The Union Pines girls' basketball team picked up its fourth straight victory Friday in Hope Mills, claiming a convincing 53-33 win over the Gray's Creek Bears, while improving to 3-0 in Cape Fear Valley Conference competition.

Head coach John Lewkowicz and the Vikings now turn their focus on the two-day girls' basketball Holiday Tournament at Pinecrest. Union Pines faces 4-A Scotland High, today at 6 p.m. in the first round.

"Our objective is to win that (tournament)," said Lewkowicz. "The last time we were there (Pinecrest) we got beat (in the Pilot Cup championship) so we want to take that thing. We are going to approach the tournament like we are on the road in the state playoffs -- so that is our mindset."

The Vikes lost in the season-opening The Pilot Cup title game to the Patriots by three points in overtime. Since that contest, the Vikings have won seven of their last eight games, including a 60-32 victory over Pinecrest at Union Pines.

As has become the norm, Alishia Mosley opened Friday's ballgame at Gray's Creek with a hot hand. In the first period, the Viking junior guard and captain scored 13 points, while collecting 4 rebounds and two steals. Mosley would finish the night with a game-high 23 points, 7 rebound, 4 steals and 3 assists.

Lewkowicz feels Mosley has matured well in her junior year and embraced the role of a floor leader and go-to scorer.

"Alishia is very talented offensively, we rely on her a lot" he said, "and she likes that. She has good complementary players around her that can really put some numbers up for us -- and we have to have that."

Lewkowicz was proud of the way his team came out in the second half on the road in Friday's league game.

"We had a good fourth quarter," he said, "and we had a lot of defensive intensity and hustle. I like that."

Senior Reyanna Torrence had nine points for the Vikes, while sophomore Tyesha McLean turned in a strong all-around effort with six points, seven steals, four rebounds and three assists. Senior captain Lindsey Wilborn had eight points, eight rebounds and three assists, while freshman Crystal Hicks had seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and two points.