Tabb too tough for Trojans in basketball season opener

New Kent's Jalen Banks (center) takes contact from Tabb's Joby Jansen (12) and Stylez Gerdner (14) early on in the first quarter.

Robb Johnson photo

New Kent’s Trojans opened its basketball season on Nov. 28 against Bay Rivers District foe Tabb Tigers looking to have a more successful season than last year’s 4-20 campaign. Unfortunately, key mistakes along with a lack of offensive continuity proved too much for the hosting Trojans to overcome.

Tabb roared into New Kent’s gym and claimed their territory in a 78-34 shellacking to open the 2018-19 campaign.

New Kent senior guard Robb Kinder vaulted the Trojans into an early lead with a personal 5-0 run before the Tigers answered with a 7-2 scoring spree. With the game tied at seven apiece, the Trojans wouldn’t get any closer the rest of the way.

Tabb begin finding easier shots against New Kent’s defense, scoring 13 of the next 18 points in the game, capped off by a three-pointer by Tyler Gerdner. By the end of the second quarter, the Tigers held a 39-25 advantage over the hosts.

Scoring wasn’t a strong suit for New Kent coming out the intermission break. The result saw Tabb hold the hosts to only nine second half points, denying the Trojans a field goal in the final frame. Meanwhile, the Tigers doubled up their first half score with an additional 39 points to ease their way to victory.

Obviously frustrated, New Kent head coach Ronnie Cox talked about his team not doing the little things throughout the contest.

“We gave up a lot of offensive rebounds and we turned the ball over, giving them second and third shots,” he said. “In the second half, we got away from the things we were trying to do.

“They have two Division 3 players on their team and they are too good of a team for us to make mistakes,” Cox added. “We rushed shots tonight and Tabb just played really good defense on us tonight.”

Kinder and Jalen Banks were the top scorers for the Trojans (0-1), scoring seven points apiece. Jared McCaughan and Mitch Morris both tossed in five points, Dean Powell and Spencer Gilland added four points, and J.J. Jacobs chipped in two.