Pressure in third quarter propels King William past Panthers

After battling the invading King William Cavaliers score for score in the first half, Charles City’s Panthers looked poise to close out the home season. Unfortunately, a ramped up press triggered a run that allowed the visitors to put the game out of reach. King William employed a 2-2-1 full-court press midway through the third quarter, resulting in six Panther turnovers and a 12-2 run and propelling the visitors to a 50-40 victory. The Feb. 6 contest saw Panther upperclassmen start the night in recognition of senior night. The cast responded from the tip, as a Brandon Vaden jumper followed…
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Behind Miles’ 28, Lady Panthers coast by King & Queen 53-32

Powered by 28 points from senior guard Adrienne Miles, Charles City’s Lady Panthers cruised to a 53-32 victory over the visiting King & Queen Lady Tigers during a Feb. 5 Tidewater District contest. Miles set the tempo early on in the contest, scoring the game’s first six points and establishing a lead the hosts would never relinquish. Only a Trenisha Morris jumper accounted for the lone score for the Lady Tigers in the first quarter as Charles City led 9-2. Trailing 14-6 with three minutes remaining until halftime, the visitors made their biggest surge of the night. Back-to-back jumpers by…
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Play for a cause

New Kent holds early lead but falls in end to Poquoson

New Kent’s Lady Trojans accomplished a rare feat Tuesday night against Poquoson’s visiting Islanders. They owned the lead heading into the second quarter. Never mind that the Islanders’ usual starting five sat on the bench in the first quarter. Ability to stay in the game provided the hosts a measure of confidence that lasted the remainder of the half. But in the end, the visitors pulled away for a 58-22 win. “They played their freshmen and sophomores and we did, too,” said Lady Trojan coach Vann Baker, looking back on the opening period. “But it let our girls know this…
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Bay Rivers District champions again

Virginia Gems earn titles at cheerleading competition

The Virginia Gems, a cheerleading team based out of New Kent Gymnastics Center, earned multiple titles at the Occoquan Beach Blast Competition at the University of Mary Washington on Jan. 17. The group competed against 29 teams from the region, with the Virginia Gems bringing five of their own. The Darling Diamonds Junior 1 took home a first place finish, while the Amethyst Coed Senior 3 and Ruby Divas Mini 1 finished in second place in their respective divisions. The Lady Emeralds Junior 2 garnered a fifth-place finish, while the Sapphire Sweethearts received honorable mention. In November, the Lady Emeralds…
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Smithfield adds to New Kent woes with 73-25 decision

A frustrating basketball season for New Kent’s Lady Trojans continued Thursday night when they fell 73-25 to Smithfield’s visiting Packers. Smithfield utilized pressure tactics to score the game’s first 13 points on the way to handing the Lady Trojans their 16th loss without a victory. “We can run our offense, but can’t pull the trigger on shots,” said Lady Trojan coach Vann Baker. “We rush shots every time and don’t seem to have that confidence on the court.” In the face of Smithfield’s press, the Lady Trojans had few opportunities to even attempt to run their offense. The Packers forced…
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Tabb quickness overcomes reinvigorated New Kent

In a welcome departure from a sub-par effort just two nights earlier against York, New Kent’s Trojans showed up to play Wednesday night with Tabb’s Tigers visiting the Trojans’ gym. The hosts stayed with the Tigers for one half, but in the end, the visitors’ quickness proved decisive in an 83-55 Tabb win. “We’re playing better, and I’ve got to be happy with that,” said Trojan head coach Ronnie Cox. “We seem to play better against the top teams.” New Kent did not back down, despite Tabb jumping in front 4-0 at the start and threatening to pull away. Trey…
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New Kent experiences 78-59 setback in contest with York

In last week’s win over West Point and loss to powerful Grafton, New Kent’s Trojans took strides toward improved play, an important step with the conference basketball tournament looming on the horizon. Monday night against York, however, the host Trojans took a giant leap backward. Seemingly content to allow the visiting Falcons to dictate tempo in the second half, the Trojans watched an eight-point halftime deficit balloon to more than 20. With the contest degenerating into a playground affair, York had little trouble in gaining a 78-59 win. “We couldn’t get any continuity on the offensive end or the defensive…
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Panthers snap 12-game skid with 64-61 overtime win over King & Queen

Charles City did something they have struggled to do all year during a Jan. 23 matchup against the visiting King & Queen Tigers; hit clutch free throws. Kyle Jones converted all five free throw attempts in the fourth quarter, including two with 2.6 seconds remaining in regulation as the host Panthers snapped a 12-game skid with a 64-61 overtime victory over the Tigers. Early in the contest, Charles City looked to be in firm control, as junior forward Michael Callahan drained three trifectas to give the hosts a 9-4 early advantage. But the Tigers played their way back into the…
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