Hotly contested affair with Warhill lands in New Kent’s win column

New Kent's C.J. Reeders is fouled by Warhill's Jimmel Davis on a first quarter drive to the basket.

Alan Chamberlain photos

Smash-mouth — a term usually reserved for football — could be applied to the basketball battle that ensued Friday night in New Kent’s gym between the host Trojans and Warhill’s Lions. In an in-your face, (almost) no holds barred, take no prisoners affair in which neither team backed down, the Trojans outlasted the Lions over the final seconds to claim a 78-75 victory.

For aficionados of full court man-to-man defense from both sides, the game came made to order. And going with a small lineup (four guards and a small forward) late in the final quarter to create better matchups with the pesky Lions, keyed New Kent’s win. Three of those Trojan guards — C.J. Reeders, Kyle Claytor, and Evan Branch — took over the game, combining for all 25 of New Kent’s fourth quarter points.

“It was such a whirlwind game,” said Trojan coach Ronnie Cox, whose team improved to 11-9. “Both teams were in each other’s grill. It all came down to who could break the press the best.”

Before the second half and late game fireworks got under way, however, New Kent appeared to have matters under control heading into halftime. After a tight first quarter, the hosts gradually pulled away in the second period to own a 40-29 advantage at the break. The lead ballooned to 13 on a Reeders’ lay-in when play resumed.

To create the halftime margin, the Trojans blistered the nets with 77 percent (10-for-13) field goal shooting in the second quarter. That touch, however, evaporated after the break.

“We came out flat in the second half and [Warhill] took it to us,” Cox said. “We never really settled into our offense.”

Warhill closed within seven just over three minutes into the third quarter, but New Kent weathered the surge to bump the lead back to 12 at 47-35. The Lions, however, benefitted from their press to launch an 18-2 run, holding the Trojans to a pair of free throws while taking a 53-49 lead.

Warhill led 58-52 early in the final quarter, but back-to-back Reeders’ lay-ins followed by two Claytor free throws resulting from a Warhill technical foul wiped out the advantage. Two Antonio Stovall free throws momentarily handed the lead back to the Lions, but Branch converted both in a bonus free throw situation. Seconds later, Claytor’s steal and lay-in put the hosts back in front 62-60.

New Kent could not add to their lead, and Warhill took advantage, building five-point leads on two occasions including a 73-68 spread approaching one minute to go. A crucial turnover with 46 seconds left, however, opened the door for the Trojans and Branch who got behind the Lion defense on the baseline to drive for an open lay-up.

Fouled on the play, Branch stepped to the line but missed. Teammate Jared Lugg ran down the rebound, firing a pass to a streaking Claytor down the lane. Hammered on his lay-in attempt, Claytor calmly sank both free throws narrowing the gap to one (73-72) with :36.8 left.

On the Lions’ ensuing inbounds play, Reeders deflected the pass into the hands of teammate Amari Brown, stationed under the basket for an easy shot off the glass for a 74-73 New Kent lead.

Warhill quickly attacked the basket at the other end, going back in front on a Jimmel Davis lay-in with 23 seconds remaining, but Reeders wasted little time in driving the other way for a decisive lay-in 17 seconds from the end.

In the waning seconds, a desperation Lion three-pointer off the rim fell into Claytor’s hands. His assist to Reeders for another fast break basket helped create the final margin.

Reeders poured in a game-high 26 points while Claytor finished with 19. Jordan Hernandez totaled 11 followed by Branch’s nine, eight from Brown, and two apiece from Dean Powell and Darren Harris.

“I guess the fans got their $5 worth tonight,” Cox said. “It was Senior Night, we had a good crowd, and we’ll take it. I think this is something the kids will remember for a long time.”

New Kent’s Patrick Minor looks to pass to a teammate while closely guarded by Warhill’s Dearius Brooks.