Kinston Advances to FCA Winter Classic Championship with Second-Half Surge
Kinston Advances to FCA Winter Classic Championship with Second-Half Surge
KINSTON, N.C. — The Kinston Vikings continued their undefeated season, improving to 8-0 with a dominant 48-22 win over North Duplin (5-3) in the FCA Winter Classic semifinals at Lenoir Community College on Saturday. Kinston will face Eastern Wayne (4-5) in the tournament championship Monday night at 7:00 p.m.
The Vikings’ victory over North Duplin was a tale of two halves. Kinston led by just one point at halftime, 13-12, before exploding in the second half with a 35-10 run that sealed the game. The team’s defensive intensity and balanced offensive attack proved too much for North Duplin to handle.
“We played flat in the first half,” Kinston head coach Chris Bradshaw said. “We didn’t make shots. We were 0-for-8 from behind the arc in the first half. You’re going to have games where you struggle offensively, but you can’t struggle defensively. That’s basically what I told them at halftime, and they responded.”
Sophomore Aleah Hill led the Vikings with 16 points and 8 steals in the win. America Lloyd added a double-double with 10 points, 12 rebounds, 6 steals, and 2 blocks, anchoring Kinston on both ends of the court.
“All but one player scored, and the biggest thing about that is everyone impacts the game in other ways,” Bradshaw said. “You might not score the basketball, but you’ve got to keep a mindset to do whatever it takes to help your team win.”
Kinston’s defense shined once again, forcing numerous turnovers and creating transition opportunities. Their ability to adjust after a slow first half has become a hallmark of their season, as evidenced by the staggering second-half improvement.
The Vikings’ path to the championship began with a first-round victory over Rosewood (2-4), 56-22. In that game, Kinston showcased its depth with eight different players contributing to the scoring. Nashayla Mason led the team with 14 points, while America Lloyd grabbed 7 rebounds, Madison Greene tallied 7 steals, and K’Nyah Whitfield added 6 steals.
Now, Kinston will turn its attention to Eastern Wayne, who reached the championship after defeating North Lenoir in the first round and Greene Central 42-31 in the semifinals.
The Vikings aim to secure the tournament title Monday night and extend their perfect start to the season. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at Lenoir Community College.
