New Kent 97 Mechanicsville 60 Final nm
- Thread starter kwhs95fan
- Start date
We'll find out in a couple of weeks when the playoffs start. They'll have to go through Lake Taylor or Hopewell maybe Norman or even Petersburg to advance. So we'll see.
They are legit. Obviously, they don't play a schedule as tough as Hopewell or Lake Taylor, but NK is a really good team. They're not very big, but they have shooters all over the floor, and play good team defense, and play as a team in general. Two 1000 point scorers on the team, and a third who will eventually be one. Tonight it was their 3rd leading scorer who hit nine 3's and scored 31 points. They own wins over Western Albermarle, who was a state team last year, Smithfield, who is a solid class 4 team, and two wins over Bruton, who is arguably the second best class 2 team, behind JM. I do think it'll be key for them to get the top seed, to better help their chances of getting to the state tournament... Also, does anyone know much about Meridian? They're undefeated too.
Also many might not know, but NK has a pretty accomplished assistant coach in former VCU star and professional player in Jesse Pellot-Rosa. I'm sure having him around is a huge help to the players and coaching staff.
Last edited:
Yeah I've seen their scores, but other than that, I don't know much about them. I may have to look them up on NFHS
Meridian has played a very weak schedule, in my opinion. They have a super impressive 15 point win over Spotswood from early in the season, and have killed mostly everyone they have played, but I do not think they are on the same tier as Northside, Hopewell, etc. For reference, they needed a buzzer beating 3 to beat Skyline (who is certainly a very solid C3 team), but Skyline just lost to John Handley 83-54. Meridian has to go play at Skyline later this week in a rematch so we will see how that one goes. I do think the Mustangs will win Region 3B and make a great playoff run, certainly one of the five or six best teams in C3, just think they are one tier below the true state title contenders, in the same group as New Kent, IMO. They could 100% prove me wrong!
Coached by Jim Smith, great players-coach who was also successful at Chantilly HS, well over 500 wins in his career (3rd most boys wins NOVA history)
Asked my homie who has a kid on Smithfield’s team and he said they’re only unbeaten because of a weak schedule. He told me to tell whoever is asking that Smithfield will beat them on the 12th…I’m just the messenger 🤷🏽♂️
I doubt if they play tomorrow, because of the weather. But they did beat Smithfield when they played them, and they beat Bruton twice, who just beat Smithfield last night. Basically they've both played the same district schedule and in non district play, NK does own a win over another top 10 class 3 school in Western Albermarle.
Last edited:
No knock on any of the teams that are undefeated they play the schedule they're giving, but I agree with playing a tough schedule makes a big difference. Lake Taylor, Hopewell and Northside play a very tough out of district schedule and there in district schedule is also very tough. So no knock on New Kent or meridians teams or talent I also think they're not as talented as the upper C3 teams. I've seen Hopewell and Lake Taylor and they've division 1 Talent all over their team along with Northside. But it also comes down to match ups and on any given night any team can get beat. So good luck and we'll see what happens playoff time.
I'm glad the playoffs willn't be at Norfolk scope this year and will be played at the highest seed home court. It makes more sense. Instead of driving to Norfolk 3 times in 4 days. It only benefits the Norfolk teams like Lake Taylor, I.c norcom or Booker t washington .
Should be a good one...even if NK loses, I think they still get the one seed.
So the more I watch film the more I think New Kent would have a punchers chance against Hopewell or Lake Taylor in the Region 3A playoffs. Both of those teams are more talented, athletic, and have much better size…but New Kent really lives by the 3. The great equalizer. LT and Hopewell’s length and athleticism will give New Kent problems on the defensive end-both teams should be able to score at will as long as they can figure out their press-but I do think if New Kent is warm they will be able to keep up on offense. They move the ball very fast and have multiple dudes that will shoot if you don’t close out hard enough. If their opponents aren’t used to it it takes some time to adjust. Trojans have also won a lot of close games this year….I think that comes into play a lot in the playoffs. Plenty of experience in pulling out games, both coming back from deficits and holding on to their own leads. I would not personally be shocked if LT or Hopewell overwhelmed New Kent in the playoffs, I just think they have a slightly better shot of competing than I previously thought.
It’s funny because the more I watch Hopewell the more I don’t see New Kent standing a chance against them.
I thought it was just me being Hopewell bias. New Kent press don’t scare you on tape Hopewell will get them out the press by the 2nd. Then if you wanna shoot 3s all night ask Varina where that got them. Hopewell played the worst game Friday against a decent Dale team and won with the role players leading the way. So idk maybe New Kent got some I can’t point out but I’m hoping they make it to the championship to prove us wrong.
I agree Hopewell didn't play there best game Friday against Dale. Dale played aggressive and got alot of offensive rebounds. I've seen Hopewell play many times this year and it seems to me they play their best basketball when running. Even if they play New Kent I think they'll be ready for the challenge.
Hopewell is a significantly better team. If you made me pick a score right now I think it's very likely Hopewell wins by 20+. I just feel ever so slightly better about NK's ability to keep up with them on the right night. Either way, Region 3A is pretty brutal this season.
1 New Kent
BYE
8. Lakeland
9. Colonial Heights
5. Petersburg
12. York
4. Heritage
13. BTW
3. Lake Taylor
BYE
6. Lafayette
11. Tabb
7. Grafton
10. Norcom
2. Hopewell
BYE
I’m going off on a limb Petersburg vs Hopewell for the regional championship. Petersburg is 10-2 (1 loss was a buzzer beater to Heritage and the other was to Matoaca after finding out one of they coaches passed) since they lost to Hopewell.
Yeah Petersburg was been playing well and they've some good athletes. It wouldn't surprise if they beat some teams and made it to the championship.
