New Kent’s fourth quarter rally unable to overcome 30-point deficit

New Kent point guard Kyle Claytor puts on the brakes in an effort to escape being trapped by Lafayette's Antwan Canady (23) and Steven Wesley.

Alan Chamberlain photo

Unleashing a furious press, New Kent’s host Trojans outscored Lafayette’s Rams 31-17 in the final quarter of their Friday night basketball battle. Those 31 points eclipsed the Trojans’ entire offensive production over the first three quarters. And those three quarters proved problematic.

New Kent trailed by 30 early in the fourth quarter, and that deficit became too much to overcome. The hosts could not get closer than the final score as Lafayette held on for a 72-58 win on the Trojans’ Senior Night honoring players taking the floor for their final home game.

“The humiliation of the first, second, and third quarters brought that on,” New Kent coach Ronnie Cox said concerning his team’s comeback. “That’s the kind of effort you’ve got to have, and unfortunately it didn’t manifest itself until it was too little, too late.

“These senior nights are really nice, but sometimes it can be an emotional thing for them,” the coach said. “Some get real amped up and play real well while some play passive, and we played passive. It was like we were in a dream or something.”

For the first half, New Kent shot a horrible 21 percent (7-for-33) from the floor. And offensive rebounds were scarce. Fifteen trips into the offensive end became one shot and done situations, helping Lafayette build a 36-18 lead at the break. Through three quarters, the Rams seemed in firm control, up 55-27.

But Cox’s team, led by his four seniors — regular starters Ryan Lugg and Trey Cox and reserves Tyler Jenkins and Austin Pierce — and underclassman point guard Kyle Claytor woke up down the stretch, creating points off Ram turnovers. Lugg and Cox did not score through three quarters. In the fourth, they combined for 20 points.

“They left the floor in a respectable way,” coach Cox said of his seniors. “I wanted them to feel good about that. All four have been real good team leaders this season.”

Lugg ended with 11 points while Trey Cox totaled eight. Claytor, meanwhile, led the Trojans, now 6-14, with a game-high 21. Justin Cox finished with nine while Jason Whitlow added seven and Ethan Ashford contributed two.

Lafayette’s T.J. Epps led a group of four Rams in double figures with 20 points.