Seniors step up, CC routs Windsor

With Charles City leading scorer Antonio Harris out due to illness, Panthers’ head coach Sharone Bailey challenged his team to step up its offensive game. A pair of seniors heeded it to heart.

Avery Jones composed a triple double while teammate JaQuan Carroll pumped in a career-high 19 points as the hosts remained undefeated in Tri-Rivers District play on Dec. 18 with a 79-40 victory over Windsor’s Dukes.

The hosts opened the game with a 14-0 run, captivated by an Avery Jones dunk on a fast break, on the way to a 20-7 first quarter lead. Jones would pump in 16 points in the first half and increase the lead to 45-22, garnering high praise from his head coach.

“Avery stepped up tonight and he had to be very assertive,” said Bailey. “It was his job tonight to basically push the tempo on the basketball court.”

Charles City’s relentless defensive pressure continued to force the visitors into mistakes. The hosts turned Windsor over 39 times and outscored them in every quarter.

“We have to keep the pedal to the metal,” Bailey continued, speaking about the performance. “We can’t let off at any point. We have to play a complete game.”

The Panthers also benefited from its best game in protecting the ball. They committed only 15 turnovers and crashed the boards, hauling in 48 rebounds.

“We have to battle and just protect the basket,” concluded Bailey.

Jones had 28 points, 11 steals and 10 rebounds to lead the way for Charles City (5-4, 3-0 Tri-Rivers). Carroll and Daron Jones (12) also finished in double figures for the victors. Jaelan Cotman scored seven followed by Gavin Cotman’s four, Khairi Wyatt’s three, and two each from Demaj Frazier, Bryan Johnson, and Jaelen Williams.