILLE -- Superfan Chance Puckett’s oversized sign echoed the opinion of everyone in attendance at Monday’s Tri-County Conference Girls Basketball Tournament.
After Robbi Allen delivered yet another clutch basket for the host Nash Central Middle School Lady Trojans, Puckett -- a student at the school -- flashed his ‘Robbi 4 President’ sign as the scoreboard continued to tilt in the Trojans’ favor.

ZEBULON -- The Carolina Mudcats’ annual National Anthem Tryouts are scheduled for March 22 at 9 a.m. at Five County Stadium.
Tryouts will be held from 9 a.m.-Noon. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. on the third-base side of the stadium. Auditions will be held first-come, first-served.

SIMPLY HER DEZTANIE. Nash Central’s Deztanie Hill (with ball) tries to escape Southern Nash’s defense during last Saturday’s Big East Conference basketball outing.

STANHOPE -- Because of last week’s snowstorm, Nash County prep basketball squads were unable to play for four consecutive days -- let alone even practice.
But Nash Central showed little rust when the Lady Bulldogs resumed their schedule last Saturday with a road meeting at Southern Nash.

NASH COUNTY -- Here are updated results from the Nash County Parks and Recreation Department Youth Basketball League:

ROCKY MOUNT -- North Carolina Wesleyan College’s baseball team cruised to an 9-1 victory over the University of Maine-Presque Isle on Monday afternoon at Bauer Field.
Sophomores Chris Rogerson and Ciro Norzagaray each drove in three runs to help the Bishops secure their second win of the season.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Senior Josh Morrison eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for his career last Saturday afternoon, helping his North Carolina Wesleyan Battling Bishops to a 81-66 victory over visiting Greensboro College in USA South Conference men’s basketball play.
Needing 13 points to become the 17th member of the program’s elite club, the Chapel Hill native’s milestone basket came with 2:48 remaining in the first half when he secured an offensive rebound and put-back.

GREENVILLE -- Senior Ryan Williams tossed four scoreless innings of relief, while freshman Kirk Morgan recorded two hits including the game-winner lifting East Carolina University (2-1) to a 4-2 Opening Weekend baseball series win over James Madison (1-2) Sunday afternoon at Lewis Field inside Clark-LeClair Stadium.
The Pirates, who notched their seventh straight series win dating back to 2013, broke a one-all tie in the fourth frame scoring a pair of runs for a 3-1 advantage.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The 24-hour wait was more than worth it for Southern Nash’s Jordan Decosse at the Class 3-A East Regional Wrestling Tournament.
Due to recent poor weather, the event was pushed back one day, with prelims held last Saturday and the finals on Sunday at Rocky Mount High School.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The 11th Annual Rocky Mount Kicking Clinic will be held March 8 at Nash Central High School.
The one-day clinic features a variety of drills and tips for kickers, punters and long snappers.
Instruction will be provided by respected teacher/coach Carol A. White, along with college kickers from across the Southeast.

Destiny Burgess was unstoppable for the Southern Nash Ladybirds during their overtime loss Monday to Nash Central at the Big East Conference Girls Basketball Tourney.

Nash Central Middle School used some strong defense on Monday to defeat Forest Hills in the semifinals of the Tri-County Conference Girls Basketball Tournament at the NC Gymnasium.

Robbi Allen (left) used some late heroics to help Nash Central Middle School stave off a comeback attempt by Forest Hills on Monday afternoon at the NC Gymnasium.

Southern Nash’s Destiny Burgess (right) is fouled Monday night against Nash Central.

Danyelle Noland (right) drives for Southern Nash High School.