Kinston improved to 3-0 on the season and won its fifth straight game against J.H. Rose with a 55-25 victory over the 6A program.

Kinston stayed unbeaten in its return to the floor Tuesday night as Keyshawn Herring and Jamarion Washington combined for 43 points in a 67–55 home win over Southwest Onslow.

Kinston boys basketball earned its first win of the season with an 87–56 home victory over South Lenoir, snapping the Blue Devils’ three-game winning streak. Vikings Jamarion Washington led all scorers with 25 points.

GC Middle School boys basketball used a decisive second-quarter run to defeat Frink 44–24 and head into the Christmas break 7–1 overall and unbeaten in conference play. Photo by William Hardy

Kinston girls basketball used balanced scoring and defensive pressure to move to 2–0 on the season with a 69–13 win over South Lenoir.

Check out this week’s NNS schedule

Kinston returned to the state championship stage for the first time in a decade, watched Tyreek Copper deliver the greatest receiving season in North Carolina history, and pushed the scoreboard into the record books — but Shelby’s quarterback had just enough time and firepower to turn a historic night into a heartbreaking one.

In this column, Trey Scott reflects on his journey from rivalry to respect, and how Kinston head coach Ryan Gieselman’s long-term vision and relentless work have led the Vikings to the doorstep of a state championship.

After a 3–3 start, Kinston made key offensive line changes that fueled an 8–1 surge to the state championship game — a reminder that superheroes don’t wear capes, they line up in the trenches.

Kinston’s journey to the state championship is the story of a relentless, blue-collar defense that crushed five straight playoff offenses, held every contender far below its season averages, and forged an identity ready to challenge 12-time champion Shelby.

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.