The Vikings remain atop the Cape Fear Valley basketball standings after a convincing 53-32 win over Harnett Central Tuesday.

The Vikes (11-3, 4-0) built an early 15-8 lead and never looked back en route to their first win over the Trojans in conference play.

After the game Vike head coach John Lewkowicz focused on how well his team applied defensive pressure as they came away with Union Pines' first-ever victory over the Harnett Central Trojans in CFV conference history.

"We have to constantly put pressure on our opponents," Lewkowicz said, "and we feed off of that -- how our defense goes is usually how we go -- and tonight it went pretty well. Over the past few games we have really shown strides in the improvement of our team defense and it has transferred to great results on the court."

Sophomore Tyesha McLean led Union Pines in scoring with 14 points. She also had five steals and four rebounds. McLean said that before the season that the Vikings talked about what they wanted to achieve this season.

"We are just focused on succeeding," McLean said, "and reaching the goals we set for ourselves this season. Last year we had problems with too many people worried about individual success. We talked about that in the pre-season, and now we are playing as a team, practicing hard, losing the attitudes and trying to make each other better."

Despite still suffering from a nagging ankle injury, senior co-captain Lindsey Wilborn had a solid all-around game, scoring 10 points, and recording seven steals, six assists and four rebounds. Sophomore co-captain Alishia Mosley also finished with 10 points, while collecting five rebounds and three steals.

Vike freshman forward Crystal Hicks continued her solid all around play finishing with five points, seven rebounds and 4 steals.

"We have been doing really good," Hicks said, "even when we get down, we pull ourselves together, talk it up and help each other along out there. Even in practice we all seem to be on the same page as we do lots of things to prepare for games especially focusing on defense."

The Vikings are tied atop the CFV standings with Western Harnett (14-0, 4-0). Central Harnett is winless in the conference and 3-9 overall.

The Vikings will take to the road to play Triton (6-6, 2-2) tonight in Erwin.

F.W. Manning II can be reached at 639-5481 or by e-mail at fwm2@nc.rr.com