The 300 (Laurel) vs New Hope Academy

Recap

By: Darius Gordon

Laurel, a young team still finding its footing, looked to make a statement after recent struggles. Meanwhile, New Hope Academy entered with momentum following a dominant performance against Saint Charles and aimed to keep that energy alive. New Hope’s offense got off to a slow start, settling for early threes but still managing to build a 9–3 lead. Laurel struggled to find rhythm offensively, lacking tempo and urgency. As the half progressed, New Hope began asserting themselves in transition, drawing fouls, and using their size advantage effectively. One of the game’s biggest difference-makers was 6’11” big man Jahmai Drayton, who made his presence felt with multiple blocks and trips to the free throw line. Alongside him, scoring leader Isrial Braxton chipped in with timely buckets, helping stretch the lead. By halftime, New Hope had pulled away significantly, heading into the break with a commanding 38–13 lead. In the second half, New Hope continued to dominate. Their size, athleticism, and defense overwhelmed Laurel, who showed occasional flashes of heart but couldn’t close the gap. CJ Dimbeng stepped up with a clutch three and contributed significantly on both ends of the floor. The game ended with New Hope securing a statement win, 74–32, behind standout performances from Braxton, Drayton, and Dimbeng.

Notable Performances:

• Isrial Braxton: 21 points, 2 assists, 1 steal

• CJ Dimbeng: 15 points, 7 blocks

• Jahmai Drayton: 11 points, 6 blocks

New Hope Academy moves forward with confidence, while Laurel will look to regroup and bring more intensity in their next outing.