PINETOPS—Two long time coaches have been honored at SouthWest Edgecombe High School with induction into the school’s Hall of Fame, according to the Daily Southerner newspaper.
Former football coach Raymond Cobb and former baseball coach Bruce Rhodes were recognized with the honor.
Cobb served as a head coach in Edgecombe County for 25 years, with the bulk of that, from 1988 to 2003, at North Edgecombe where he won a couple of state championships, and then at Southwest. His career coaching mark was 253-79.
Cobb graduated from the old South Edgecombe High School and then earned his degree at East Carolina University.
Rhodes was inducted for his athletic ability and knowledge of the game of baseball. He graduated from SouthWest in 1979 and was the first Male Athlete of the Year chosen at the school.
Rhodes earned his BS degree in physical education from North Caroina Wesleyan in 1983. He was the first player from SouthWest to play college baseball led N.C. Wesleyan to the Division III World Series three times.
Rhodes returned to SouthWest in 1986 and began his coaching career, taking over as head baseball coach in 1992 after his brother Don stepped down as head coach. His teams made the NCHSAA playoffs 11 times, made two final eight appearances, made a trip in 2004 to the NCHSAA 3-A state finals, won three conference championships, six Easter Classic titles. Rhodes recorded over 240 varsity total victories as head coach.
