Basketball Game Preview: Rocky Mount Gryphons vs. Franklinton Red Rams

The Rocky Mount Gryphons will square off against the Franklinton Red Rams at 6:15 p.m. on Friday. Rocky Mount is coming into the match hot, having won their last six games.

Rocky Mount is headed into the game after thoroughly thrashing Roanoke Rapids: they outscored them in every quarter. Given that consistent dominance, it should come as no surprise that Rocky Mount blew Roanoke Rapids out of the water with a 72-19 final score. The Gryphons have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won eight contests by 20 points or more this season.

Rocky Mount can attribute much of their success to Keysha Mizzell, who went 10 of 23 on her way to 24 points along with five assists and five boards, and Aniya Cotton, who dropped a double-double on 14 points and 13 rebounds. That's the most boards Mizzell has posted since back in February of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Kenya Marshall, who went 5 of 11 on her way to 10 points and six rebounds.

Rocky Mount smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 25 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 14 offensive rebounds in six consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, after a string of three wins, Franklinton's good fortune finally ran out on Wednesday. They were beaten by Wakefield 90-11. The game marked the Red Rams' lowest-scoring contest so far this season.

Rocky Mount's victory bumped their record up to 10-1. As for Franklinton, their loss dropped their record down to 6-5.

Rocky Mount might still be hurting after the 61-37 defeat they got from Franklinton when the teams last played back in March of 2024. Can Rocky Mount avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.