Kinston pulls away late to top Goldsboro, 80-67, to close Brandon Ingram Invitational
Kinston pulls away late to top Goldsboro, 80-67, to close Brandon Ingram Invitational
HERRING, WASHINGTON LEAD VIKINGS AS RIVALRY REMAINS EVEN
KINSTON — In a rivalry that has become one of the most competitive matchups in Eastern North Carolina, Kinston delivered its most complete performance of the season Friday night, pulling away in the second half for an 80-67 win over Goldsboro in the final game of the Brandon Ingram Invitational at Kinston High School.
The victory pushed Kinston to 9-1 overall and marked its fifth straight win since a loss to 6A Northern Nash. Goldsboro, which entered the night riding a nine-game winning streak, slipped to 11-3.
For all the history between the two programs, Friday night followed a familiar script early. The teams have now split their last four meetings, each side claiming two wins, a testament to not only the talent on the floor but the coaching on both benches.
Kinston head coach Perry Tyndall, a multi-time state championship winner, squared off against Goldsboro’s Jamaal Croom — a Kinston alum who has built the Cougars into a perennial winner. Croom, now in his eighth season, entered the game with a 160-39 record and has never had a losing season as a head coach.
Kinston wasted little time setting the tone.
Behind a fast start from Keyshawn Herring and Jamarion Washington, the Vikings jumped out to a 23-14 lead after the first quarter. Herring scored 11 points in the opening frame, while Washington added eight as Kinston attacked early and confidently.
Goldsboro responded in the second quarter, erupting for 23 points of its own. Senior wing Maurice Tyler knocked down two key three-pointers as the Cougars found rhythm offensively, but every surge was met with an answer. Herring drilled a pair of three-pointers, and Washington took control offensively, scoring 13 points in the quarter to send Kinston into halftime with a 43-37 advantage.
The separation came after the break.
Kinston tightened up defensively and pushed the pace, outscoring Goldsboro 22-13 in the third quarter to build a 65-50 lead heading into the fourth. From there, the Vikings managed the game, extending the margin when needed and closing out the 80-67 win.
Washington was named the game’s MVP after finishing with 29 points. Herring followed with 25 points, including four made three-pointers, giving Kinston a dominant one-two scoring punch.
“I was feeling good, just going through the motion,” Washington said. “Since the Northern Nash game, we been working hard. Coach has been pushing us every day at practice.”
Herring echoed that confidence from the perimeter.
“When I see the first one go in, I just kept shooting,” he said. “Coach told me to keep shooting.”
Goldsboro was led by junior big man Seven Pounds, who scored 18 points, while senior guard Nehemiah McNair added 16. Despite the loss, Croom pointed to effort and execution as the deciding factors.
“It’s just effort. We got to finish plays and do a better job on the defensive end,” Croom said. “It came down to a team that wanted it more, and tonight Kinston wanted it more.”
The night carried added meaning for Croom, who once walked the same halls as a Kinston player.
“It is always great to come back and walking through these halls,” he said. “It’s always a surreal moment to know I am a part of this winning history, see all my old coaches and old teammates.”
Croom added that growth remains the focus moving forward.
“We just gotta be better — be better across the board, be better teammates, take the coaching better,” he said.
Tyndall praised his team’s discipline and growth, particularly against a program he holds in high regard.
“We really played the best game we have played this year,” Tyndall said. “We chipped away at just playing smarter. We did a lot of great things against a great Goldsboro team, against another guy that is from here, Coach Croom, who is an awesome coach and is just doing an awesome job with that program.”
Goldsboro will look to bounce back Monday when it faces Terry Sanford, while Kinston returns to action Tuesday with a road trip to North Lenoir.
