Basketball Recap: South Lenoir Comes Up Short

South Lenoir was the 43-39 winner over Kinston when they last played one another back in February of 2024, but their luck changed this time around. 2025 welcomed the South Lenoir Blue Devils with a 56-30 loss courtesy of the Kinston Vikings on Friday. While losing is never fun, the Blue Devils can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 573rd, while the Vikings are ranked 49th).

When it comes to explaining why South Lenoir lost, don't look at Makenzie Herring. Despite the final result, she posted 12 points. That was a full 40% of South Lenoir's points, marking the fourth time in a row she's scored more than a third of the team's points.

Kinston got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was America Lloyd out in front who went 6 of 14 on her way to 16 points and five rebounds. The team also got some help courtesy of Aleah Hill, who put up 12 points.

South Lenoir's loss was their 11th straight on the road dating back to last season, which dropped their record down to 1-8. As for Kinston, the win keeps them at an undefeated 10-0.

Both teams will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. South Lenoir will challenge Wallace-Rose Hill at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. South Lenoir is facing Wallace-Rose Hill at the right time seeing as Wallace-Rose Hill is stuck on a four-game losing streak. As for Kinston, they will take on East Duplin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Kinston is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 57 points per game this season.