New Kent challenges for lead in first half, but third quarter ends bid for first win

Working along the baseline, Lady Trojan Lindsey Reece fires a pass to a teammate past Bruton defender Toya Wynne.

Alan Chamberlain photo

Opportunity to take the lead came knocking at the door for New Kent’s Lady Trojans, locked in a close basketball contest with Bruton’s visiting Panthers. Inability to sink shots at crucial times, however, meant the door went unanswered.

The Lady Trojans created a 14-14 tie near the midpoint of the second quarter and were within two at 18-16 as the first half wound down. But the Panthers scored the final six points of the half and used a 15-2 third quarter run to pull away Tuesday night for a 59-37 triumph. New Kent, now 0-20, remains in search of its first win.

“Again it’s composure,” said Lady Trojan head coach Vann Baker. “When the game gets out of control, we seem to lose our composure. We seem to have a third quarter slump where we come out cold and have trouble transitioning back into the game.”

Behind its press, Bruton built a 6-0 lead with the game less than 30 seconds old and seemed well on its way to dominating. The hosts, however, settled down, breaking the press consistently while getting open shots.

A Brittany LaPrade trey and a Kelsey Yates free throw had the hosts back in contention at 10-8 late in the opening period. Thanks to a trio of Bruton turnovers, the hosts had chances to at least tie and even take the lead, but missed five straight shots from the floor, including a pair from three-point range.

Sarah Major’s shot from the perimeter deadlocked the affair at 14-14 just past the five-minute mark of quarter two. Again, the hosts had a shot at the lead following a Bruton miss, but could not convert. The guests proceeded to build a four-point advantage.

Brynne Jones’ steal and quick basket in the lane brought the Lady Trojans back within two at 18-16, but Bruton ended the half on a 6-0 run to lead 24-16 at the break. Then disaster struck at the offensive end for the hosts when play resumed.

“We’ve got to learn to keep our heads in the game,” Baker said, pointing to the third quarter meltdown on offense. “The girls are trying real hard, and gaining confidence is just a matter of getting playing time.”

LaPrade’s 13 points led the Lady Trojans. Teammate Payton Slater finished with nine followed by Major’s four, three each from Yates, Jones, and Lindsey Reece, and Tessa Gray’s two.