Trojans fight off Poquoson for second consecutive victory

New Kent’s Mitch Morris (center) splits the double-team defense of Poquoson’s Wyatt Freeman (left) and Hunter Browning (right).

Robb Johnson photo

After a 44-point beatdown in its home opener against Tabb, New Kent’s Trojans called a team meeting that has resulted in a road victory. Now returning home to their confines, it was the visiting Islanders from Poquoson who faces a more inspired Trojans team.

New Kent used a combination of a strong offensive attack and an aggressive defense to topple Poquoson 70-55 in the Dec. 5 Bay Rivers clash.

The three-point arc became the home to both teams in the opening quarter, as they combined for seven trifectas, with the Islanders Parker Topping’s long-distance connection giving the guests a 13-12 advantage. But that lead would be Poquoson’s last of the night as Trojan teammates Mitch Morris and Jalen Banks sparked a 9-1 run to end the first quarter. That run by the Trojans spilt into the second, resulting in the hosts leading by as much as 17 (32-15) before settling with a 39-28 lead at the halftime intermission.

Poquoson’s first attempt to make the game closer saw the lead squeezed down to seven (45-38) before Jared McCaughan’s three-pointer returned it back to 10. Poquoson refused to quit, firing back with three-point baskets from Wyatt Freeman and Jackson Harper to cut the deficit to five (51-46). However, Banks deep ball before the expiration of the third quarter clock provided breathing room for the Trojans. From there, New Kent orchestrated an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter to pull away for their second consecutive win.

After the game, New Kent Head Coach Ronnie Cox praised his team’s concentration and execution in the contest.

“I saw a more focused team out there,” he commented. “We don’t have the luxury of playing individual basketball and being successful.

“I gave them two options; we can play ‘me’ basketball and self-destruct or we can come together and run our system and then be successful,” Cox passionately said. “We were knocking our shots down along with getting stops and that enabled us to create a cushion that helped us win the contest.

McCaughan’s 21 points provided the high mark in the scoring column for New Kent (2-1). Morris and Banks also finished in double figures with 19 and 14, respectively. Dean Powell pumped in seven, Kevin Harris tossed in three, while the trio of J.J. Jacobs, Spencer Gilland, and Zach Morse all chipped in two.