NK alum coaches team to state title

Burt Torrence, a 1991 New Kent High School graduate, coached the Northside Vikings to a 24-10 victory over James Monroe’s Yellow Jackets in the group 3A state football championship. Torrence, a former all-state selection in football and baseball for the Trojans, led the team to the triumph on Dec. 14. It is his second championship in five years at the school. The New Kent alum played collegiate football at the University of Richmond and Emory and Henry College before pursuing his coaching career.

Eagle runs seal L. Trojans’ fate

New Kent’s Lady Trojans had their way in the early going against Jamestown’s visiting Eagles. But an 11-0 Eagle run over a three-minute span of the first quarter reversed the hosts’ fortunes. Jamestown went on from there to a 60-38 win, handing New Kent its first basketball loss of the season after an opening triumph at York. Lady Trojan Adrienne Goodlet drove the length of the floor after grabbing a rebound to opening the night’s scoring. Next, she dished off to Paige Simpson to put the hosts up 4-0. After a Jamestown field goal, Kirsten Gipson sank a pair of…
Read Full Story

Panthers squander 14-point lead as Southampton wins at buzzer

For first year Charles City head coach Aaron Dodge, it was kind of an odd-feeling to see former comrade and Panther head coach Sharone Bailey on Southampton’s visiting bench. It was obvious that both coaches knew each other well, but it was a last minute adjustment that led to the Indians stealing a win. Indian forward Shane Aqunzo converted an open lay-up as time expired as visiting Southampton overcame a 14-point deficit to start the final frame to escape with a 75-74 win in the season opener for both teams. Through the first three quarters, it seemed Charles City would…
Read Full Story

New Kent tops York 62-47 in opener

Taking advantage of a nine-minute-plus field goal drought on the part of York’s Falcons, New Kent’s host Trojans built a double-digit lead in the third quarter before turning back a York rally in the fourth and pulling away for a 62-47 victory in last night’s (Wednesday) basketball season opener for both. The Trojans utilized superior guard play and ability to block the Falcons off the boards. Despite the presence of York’s 6-foot-8 center Eric Harp in the paint, the Trojans grabbed a 43-25 edge in rebounds. “I thought we played really good on the perimeter,” said winning coach Ronnie Cox….
Read Full Story

Clutch free throws down the stretch lift CC to opening win

Charles City’s Lady Panthers, a team that returns four of five starters from last year’s state playoff appearance, are favored to win the Tidewater District. However, an early scare in the season’s opening contest against the visiting Rappahannock Lady Raiders proved to the hosts that a return trip will not come easy. Overcoming a first quarter deficit and withstanding multiple rallies, the hosts escaped its home floor with a 48-44 victory in last night’s (Wednesday) season opener for both teams. Early in the contest, Rappahannock used a methodical slow pace to take the hosts out of their element. The ploy…
Read Full Story

Second Sarah Gupta tourney raises $26,000 for scholarship endowment

The second annual Sarah’s Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Club at Viniterra golf course on Sept. 20 has helped in contributing a $26,000 donation into a scholarship endownment fund with the College of William and Mary. The tournament, established in memory of Gupta who passed away in Nov. 2011 with a rare form of adrenal cancer, has been held the last two years, with results yielding more than $50,000 in donations. The endownment, on behalf of the former New Kent Middle School teacher, was created to help students pursuing a degree in education or the arts at the College…
Read Full Story

Carlin, Brightwell compete at states

New Kent’s Andrew Carlin and Tyler Brightwell competed in the Group 3A cross-country state track and field championships on Nov. 15 at the Great Meadows course in The Plains. Carlin finished 13th overall in the competition with a time of 16:24. Teammate Tyler Brightwell ran 17:42, earning him a 77th place finish. More than 30 teams and 100 representatives participated in the meet.

Conference honors earned by Allen

Karley Allen, a 2013 graduate of New Kent High School, completed her freshman volleyball season at UVA-Wise and was named to the 2nd-team Mountain East Conference team. The former Bay Rivers and Region I player of the year finished the season with 423 kills (2nd in conference), 310 digs (10th in conference), 31 aces (11th in conference), and 38 blocks. Allen also finished as runner-up in the conference for rookie of the year. She was also an all-tournament team selection in the King Invitational. She is the daughter of Ed and Debbie Allen of New Kent.

Shining ‘Gems’

Charles City season ends as West Point intercepts win

Throughout the season, Charles City has been plagued by the turnover bug. And on Nov. 7, those turnovers ended a miserable season for the Panthers. West Point Pointers intercepted five passes, resulting in multiple touchdowns as the visitors rolled to a 47-0 victory, spoiling senior night for the hosts Panthers. After exchanging drives early in the opening frame, the Panthers turned the ball over on downs near midfield. Pointer senior signal caller Mikey Anerton quickly made the hosts pay, hooking up with Chase Stewart and a 7-0 lead. Another stalled drive would see Anerton throw a 38-yard strike to Edgar…
Read Full Story