Kinston junior guard Michyla Dove (11) brings the ball up the court against Wilmington New Hanover in Saturday’s 50-46 victory for the Vikings. Photo by Linda Whittington / Neuse News

By Bryan Hanks

WILMINGTON – Kinston’s varsity basketball teams completed a whirlwind road trip in different manners as the girls rallied to defeat Wilmington New Hanover, 50-46, while the boys dropped a tough 59-57 decision.

Saturday marked the fourth road game in five days for the Viking squads – both teams swept North Lenoir on Tuesday, Goldsboro on Wednesday, South Lenoir on Friday and split Saturday’s excursion to Wilmington.

The Kinston girls jumped out to a double-digit first quarter lead before the Wildcats (8-8) rallied to make a game of it. The teams exchanged the lead several times in the second half before Sheriece Jones hit her final three free throws – and five-of-seven in the fourth quarter – to seal Kinston’s ninth consecutive victory that helped them improve to 14-5 overall.

“It’s been a tough week, but our coaches have done a good job of keeping the girls focused,” Kinston coach Christopher Bradshaw said.

Freshman point guard Andrehya Shuford had 24 points to lead New Hanover. However, she only hit three field goals in the second half, thanks to some smothering defense from Vikings junior guard Quiara Powell.

“She came in and played some great basketball,” Bradshaw said of Powell. “She did exactly what she had to do – came in and took the ball away from (Shuford).”

Junior forward Taliyah Jones scored 12 of her 15 points in the second half to lead the Vikings to the win, while Sheriece Jones had 10 and junior center Anzaria Cobb added 10 points and seven rebounds.

In the boys’ game, Kinston (14-6) led 18-14 at the end of the first quarter and 29-26 at halftime before New Hanover (11-7) took a 42-40 lead after three quarters. The Vikings tied the game at 57-57 with 15.2 seconds remaining on a traditional three-point play by junior point guard Isaac Parson, but New Hanover senior forward Jameric McDonald answered with two free throws with 12 seconds showing on the clock.

However, Kinston turned the ball over on its final possession in its own frontcourt and was unable to foul a New Hanover player.

“Nobody deserved to lose today’s game,” Wildcats coach Kirk Angel said. “We’re real young and (Kinston) is too. I have mostly freshmen and sophomores and they’re finally figuring out how to play.”

The Wildcats were led by senior guard Jalen Anderson’s 18 points, while McDonald (13 points) and junior point guard Scotty Deffinbaugh came off the bench to add 10.

Kinston received another stellar effort from sophomore forward Dontrez Styles, who had 17 points, 15 rebounds and four blocked shots. Parson also had a strong showing, scoring 13 points and doling out seven assists, along with five rebounds and three steals.

Although Kinston coach Perry Tyndall wasn’t pleased with the loss, he was happy with the way his team competed.

“I told our guys before the game this was going to be a tough test … and it really was,” Tyndall said. “If you paid money to watch this game, you watched a great game. Unfortunately, we were on the wrong end of the (result), but I thought our guys did a lot of good things.”

Both Kinston squads return to action Tuesday when they host Greene Central at Viking Gymnasium.

“The atmosphere of our games with them has really turned into a neat high school environment,” Tyndall said. “We’re going to have to play really, really well.”

BOYS

New Hanover 59, Kinston 57

K          18        11        11        17        --         57

NH       14        12        16        17        --         59

K: Dontrez Styles 17, Isaac Parson 13, London 8, McBynum 7, Minott 6, Koonce 4, Roberts 2. NH: Jalen Anderson 18, Jameric McDonald 13, Scott Deffinbaugh 10, Barnett 7, J. Marshall 4, Baynard 4, Lewis 2, Myers 1.

GIRLS

Kinston 50, New Hanover 46

K          16        6          14        14        --         50

NH       7          13        12        14        --         46

K: Taliyah Jones 15, Sheriece Jones 10, Anzaria Cobb 10, Andrews 6, Powell 4, Dove 3, Baker 2. NH: Andrehya Shuford 24, Kybreah Bryant 12, Ingram 5, Marshall 2, Hill 2, Jennings 1.