Bruton’s size, experience too much for Trojans to handle

New Kent’s Ryan Curle (right) drives by Bruton defender Raekwon Bartlett for a rare easy basket on the night for the Trojans.

Robb Johnson photo

New Kent Trojans entered their Dec. 1 clash with a team that been hit with graduation and the transfer bug. The inexperience and size disadvantage showed as the hosts fell 74-45 to the visiting Bruton Panthers.

A lay-in by Trojan guard Ben Housden at the beginning of the game accounted for the hosts only lead of the game at 2-0. From there, the Panthers’ size and mass dominated the remainder of the frame. Utilizing a 2-2-1 press, the visitors forced New Kent into six first quarter turnovers, jumping out to an 18-8 lead. Mixing a blend of its press and a 1-3-1 defense, Bruton continued to take advantage of Trojan miscues, taking a 36-23 lead into the break.

Bruton’s onslaught continued in the third quarter, scoring of the opening inbounds pass. The visitors doubled up New Kent 61-30 to end the third before the final score set in 74-45.

New Kent head coach Ronnie Cox spoke about the new look squad that took the floor for the Trojans.

“We are very inexperienced and we’re obviously not that big,” he said. “We have to keep pushing.

“The kids are making strides and that’s all you can asked for,” Cox continued. “We have so many things to work on and the learning curve is steep right now.”

Mitch Morse led the Trojans (0-2) with 12 points. Robb Kinder scored 11 while Housden also finished in double figures with 10. Zach Montey tossed in four, while Kibean Taliaferro, Ryan Curle, Jared McLaughlan and Jalen Banks all finished with two apiece.

Bryan Carr led Bruton with 15 points.