At this point in the season, with a record that reflects success and a roster full of talent, the secret is out.

Rocky Mount High’s basketball team is pretty good.

The Gryphons need only one more win to prove that they are without a doubt the dominant team in the Big East Conference.

Wednesday night’s 77-69 victory against fourth-seeded Wilson Hunt at Northern Nash High School showed that Rocky Mount doesn’t have to play perfect basketball to win games.

But the desire is there.

There has to be something the Gryphons – despite the fact they are 20-3, haven’t lost to a Big East opponent and are undefeated during the 2012 calendar year – can improve upon.

“Sometimes on defense it takes us too long to rotate,” Gryphons senior Levon Brutus said. “We’ll just miss a steal. We can communicate better.”

It might sound nitpicky, but this Rocky Mount High group knows that a date in the Big East Conference Tournament Finals looms Friday against Southern Nash, and most important, the NCHSAA 3-A state playoffs begin next week.

If the Gryphons are to become the team they want to be in the long run, they are aware of and prepared to tighten up some of the loose ends that plague them in spurts.

For instance, Rocky Mount executed their defensive gameplan well against Wilson Hunt. The Gryphons relentlessly trapped Wilson Hunt’s Parker Lamm and forced the shifty point guard to give up the ball to his teammates.

Lamm’s teammates failed to convert open baskets in the first half, and they committed 20 turnovers, allowing the Gryphons to jump out to an 18-point halftime lead.

The bad news for Rocky Mount?

The bigger, more athletic Gryphons uncharacteristically were giving up second-chance shots.

It never came back to haunt the Gryphons, but a contest that easily could have been a rout was extended because of the rebounding deficiency.

“We’re trying to create turnovers for opposing teams, but we have to do a better job of stopping guys from getting second and third shots,” Gryphons coach Mike Gainey said. “We’re fortunate to outscore them.”

Top-seeded Rocky Mount had more than enough on offense.

Four players scored in double digits led by Lavon Brutus’ 20 points. Terrill Hilliard added 17 points, Tevin Taylor had 13 and Dante Battle finished with 10.

Gainey especially enjoyed the shooting of Brutus, who he high-fived after the senior made a jump shot during a hot streak and the inside presence of Battle, which the coach said makes the Gryphons formidable.

“We’re happy, but we can do better,” Battle said.

The Gryphons will look to knock off a streaking Southern Nash squad Friday in a contest that will be equally important for both squads.

The game is for the title, and it’s the last loss each team can absorb before their seasons end.

“We’re pretty confident,” Brutus said. “Southern has a lot of shooters. If they’re on and we’re on, it’ll be a good game.