KINSTON - The Ayden-Grifton Chargers travelled down to Kinston High on Tuesday night and came away with a 68-64 win. One big factor in the Charger win was their great guard play.

Kinston led early behind a solid duo of Dontae Ellis and Jeremy Dixon. The Vikings led by 8 going into the second quarter. Ayden-Grifton showed they were not going away without a fight as they took the lead mid-way through the second quarter led by point guard Mike Honey. With another lead change, Kinston went head 30-27 at the end of the first half with 3 triples from Dontae Ellis.

With both teams trading baskets, the third quarter was intense. Kinston’s Ty Drake led the Vikings to a 7 point lead going into the fourth as Kinston looked to move to 4-2 without their star Dontrez Styles (out with a head/neck injury). The Vikings were also without head coach Perry Tyndall due to COVID protocols.

Ayden-Grifton dominated the fourth quarter. The Chargers were getting whatever they wanted on the offensive end as Quinton Mitchell had 16 points in the 4th. Big buckets by Kinston’s Jaylen Cobb and Jeremy Dixon kept Kinston in the game, but it wasn't enough. To seal the win Ayden-Grifton’s Christian Shearouse went 6/6. This game was Ayden-Grifton’s first win against Kinston since 2017.

Final Game Stats

Ayden-Grifton (3-0)

Quinton Mitchell (2022) - 24 points

Christian Shearouse (2022) - 13 points

Mike Honey (2022) - 11 points

Marlon Cannon (2021) - 7 points

Kinston (3-3)

Dontae Ellis (2022) - 12 points

Jaylen Cobb (2023) - 12 points

Jeremy Dixon (2022) - 10 points

Horace Smith (2023) - 10 points