Lady Trojans hang tough but fall at end to Rams

New Kent's Taylor James (20) tries to dislodge the ball from the grasp of Lafayette's Libby Bland.

Alan Chamberlain photo

Determined not to suffer another blowout at the hands of Lafayette’s Lady Rams, New Kent’s Lady Trojans remained within striking distance for most of their Feb. 6 clash. Unfortunately for the hosts, the Rams managed sufficient cushion for a 44-36 win.

Early on, New Kent dominated. Adrienne Goodlet’s steal and lay-in followed by Anna Mathis’ basket in the paint and a Brittany LaPrade three staked the hosts to a quick 7-0 lead. Mathis scored again in close and the hosts owned a 9-0 advantage midway through the opening quarter.

After a time out, however, Lafayette answered with a full court press. The Lady Trojans turned the ball over on their next six possessions, enabling the visitors to get back into the game.

“Their press really hurt us,” said Lady Trojan coach Ayla Young. “We don’t have the ball handlers outside of Adrienne that can break a press.”

Lafayette used an 11-0 run to take the lead. New Kent recovered, moving back in front 15-13 on a Goodlet trey two minutes into the second period. But the Rams finished the half on a 9-1 run to lead 22-16 at the half.

The Rams upped the margin to a dozen (31-19) after play resumed, but the Lady Trojans battled back with eight unanswered points, closing the gap to 31-27 less than a minute into the final quarter.

Lafayette, however, rebuilt their advantage to 11. New Kent could not draw closer than seven the rest of the way.

Despite the loss that dropped her team to 4-11 on the season, Young expressed delight over the Lady Trojans’ effort.

“The difference in this game and the first [against Lafayette] was our intensity. We just didn’t have it in the last game,” she said.

Goodlet led all scorers with 18 points. Mathis and LaPrade tossed in eight and seven, respectively, while Paige Simpson added two and Mikayla Scorsone contributed one. Lafayette’s Tiara Strong scored 10 to lead the Rams.