In the playoffs, the cliche goes, “A team’s best players have to play like its best 
players.”

For Rocky Mount High, its biggest contribution came from its biggest guys, and it withstood the hardest punch it has taken in weeks.

(STORY CONTINUES BELOW)

Forward Terrill Hilliard and center Dante Battle combined for 49 points in the Gryphons’ 85-70 victory against Nash Central in the NCHSAA 3-A second round Wednesday at Rocky Mount High School.

“When you can shoot that outside shot, it’s pretty,” Rocky Mount coach Mike Gainey said. “But when you can get your inside game going – oh, my God. Now that’s pretty.”

Hilliard scored 31 points for second-seeded Rocky Mount (23-3), while Battle added 18 points.

The points total was the not the biggest factor for Hilliard and Battle, but rather how efficient they were in the process. Hilliard shot 13-for-19 from the floor. Battle shot 8-for-12.

Battle made six field goals in a row at one point; Hilliard made five straight.

They combined to shoot 6-for-6 from the free-throw line and helped Rocky Mount dominate the glass, particularly on offense.

The rest of the Gryphons shot 13-for-46 (28 percent) from the floor.

“Our inside game – we preached to the guys that our inside game had to come first,” Gainey said. “Our outside game wasn’t really working (Wednesday), but if you have the inside game, that’s all you need.”

Rocky Mount made only two 3-pointers, and one of them was made by Hilliard.

“We got the inside game going first, and you have to give credit to our guards,” Hilliard said. “They were looking out for us, and they were able to get us touches to get us going.”

The No. 7 Bulldogs (15-8) turned in one of their better efforts of the season, staying even with the Gryphons despite the game taking on the fast pace that Rocky Mount prefers to play.

The game was tied at 39 at halftime before Rocky Mount went on a 10-2 run midway through the third quarter, eventually taking a 12-point lead into the final quarter.

“We thought we could run with them,” Nash Central coach Renny Taylor said. “It came down to, could we run with them for 32 
minutes?”

Nash Central cut Rocky Mount’s lead to nine points three separate times in the final 4 minutes and 40 seconds but could come no closer to Rocky Mount.

“We missed a lot of lay-ups, but what really hurt – and we talked about this before the game – we had to be able to box out,” Taylor said. “(Rocky Mount) was able to dominate the offensive glass. Their points off of putbacks was the difference between winning and losing for us.”

Jalen Hendricks scored 19 points for Nash Central in the losing 
effort.

Rocky Mount swept the season series with the Bulldogs, winning all four contests this 
season.

Until the Gryphons’ run midway through the third quarter, the Bulldogs were in position to score the upset.

“It’s hard to beat a team four times,” Hilliard said. “Coach just told us to keep pushing. Everybody comes out hard in the playoffs, just like we wanted to. Everybody is going to give you their best game.”

The Bulldogs attempted to stop the Gryphons by fronting on the perimeter, which slowed the Gryphons at first.

Rocky Mount adjusted, helping it take control.

“You have Battle down there, and he’s such a load,” Taylor said. “They do a great job of recognizing when he has a guy above him, and they got him the ball.”

After falling behind in the second quarter, Nash Central went on a 14-2 to take a four-point lead.

Then Hilliard went on a 10-0 run by himself, scoring 15 points in the second quarter and helping Rocky Mount keep pace when most shots weren’t falling.

In the third quarter, Battle took the reins, scoring six points in the first few minutes after the half.

Hilliard and Battle both said they use each other to elevate their individual games.

Battle said that his game – which has seen noticeable gains in his sophomore season – is better as a result of 
Hilliard.

“My game has improved, just getting stronger and getting in the weight room,” Battle said. “Working out with Terrill really helped me. He showed me a lot of post moves I use, and it helped my game get 
better.”

Rocky Mount will move on to the sectional finals, where it will play host to Hertford County at 7:30 on Friday night.

“At this point, you can throw all records out the window,” Gainey said. “We knew we have one lifeline, and we don’t want it to go flat. If you’re not ready, you go home, and we’re not ready to go home.”

Rocky Mount High 85
Nash Central 70
NC           15    24    10    21    –    70
RMH        16    23    22    24    –    85
NC: Jalen Hendricks-19; Nathaniel Pittman-13; Daniel Pittman-9; Phillip Jones-9; Christian Jones-7; Jaquan Wilkins-5; LJ Porcher-5; Harvey Griffin-3.
RMH: Terrill Hilliard-31; Dante Battle- 18; Lavon Brutus-10; KJ Peoples-8; Tabias Hilliard-7; Michael Hines-5; Mason Hines-4; Jarell Hunter-2.

Nick Piotrowicz can be reached at 407-9952 or npiotrowicz@
rmtelegram.com.