Students and community emphatically predict Kinston will win championship by more than 10

Kinston High School’s boys’ basketball team will beat the West Caldwell Warriors on Saturday and bring home the school’s second championship in three years.

Students and members in the community said Thursday this was not an opinion – it is a fact.

“We’re going to win,” said senior Sergio Duarte, who will be in Raleigh this weekend with friend and classmate Edward Nesbeth to see the Vikings play. “It might start out close, but if we go out and play our game, we should win pretty good – by 10 to 15 points.”

Fellow peer Queanna Aytch also predicted a double-digit win.

“I am going to see our team win Saturday,” said Aytch before purchasing a ticket to the game Thursday at the school. “If they score 70 or 80 points, they will win by 10.”

The two are not alone in counting down the days to victory. Many in the school and around the city are getting pumped up for Saturday’s title fight.

The school is selling T-shirts, $10, and bus rides, $5 to $10, to pack N.C. State’s Reynolds Coliseum with green.

It’s also holding a pep rally at 1:10 p.m. today to send off the team. Due to limited space in the school’s gymnasium, the farewell celebration is limited to students and staff.

“The students are getting fired up to go up there and bring home a win,” KHS Principal Wynn Whittington said. “Last year we were robbed, but this year we have a good chance to win. As long as we go out there hungry for a championship, I think our chances are good.”

The team won the state 3A championship by beating Trinity in 2008, but lost to Northern Guilford in the East Regional finals in 2009. Northern Guilford later had to forfeit its state championship due to using ineligible players.

Students expect the stadium to be filled with Kinston’s finest.

“Everybody is going to the game,” Nesbeth said.

Nesbeth, a sophomore, said he would not be shirtless and painted in school colors, but he would be driving to Raleigh with Duarte and possibly be there early enough to tailgate.

Duarte, on the other hand, will be enjoying the ride.

“You tailgate – I will eat,” he said.

Students will not be the only Kinston Crazies in the crowd. Family members, friends and longtime fans will be as well.

“Most people have told me they are canceling other plans to go to the game,” team senior and forward Dallas Best said. “Even people that have not even gone to one game said they will be there.”

Citizens who regularly hang out in city sports haven and restaurant Christopher’s on Queen Street to watch games promised attendance.

“Oh, I will be there – I have been following them all year long, going to nearly every game including the playoffs,” said Ray Barbre, former basketball player at Grainger High School, the former Kinston High. “I am very excited to have our Vikings in the championship and will be in the stands with my family Saturday.”

Barbre said this is one of the best KHS squads he has ever seen and predicted a win of 15 or more.

“They are strong all around, from the starters to the bench,” he said. “I would be very surprised and disappointed, if they didn’t win.”

Joe Strickland, an employee at Christopher’s, agreed.

“The restaurant is buzzing with excitement,” he said. “A lot of our customers are talking about attending the game to see them win, which from what I have read in the paper and heard from fans I think will be by at least 10 to 15 points.”

Strickland was uncertain if he would attend, but other employees of the restaurant are going. The head cook at Christopher’s, Donnie Hines, will be in the stands supporting her grandson, starting guard and senior, Dory Hines.

“This is a huge event,” said restaurant owner Chris Maroules Jr. “The community and the team have a lot to be proud of, and I wish them the best. There are eight seniors on the team – they better savor it.”

Maroules, unlike many students and those in the community, was more practical about his prediction of the final score.

“Vikings all the way, 68-62,” he said.

Wesley Brown can be reached at 252-559-1075 or wbrown@freedomenc.com.

The game: NCHSAA 2A boy’s basketball championship

The competitors: Kinston Vikings and West Caldwell Warriors

Tipoff: 2:30 p.m. Saturday at N.C. State’s Reynolds Coliseum

Admission: Tickets are on sale for $9 at KHS today. The price is $10 at the door.

Gear: Fans can buy T-shirts at the school for $10.

Transportation: Rides by activity bus are being offered by KHS:

• Students $5
• Children $5
• Adults $10