Kinston Dominates Second Half to Roll Past North Lenoir, 93-56
Kinston Dominates Second Half to Roll Past North Lenoir, 93-56
WHEAT SWAMP, N.C. – In a game that started with intensity and energy from both teams, Kinston turned a competitive first half into a statement victory, blowing past North Lenoir 93-56 on Wednesday night.
The Vikings (12-3) entered the rivalry matchup looking to bounce back from a sluggish second half in their previous game, and they responded with an explosive second-half performance, outscoring the Hawks 56-25 after halftime. North Lenoir (4-14) came out with a strong effort, keeping pace in the first half and trailing just 37-31 at the break behind an impressive showing from Cristian Veal.
Veal was a force for the Hawks, draining five three-pointers and finishing with a game-high 19 points. His hot shooting, especially in the second quarter, helped North Lenoir stay within striking distance. Seven different Hawks found the basket in the first half as they matched Kinston’s early energy.
But as the second half began, Kinston showed why it remains a conference contender. The Vikings erupted for 30 points in the third quarter and added 26 more in the fourth, turning what was once a tight contest into a runaway victory.
Jemarion Washington led the first-half charge for Kinston, scoring 11 of his 17 points early. But one of the biggest sparks came from Genesis Wiggins, who poured in 15 points in his return to North Lenoir, the school he previously attended.
Coach Tyndall on the Rivalry Atmosphere and Team Effort
Kinston head coach Perry Tyndall emphasized the unique environment of playing at North Lenoir, where the energy in the gym adds to the intensity of the matchup.
"You don’t get a lot of opportunities to play in high school environments like this. It’s always a fun place to come and play because of the atmosphere—everyone is on top of you, it’s small, and it’s fun," Tyndall said.
Tyndall was also pleased with how his team responded after what he considered a lackluster second half in their previous outing.
"I am really proud of my guys tonight for turning around and playing with some intensity and joy after a letdown in the second half last night," he said. "That’s what Kinston basketball is. It always has been. You can’t rely on just one person. It’s about strength in numbers, and it has always been like that ever since I have been here—that’s the beauty of it."
Players React to the Victory
Washington set the tone early and kept his approach simple when describing his performance.
"I just played hard," he said.
He also highlighted his aggressive mindset in attacking the paint.
"Once I get in the paint, they can't stop me," Washington added.
For Wiggins, the matchup against his former team was all about focus.
"I just tried to play it like another game, just trying to win with my team," Wiggins said.
Looking ahead to the postseason, Wiggins emphasized discipline as a key factor for the Vikings’ success.
"We just need to be disciplined. Coach tells us rebounding, boxing out, and playing defense, and I believe in it," he said.
North Lenoir Coach Loftin Reflects on the Game
North Lenoir head coach Anthony Loftin acknowledged his team’s strong start but credited Kinston’s relentless pressure for wearing his team down.
"I thought we had a good beginning, but they kept coming and kept pressure on us and wore us down," Loftin said.
Despite the lopsided final score, Loftin remained proud of his team’s fight.
"I am proud of our boys. I felt like we played really hard up until the last four minutes of the game," he said. "I thought we did some good things, and I thought they exposed us on some stuff."
