Kinston Girls Extend Streak Over Greene Central to 28 With Dominant 56-33 Win

KINSTON, N.C. — Kinston High School continued its dominance over Greene Central on Thursday night, defeating the Rams 56-33 to secure their 28th consecutive victory in the series. Sophomore forward J’Riyana Edwards set the tone early with her aggressive play in the paint, leading the Vikings to a commanding performance on both ends of the court. The win keeps Kinston undefeated at 6-0, while Greene Central drops to 4-1.

Greene Central briefly held the lead in the first quarter, as An’nysha Wooten and Janiyah Sutton gave the Rams an early spark. Edwards, however, was instrumental for Kinston in the opening frame, scoring six points to help the Vikings finish the quarter with an 11-9 lead.

“I told my girls, defense wins basketball games, and I think they played defense all four quarters,” Kinston head coach Chris Bradshaw said.

The Vikings took control in the second quarter, outscoring Greene Central 17-5 with contributions from Aleah Hill, Nashayla Mason, and Edwards. Kinston’s defense clamped down, forcing turnovers and limiting the Rams’ ability to generate second-chance opportunities. By halftime, Kinston held a commanding 28-14 lead.

“We kind of eased in during the first quarter,” Bradshaw said. “In the second quarter, we started doing what we do and settled in. We had a 15-point lead going into halftime, and that’s a good spot to be in.”

Coming out of the break, Kinston maintained their intensity, matching their second-quarter output with another 17 points in the third. Hill showcased her scoring touch, and Mason added key baskets to stretch the lead. Despite a solid effort from Wooten, who dominated the boards with 20 rebounds and chipped in 10 points, Greene Central struggled to find offensive consistency. The Rams managed just 14 points in the third quarter and five in the fourth, unable to mount a comeback.

Bradshaw emphasized the importance of communication and teamwork in the Vikings’ success.
“Sharing the basketball is the biggest thing,” he said. “If someone is open, make the extra pass. We’ve got a lot of scorers, rebounders, defenders, and girls who can do it all. It’s about everyone doing their job.”

Edwards finished with 12 points, Mason finished with 11 while Hill led Kinston with 16 points. Whitfield added nine points off the bench, providing valuable depth for a team that prides itself on balance.

On the other side, Wooten’s standout performance was complemented by seven points from senior Sykiah Lancaster and six points from Sutton. However, Greene Central couldn’t overcome their scoring struggles, particularly in the second and fourth quarters, where they combined for just 10 points.

Bradshaw praised his team’s ability to adapt and execute as the game progressed.
“I’m happy about this win,” he said. “We settled in and did what we needed to do to get it done.”

The Vikings’ defensive effort was evident throughout the game, holding Greene Central to just 33 points—well below their season average of 59. Meanwhile, Kinston’s offense continued to thrive, averaging 61 points per game this season.

Kinston, ranked seventh in the 2A East RPI standings, will look to build on their undefeated record as they head deeper into conference play. Greene Central, ranked 12th, will regroup and aim to bounce back in their next outing.

With their 28th straight win against the Rams, the Vikings remain a force in Eastern North Carolina basketball, showing the depth, communication, and defensive discipline that continue to make them one of the top programs in the state.