Cary Invasion survives overtime thriller with The Bull City Legacy 131-129

Saturday November 8th 

Cary, NC

Two familiar foes took to the court Saturday evening; the Cary Invasion played host to the Bull City Legacy on opening night in the TRBL. (Tobacco Road Basketball League). If this game was any indication of the upcoming season, then we as fans are in for a treat. 

Raymond Mckeithan made his Bull City Legacy debut, scoring 26 points, including 5 of 10 shooting from 3 point range.  This one was a back and forth affair, that saw multiple lead changes. Three of Legacy G/F Ian Gregory's team-high 29 points came in the final seconds of regulation, sending the game into overtime tied at 114.  

In the Overtime period, former Legacy, and current Invasion guard Cory Evans went to work.  Evans scored 10 of his game-high 40 points, including the game winning tip in with 3 seconds remaing, helping Cary sqeek out a 131-129 victory.  With the win, Cary starts the season 1-0, while Bull City is 0-1.  

The Legacy will next hit the court Saturday Nov. 15th versus the Wilmington SeaDawgs.  This will be the Legacy's Veterans Day game. Free admission for all veterans with ID.  Tip off is set for 4pmest at Walltown Recreation Center in Durham. 

Daimeon S. Banks 

Sports Media Director, Bull City Legacy

Sportsbydaimeon.com

The Eagles Nest

5pm,  O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium, home of the NCCU Eagles.  

What a beautiful Saturday afternoon it was in Durham, NC.  I had the opportunity to cover a matchup between the home team, (NCCU) and visiting Elizabeth City State University.  These two squads were former conference foes in Division II football of the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) conference, before NCCU moved to the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Confernce), in Division I.

-Head Coach Jerry Mack

First year Head Coach Jerry Mack and his Eagles took one on the chin in week one of the 2014 college football season.  The Eagles fell 52-7 to East Carolina in Greenville, NC.  Coach Mack would be leading his team onto the field at O'Kelly-Riddick for the very first time. That, lady's and gentleman, would be a site to see. 

I arrived at the stadium some two hours before kickoff.  As I make my down to the field, the aroma of various deep fried deliciousness was in the air.  Turkey wings, chicken and fish.  Yes indeed, it's game day.  But I digress.  On the field I catch up with NCCU running back's coach Adrian Jones. 

-Coach Adrian Jones

Jones is in his second coaching stint with his alma mater.  He (Jones) was also the senior quarterback at Sourhern Durham High School during my freshman year at - you guessed it - Southern Durham High School.  But again, I digress. We exchanged pleasantries before going back to out jobs at hand.  

Pre-game was a mix of special teams players preparing, with skilled position players doing the same.  

-Michael Jones/DB

The stands at O'Kelly-Riddick began to fill as kick off drew closer.  It was almost that time. This guy looks ready.  

-The Eagle

The number one mission on this Saturday afternoon; protect the "Eagles Nest."  Fast forward through (3) Eagles senior running back Andre Clarke touchdowns,

-Andre Clarke/ RB

A stingy Eagles defense, and ultimately a 34-7 NCCU win.  Congrats to Head Coach Jerry Mack on his first career win.  By the looks of NCCU's play on this Saturday afternoon, there should be many more wins to come for Coach Mack.  Congratulations Coach. 

-SportsbyDaimeon

I am SportsbyDaimeon

My older brother (Carlos) took me and my twin brother (Damon) to our first college football game many years ago.  Steve Spurrier was the head coach of Duke University; they were playing Georgia Tech at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham NC.  I remember being so excited just to see "big dudes," as I said it, playing.  

Since then, I've had the great pleasure of attending football games all over the country. I've seen The University of Michigan play in "The Big House." I've  sat on the 50 yard line at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge Louisiana. Carter Finley Stadium, home of the NC State Wolfpack, provides a raukus environment on any given Saturday afternoon.  

I not only fashion myself a sports professional, but a fan, who enjoys the spectacle of competition. I bore witness to just that on my recent road trip to Columbia South Carolina.  The first game ever broadcast on the SEC Network was The South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Texas A&M Aggies.  I found it rather ironic that my first college game as a child was a Steve Spurrier led Duke Blue Devil team; and my first collegiate game as a member of the media was a Steve Spurrier led South Carolina Gamecocks squad.  As I took pictures of both teams going through their pre-game rituals, I noticed a familiar face.  He had no clue who I was, but I quoted him verbatim.   "The stylin, profilin, limousine ridin, jet flying, kiss stealing, wheelin n' dealin son of a gun!"

 

So now it was game time.  I heard the roar of 82,000 plus in the stands. It was deafening in Williams-Brice Stadium as the crowd anticipated the opening kickoff.  It seemed as though every person who lived in Columbia South Carolina was at the game. Texas A&M jumped out to a 10-0 lead before the Gamecocks knew what hit them. Although South Carolina provided a glimmer of hope to it's fans when WR Nic Jones hauled in a 69 yard TD pass, the game quickly got out of hand.  I roamed the sidelines taking pictures and making notes of the game to use for this very article. To me, the final score was inconsequential.  It was in that moment when I realized that I was no longer a sports fan.  I was now, officially, SportsbyDaimeon.  

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