Diggs’ strong fourth quarter lifts New Kent to holiday tournament title

New Kent’s Will Ross (4) handles the pressure with poise from Hanover defender Aidan Trimiew (11).

Robb Johnson photo

It took some second half holiday magic for New Kent’s Trojans to claim their first home holiday tournament championship.

Behind a strong fourth quarter from Kyle Diggs, New Kent pulled away for a 74-61 victory over the Hanover Hawks in the championship game of the Hoopville Holiday Tournament.

In the first three quarters, both teams played neck-and-neck, with the lead never growing larger than seven. During that time though, the Trojans never found themselves trailing, leading 19-16 after the first, 34-33 after the second, and 52-48 after the third.

But in the fourth, it was the hot shooting from Diggs that helped the home team establish some distance. A three-pointer from the wing along with two more baskets helped the Trojans jump their lead to 15 points (63-48). Pressure defense from the Trojans also forced Hanover to crumble late in the contest, resulting in the comfortable win as time expired.

After the contest, New Kent Head Coach Garrett Ross spoke about the contest.

“We learned how to play together and deal with the physicality,” the victorious head coach said. “Our coaching staff put the time in, and it takes a village everywhere buying in. They put the work in and it’s showing on the court.”

New Kent (9-0) placed four players in double figures with Will Ross (18), Diggs (17), Marty Wray (14), and Christian Joyner (11). Kris Leeper tossed in six, Josh Reedy added four, Ethan Smith contributed two, and the duo of Kingston Young and Michael Hetzel chipped in with one apiece.