First Flight hits 23 3-pointers in win over Ayden-Grifton

FARMVILLE — Kill Devil Hills First Flight took the opportunity to redeem itself against another Eastern Carolina 2A opponent.

The Nighthawks defeated Ayden-Grifton, 93-64, Monday in the Martin Luther King Jr. Invitational at Farmville Central. First Flight (9-7) fell to Kinston 72-53 on Dec. 8 in the Good Guys vs. Cancer Showcase, but recovered with a sensational 3-point shooting display against the Chargers (6-9).

First Flight went 10-of-30 from beyond the arc against the Vikings, but hit 23-of-58 vs. Ayden-Grifton.

"We've been playing really well lately," Nighthawks coach Chad Williams said. "Not to make excuses, but against a very good defensive team in Kinston, we didn't have our legs after a (double-overtime) game the night before.

“Today, I thought we did a great job playing to our abilities and hit some good shots."

James' Richardson's two free throws put Ayden-Grifton ahead 4-3, but Dylan Blake's 3-pointer sparked an 11-3 run to give the Nighthawks a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Blake hit four of his eight perimeter shots in the first quarter and First Flight took a 42-26 halftime lead after hitting 10 3s.

"We shared the ball well and it didn't matter who scored," Blake said. "It was all about getting the best shot."

The Chargers didn’t get closer than 12 in the second half as the Nighthawks continued their assault from beyond the arc. First Flight hit 13 of 27 3-pointers in the second half and went up by as many as 29.

Ayden-Grifton coach John Moye said he hadn't seen a team like First Flight, and the focus has to shift with a road game against Greene Central Tuesday.

"(First Flight) had 69 points in threes and a lot of those were contested," Moye said. "It doesn't help that they had second and third chances either. They were on a (different) level and did what they do well.

"For us, (Tuesday) is a big conference game for us. We have to be ready and take it possession by possession."

FIRST FLIGHT 93, AYDEN-GRIFTON 64

FF        22           20           20           31—93

AG       14         12           19              19—64

FIRST FLIGHT — Dylan Blake 25, Jordan High 23, Reese Jones 19, Witt 6, Grissom 4, Davidson 3, Torchia 3, Lutz 2, Bell 2, Kitchen 2, Nobles 2, Savona 2

AYDEN-GRIFTON — James Richardson 16, Christian Sharouse 12, Gunter 8, Harris 7, Tufts 6, Wright 6, Mitchell 4, Connell 3, Powell 2

Fouled out: None.

Technical fouls: None.

Three-pointers: FF — Blake 8, High 5, Jones 5, Witt 2, Davidson, Grissom, Torchia. AG — Wright 2, Sharouse 2, Tufts 2, Connell.