Stifling defense comes to forefront as New Kent dominates Bruton in home opener

New Kent's Natasha Lange (14) elevates over Bruton's Laniya Williams for an early bucket in the game.

Robb Johnson photo

Using a suffocating defense to stifle the visiting Bruton Lady Panthers, New Kent’s Lady Trojans basketball team provided a glimpse of season possibilities during Tuesday night’s home opener.

The hosting Lady Trojans led from start to finish, rolling to an easy 52-21 win in the Bay Rivers District contest.

New Kent jumped out to a 6-0 lead thanks to defensive stops that turned into offensive fast breaks. After Bruton scored to snap the run, the hosts orchestrated a bigger run of 15-0 over the last five minutes of the first quarter. From there, New Kent controlled the tempo of the game, alternating between defenses to cruise to the win.

Third year head coach Neko Burson talked about the talent and size his team has this year, hoping that advantage continues to push the program in the right direction.

“Tonight, we played a 1-3-1 and switched up to a 2-3 defense,” he said. “I have a really motivated group this year which is talented.

“We’re also bigger and a little deeper,” Burson continued, pointing to the confidence of the group of players. “We are working on different things and meshing things together. Defense is what we are focused on all-year round and that’s what we started with and the offense will come.”

Haley Hyndshaw’s 17 points led the team, while teammate Madison Foley also finished in double figures with 11 points. McKenna Mueller, Natasha Lange, and Katelyn Norman all contributed six apiece, while the trio of Yazmine Brown, Hannah Drewer, and Alayna Loveland all chipped in with two apiece.