EW girls find chemistry, drop OT loss to Kinston

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 9, 2016 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

KINSTON -- Although Eastern Wayne took state-ranked Kinston to overtime on Monday evening, the coaching staff didn't appear too disappointed by the loss.

Instead, assistants Tamika Powell and Laura Peedin noticed something else -- team unity. After a disastrous opening quarter, the Warriors -- for the first time in 21/2 weeks -- played as a team.

And they nearly staged an improbable comeback.

Kinston drained two 3-pointers during the early stages of overtime and squeezed out a 61-54 victory to keep their 17-game win streak intact. Senior shooting guard Malaysia Lancaster led all scorers with 26 points.

"Tonight is the first night, in a while, they played as a team," Peedin said. "Treycie Ford stepped up and played well tonight. (We) finally saw the team chemistry that we had been missing for the first time and that's what we need take us into the last two games with Southern Wayne and C.B. Aycock."

The Warriors (10-12 overall) visit Southern Wayne tonight.

EW struggled early and shot just 1 of 12 from the floor in the opening quarter. Kinston (21-1) doubled- and triple-teamed 6-foot-4 center Naheria Hamilton, and the guards found it difficult to get the ball to her in the post.

Forced passes led to steals and transition baskets for the Vikings, who built 16-2 advantage early in the second quarter.

"That first quarter killed us," Peedin said.

But the Warriors found some life after halftime. Ford and Hamilton crashed the offensive glass, which helped EW turn the second-chance opportunities into 11 points. Suddenly, the double-digit deficit was one point -- 34-33 -- with 7 minutes remaining in regulation.

Kinston maintained a two-possession advantage until Hamilton's offensive putback knotted the game at 44-44 with 2:20 to go. EW scored the next two baskets, including a layup by Myesha Best after twin sister, Nyesha, came up with a steal near midcourt.

The Vikings answered with consecutive baskets by Lancaster and Makia Davis to force a 48-48 tie. Kinston came up with a steal on an inbounds pass, but turned the ball over.

Myesha Best's 3-pointer missed as time expired.

"The jump ball and turnover at the end were crucial," Peedin said. "(But) it was good to see (us play together). They'd have to overcome some obstacles and I think tonight they showed they're finally coming back together."

Myesha and Nyesha, before she fouled out, combined for 22 points, six assists and nine steals. Hamilton provided 18 points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots.

"They are beatable," Hamilton said of the Vikings, who have played for the last two 2-A state championships.