Lady Vikings hold off Lady Blue Devils 56-25

In a pivotal conference matchup, Kinston High School’s girls’ basketball team notched a significant 56-25 victory over South Lenoir, underlining their upward trajectory this season. Guided by Coach Christopher Bradshaw, the Vikings displayed a blend of skill and emerging talent, signifying their potential in the conference circuit.

The game started on a closely contested note with Kinston leading 14-10 at the end of the first quarter. However, the Vikings swiftly gained momentum, launching into a commanding 42-15 run. The team’s depth shone through, with ten players contributing to the score. Aukeyvia Keys was a bucket for the Vikings, leading the scoring with 12 points, which included four three-pointers.

Speaking about the team’s performance, Coach Bradshaw highlighted the importance of this victory. “This win is something to build on. East Duplin and Southwest Onslow are solid teams, but I feel we can definitely compete with everyone else,” he said. His remarks underscore the team’s growing confidence and their ability to stand up to formidable opponents.

Bradshaw also touched on the recent improvements in the team dynamics and practice sessions. “The last three weeks have probably been our best all year,” he observed. “Now, some of the girls that are young are stepping up with more experiences and starting to have confidence in themselves.” This growth in confidence and skill among the younger players is a key factor in Kinston’s recent successes.

For South Lenoir, the game posed challenges but also provided learning opportunities. Lexy Heath led the scoring for South Lenoir with 8 points. Their first-year head coach Zack Pierce reflected on the ongoing process of team-building. “I’m having to rebuild and struggle with the growing pains right now,” Pierce said, emphasizing the focus on developing a strong team culture and work ethic. He also noted the improvement of individual players, saying, “Lexy Heath, in her third year playing basketball, is probably our most improved player.”

Pierce remained optimistic about the team’s prospects. “It’s hard because I am competitive and I want to win, but right now we have to fix our culture. We have to give effort, compete, not quit, and continue to build on the culture foundations for the future,” he explained. Despite the current challenges, Pierce believes in the team’s potential to compete this season, including making the playoffs.

The win elevates Kinston to a 9-6 overall record and 1-3 in the conference, indicating their preparedness for the upcoming challenges. Conversely, South Lenoir’s record now stands at 5-8 and 1-3 in the conference, but their focus remains steadfast on improvement and building a winning culture..