Girl's Game Preview: Kinston (5-0) vs. Greene Central (4-0)
Game Preview: Kinston (5-0) vs. Greene Central (4-0)
Kinston Vikings
Record: 5-0
RPI (2A East): 7th (.656)
Points Per Game (PPG): 61.0
Points Allowed Per Game: 33.2
Rebounds Per Game: 35.0
Assists Per Game: 9.4
Steals Per Game: 20.6
Blocks Per Game: 2.6
Free Throws Made/Attempted: 42/87
Free Throw Percentage: 48.3%
Three-Pointers Made: 30 (6 per game)
Fouls Per Game: 17.4
Team Makeup:
1 Freshman, 5 Sophomores, 4 Juniors, 0 Seniors
Starting Five:
#23 Aleah Hill (SO): 15.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2 apg, 4.8 spg, 1.2 bpg
#2 Nashayla Mason (SO): 11.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.8 apg, 3.4 spg
#1 Ariyonna Willis (JR): 9.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.6 apg, 3.0 spg
#25 J’Riyana Edwards (FR): 7.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg
#0 America Lloyd (SO): 6.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.2 spg
Bench Production (5 Players):
Madison Greene, K’Nyah Whitfield, Willow Gardner, Zikiya Philyaw, Cayla Dunk
11.8 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 5.9 spg, 0.2 bpg
Greene Central Rams
Record: 4-0
RPI (2A East): 12th (.584)
Points Per Game (PPG): 59.0
Points Allowed Per Game: 39.5
Rebounds Per Game: 40.0
Steals Per Game: 12.7
Blocks Per Game: 6.7
Fouls Per Game: 12.0
Free Throws Made/Attempted: 24/42
Free Throw Percentage: 57.1%
Three-Pointers Made: 13 (2.6 per game)
Team Makeup:
0 Freshmen, 4 Sophomores, 2 Juniors, 2 Seniors
Starting Five:
#13 Sykiah Lancaster (SR): 18.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.7 spg
#22 An’nysha Wooten (JR): 12.3 ppg, 19.0 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.7 spg, 2.0 bpg
#25 Janiyah Sutton (SO): 10.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.3 apg, 3.7 spg
#11 Arlisha Mason (SR): 9.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 4.7 apg, 2.7 spg
#30 Jayce Russell (JR): 5.3 ppg, 9.7 rpg
Bench Production (2 Players):
Jazmine Davis, Kharma Schuster
3.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.7 bpg
Strengths and Keys to the Game
Kinston’s Strengths:
Defensive Dominance: Allowing just 33.2 points per game, Kinston thrives on stifling opposing offenses and forcing turnovers (20.6 steals per game).
Three-Point Shooting: Averaging six made threes per game, Kinston can stretch the floor and force Greene Central’s defense out of the paint.
Depth: A productive bench provides Kinston with fresh legs and balanced contributions, adding 11.8 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.
Greene Central’s Strengths:
Rebounding Machine: Greene Central averages 40 rebounds per game, led by Wooten’s remarkable 19 per game, giving them a significant edge on the boards.
Efficient Defense: With 12.7 steals and 6.7 blocks per game, Greene Central protects the rim and disrupts offensive flow effectively.
Discipline and Free Throws: Committing only 12 fouls per game and shooting 57.1% from the free-throw line, Greene Central minimizes mistakes and capitalizes on opportunities at the line.
What Will Be the Difference?
Rebounding Battle: Greene Central’s rebounding prowess, particularly with Wooten (19 rpg) and Russell (9.7 rpg), will challenge Kinston’s edge on the boards (35 rpg). Second-chance points could tip the scale.
Turnovers and Transition: Both teams excel at forcing turnovers (Kinston 20.6 spg, Greene Central 12.7 spg), so the team that protects the ball better will have a significant advantage. Kinston full court press is dangerous.
Summary
With both teams bringing unique strengths, the matchup is set to be a thrilling battle of contrasting styles. Greene Central’s inside dominance and defensive efficiency will face off against Kinston’s depth and three-point shooting. Tip-off is Thursday night at Kinston High School, and fans can expect an exciting contest between two undefeated teams vying for local bragging rights.
