Inconsistent Trojans fall victim to Smithfield pressure

New Kent's Jack Swynford (20) elevates over Smithfield's Dariq Wilkerson as part of a second quarter run by the Trojans.

Robb Johnson photo

Consistency has been an area that New Kent High School’s boys’ basketball team has been looking for throughout the 2021-22 campaign. And after stringing together two consecutive wins, another setback has left another thorn of frustration in the Trojans’ path to find a way to maintain their positive momentum.

Using pressure and forcing several mistakes, the Smithfield Packers coasted to a 68-43 win over the New Kent Trojans, preventing the host from having a winning record in the late states of the season.

Things looked well for the hosts, as Kyle Diggs pumped in four points for New Kent as they opened the game on an 8-2 run. But Smithfield used their grinding ways despite their dismal performance at the line early on.

It wasn’t until Trojan guard Calvin York’s foul swung momentum in favor of the visitors. York was hit with a technical for arguing the call, resulting in Smithfield turning the tide of the game with a 9-1 run for an 18-11 lead midway through the second quarter. New Kent powered back into the contest behind the scoring duo of Jack Swynford and Josiah Reedy, with Swynford’s steal and score knotting the game at 22 apiece.

Smithfield, however, remained calm, going on a 9-3 run to take a 31-25 advantage in the halftime intermission. Emerging from the locker room, Smithfield slowly distanced themselves as a Sekoo Frye’s three-pointer in the corner pushed the visitor’s lead into double figures. New Kent could not escape the pressure of Smithfield in the fourth, as the Packers forced a turnover that saw Troy Giles slam home a back-breaking dunk that pushed the contest far out of reach for the hosts.

After the contest, New Kent head coach Garrett Ross clearly was frustrated about his team being taken out of what they were taught throughout the season.

“This was Smithfield basketball, and we played their game,” the coach said. “In the first half, we played a little bit of our game. We were feeling confident with some steals and baskets.

“In the second half, they adjusted and when a team like that thrives like a pack of wolves coming at you, you get in trouble,” Ross continued. “We put our head down and that led to turnovers. If you want to beat the top teams in our district, we cannot turn the ball over.”

New Kent (6-7) received double figure scoring from Reedy and Swynford who finished with 12 and 11, respectively. Kyle Diggs contributed nine, York tossed in five, Phillip Woodley pumped in four, and Brett Lockhart chipped in with two.