A rare basketball matchup took place Thursday between teams located less than three miles apart.

Arendell Parrott traveled to Kinston High for a scrimmage as the Patriots and Vikings continue working throughout the summer. Rarely do public and private schools face each other outside of tournaments, but Kinston coach Perry Tyndall said a strong relationship with Arendell Parrott coach Dory Hines, along with both teams focusing toward a common goal, improving, made it possible.

"To be able to get work in where we can is always big for us," Tyndall said. "Dory has worked with a lot of these kids and what we tried to do (Thursday) was put ourselves into situations to get better. We've got a new group here and we're trying to build up chemistry, so having some unfamiliar and uncomfortable matchups was good for us. At the end of the day, it's still basketball and we're all trying to get better heading toward the season."

Hines was a former Vikings stalwart, helping the team win two state championships in 2008 and 2010. Going into his second season, Hines said he wanted the Patriots to play tougher competition in the offseason and believed Kinston will help them in the future.

"Coach Tyndall and I have always had a good relationship," Hines said. "He was my middle school coach and we've had a good bond over the last 12 years, so we were able to set this up. A lot of his kids work out with me and this was an opportunity for our guys to get better, facing an opponent that should be one of the best teams in the state."

Patriots guard Nick Harrison said he was excited for the opportunity to improve.

"It was something we've always wanted to do," Harrison said. "They're known as the big-time school in the area and we wanted the opportunity to play them."

Vikings guard Chance Minott shared similar sentiments.

"It felt great to play them," Minott said. "It was a good experience and it's going to help us down the road."