News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | December 9, 2025
Sports
Windsor escapes with 36-33 win after Lady Panthers’ offense sputters
Charles City’s Lady Panthers looked to get back on track as they welcomed the Windsor Lady Dukes on Dec. 4. But as the game progressed, offensive struggles and the inability to sank free throws proved to be the difference maker as Charles City continues to search for win number one. Windsor escaped with a 36-33 victory, keeping the Lady Panthers winless on the season and having the coaching staff looking for a way to muster offense. Early on, the Lady Dukes took advantage of Charles City’s misses at the free throw line. Behind guard Mariah Stephenson, Windsor’s aggressiveness resulted in…
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New Kent wins home quad in wrestling season opener
New Kent High School’s wrestling squad completed a sweep of opponents to win their Dec. 3 home opening quad. The Trojans opened the competition by defeating the Nottoway Cougars 66-18. They followed that up with a win over Bay Rivers rival Grafton 69-12. New Kent ended the night by defeating non-district opponent Goochland 60-23.
New Kent takes off in second quarter, coasts by Gloucester in home opener
After defeating defending 4A state champion Atlee in their season opener, New Kent’s Trojans’ basketball team opened up their home basketball slate by hosting Bay Rivers District newcomer Gloucester. For the visiting Dukes, they recognized that the home-standing Trojans are still one of the top teams in the area. After a close first quarter, New Kent outscored Gloucester 74-28 in the final three frames to defeat the Dukes 95-48. The Trojans flexed their muscles in the opening minutes, as Jared Hathaway sank two three pointers and Marty Wray’s buckets sparked an 11-3 run to kickoff the game. But New Kent’s…
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Surry County decimates Lady Panthers in basketball season opener
Last year, Charles City’s Lady Panthers easily disposed of the Surry County Lady Cougars in their only meeting of the regular season. But with a group of girls who went undefeated at the JV level now playing varsity level competition, Charles City’s Lady Panthers quickly learned that this rendition of the Surry County Lady Cougars is a different squad. The visiting Lady Cougars drubbed the homestanding Lady Panthers 59-16 in the basketball season opener for both teams. Jaela Smith’s basket for the Lady Panthers tied the game at two apiece in the early stages of the contest. But from there,…
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Charles City’s Hilliard, Zuidema named to Tidewater District First Team in football
Two Charles City High School football players were named to the Tidewater All-District First Team. Senior Raizen Hilliard was selected as a defensive back. Junior Damien Zuidema was selected at the wide receiver position on offense. Zuidema was also selected to the all-district second team as a defensive back. Christopher Barbour Jr. was the other all-district selection for the Panthers, being named to the second team as a defensive lineman.
Undefeated Christiansburg puts to rest title dreams for New Kent in Class 3A State volleyball semifinals
New Kent’s Lady Trojans took the three-plus hour road trip to Christiansburg to take on the Lady Blue Demons for the right to play in the VHSL Group 3A State Volleyball Championship. And while New Kent performed valiantly in the face of competition, It would be the Lady Blue Demons who showed that their undefeated record was that way for a particular reason. New Kent fell 11-25, 19-25, 16-25 on the road, thus ending their quest for a state championship and ending their season with an impressive 20-5 record. Christiansburg opened up the contest strongly, using the momentum and energy…
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Rounds selected as Region 3A Volleyball Player of the Year; Burnett tabbed as Coach of the Year
New Kent Senior mid-hitter Leah Rounds was named the Region 3A Girls’ Volleyball Player of the Year. Rounds was one of four New Kent Lady Trojans who were tabbed with Region 3A First Team accolades. Joining her were senior setter Desirae Stowe, sophomore setter Brielle Perry, and sophomore outside hitter Carly Sachs. Two additional Lady Trojans were named to the Region 3A Second Team. Senior opposite Ava Nieto and junior outside hitter Reagan Haley-Robinson received regional honors. New Kent Head Coach Stuart Burnett was named the Region 3A Coach of the Year.
New Kent knocks off Meridian Lady Mustangs in state quarterfinals
Over the last several years, it was New Kent’s Lady Trojans who traveled to the Meridian Lady Mustangs in state quarterfinal volleyball action, with New Kent falling short on every occasion. Saturday afternoon with the Lady Mustangs making the trip to New Kent, it was the Lady Trojans who took advantage on their home court. New Kent defeated Meridian 25-20, 22-25, 25-20, 25-17 in the Group 3A state quarterfinal, allowing the Lady Trojans to advance and travel to Christiansburg to take on an undefeated Lady Blue Demons team on Nov. 18. After each team captured a set, the third frame…
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Hopewell runs through New Kent in regional quarterfinals, ends Trojans’ football season
Hosting their first home football playoff game in 22 years, New Kent wanted to make an impact statement in Friday night’s Region 3A quarterfinal contest against the visiting Hopewell Blue Devils. Unfortunately for the Trojans, being unable to stop the run put the hosts in a hole that they couldn’t get themselves out of. Four touchdowns by Hopewell running back A.J. Monroe proved too much for the Trojans as the Blue Devils spoiled New Kent’s playoff hopes with a 27-14 win. It didn’t take long for Hopewell to grab the lead. Less than two minutes into the contest, Monroe took…
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New Kent volleyball captures first regional title since 2021
It’s been four years since New Kent’s Lady Trojans captured a regional volleyball championship. That drought ended on Nov. 12. New Kent easily disposed Bay Rivers District rival Tabb Lady Tigers 25-15, 25-14, 25-11, to win the Region 3A title. There were very minimal issues with the Lady Trojans. Every set seemed to me orchestrated to sheer dominance. After winning the first two sets, the third frame consisted of a masterpiece of teamwork. The hosts jumped out to a 10-1 lead, which Tabb could not recover from. From there, New Kent swept the match and positioned themselves to host a…
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