The North Mecklenburg Vikings men’s basketball team used a strong offense and a tenacious defense to cruise past Independence 79-55  in the season opener at North Mecklenburg High School.

The Vikings jumped out to an early 9-0 lead on three quick buckets and a 3-point basket by Tristan Maxwell.  Nygell Verdier got Indy on the board with a 3-pointer to make the score 9-3 with 5:10 left in the first quarter.   North Meck moved out to a 14-8 lead on a Cam Gates 3-pointer with 3:30 showing on the clock.

Indy’s Jalen Hinton nailed a 3-pointer to pull the Patriots back within 3 points 14-11.  But the Vikings answered with two quick scores to take an 18-11 lead.

The closest the Patriots came to taking the lead was at the 1:40 mark when Indy’s Dee Givens came down with an offensive rebound and a put back to make the score18-16.  But the Vikings went on a 7-0 run to take a 25-16 first quarter lead.

In the second period both teams scored 17 points and that was the only quarter that North Meck didn’t outscore the Patriots.  With two minutes left in the half, Anthony Allen drained a baseline 3-pointer to cut the Vikings lead to two 35-33.  But once again the Vikings went on a 7-0 run to take a 42-33 halftime lead.

North Meck started the second half with a quick jumper to take an eleven point lead.  Another Viking 3-pointer at the 4:07 mark made the score 53-35. Anthony Allen cut the score to nine at the 1:45 mark, but once again the Vikings drained a 3-pointer and drove for a lay up to take a 59-45 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

In the finial stanza North Meck moved out to a 61-47 lead and continued to build its lead and went on to take a 76-55 victory over the Patriots.

Nygell Verdier led the Patriots with 17 points and 7 rebounds.  He had 5 assists and 1 steal.  Dee Givens had 15 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals.  Anthony Allen added 12 points, 1 assist and 2 steals.  Jalen Hinton had 7 points, pulled down 2 rebounds, had 2 assists and 2 steals.  Lee Harrington added 4 points, and had one rebound.  Omarion Bodrick finished the game with 5 blocked shots and 2 rebounds.

Independence           16  17  12  10  –  55

North Mecklenburg   25  17  17  20  –  79