West Point deals New Kent Lady Trojans fifth loss in six tries
New Kent's Jada Hooker (right) battles for a rebound against West Point's Keyaira Braxton (left).Robb Johnson photo
On Jan. 28, West Point Lady Pointers defeated New Kent’s Lady Trojans 45-38 in West Point. On Wednesday, New Kent tried to earn a series split against West Point. Instead, the Lady Trojans saw a near identical result.
Inconsistent scoring in the paint along with turnovers doomed New Kent as they fell 45-37 to West Point.
New Kent started the contest looking good, breaking the Pointers press and converting shots to lead to a 7-4 advantage. But for the final 4:32 of the first quarter, West Point rallied behind Haley Hagerty’s six points as part of a 12-0 run that spilled into the second quarter and a 16-7 lead. It wasn’t until Haley Hyndshaw’s steal and lay-in snapped the eight-minute scoring drought for New Kent, but by the halftime break West Point led 20-15.
Trailing by nine (24-15), the hosts began gaining ground on West Point. Two trifectas by Madison Foley positioned New Kent within striking distance late in the third. But two missed wide-open lay-ups along with a routine close-range shot saw six points squandered by the hosts and allowed West Point to take a 30-28 lead into the final frame.
And when the fourth quarter rolled in, the Lady Pointers began rolling along. The visitors took advantage of more New Kent mistakes, doubling up the hosts’ scoring in the final eight minutes and holding on to the victory.
Lady Trojan head coach Neko Burson offered sentiments to his team after their fifth loss in six tries.
“It’s hard to explain why we were missing shots,” he said. “They were not going down.
“It’s like we do well in one category and not do well in another,” Burson continued when asked about the scoring drought. “In small stretches like that, you are not going to win off one pass or shot and you have to put together strengths along with having more runs.”
Madison Foley’s 14 points led New Kent, now 6-12 on the season. Haley Hyndshaw scored 10, Bailee Hellebrandt added seven, and the trio of Alaxyah Loveland, Abby Coutu, and Jada Hooker chipped in with two apiece.