Kinston 66, Apex 54

Halfway through the first quarter, the Vikings have a nine point lead powered by six from Quinton Coples. Yorel Hawkins is doing everything he can to keep the Cougars in the game but the lead is nine still.

Tim Plummer hits a three and then three the hard way, to cut into the lead. Coples makes a falling bucket and the enusing free throw to push the lead back to 29-20. Hawkins is working hard out there. At the half, Hawkins has 12 points, Plummer 10 for Apex. Kinston is lead by Coples with nine and Curtis Hines with eight. Eight players have scored for Kinston who leads 34-28.

Halfway through the 3rd, Apex has cut the lead to two, 38-36 behind four in a row from Hawkins, who already has 19 points. Apex's Andrew Fiedler drains a three and the lead is a mere single point. Fiedler rebounds a miss and Hawkins hits a jumper to take the lead 41-39. Miguel Starkey hits a key three to put Kinston back in front. At the end of three, Kinston holds 47-43 lead.

In the fourth, Kinstonstarted to pull away, opening a seven point lead, 50-43. Again Hawkins steps up, draining a long three, 50-46. Kinston responses and the lead is back to eight with 1:26 to go. Kinston wins as Coples finishes with 16. Despite a losing effort, Hawkins was tremendous and totaled 25 points.

Kinston 19 15 13 19 - 66
Apex 14 14 15 11 - 54

Kinston - Q. Coples 15, M. Starkey 14, C. Hines 12, D. Ingram 8, T. Miller 6, D. Quinerly 4, A. Whitefield 3, W. Coward 2. Leading rebounders - Q. Coples 5. Assist leaders - T. Miller 2.

Apex - Y. Hawkins 25, T. Plummer 17, S. Bedoe 7, A. Fielder 3, F. Moog 2. Leading rebounders -Y. Hawkins 6, T. Plummer 5. Assist leaders - two with one.