Smithfield trifectas torch New Kent’s Trojans in 77-50 rout

New Kent's Evan Branch (left) battles with Smithfield's Christopher Jacobs (5) in a race to the basketball.

Robb Johnson photo

New Kent’s encounter with the highly-touted Smithfield Packers Friday night unfortunately ended the same way as the first match-up in Smithfield did; with a loss.

Using a barrage of three-point shooting, the visiting Packers cruised to a 77-50 rout of the hosting Trojans in the Bay Rivers’ clash.

New Kent showed improvement from their earlier match with the Packers, playing competitive enough to remain eight points down (19-11) to the Bay Rivers favorite after the first quarter. However, their issues covering Smithfield sharpshooter Joshua Farmer became an issue. Farmer connected with two of his team’s four trifectas at the start of the second quarter. After New Kent’s Dean Powell scored a basket, the Packers orchestrated a 12-2 run. Farmer added two more long distance connections as Smithfield raced out to a lead with the hosts unable to present a challenge for the remainder of the game.

New Kent head coach Ronnie Cox provided insight on his team’s hard play and struggles in the game.

“I’m not making excuses, but we have kids that are sick, and we had kids that were out of it and that was a factor in the game,” he said. “Smithfield is a very good team and I felt that we played them tough.

“When they made their run, we still played tough into the second half,” Cox continued. I feel like we did the best we could in the circumstances and I’m glad that the effort was there.”

Mitch Morris’ 20 points led New Kent, now 9-12 on the season. Jared McCaughan scored 11, Powell contributed nine, Spencer Gilland tossed in four, while the trio of J.J. Jacobs, Evan Branch, and KeSean Taliaferro tossed in two points apiece.