Kinston defeats South Lenoir in boys', girls' basketball

DEEP RUN | Kinston has dealt with a lot of adversity lately, but continues to shine.

The Vikings defeated South Lenoir 69-44 Friday, pulling away in the second quarter. Kinston (14-5, 5-2 Eastern Carolina Conference) has played five games since Jan. 18, with a trip to New Hanover Saturday.

"This has been a brutal stretch for us, playing six games in nine days," Kinston coach Perry Tyndall said. "It puts us in a tough situation, but we got to play a lot of guys, which helps rest legs. Give (South Lenoir coach) Jeremy Barnett a lot of credit; they came out very scrappy and we were able to chip away."

South Lenoir (3-14, 0-7) got within 8-7 late in the first quarter after a Donte Ellis runner, but Kinston went on a 8-0 run highlighted by a pair of baskets from Dontrez Styles. The Vikings had a 13-point lead, but an Ellis 3-pointer and Damani Raines layup cut the Blue Devils deficit to 25-17 heading into the break.

Ultimately, Kinston's depth was too much for South Lenoir. The Vikings had 13 players score and had 38 points off the bench, led by Shamon Wooten's 13.

"I felt pretty good coming off the bench and I'm working to get back into the starting lineup," Wooten said.

The Blue Devils couldn't get within seven in the second half as the Vikings extended their lead to 26.

"We've got to keep working and trying to be the best basketball players we can be," Barnett said. "The guys play hard, but we are undersized and a good team like Kinston is going to take advantage of that."

Isaac Parson had 10 points for Kinston while Jensen Barwick totaled 10 for South Lenoir.

In the girls' game, the Vikings overwhelmed the Blue Devils in a 52-21 victory. Half of Kinston's points came off the bench, including 15 from Zykia Andrews.

"In the Goldsboro game (Wednesday) we had the opportunity to play a lot of girls, so everyone's legs were fresh," Kinston coach Christopher Bradshaw said. "We have great depth, so we didn't miss a beat. It was a solid night and we still have work to do, but it's always good to get a win."

Taliyah Jones and Anzaryia Cobb scored the points in an 8-2 run to open the game for Kinston (13-5, 7-0). The Blue Devils (8-9, 2-5) got within two on a Taniejah Mitchell free throw, but Kinston took over with a 20-2 run. 

Andrews hit four 3-pointers in the first half as the Vikings took a 30-10 halftime lead. The junior said the team hasn't been rattled playing its fifth game in eight days.

"This has been a tough stretch, but we're still going to play hard and get ready for the fourth game (tomorrow)," Andrews said.

The Vikings pushed their lead to 33 in the second half and eight players scored. Jones, Michyla Dove and Khalia Hargett each provided eight points each as the ball was distributed well all game.

"It was teamwork, hustling and just working together (that helped us)," Hargett said.

South Lenoir coach Donald Mooring said the focus has to move toward the next game.

"We have to come in Monday and look at the tape for Ayden-Grifton," Mooring said. "We got outworked in all facets of the game, and you can't do that against a team like Kinston."

Gralicia Jenkins led South Lenoir with nine points.