Kinston Overpowers South Lenoir, Secures 21st Win in Conference Tournament Opener

Kinston Overpowers South Lenoir, Secures 21st Win in Conference Tournament Opener

For the eighth time in the past 20 years, the Kinston girls' basketball team has hit the 20-win mark. Their latest milestone came in dominant fashion as the Vikings cruised past South Lenoir, 59-25, in the first round of the East Central Conference Tournament.

The win improved Kinston to 21-3, but with inclement weather expected to hit the area, it could end up being their last game in the tournament. If so, the Vikings certainly left their mark with a second-half performance that showcased their depth, defensive pressure, and ability to adjust when it mattered most.

"We are who we are," Coach Christopher Bradshaw said. "We feel teams out in the first half, then we come out in the third quarter, get our feet under us, and put our foot on the gas."

That’s exactly what happened.

Kinston opened the game on a 12-0 run, appearing poised for an early blowout. However, South Lenoir responded with a 13-6 stretch that cut the lead to just five points. By halftime, Kinston led 20-13, but the Vikings knew they needed to make adjustments.

The second half belonged to Kinston.

With the Vikings leading 28-18 in the third quarter, junior guard Ariyona Willis drilled a momentum-shifting three-pointer. Moments later, K’Niyah Whitfield followed with a three of her own. From that point forward, Kinston never looked back. The defensive intensity ramped up, led by the full-court press Bradshaw implemented, and South Lenoir struggled to keep pace.

The Vikings' offensive balance was on full display, with 10 different players scoring. Aleah Hill was the only player in double figures, finishing with 14 points, but Kinston’s depth was a key factor. After scoring just 20 points in the first half, they exploded for 19 in the third quarter and 20 more in the fourth.

"As a team, we did good," Willis said. "I focus mainly on defense, but our whole team has energy. After halftime, we picked it up, and when we all have energy, it lifts our defense."

Willis’ energy wasn't just on the defensive end—her timely shooting provided the spark Kinston needed.

"That shot felt good," Willis said of her pivotal three-pointer. "It got us rolling."

Whitfield, one of Kinston’s leaders, also delivered when it mattered.

"The coaches count on me to do what I do," she said. "They call me ‘The Show Stopper,’ so I’m going to stop the show (laughs) when we need stops."

The defense set the tone in the second half, but rebounding played a key role as well. Willow Gardner took pride in her ability to crash the glass and create second-chance opportunities.

"Me getting down and making the plays my team needed from me—it really gives me a lot of pride," Gardner said. "I felt like we did good as a team. In the beginning, we were strong, but in the second half, we were a lot stronger."

Bradshaw was proud of the way his team responded after a sluggish first half.

"They played great basketball in the second half—great defense," he emphasized.

For Willis, the challenge is maintaining confidence, something Bradshaw continues to push her on.

"She just has to have confidence in herself," Bradshaw said. "She plays point guard, she has to defend the top guard on the other team, and her energy level is always on the highest level. But there’s no doubt she can shoot the basketball. If she shoots well moving forward, we’re going to be a really hard team to beat."

While the status of the conference tournament remains uncertain, Kinston’s postseason aspirations are clear. The Vikings have established themselves as a force in the East Central Conference, and with their ability to turn up the pressure when it counts, they’ll be a dangerous opponent in the state playoffs.

For a program that has been a model of consistency over the past two decades, the formula remains the same—play tough defense, share the ball, and trust the process.

And if Tuesday night was any indication, Kinston is right on track.