Kinston Girls Basketball is on the Rise! — Neuse News Sports

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Kinston Girls Basketball is on the Rise!

Kinston Girls Basketball is on the Rise!

Photos by William Hardy

KINSTON — The buzz surrounding Kinston High School’s girls basketball team isn’t just hype—it’s hard-earned. After two years of steady progress, including a 10-16 campaign two seasons ago and a .500 record (13-13) last year, the Vikings are off to a sizzling 2-0 start. With a roster blending youthful energy and developing leadership, Kinston may be on the cusp of something special.

Tuesday night, the Vikings showed why they’re quickly becoming a force, dismantling West Carteret 57-29 in a balanced and relentless team effort. Eight different players scored, with sophomore Aleah Hill leading the charge with 18 points. Fellow sophomore Nashayla Mason lit up the second half with three three-pointers, finishing with 13 points. Junior J’Riyana Edwards controlled the paint, scoring eight points while frustrating West Carteret’s interior game.

“We’ve got ten girls on the team, and I feel like I play all ten,” head coach Chris Bradshaw said. “They are great teammates—no egos. It’s a joy to be able to coach these girls.”

This year’s Vikings are comprised of one freshman, five sophomores, and four juniors—a dynamic that gives the team both long-term promise and immediate versatility. Junior Ariyonna Willis, who led the team in scoring during their opener, has been a key figure, while players like America Lloyd adds versatility and K’Niyah Whitfield adds grit and determination. Junior Willow Gardener made her season debut Tuesday, contributing four points and showcasing the depth that has Bradshaw so optimistic.

But it’s not just the individual talent that makes this team stand out. It’s how they work together.

“I told them this is one of the most exciting times that I have coached girls’ basketball,” Bradshaw said. “Because of the way they cheer for each other. They are genuinely loving each other and supporting each other in every situation.”

West Carteret had no answers for Kinston’s full-court press. The Vikings held the Patriots to single-digit scoring in all four quarters, including just five points in the first and six in the fourth. The defensive intensity, combined with constant substitutions, kept Kinston fresh and West Carteret overwhelmed.

“The good thing about these girls is I’ve got a lot of girls that love the game of basketball, that want to be in the gym every day,” Bradshaw said. “Every day, they are locked in. I don’t have practices where we don’t have a good practice. We’ve got different teammates being leaders and often communicating.”

That depth, Bradshaw believes, could be the team’s greatest strength.

“I have 10 girls that are number-one options,” he said. “Each girl brings something to the team. I feel like the girls that come in as the second group could be starters in other programs, but they have accepted their role.”

Kinston’s steady improvement is undeniable. In just three years, the program has grown from rebuilding to competitive, and now, it feels poised for something greater. With a roster as deep as it is talented and a culture of selflessness and camaraderie, the Vikings have all the ingredients to make this season one to remember.

How good can they be? That’s the question lingering over a team that seems to improve every time it steps on the court. One thing is certain: the Vikings are locked in, and the rest of the region should take notice.


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