Tabb quickness overcomes reinvigorated New Kent

New Kent's Ethan Ashford splits a pair of Tabb defenders on a drive to the basket in the second half.

Alan Chamberlain photo

In a welcome departure from a sub-par effort just two nights earlier against York, New Kent’s Trojans showed up to play Wednesday night with Tabb’s Tigers visiting the Trojans’ gym. The hosts stayed with the Tigers for one half, but in the end, the visitors’ quickness proved decisive in an 83-55 Tabb win.

“We’re playing better, and I’ve got to be happy with that,” said Trojan head coach Ronnie Cox. “We seem to play better against the top teams.”

New Kent did not back down, despite Tabb jumping in front 4-0 at the start and threatening to pull away. Trey Cox’s three knotted the game at 9-9.

Teammate Kyle Claytor equaled the feat moments later, burying another three to create a 14-14 deadlock with two minutes left in the opening quarter. But the Tigers capitalized on four steals to close the quarter with six unanswered points, taking a 20-14 lead into the second period.

New Kent, however, remained within striking distance. Another Cox trey pulled the hosts within six (29-23) with just under four minutes left in the half. Then when Tabb built a 41-29 advantage, the Trojans ended the half with Jason Whitlow and Claytor baskets to make it an eight-point contest (41-33) at the break.

For the half, the Trojans shot 58 percent (14-for-24) from the floor. But Tabb’s quickness offset the hosts’ effort, forcing 15 turnovers including 10 by steals. And that quickness took over the contest when play resumed. The Tigers quickly built a double-digit lead and were in control 60-42 heading into the final eight minutes.

“We rob Peter to pay Paul,” coach Cox said. “Some nights we shoot well and we have turnovers, but then other nights we don’t turn it over and we don’t shoot well.

“We also seem to play in spurts,” he said. “We play well and then we have a bit of a letdown. We just need to have consistency.”

Trey Cox led New Kent, now 5-11, with 17 points while Claytor and Whitlow finished with 14 each. Ethan Ashford and Tyler Jenkins scored four apiece while Austin Pierce contributed two. Tabb’s Antwuan Hicks led all scorers with 20.