KENT — The Brewster Academy Bobcats came to South Kent School Wednesday, Feb. 14, for a much-anticipated game between two strong and evenly matched teams.
The South Kent Cardinals were hungry for revenge after a bitter three-point loss to Brewster earlier in the season. The seven-time National Prep Champion Bobcats wouldn’t go down without a fight, and the Valentine’s Day showdown proved there was no love lost between the two teams.
Sparks flew from the jump. On the opening possession, Brewster’s Harris Jackson splashed a perfect three-pointer and the game was on.
South Kent immediately seized momentum and took a six-point lead just minutes into the match. The Cardinals’ defense and rebounding ability fueled the early run.
Brewster was forced into many mid- to long-range shots and struggled to rebound effectively. The Cardinals’ lead was steadily building thanks to control of the paint and some clutch three-pointers by forward Jojo Wallace.
By halftime, South Kent’s lead ballooned to a staggering 20 points with the score at 45-25.
This unexpected and lopsided score didn’t deter the Brewster Bobcats. An effective full-court press and strong playmaking on offense gradually started to even the score.
Brewster’s comeback was cut short by the clock, and the final score was 77-65, with South Kent securing a hard-fought victory.
South Kent’s record advanced to 15-14 on the season and Brewster fell to 13-17.
Both teams will get set for the AAA New England Prep School tournament beginning Feb. 28.