Powerful, experienced New Kent Trojans overwhelm smaller Charles City Panthers on basketball court
New Kent’s Kyle Diggs (22) smothers Charles City’s Gavin Stewart (0) as part of full-court pressure applied by the Trojans in the first quarter.Robb Johnson photo
The rivalry between Charles City’s Panthers and New Kent’s Trojans have been evenly matched over the last few years, with teams splitting the last four games against each other. But a Saturday night matchup where a much more experienced, bigger, and talented New Kent team entered Charles City’s gym for their annual contest, the difference in the level of playing ability was evident.
New Kent’s Trojans opened the game with 28 consecutive points en route to a 111-11 drubbing of the Charles City Panthers.
From the tip, the experience, speed, and size displayed by the Trojans was evident as a Calvin York score off the opening tip provided a lead the visitors would never relinquish. A full-court press by New Kent led to four more points in the opening 30 seconds forcing Charles City calling a timeout. But the Trojans’ run continued for 22 more points before Charles City’s Gavin Stewart drained a corner three with just over four minutes left in the quarter to break the scoring drought.
But that basket would be the last for the Panthers until after the halftime break. New Kent mixed and matched lineups on their way to a 40-0 run and a 63-3 intermission advantage. Tyshawn Dennis’ lay for Charles City to start the quarter snapped the drought, but New Kent fired back with back-to-back three pointers from Will Ross and Jack Swynford.
While New Kent Coach Garrett Ross did not have any specific comments about the game, he acknowledged that he was glad his younger players were able to get some game experience and credited Charles City for never backing down or giving up.
On Charles City’s side, first-year head coach Codera Cotman commented that while the performance wasn’t the best, he had to do more.
“It explains itself and it’s all on me to get them more prepared,” he said. “It falls on me and we just have to get back to the drawing board.”
York led New Kent (2-1) with 26 points. Also finishing in double figures were Ross (17), Swynford (15), Joseph Buchman (13) and Josiah Reedy (12). Phillip Woodley finished with eight, Jordan Jacobson tossed in six, Jordan Howard and Kyle Diggs pitched in with four, and the trio of Cincere Smith, Austin Brown, and Brett Lockhart chipped in with two apiece.
Aidan Stewart led Charles City (0-3) in scoring with four points. Gavin Stewart contributed three, while the duo of Deshaun Greene and Tyshawn Dennis finished with two apiece.