New Kent toughens up on court, takes down Tabb in competitive contest

New Kent’s Phillip Woodley (24) splits Tabb defenders Gavin Siegel (34) and Kaden Hilburger (14) on his way to the basket for a score.

Robb Johnson photo

New Kent’s Trojans have been looking to find some sense of consistency through the season while navigating a tough Bay Rivers District schedule. That was the case in a Jan. 26 contest when the Tabb Tigers entered the Trojans’ gymnasium.

But the toughness of New Kent proved vital as the hosts defeated Tabb 71-66 to earn a closely contested game.

Tabb didn’t make matters easy for the hosts. The visitors started off the game with a 12-5 run, holding the Trojans to a mere field goal over that span. But after New Kent sank three of four free throws, the energy level pocked up after Phillip Woodley’s three-pointer followed by Calvin York’s layup on the next trip down. Jack Swynford’s putback tied the game at 12 apiece before Woodley’s swipe and finish provided the hosts their first lead of the night (14-12). Only free throws from Tabb’s Kaden Hilberger prevented New Kent from taking a lead into the second quarter as the teams transitioned into the next frame tied at 14.

New Kent recouped the lead at 21-16 before Tabb orchestrated a 10-5 run to regain control of the contest. Still, the Trojans bounced back with Woodley’s back-to-back long distance connections as his baskets lifted New Kent’s advantage to 33-27 heading into the halftime intermission.

New Kent held a three-point lead (47-44) before the Trojans’ bench was charged with a technical foul after the crowd had displayed unnecessary language. Tabb would drain both free throws and score on the ensuing inbound to regain the lead at one before Woodley’s lay-up from a York assist returned the lead (49-48) to New Kent.

The fourth quarter continued to see New Kent maintain a steady lead by being up six (68-62) with 2:19 remaining on the clock. Tabb, however, would score the next four points to cut the home team’s advantage to a mere two points (68-66). But Swynford demonstrated a strong work ethic on both ends, as his basket bestowed a four-point margin in favor of New Kent, while on the defensive end his block of Tabb’s Damon Cooley proved to be the final turning point that allowed the hosts to emerge victorious.

After the contest, New Kent Head Coach Garrett Ross spoke about the team’s strong performance.

“We are starting to come together as a team and they are starting to trust each other,” he commented. “When they trust each other, players step up and I think that is what is important about this group.”

Woodley’s 18 points led New Kent (6-6) in scoring, while York (16) and Swynford (10) also finished in double figures. Josiah Reedy pumped in nine, Joe Buchman and Will Ross each added eight, and Kyle Diggs chipped in with two.