CC recovers, topples ARGS

Charles City’s Panthers watched an 11-point second half lead disappear, but a combination of defense and sinking just enough free throws down the stretch preserved a 55-46 Tri-Rivers District basketball victory over the visitors from Appomattox Regional Governor’s School.

The visiting Dragons also contributed to the Panther cause in the late stages of Monday’s contest by not scoring. Appomattox trailed 45-44 with 3:23 left in the game, but did not score again until more than three minutes later. By then, the hosts had converted eight of 15 free throws to put the game safely in the win column.

Charles City coach Sharone Bailey attributed the outcome to utilizing a five-guard lineup in the fourth quarter to take advantage of quickness on offense and unrelenting pressure on defense.

“The boys believed it tonight and gave me everything they had,” he said. “They looked so good, I didn’t want to substitute anybody.”

Late dramatics, however, appeared out of the question as the Panthers built a seemingly comfortable lead in the third quarter. The hosts, leading 29-27 at the break, froze the ball early on, a move designed to pull the Dragons out of their zone defense. Four minutes elapsed before the visitors resorted to man-to-man.

“I knew they couldn’t stay with my team in man-to-man,” Bailey said.

Charles City owned a 30-29 advantage when the ploy began to pay off. The Panthers erupted for 10 unanswered points, including six on Terrance Banks lay-ins, to extend the margin to 40-29 with under a minute to play in the third period.

But the Dragons answered with the last three points of the period and another nine to start the final quarter. When Dimitri Ross buried a jumper from the foul line with 5:11 left to play, the shot completed a 12-0 run that had the Dragons back in front 41-40.

Charles City regained the lead as Trevor Jones penetrated to the basket. A Jared Woodley free throw and a double clutch shot in the lane from Roger Williams helped the hosts create a 45-42 advantage.

The Dragons’ Micaiah Presley sank a pair of free throws with 3:43 to go, closing the gap to 45-44, but those would be the last ARGS points registered until Ross scored in the lane with just 18 seconds left. Charles City, meanwhile, took advantage at the free throw stripe to pull away.

Jones’ 19 points and Dominique Williams’ 16 led the Panthers, now 5-6 in the district and 6-14 overall. Banks finished with 10 while Woodley tossed in six and Roger Williams ended with four.

Ross scored 19 to lead ARGS.