Hawks Continue Rivalry Run with Home Win Over South Lenoir
Rivalry games rarely need extra motivation, but North Lenoir continues to treat meetings with South Lenoir as business as usual.
The Hawks earned their fifth straight win over the Blue Devils on Friday night, pulling away for a 46–38 victory at home and improving their long-term edge in the series to 12 wins in the last 14 meetings.
North Lenoir didn’t rely on one surge or one moment. Instead, the Hawks built control early and never fully let it go. A 16-point first quarter set the pace, and even as South Lenoir tried to answer with perimeter shooting later in the game, North Lenoir consistently found ways to respond.
Sophomore point guard Cassidee Fraser was the steady force throughout, finishing with a game-high 18 points. Junior Ta’Sheena Lynch added 11 points, giving the Hawks a reliable inside-outside combination. Amiah Samples scored five points, while Kennedi Starkie, Teriana Newkirk, and Sienna Robinson each contributed four in a balanced effort.
South Lenoir’s push came from beyond the arc. After scoring 14 points in the first half, the Blue Devils found momentum in the third quarter, knocking down four three-pointers — two from senior Makenzie Herring and two from senior Mariah Allison. That stretch trimmed the margin and briefly brought energy back to the rivalry matchup.
Herring led South Lenoir with 11 points, all highlighted by three makes from long range. Allison finished with nine points, also all from three. Mikayla Hill and Zari Cobb each scored three points, while Janna Outlaw added two. Eight of South Lenoir’s nine made field goals came from behind the arc, and the Blue Devils were perfect at the free-throw line, going 2-for-2.
North Lenoir answered the third-quarter surge by closing strong. The Hawks scored 15 points in the fourth quarter and went 10-for-17 at the free-throw line to seal the win and keep their rival at arm’s length.
The result followed the same script as the first meeting this season, when North Lenoir earned a 53–33 win over South Lenoir.
With the victory, the Hawks move to 3–3 on the season and return to action Saturday afternoon with a 4 p.m. home matchup against Kinston High. South Lenoir falls to 0–5 and will look for a reset when it faces Farmville Central on December 27.
