Former Kinston greats coach the next generation

Dory Hines, back row, left, and Joshua Dawson coached the 11U 7th Nation Warriors AAU team to a victory in the Warriors Fest June 30-July 1 at Jones Senior High School. Standing next to the coaches are, from left, Junior Cherry, Chase Smith and Javon Williams. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News

Kinston's stars of the past have been guiding rising luminaries.

Former Vikings standouts Joshua Dawson and Dory Hines have been on the AAU circuit, coaching the 7th Nation Warriors 11U and 14U teams. During the inaugural Warriors Fest at Jones Senior High School over the weekend, the 11U team won its bracket.

Behind the team’s success are a pair of former Vikings point guards who helped the team accomplish plenty during their time, winning a combined five state championships. After high school, Hines played at Mount Olive University and become a versatile threat, averaging 7.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists in his career. Hines also recorded the first triple-double in Trojans history on Feb. 5, 2014, led the nation in assist-to-turnover margin in NCAA Division II basketball and remains the school’s all-time career leader in assists.

Hines finished his first year as a head coach at Arendell Parrott Academy and said the 14U team — full of Patriots players — benefited from the tournament.

“For my eighth-graders, it’s a good learning experience, which will help them get better for the school year,” Hines said. “They’re really taking in everything we’re teaching them and I can tell the development between February and now.”

Dawson is a coaching neophyte, but has a strong resume on the basketball court. After winning three state titles in high school, Dawson went to Fayetteville State University where he averaged 12.6 points and 6.1 assists per game. He left FSU as the all-time assist leader for the Broncos.

Dawson said coaching was something new for him, but he enjoyed every minute.

“It’s fun for me, having the chance to give these guys knowledge of the game and in life,” Dawson said. “This is really a blessing in disguise for me.”

Hines said it’s been a smooth transition with a great friend.

“Josh and I played together in high school and developed a good bond,” Hines said. “We both played point guard on the same team when I was a senior and he was a freshman, and we’ve been friends for a long time. We feed off of each other coaching-wise and it’s great to be able to work with him (in this avenue).”

The players have been appreciative of the coaches as well. Chase Smith said the duo’s knowledge of the game can only help him and his teammates.

"They give us good advice," Smith said. "They were stars themselves in high school, so I know they can help us become the best players we can be."

Junior Cherry said the coaches are showing the Patriots the right way to play the game.

"They're teaching us how to shoot and when we do stuff wrong, they help us learn how to get better," Cherry said. "They're good coaches."

Javon Williams said both help him in different ways.

"Josh helped me with attitude and controlling my emotions on the court," Williams said. "Dory helps me with contact layups, getting me to finish better.”

Dawson said he still has dreams to continue his pro basketball career, but is having a good time leading the next generation on the sidelines.

“I definitely want to play basketball and it’s a dream of mine, but I do enjoy coaching,” Dawson said. “Life goes on and when you’re striving for your goals you’ve got to have a Plan B. Coaching is something I’ve wanted to do after my career was over, but right now it feels good to just give back to Kinston — not just with money, but being able to give these kids time. That’s the important part.

“I want all of these guys to be better than me. I want them all to be able to go to school for free, whether it’s athletically or academically.”