Charles City fights off Southampton comeback, edges Indians 65-64 in overtime

Charles City's Mitchell Whitehead (3) creates room to drive around Southampton's Miguel Bradshaw for an eventual score.

Robb Johnson photo

Charles City last won a home game in February 2021. Since then, the Panthers have been searching for a way to get the home crowd back into the gym and a reason to cheer. Saturday night’s contest against the Southampton Indians brought enough excitement, but more importantly, a win for the home team.

After staving off a furious comeback from the visitors, Charles City edged Southampton 65-64 in overtime to highlight a successful Hall of Fame game victory and snap a nine-game home losing streak.

Early on, the Panthers had firm control of the guests, jumping out to a 9-0 run with their quick pace down the court before settling into an 11-4 advantage after the opening frame. The second quarter echoed the same sentiments, with Charles City taking a 33-18 lead into the halftime break.

But Southampton ramped up their defensive pressure, elected to use a 2-2-1 press to frustrate the hosts. Foul trouble set Panther starter Bryan Lewis Jr. on the beach, while another starter, Taequan Williams, went to the bench after an injury. Those combinations resulted in a massive 20-4 run by Southampton, giving them a 38-37 advantage late in the third quarter. Charles City regained the lead by the end of the frame, but it was only by a mere point (40-39).

In the fourth quarter, both teams continued to seesaw the lead, with Charles City’s Williams being the catalyst of the offense. With 19.1 seconds remaining in the game, Southampton’s Adin Brown got around Panther defenders and connected a floater in the lane, providing the visitors with a 56-54 lead. The hots took a timeout with 9.2 seconds in the game, putting the ball in the hands of Williams. Williams would split two defenders and convert and easy lay-in, tying the game up at 56 apiece. A last-minute heave at the end by the Indians failed to convert, sending the game into overtime.

In the extra frame, a Randy Brown free throw and a Mitchell Whitehead lay-up bestowed a 59-58 lead for the hosts. But a three-pointer by Southampton’s Brown returned the lead to the visitors (61-59). Williams responded for the Panthers with another close conversion, tying the game up at 61 apiece.

Charles City took a 65-62 lead after Brown’s free throw attempt with 19.4 on the clock. Southampton pulled within a mere point after a lay-up by Kemon Eaton, with Southampton burning a timeout with just over eight seconds remaining.

On Charles City’s first inbound attempt, Southampton’s defense deflected the ball out of bounds, allowing Charles City to retain possession. On the next inbound, the Indians were able to deflect the ball, picking it up in a mad scrabble as it rolled towards the end line. Southampton’s attempt to save the ball was intercepted by Panther guard Sherod Jones, who cradled the ball as time expired.

After the contest, Charles City Head Coach De’Quantae Mason talked about the energy and environment in the game.

“I believe we got too eager and didn’t understand we were up by a couple of points,” the coach commented. “Our players thought the game was over because we tend not to have good third quarters.

“But overall, I think we did a good job coming back and I think we played good through the adversity tonight,” Mason added. “Tonight, we played unselfish basketball.”

Charles City (2-2) received a game high 28 points from Williams, who scored 19 of them in the fourth quarter and overtime. Lewis and Whitehead also finished in double figures with 13 and 11, respectively, Brown pumped in six, Messiyah Greene tossed in four, and Gavin Stewart chipped in with three.