After slow first half, New Kent uses team effort to takedown Tabb 43-27

New Kent's Amiya Armstead (left) elevates over Tabb's Tatyana Gause (5) for an easy bucket at the basket.

Robb Johnson photo

It’s been nearly four years since New Kent defeated the Tabb Lady Tigers on the hardwood. Friday night’s Bay Rivers District contest saw the hosts needing a second half surge to it that mark.

After only leading by two at the break, New Kent outscored Tabb 22-8 after the halftime intermission to defeat the Lady Tigers 43-27 in a total team effort.

The first half was an offensive struggle for both teams. New Kent only mustered eight points in the opening quarter while Tabb was only able to toss in five. In the second quarter, scoring continued to be difficult, but the Lady Trojans still remained in the lead by two (21-19) heading into the locker room.

The change of pace and tone began in the third quarter, as New Kent orchestrated their first big run of the night. Delaney Montgomery scored six points as part of a 12-4 run for the hosts that covered the entirety of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the wealth was spread among teammates, as New Kent added 10 additional points while holding Tabb to only four in the final frame to account for the margin of victory.

After the contest, New Kent Lady Trojans’ Head Coach James Montgomery spoke about the tale of the two halves.

“The first half wasn’t us,” he commented. “In the second half, we played with more energy, and it became contagious.

“We must play with more urgency and not get complacent,” Montgomery added. “We can’t have slip-ups, especially with a young team and the playoffs around the corner.”

New Kent (12-2) received a game-high 12 points from Delaney Montgomery. Anna Hetzel scored eight, the duo of Vyktorya Otey and Amiya Armstead each contributed seven, Brooklyn Fleischman poured in six, Alivia Snow tossed in two, and Aubrey Loucks chipped in with one.