Surry’s youth outplays Lady Panthers’ experience in 45-39 win

Surry's 6'4" center Brianna Jones (40) grabs the rebound despite the attempts of Charles City's Jessica Hill (right), Cheyenne Davis (center), and Adrienne Miles (left).

Andre' Jones photos

Last year, Charles City’s Lady Panthers ousted Surry County’s Lady Cougars in the regional semifinals to earn a berth in the Group 1A state championship tournament. But a new, youthful Surry cast rolled into town this time, focused on avenging last year’s loss.

Led by 6’4” freshman Brianna Jones and freshman guard Armani Franklin, Surry overcame a Lady Panther comeback and held on for a 45-39 win, ending Charles City’s season Wednesday night in disappointing fashion.

After a Jessica Hill hook shot tied the game at two apiece in the opening minutes of the game, Surry capitalized using Jones’ size. Three consecutive dump-downs led to six straight points for the center and a 13-1 run for the visitors to close the first quarter with a 15-3 lead.

Surry maintained the 12-point margin midway through the second quarter before Jones picked up her second foul. With Jones on the bench, Charles City staged a run to close the gap.

Two Hill free throws were followed by a Cheyenne Davis lay-in to cut Surry’s lead to single digits (17-8). Hill’s close range basket was duplicated by teammate Hailey Holmes as a 15-5 run closed the second quarter with the hosts trailing 22-19.

Momentum sided with Charles City after the break. Davis’ steal and layup and Adrienne Miles’ easy basket gave the hosts their first lead of the night 23-22 with 7:08 in the third. The lead increased to three with Hill’s hook shot.

But the visitors’ freshman duo quickly rebounded. Jones’ putback and a pair of free throws from Franklin returned the lead to Surry (26-25). Charles City reclaimed control of the scoreboard as Davis converted a conventional three-point play. Both teams alternated scores, resulting in a tie at 30 apiece heading into the final stanza.

A back-and-forth scoreboard battle ensued for the next four minutes in front of the near capacity crowd. Miles converted a banked floater in the lane to give the hosts a 36-34 lead with 3:52 remaining.

But Miles’ basket would be the final one with the hosts on top. Franklin stripped Holmes on the next Lady Panther possession and converted a lay-up. Jones’ putback returned the lead to the guests as the freshman duo put together an 11-3 run to close the game, capped off by Jones’ spin and score to seal the win.

After the game, Lady Panther head coach VaShaun Otey talked about the size mismatch and the problems it created for the hosts.

“They oversized us tonight,” said Otey, specifically pointing to Jones’ height. “We did a good job tonight and followed our gameplan.

“Usually, we convert layups easily but she made it extremely difficult,” added the disappointed head coach.

Nervousness throughout the game played a vital role in the Lady Panthers falling in the sectional quarterfinals. Besides the slow first quarter start, the hosts shot 10-for-23 from the free throw line, a downfall that Otey pointed out.

“We missed a few at the line that would have been crucial,” continued Otey, referencing the charity stripe shots and layups.

Now the Lady Panther head coach has to replace four seniors. Conference 42 first team selections Hill and Davis will graduate, as well as key reserves Ke’Ara Jones and Mary Black.

“Tonight, those girls left it all on the floor,” Otey added. “I couldn’t be any more proud of them than I am today.”

Otey, however, returns Conference 42 player of the year Miles and second team selection Holmes, as well as starter Taylor Bradby. He emphasized offseason workouts will be key for rising junior varsity players to make an impact.

“It is imperative for them to work hard to help us build this program,” Otey said. “These girls have to go to camp and do things to get better and continue to grow.”

Hill led Charles City with 16 points. Davis also finished in double figures with 13. Miles added five points, and Holmes and Ke’Ara Jones finished with three and two, respectively.

Jones scored a game-high 24 to lead Surry (18-5) while Franklin added 14.

Charles City’s Jessica Hill connects with two of her team-high 16 points over Surry’s Kennedy Presson.