Goldsboro stumbles at archrival Kinston

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on February 6, 2005 2:00 AM

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KINSTON - Kinston coach Wells Gulledge is smiling again.

And why shouldn't he? His Vikings -- a mix of experienced veteran leaders and extremely talented underclassmen -- won their fifth straight game on Friday, downing archrival Goldsboro 69-59 on Senior Night.

"Finally, this team has come together and started trusting one another," said Gulledge, whose team improved to 13-8 overall, 9-5 in the Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference. "Theyâve cleared their minds from the past and let bygones be bygones. These kids have really responded from the adversity of the season."

Senior center Marquis Grant, one of the veteran leaders, said he was happy that the Kinston faithful was able to see his team hit on all cylinders.

"Tonight, the fans saw what Kinston basketball is all about," Grant said. "This is a big win for us. Iâm proud of my senior teammates as well as my underclassman teammates."

While Kinston is on a roll, their counterparts on Friday are struggling mightily.

Goldsboro (11-11, 7-8) lost its third straight game and its seventh in its past eight games. The Cougars started the season 6-0 and 9-2 before their slump.

"We didnât show up and do what we were supposed to do tonight," said Goldsboro coach Randy Jordan. "We were close, though. Weâve got to go to church twice on Sunday or something.

"I don't know what we need to do, but weâve got to find ourselves and we've got to do it quick."

Goldsboro jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the game, but Kinston answered with six straight points to take a 6-5 lead. The Cougars scored two consecutive baskets take their final lead of the game at 9-6 with 3:35 left in the opening quarter.

But after Goldsboro's Tim Kornegay gave his team the three-point lead, the Cougars turned the ball over the next four possessions, and 12 of the ensuing 13 possessions. Thanks to the stingy defense, the Vikings roared to a 19-9 lead.

Although the Cougars would close to 41-35 with 2:30 left in the third quarter, the Vikings cruised to the win by keeping Goldsboro at bay in the fourth period.

An example of the Kinston teamwork was the third quarter scoring. Eight different Vikings scored a basket in the third period.

"The guys have finally figured out that thereâs not only five guys on the floor at a time, there are eight more on the bench cheering them on and encouraging them," Gulledge said.

Goldsboro was led by Kornegay's 24 points and Daquan Joyner's 15. The Vikings were paced by Darryl Jonesâ 14 points. Miguel Starkey and Quinton Coples had 10 apiece for Kinston, which plays at West Craven on Tuesday, then wraps up the regular season at Eastern Wayne on Thursday.

"We can't look too far ahead of us," Walters said. "We still have a long road ahead of us."

Goldsboro women 43,

Kinston 27

Goldsboro led 32-10 after three quarters in the romp.

Chevoya Jackson and Ashelyn James scored 14 points each to lead the Cougars (20-3, 15-0). Kinston (8-11, 5-9) was led by Krystal Suggsâ 10 points.