New Kent pulls away from WP

New Kent’s top-ranked Group AA Trojans found they could not put away pesky Group A challenger West Point in the first half of their Jan. 9 non-district basketball clash. But after the break, the Trojan starters created a comfortable cushion and players off the bench performed well as the hosts kept their recorded unblemished at 11-0 with an 89-61 win.

“At times the starters played terrifically, but those were very short spurts,” said New Kent coach Ed Allen. “I think playing four games this week has worn us out. We’ve played hard this week and tonight I think we just ran out of gas.”

The injury bug has also infected New Kent. Center Paul Kearney did not play while guards Steven Allen and Justin Williams started but were battling nagging injuries.

“Missing Kearney hurts us because he’s a high energy type of guy,” the coach said.

New Kent built a 10-point lead late in the second quarter, but by early in the third period the Pointers had cut the margin in half and trailed 36-31. The visitors, however, could not draw closer.

Adam Otey’s basket off an Allen assist followed by a Kaleb Lamb trey triggered a 10-0 run that put the hosts in command. Less than four minutes into the third quarter, New Kent owned a 51-33 advantage.

“We didn’t defend real well and the intensity wasn’t there,” Ed Allen said.

“We don’t play real well against West Point,” he added. “They run their offense real well and take good shots. They’re not a bad team.”

Lamb’s 22 points, including five baskets from three-point range, led a group of four Trojans in double figures. Allen finished with 20 while Otey had 13 rebounds to go along with his 13 points. Williams scored 11 while dishing out a dozen assists. E.J. Gray finished with five points followed by four each from Neko Burson, Paul Robinson, and Anthony Snipes and two apiece from Chuck Evans, Zach Jacobs, and Matt Fultz.

Aaron Roane’s 15 points and 14 from Jamie Wilson led West Point.

In the JV game, New Kent used a 22-11 second quarter to break a 12-12 deadlock after one period and go on to a 69-32 win.

Dre Washington’s 15 points and 13 from Dylan Walton topped New Kent. Jake Countiss and Tanner Luck each scored nine followed by Jared Dickerson’s eight, Conner Gilland’s six, Zach Taylor’s five, and Travis Claytor’s four.