New Kent holds early lead but falls in end to Poquoson

New Kent's Sam Graham controls a pass in front of Poquoson's Ashland Forrest.

Alan Chamberlain photo

New Kent’s Lady Trojans accomplished a rare feat Tuesday night against Poquoson’s visiting Islanders. They owned the lead heading into the second quarter.

Never mind that the Islanders’ usual starting five sat on the bench in the first quarter. Ability to stay in the game provided the hosts a measure of confidence that lasted the remainder of the half. But in the end, the visitors pulled away for a 58-22 win.

“They played their freshmen and sophomores and we did, too,” said Lady Trojan coach Vann Baker, looking back on the opening period.

“But it let our girls know this is their future,” she said. “It sort of let our girls see how much they’ve improved. It’s a doable thing; it just takes play time.”

A scoreless tie ensued for most of the first quarter. Poquoson’s Taylor Moore tossed in the night’s first points from the floor at the 1:53 mark, but New Kent quickly answered with Brittany LaPrade’s fast break lay-in off a steal and Payton Slater assist.

Poquoson added a free throw to regain the lead, but seven seconds before the buzzer, LaPrade struck from three-point range. New Kent took a 5-3 advantage into the second quarter.

Fouled in the act of shooting from behind the arc, Kelsey Yates sank two of three free throws to up the lead to 7-3. Poquoson scored at the other end, but seconds later Yates returned to the charity stripe, sinking a pair and the hosts led 9-5.

Three-point shooting accuracy, however, enabled the Islanders to move in front to stay. A trio of treys highlighted a 13-0 run.

The Lady Trojans refused to fold, remaining poised while executing their offense to stay in contention down 24-13 at the break. But the third quarter proved unkind to the hosts as they failed to score.

“We’re putting it together,” Baker said. “We can shoot amazing free throws. Our free throw percentage is very respectable. It’s just field goals we have problems with, but that will come.”

LaPrade’s nine points and six from Yates led New Kent, now 0-18. Sarah Major, Sam Graham, and Haley Grisbaum each scored two while Slater chipped in one. Poquoson’s Joyce Chow, Poppy Crawshaw, and Sarah Davis scored 12 apiece.