KINSTON – Six-three center Anzaryia Cobb scored 17 points to lead Kinston to a 61-34 victory over West Bladen Tuesday night in the opening round of the NCHSAA Class 2A Girls Basketball Playoffs.
Cobb dropped in 2 baskets and a free throw, and senior Taliyah Jones netted 2 baskets as the Lady Vikings built an early 16-6 lead. Seniors Lexie Corrothers, Seniah Johnson and Mikayla Meadows tossed in a first quarter basket each for West Bladen.
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Photos by Kenneth Armstrong
Senior Zykia Andrews drilled in a trio of 3-point shots, and Cobb netted 5 more points in the second quarter as the Kinston lead grew to 35-16 at halftime. Corrothers threw in 2 baskets, and sophomore Haley George sank 2 free throws and a basket in the second period. Johnson pumped in another basket for West.
Johnson drained a 3-point shot and another basket in the third period, and Corrothers popped in 2 more baskets. George canned 2 more free throws and a field goal, and Meadows pumped in a basket as the Lady Knights stayed within 47-31. Cobb tallied 5 more points in the quarter for Kinston.
Corrothers scored another basket in the final quarter and led the Lady Knights with 12 points. George added a free throw to finish with 9 points for West Bladen. Johnson also totaled 9 points, and Meadows tallied 4 points.
Andrews finished with 9 points for Kinston, and Taliyah Jones and Michyla Dove netted 8 points each.
Coach Brian McCleney’s Lady Knights concluded their season with a 16-9 record. Seniors Kasee Singletary, Lexie Corrothers, Seniah Johnson, Mikayla Meadows and Essance Murphy won 31 games over their last 2 seasons.
West Bladen 6 10 15 3 – 34
Kinston 16 19 12 14 – 61
WEST BLADEN (34) – Lainey Autry, Haley George 9, Ocean Woody, Kasee Singletary, Lexie Corrothers 12, Seniah Johnson 9, Rylee Chadwick, Mikayla Meadows 4, Essance Murphy, Hannah Pait, Jamiyah Melvin-Hall.
KINSTON (61) – Lesley Sutton 2, Kahhlia Hargett 4, Sherice Jones 3, Natasia Locust, Zynia Perry 4, Tianna Jordan, Michyla Dove 8, Quiaira Powell 2, Alena Rivers 2, Taliyah Jones 8, Winter Lane 2, Anzaryia Cobb 17, Zykia Andrews 9.