Shooting struggles, Lafayette penetration sink New Kent

New Kent's Kevin Karaffa (with ball) tangles with Lafayette's Jason Adderly on a move to the basket.

Alan Chamberlain photo

Dropping a 73-64 decision to Lafayette’s Rams is not what New Kent Trojan basketball coach Ronnie Cox envisioned heading into the long holiday break. But there is a bit of consolation.

“We’re a lot better [4-4] than we were at this time last year,” he said after falling to the invading Rams on Dec. 20. “But we need a break.”

Two events set the stage for the outcome. First on the list — penetration down the lane on the part of Lafayette’s guards, often for easy baskets.

“We couldn’t stop them, and we didn’t rotate very well,” said Cox.

Then came late game shooting woes on the part of the Trojans. The night before, they had blistered the nets for 23 threes and 99 points at Poquoson. Barely 24 hours later, their shooting touch deserted them.

With six minutes left in the third quarter, New Kent owned a 47-43 advantage. But over the game’s final 14 minutes, the hosts sank just six of 29 shots (21 percent) from the floor.

“This was our third game in four days and we were a little fatigued,” said Cox. “But that’s no excuse. I felt we could have played a lot better.

“We couldn’t close the deal. We’d get a lead but then we couldn’t get stops,” he added. “It’s foreboding. You want to take them out but you can’t.”

Blake Kelley pumped in 18 first half points, but drew more attention from the Rams defensively after the break. He was held to five the rest of the way to finish with a game-high 23.

Trey Cox converted half of New Kent’s eight threes on the night to join Kelley in double figures with 15. Christian Block scored nine followed by Micah Scorsone’s seven and two each from Justin Cox, Joseph Nash, Mikel Chalmers, Kevin Karaffa, and Ryan Lugg.

Lafayette’s C.J. Miller and Bryce Losty each scored 16 to lead a group of four Rams in double figures.