Late run propels Charles City over New Kent, extending long Lady Trojan losing streak to 47 games

Charles City's Santaesha Hickman drives to the basket past New Kent's Kayla Davis and Kelsey Yates (right) for two of her game-high 26 points.

Alan Chamberlain photo

Unleashing a 16-0 fourth quarter run, Charles City’s Lady Panthers broke open a close contest with New Kent’s host Lady Trojans, racing away to a 48-36 Saturday night basketball triumph.

Again, frustration set in for the Lady Trojans who have yet to taste victory this season and are now 0-20. In fact, Lady Trojan teams have not cracked the win column in more than two years.

New Kent’s girls basketball program is mired in a losing streak that has reached 47 games. No wins have been recorded since Jan. 9, 2014 when the Lady Trojans beat Warhill. By the way, a New Kent team has not posted a winning season since 1996.

An obviously distraught Vann Baker, the Lady Trojan head coach, declined comment following the latest setback. And she had plenty of reasons for remaining silent — 44 turnovers, 6-for-26 free throw shooting, and 21 percent accuracy from the floor (14 of 67) including a 2-for-19 mark with the game on the line in the final quarter.

Charles City head coach VaShaun Otey, meanwhile, said fourth quarter surges are a hallmark of his team.

“For some reason all season we’ve been sluggish in the third quarter and kind of pick it up in the fourth,” he said.

Up by one heading into the final period, New Kent got a quick field goal in the paint from Nakesha Glover off a Deysha Goodlet assist to lead 31-28. The next 16 points, however, belonged to Charles City.

Freshman guard Santaesha Hickman’s second chance field goal pulled Charles City within one. Moments later, teammate and center Kiandra Randall controlled a loose ball in the lane and stuck in the shot that put the visitors in front to stay.

Charles City’s speed and quickness took over the contest, with Hickman leading the way. For the game, she poured in 26 points. Randall, meanwhile, grabbed 19 rebounds while blocking 15 shots to go along with her eight points.

“We rely on our freshman guard,” Otey said, pointing to Hickman, who also managed 11 steals. “Forcing the tempo and playing man-to-man worked in our favor.”

Meryah Bates’ seven points, Sydney Richard’s four, and three from Veondra Brown completed the scoring for Charles City, now 7-12.

Peyton Slater’s 13 points led New Kent. Kelsey Yates and Glover each finished with six while Kayla Davis totaled five and Goodlet and Tessa Gray managed three apiece.

“We could get a little better on the boards,” Otey said. “The team is kind of young. We’ve got to work on some other things and finish the season strong.”