Hopewell’s firepower too much as New Kent Trojans finish as regional runners-up

New Kent's Trojans pose with their regional runner-up trophy after falling to Hopewell in the championship game.

Robb Johnson photos

For a majority of the year, skeptics have questioned the legitimacy of the New Kent Trojans’ basketball team and if they could be a threat to win the state title. And while the bid to win a regional title came up short to the visiting Hopewell Blue Devils, it was evidence that the Trojans still can make a case to win it all.

Hopewell’s Blue Devils built an early advantage in the third quarter and held off one last rally by the New Kent Trojans en route to a 73-65 win to capture the Region 3A Championship Friday night inside the Trojans’ gym.

Both teams played evenly in the first quarter, with shots falling on both sides. After Hopewell’s Tyson Marsh drained a shot to give the visitors a 12-11 lead, New Kent’s Christopher Leeper drained a three-pointer to return the advantage to the home team. Moments later, teammate Christian Joyner knocked down a long-distance connection of his own, giving the Trojans a five-point lead. Unfortunately, that lead would be the biggest one of the night for the home team.

Hopewell quickly answered as baskets were drained by Deshawn Spellman and Nick Byrd. Byrd’s subsequent trifecta capped a 7-0 Blue Devil run, bestowing a 19-17 lead in favor of the visitors as they transitioned into quarter two.

Hopewell’s athleticism and ability to switch off ball screens frustrated New Kent for a majority of the night. With the Trojans unable to get any clean look at the basket, Hopewell built their lead up to a dozen (36-24) in the middle of the second quarter. A pair of Will Ross trifectas sandwiched a Blue Devils basket as the visitors settled with a 38-30 halftime lead.

New Kent’s offense continued to struggle after the intermission, as Hopewell’s size began to shine through. The Blue Devils led by as many as 19 in the third before New Kent made one last run at the end of the frame and through the fourth. However, Hopewell dominated the remainder of the contest, scoring when necessary and preventing the Trojans from getting any additional clean looks at the basket. The end result saw Hopewell capture the regional championship.

For New Kent, the season is not over as they travel to Falls Church to take on the Meridian Mustangs in the Group 3A state quarterfinals on March 4.
Marty Wray led New Kent with 16 points, while Ross and Leeper finished in double figures with 14 and 13, respectively. Kyle Diggs pumped in nine, Joyner finished with seven, and Josiah Reedy tossed in six.

New Kent’s Marty Wray (24) tries to figure out a way to get some distance between him and 6’11” Hopewell Center Jamese Jordan (32).