Shooting woes continue for Lady Panthers, fall 37-18 to Middlesex

Middlesex's Tambria Wake (left) beats Lady Panther Sydney Richard to a rebound.

Andre' Jones photo

Charles City’s Lady Panthers held the visiting Middlesex Lady Chargers to a mere 37 points, more than 25 points below their season average. Unfortunately for the hosts, the struggles on the offensive end continued in the Jan. 8 contest.

Only three baskets found the bottom of the net for the Lady Panthers in the first half and only seven throughout the entire game as Middlesex remained on top of the Tidewater District with a 37-18 victory.

The hosts grabbed the lead early in the game with freshman Santaesha Hickman’s lay-up. Teammate Kiandra Randall’s follow off a miss gave the hosts a 4-1 lead, their largest of the game before Middlesex’s offense began clicking.

Back-to-back lay-ins by Lady Charger Emilie Smith put the visitors up by three (9-6) to end the first quarter. Those baskets started a 13-2 run for the guests, as only Hickman’s close range bucket accounted for the hosts only score in the second quarter as they entered halftime intermission trailing 18-8.

Charles City made its biggest move in the third quarter. Trailing 22-8, Hickman swipe and score was followed by teammate Tessa Young’s floater in the lane. Randall’s putback off a miss captivated a 6-0 run in a 45 second span to trim Middlesex’s margin to single digits (22-14).

The Lady Panthers threatened to get closer, but the next four baskets fell off the rim. Meanwhile, a basket from Lady Charger Miranda Kimble and two quick scores by Smith orchestrated a 12-0 run that spilled into the fourth quarter and a gap that the hosts would never be able to close.

After the contest, Lady Panther head coach VaShaun Otey talked about the offensive struggles.

“We are a lot more confident on the defensive end than the offensive end,” he said, emphasizing slowing down the usually high-powered visitors. “Tonight, we missed a lot of open shots.

“We have to build that confidence and know we can play just as well on the offensive end,” Otey continued. “Overall, we had two very good practices up to this game and we just didn’t make shots that we need to start making.”

Charles City (4-8) received a team high nine points from Hickman. Randall finished with four, Young and Sydney Richard tossed in two, and Shanijah Brown chipped in with one.

Middlesex’s Smith scored 12 points to lead all scorers in the game.