Senior scoring lifts Panthers over Chesterfield Community

Charles City's James Adkins (1) blocks the shot attempt of Randall McClarkin as teammate Jestin Harris helps battle for the loose ball.

Andre' Jones photo

Led by a trio of seniors, Charles City’s Panthers matched visiting Chesterfield Community’s Eagles score for score before pulling away to a 73-63 win.

The Feb. 5 contest consisted of contrasting styles. While Chesterfield used the power trio of Randall McClarkin, Derek Smith, and Jay Jordan, Charles City countered with senior shooters Antonio Harris and Gavin Cotman.

With Harris drawing double teams most of the night after his 50 point performance at Chesterfield, Cotman became the beneficiary. Cotman scored 10 points in the second quarter, helping the Panthers to a tie at 34 apiece at the halftime break.

Helping Cotman and Harris was senior classmate Treyvon Cotman, whose speed forced turnovers and allowed him to convert easy baskets throughout the contest.

Countering the Panthers’ speed, Chesterfield pounded the ball inside to its trio of heavyset forwards. Smith’s bucket at the 3:11 mark in the final quarter tied the game at 59 apiece.

But that would be as close as the Eagles would get for the remainder of the night. After Harris’ free throw gave the hosts a 63-61 lead, Michael Callahan connected with a hook shot to up the margin to four. Despite a timeout from the guests, Harris converted two more at the charity stripe and Trevyon Cotman became the recipient of an easy lay-up to push the gap to eight (69-61).

Chesterfield’s Chuck Edwards converted a floater, but another Harris lay-up plus two free throws from Treyvon Cotman sealed the game for the hosts’ second consecutive win.

After the game, Panther head coach Aaron Dodge spoke about the difficulty stopping Chesterfield’s low post threats. Of the 63 team points they scored, 55 were in the paint.

“They’re strong and they play physical,” said Dodge. “They have four or five guys that are bigger than our biggest guy.

“Tonight, we were a little sluggish on defense but that happens when playing back-to-back games.”

Bringing a huge smile to Dodge’s face was the scorebook. For the first time all season, Harris did not lead the team in scoring, as Gavin Cotman took top honors with 22 points.

“Because Antonio [Harris] is one of the best players in the state, it gives others opportunities to score and be open, so other players have to get their points when he draws the double team,” continued the victorious head coach. “We preached the whole year for them to shoot the ball.

“We need to have two consistent scorers and tonight we had four. We are now playing positive, cohesive team basketball,” added Dodge.

Transitioning into the postseason, the Panthers have won five of their last six games, carrying momentum as they head into the conference tournament.

“We are hitting our stride right now and we are going out and doing the things we have to do to get the job done,” concluded Dodge.

Joining Gavin Cotman in double figures for victorious Charles City (8-13, 6-5 Tidewater) were Harris with 21 points and Thomas Kelly with 10. Treyvon Cotman finished with nine, Craig McElroy tossed in six, and Jestin Harris and Callahan contributed three and two, respectively.

Jordan’s 19 led three players in double figures for Chesterfield Community.