New Kent withstands Tabb’s rallies to remain undefeated

By Robb Johnson | December 12, 2025 11:50 pm

New Kent’s Jaron Collins gets an easy look for the score at the basket.

Robb Johnson photo

Snow may have slowed New Kent taking the floor on a consistent basis, but their start to the beginning of the 2025-2026 basketball season has been red hot.

New Kent’s Trojans defeated the visiting Tabb Tigers 91-81 during the Dec. 10 Bay Rivers District contest.

Early on, both teams battled evenly as neither gained an advantage as they entered into the second quarter tied at 17 apiece. But once the clock began ticking in the second, the Trojans’ defense started clicking. Pressure defense resulted in Tabb turning the ball over on several occasions, resulting in New Kent’s Marty Wray and Christian Joyner combining for 21 points as part of a 35-15 run that resulted in the home team taking a 52-32 lead into the break.

The third quarter, however, saw Tabb begin handling the home team’s pressure better. The Tigers began scoring in the paint more, thanks to Micah Marbra taking charge. A Mabra dunk highlighted 11 in the quarter for the forward, bringing the visitors with 10 (69-59) as they transitioned into the fourth.

Tabb fought valiantly, cutting the lead to five (76-71) midway through the frame. However, New Kent’s defense started executing once again, with the home team able to outscore the Tigers the rest of the way and capture the win.

After the game, New Kent Head Coach Garrett Ross spoke about his team’s effort in remaining undefeated.

“We look for sparks and hats off to Tabb,” he commented. “They never gave up and they handled our runs.

“We have gotten key contributions in key minutes during the season and that builds experience,” Ross continued. “We have to find ways to build on that experience during the season.”

Wray led New Kent (3-0) with 26 points, while Joyner finished with 20. Deven Bailey tossed in 14, Caleb Marable scored 10, Jaron Collins tossed in six, Kingston Young added five, Kris Leeper poured in four, and the trio of Thomas Moore, Jarred Hathaway, and Joshua Reedy chipped in with two apiece.