The Vikings Smother Rams for the 30-Point Win
A couple things that are guaranteed in life is death, taxes and coach Perry Tyndall having players flying all over the place playing defense. The Kinston Vikings used their defense to overpower Greene Central with a commanding 69-39 victory.
This early-season matchup, which saw both teams eager to bounce back from opening losses, quickly turned into a showcase of Kinston's defensive mastery. The Vikings, rebounding from a 69-61 defeat to Northern Nash, and the Rams, looking to recover from a 63-53 loss to Eastern Wayne, both entered the game with high hopes. However, it was Kinston's relentless defense that became the story of the night, overshadowing Greene Central's efforts and setting the tone for the game.
From the outset, Kinston's strategy was clear: apply unyielding pressure and force turnovers. This approach paid dividends, particularly after the first quarter, where the Rams initially kept pace, ending the opening period trailing just slightly at 15-13. Keyshawn Herring, Kinston's promising freshman, opened the scoring with a three-pointer and finished with 10 points, signaling the start of what would be a long night for the Rams.
As the game progressed, Greene Central struggled to find answers to Kinston's smothering defense. The Vikings' on-ball pressure was a spectacle in itself, leading to an astonishing 32 turnovers by the Rams. This defensive intensity allowed Kinston to pull away significantly in the second quarter, with senior Kahlil Sanders contributing 6 of his total 11 points, helping extend the lead to 32-24 by halftime.
The second half only intensified the Vikings' dominance. Kinston capitalized on Greene Central's strategy of rotating a 12-man bench, unleashing a staggering 35-14 run that effectively sealed the game. The Vikings' ability to take advantage of the Rams' substitutions highlighted not just their defensive strength but also their killer instinct.
Kinston's victory was a team effort, with Khalid Sanders also scoring 11 points. Despite the loss, Greene Central's DJ Williams led all scorers with 14 points, followed by teammate Kimez Coppedge with 8.
Reflecting on the game, Kinston's Coach Perry Tyndall praised his team's adaptability.
"I thought we battled once we settled in. In the first six minutes, we just did not do anything that we coached on the scouting report. Once we settled in, we were able to force turnovers, and it got contagious," he said, underscoring the team's ability to execute their game plan effectively.
Kahlil Sanders echoed his coach's sentiments, focusing on the team's defensive unity. "We help the helper, we played great defense, we all just worked together as a team, we all just locked in and decided this is what we wanted, and we went out there and got some stops," he remarked, highlighting the collective defensive effort.
Looking forward, Greene Central faces a quick turnaround with a game against Eastern Wayne at home, while Kinston prepares for their first home game against JH Rose on Friday. This game will undoubtedly serve as a benchmark for Kinston's defensive capabilities and a reminder for Greene Central of the challenges ahead. As the season progresses, both teams have much to reflect on and build upon from this encounter.
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