Bruton ends NK win streak

New Kent’s Tommy Hale grabs a rebound over Bruton’s Darius Brown and in front of teammate Rashad Bentley.

Alan Chamberlain photo

Utilizing quickness and half-court pressure, Bruton’s Panthers turned back a determined effort by New Kent’s host Trojans, posting a 67-57 Bay Rivers District basketball victory.

The Panthers took control midway through the second quarter on the way to ending New Kent’s four-game winning streak with the Jan. 4 outcome. The Trojans fell to 3-6 in the district and 4-7 overall.

“We knew they were quick and a transition team that got most of their points off turnovers,” said New Kent coach Ronnie Cox. “We prepared for that all week, but we didn’t pass very well and we hesitated. You can’t hesitate against a team like that because they execute so well.”

But the Trojans had their moments, especially early on.

“We actually won the first quarter, and I was kind of surprised by that,” Cox said.

The Trojans played with patience, overcoming a four-point deficit on a Micah Scorsone three and a Travis Claytor basket off a steal to lead 19-18 after one period. Twice in the second quarter, the hosts extended their lead to three, once on Rashad Bentley’s basket off a Claytor assist to open the period and then on Parrish Braxton’s stick-back just under the five-minute mark for a 27-24 lead.

Braxton’s score forced the Panthers to take time out. When play resumed, the visitors responded with a 10-0 run and owned a 41-31 advantage by halftime. Bruton converted 10 first half steals into 11 points. New Kent never got closer than eight the rest of the way.

“[The Panthers] break to the ball so quickly and close on the ball aggressively,” Cox said. “Those steals kind of shut the door on us.”

Claytor and Braxton scored in double figures with 14 and 10 points, respectively. Bentley finished with seven and Scorsone totaled six followed by Chase Dunn’s five, three each from Jamar Murray, Tyler Lambert, C.J. Lee, and Blake Kelley, and two apiece from Tommy Hale and Christian Block.

“We’re not going the other way,” Cox said, commenting on the end of his team’s win streak. “We’ve made too much progress and too many strides. We’re moving forward.”