Confident Trojans overwhelm Islanders

New Kent’s Jamar Murray penetrates to the basket past Poquoson’s Ty Crouse and Johnny Forrest (10).

Alan Chamberlain photo

Playing with determination, New Kent’s Trojans added to their winning streak at the expense of Poquoson’s invading Islanders. The Trojans never relinquished control as they dismantled the Islanders 57-37.

After a rocky 0-6 start, the Trojans are on a roll. The Dec. 19 Bay Rivers District basketball win over Poquoson made it three straight. Then two nights later, the Trojans topped home-standing Smithfield 71-65 to carry a 4-0 streak into the holiday break.

“Winning feeds on itself,” said victorious coach Ronnie Cox after the Poquoson outcome. “We’re starting to play with a lot of confidence. We’ve got some momentum going, and it feels good to get this one. This really gives us something going into the break.”

Unlike several past contests where the Trojans stumbled out of the gate, the hosts had no problems shaking off the first quarter blahs. Trailing 3-2, the Trojans benefited from a Micah Scorsone three and baskets by Chase Dunn and Jamar Murray to mount a 9-3 advantage.

“Basically, we’re starting to play better in the first quarter,” said Cox. “That’s been a point of emphasis for us.”

Back-to-back threes tossed in by Blake Kelly and Parrish Braxton opened a 10-point second quarter advantage (23-13). The Islanders managed a mild rally, closing to 29-21 at halftime, but Braxton unleashed a three-point barrage early in the third quarter. Three shots from behind the arc found the bottom of the net, opening a 38-25 advantage. Poquoson never got closer than 10 the rest of the way.

Braxton poured in a game-high 20 points as New Kent improved to 2-5 in Bay Rivers and 3-6 overall. Travis Claytor scored nine followed by Kelly’s eight, Dunn’s seven, four from Rashad Bentley, three apiece from Scorsone and Murray, Christian Block’s two, and Tommy Hale’s one.