New Kent recovers from initial Jamestown surge, but falls in end 97-80

New Kent defenders Michael Amadeo (40), Patrick Minor, and Hunter Torres (33) converge to challenge a shot attempt by Jamestown's Ryan Jones.

Alan Chamberlain photo

By sinking 13 of 17 shots from the floor in the first quarter alone, Jamestown’s Eagles threatened to run away from New Kent’s host Trojans for an easy basketball win. The Trojans, however, regained composure, closing within striking distance before halftime. But late in Wednesday’s contest, the Eagles spread the floor, creating easy baskets to pull away for a 97-80 win.

After one quarter, the Eagles appeared in command with 32-16 lead. Brothers Mason and Evan Wang combined for five of six three-pointers to lead the way.

“It was unbelievable,” New Kent coach Ronnie Cox said looking back on the opening period. “In my 26 years of coaching, I’ve never seen a team shoot that well collectively and knock down that many threes in the first quarter.”

But Cox’s team came back, thanks in part to a Jamestown decision to place second stringers on the floor for most of the second quarter.

“I think their starters were gassed,” Cox said. “When they started giving them breaks, we fought right back into it.”

Sparked by Kyle Claytor’s 17 first half points and 11 from Jordan Hernandez, the hosts reduced the deficit to single digits just past the second quarter’s midpoint. Then Hernandez’s steal and dunk with three minutes left closed the gap to 38-32. Jamestown owned a 48-39 lead at the break.

Even with the Eagle starters back on the floor when play resumed, New Kent chipped away at the visitors’ lead. Amari Brown’s conventional three-point play after being fouled on a basket in the lane at the third quarter’s 3:27 mark pulled the hosts within four at 56-52.

“We were hanging around,” Cox said. “That team’s a state contender, so this game gave us a really good feel of where we are.

“Going in we weren’t under any illusions of not knowing what they are,” he added. “I’m just happy we played them so well for so long.”

The Eagles closed the period on an 11-3 run. A New Kent scoring drought spanned the final 1:18 of the third and 2:13 into the fourth. Dean Powell’s shot in traffic ended the dry spell, but by then the Eagles had built a 73-55 advantage, mostly on baskets off penetration into the lane.

“That gave us some issues,” Cox said, pointing to Jamestown’s ability to score almost at will down the stretch. “But I thought C.J. [Reeders] and Kyle did a good job controlling the Wang brothers. They had to work for what they got and that’s all you can ask for.”

Evan Wang finished with 22 points while Mason totaled 21.

Claytor, meanwhile, led New Kent, now 3-3, with a game-high 26. Hernandez scored 14 followed by 10 each from Reeders and Brown, Powell’s eight, Darren Harris’ four, Evan Branch’s three, two apiece from Patrick Minor and Michael Amadeo, and Ryan Curle’s one.