New Kent uses big second half to win opening round playoff contest

New Kent’s Jordan Howard (12) gets by Tabb’s Franklin Gregory (33) for his only basket of the night.

Robb Johnson photo

Coming off their most successful season in a decade, New Kent’s Trojans opened postseason play with district rival Tabb, a team they have topped twice this season. That number rose to three Monday night.

Behind a 29-point effort from Kyle Diggs, New Kent powered to a 63-45 victory over the Tigers, positioning them in the quarterfinals to take on the fourth-seeded Petersburg Crimson Wave on Feb. 22.

With the Trojans leading 17-10 heading into the second quarter, New Kent’s offense stalled with shots not falling. Meanwhile, Tabb’s Isaiah Gregory carrying the team as he scored 11 of the team’s next 14 points. That effort was able to help the visitors tie New Kent at 24 apiece heading into the halftime break.

Tabb gained the lead for the first time in the contest (30-24) behind two three-pointers from Kaiden Lowry. But the Tigers’ momentum began to dwindle as the Trojan duo of Diggs and Isaiah Carr began an offensive scoring clinic. Shots fell for the hosts as Diggs scored 25 points in the second half, while Carr added 10 of his own. The duo also sparked New Kent’s defense, holding Tabb to just 15 points the rest of the way.

After the contest, New Kent Head Coach Garrett Ross talked about his team’s need to gel even when players are out of the lineup.

“One of our starters was out tonight, so we were able to get some experience and minutes for some on court chemistry,” he said. “We were able to see how people could handle things throughout the game.”

Diggs 29 points led the Trojans, with Carr also finishing in double figures with 14. Will Ross tossed in nine, Dillon Mickles pumped in four, Khoen Christian contributed with three, and the duo of Kemauri Palmer and Jordan Howard chipped in with two apiece.