GCMS improved to 4-1 (4-0 conference) with a 45-27 win over Chicod, pulling away late after a tight game behind strong performances from Kam Jones and Josiah Joyner.

A packed week of local sports features NNS live shows, key basketball and wrestling matchups across the county, and Kinston’s 3A State Championship showdown with Shelby on Saturday.

Brennan Chambers, a former basketball-first athlete turned standout 6'5 receiver, has emerged as a Marshall signee and one-half of one of North Carolina’s top receiving duos while leading Kinston to the state championship in just his second year ever playing football.

Check out our NNS guy’s five takes from a night where Kinston outmuscled James Kenan, controlled the trenches, and delivered a statement playoff upset.

Kinston football shocks the state by dominating James Kenan 30-7 on the road, ending decades of heartbreak, snapping the Tigers’ 14-game home win streak, and punching the program’s first state championship ticket since 2015.

Greene Central surged past North Lenoir 52–36 behind Azaria Mumford’s 15 points, An’Nysha Wooten’s 10-point double-double, and Janiyah Sutton’s nine-steal defensive performance to move to 2–0 on the season.

Greene Central dominated the boards, leaned on a balanced attack led by DJ Williams and Josh Cetnar, and completed a season sweep of North Lenoir with a 65–49 road win to improve to 2–0.

GCMS rolled past Bethel 53–21 as all 15 players scored, improving to 3–1 and 3–0 in conference play with Coach Steven Christie praising the team’s growth, depth, and upcoming boost from soon-to-return Nathan Ross.

South Lenoir senior Gage Howard, a .401 career hitter known for his relentless work ethic, has officially signed to continue his baseball career at the University of Mount Olive.

A full week of coverage features NNS Live shows, key basketball matchups across the county, multiple wrestling events, and Friday night football as Kinston visits James Kenan, capped by a packed Saturday slate including the Pierce-Davis Invitational.

Goldsboro High School hosted a competitive four-team wrestling quad Thursday featuring the Cougars, Eastern Wayne, Greene Central, and North Lenoir. Greene Central dominated the night with a 3–0 sweep, while North Lenoir showcased several standout individual performances despite a challenging slate.

Greene Central seized control with an early run and a high-energy, highlight-filled third quarter to defeat North Lenoir 84–48 in their rivalry matchup, despite strong efforts from the Hawks’ scoring trio.

Greene Central held off a fierce North Lenoir rally in a whistle-heavy rivalry battle, winning 41–37 behind senior defense and late scoring while the Hawks fought through foul trouble and big second-half shots.

North Lenoir is proud to announce that seniors Maddox Smith — All-State, All-Region Southeast, and Three Rivers 4A Conference Player of the Year — and Nery Aguilar — All-Region — have earned major postseason honors following historic careers.

North Lenoir opened the season by defeating South Lenoir in both games of the rivalry doubleheader: the Lady Hawks led from start to finish in a 55-33 win behind 18 points from Ta’Sheena Lynch and 12 from Cassidee Fraizer, while the boys rallied from an early deficit, exploded for 28 third-quarter points, and pulled away late for an 81-75 victory led by Chris Veal’s 21, Julian Veal’s 17, and AJ Black’s 16.

Fueled by a veteran senior class, a lockdown defense that suffocated Pasquotank’s passing game, and explosive plays from Tyler Jones, Tyreek Copper, and Brennan Chambers, No. 14 Kinston rolled to a 34-20 road win Friday night, advancing to the NCHSAA 3A East regional semifinals and earning a Black Friday clash at No. 7 Northeastern.

Lenoir Community College will host its 2026 First Pitch, Final Serve Athletics Dinner on January 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the LCC Gymnasium, featuring guest speaker Parker Byrd, with $50 tickets benefiting LCC Athletics.