BOYS

(+2) 1. Terrill Hilliard, Sr., F, Rocky Mount High: Rocky Mount lost back-to-back games before opening the Big East Conference with a win. Hilliard scored 25 points in both losses and 19 against Wilson Fike, and he shot 59 percent or better from the field in all of those games. Then he came up one assist shy of a triple double against Hertford County.

(+3) 2. Josh Sessoms, Sr., F, Southern Nash: Despite not shooting well against Wilson Hunt to open the conference season, Sessoms finished with 20 points and 17 rebounds – nine offensive boards. Keep in mind, he fouled out.

(NR) 3. Donte Samuels, Jr., G, Rocky Mount Prep: In the past two games, Samuels has pulled down seven rebounds twice and scored a combined 33 points. He might need to carry an even bigger load in the near future.

(-2) 4. DeShawn Freeman, Jr., C, Rocky Mount Prep: Freeman scored 23 points on Dec. 28, but managed only two points in the Jaguars’ loss to Martinsburg (WV) to end the calendar year. He left that game with a knee injury, but coach Eddie Knudsen expects him to return at full strength within a week.

(-4) 5. Nathaniel Pittman, Jr., F, Nash Central: Pittman was held to eight points in the Bulldogs’ latest victory. Nash Central is tied for the conference lead early, but Pittman was locked down against Northern Nash.

In consideration:

Jacob Barrett, Jr., G, Rocky Mount Prep; Dante Battle, So. F, Rocky Mount High; Deondre Dancy, F, Sr., Northern Nash; Jalen Hendricks, Sr., G, Nash Central; Phillip Jones, Sr., C, Nash Central; Devonte Lloyd, Sr., C, North Edgecombe.

GIRLS

(+1) 1. J’Kyra Brown, Jr., G., Rocky Mount High: Back to the top. In the Gryphons’ three wins since the Nash County Christmas Tournament, Brown has scored 30, 24 and a career-high 35 points, respectively. As the conference schedule begins, Brown is at her best.

(-1) 2. Alexus Hill, So., G, Northern Nash: On a team of talented players, Hill still remains one of the better scorers. She totaled a team-high 13 points in the Knights’ first game in nearly three weeks.

(NR) 3. Jasmine Griffin, Sr., C, Northern Nash: The Knights are a team of big guards, but Griffin remains stout inside. In the Knights’ conference opener she pulled down 12 rebounds and blocked five shots. Add in a near team-high 11 points, and Griffin made a loud statement Tuesday: She’s a force inside.

(NR) 4. Alexus Cooper, Sr., G, Rocky Mount High: After a slow start, Cooper is finding her place in the Gryphons’ offense. She has scored in double digits four of the past five games including 28 points in her highest back-to-back output this season.

(-2) 5. Timyra Staton, Jr., F, Nash Central: Staton’s scoring output has slowed drastically, but the undersized forward has pulled down double-digit rebounds in three of the past four games.