New Kent ends long layoff with 59-43 win over Poquoson

By Alan Chamberlain | February 19, 2014 5:28 pm

New Kent's Micah Scorsone drives into the lane past Poquoson's Tyler Beaurle.

Alan Chamberlain photo

Shaking off the effects of a 17-day, weather-induced layoff, New Kent’s Trojans struggled at times against Poquoson’s invading Islanders. But defense overshadowed offense as the hosts took command late in the first quarter on the way to a 59-43 victory.

“It wasn’t pretty, but at least it wasn’t ugly,” said Trojan coach Ronnie Cox after the win.

“We haven’t played since Jan. 17, but I’m happy with it,” he said. “It’s sort of like starting the season all over again.”

The Trojans sputtered at the start, enabling the Islanders to cling to an early advantage. But with 1:10 to go in the opening period, Trey Cox buried a three to put the Trojans up 12-10. The basket not only handed New Kent the lead for good but also ignited a 16-1 run that had the hosts cruising 25-11 midway through the second quarter.

Poquoson managed to pull back within nine after intermission, but another Cox three and a steal and lay-in compliments of Blake Kelley highlighted a 6-0 surge that opened a 41-27 lead. The hosts never looked back.

“I thought we played pretty good defense,” said coach Cox. “We only gave up 43 points and we’ll take that.”

Trey Cox and Christian Block tied for team-high scoring honors with 13 points apiece. Kelley, Micah Scorsone, and Tommy Hale each scored eight followed by Jason Whitlow’s five and two each from Ryan Lugg and Joseph Nash. Poquoson’s Jay Brooks led all scorers with 19.

Now the Trojans (8-6) enter what coach Cox labels “the gauntlet,” meaning six games over an eight-day stretch starting this Friday. The Trojans travel to Lafayette (Friday), Grafton (Saturday), and Tabb (Monday) before returning home to finish out the regular season next week with Smithfield (Tuesday), Bruton (Wednesday), and Warhill (Friday).

“It’s going to be crazy. I just hope we can stay healthy before we enter postseason play,” he said noting that three players — Kevin Karaffa, Christian Hill-Sanders, and Justin Cox — already are sidelined by injuries.