Yellow Jackets’ defense stings Charles City in 78-46 drubbing

Charles City's Walter Gordon (4) elevates over Northampton's Antonio Robinson to get off a shot attempt.

Andre' Jones photo

Unable to recoup from a 17-0 run to start the game, Charles City’s Panthers found themselves out of a Dec. 12 contest in the early stages, falling 78-46 to Northampton’s visiting Yellow Jackets.

Northampton set the tone early, as the visitors applied a 1-2-1-1 full court press, forcing early turnovers into baskets. Four Yellow Jackets contributed during the opening run before Panther forward Walter Gordon’s lay-up at the 4:02 put the hosts into the scoring column. Despite Gordon’s bucket, the Panthers found themselves down 20-9 after the opening quarter.

Quarter two didn’t come in any easier. As Northampton substituted personnel, they switched defenses to accommodate the changes. The visitors employed a variety of defenses each time down the floor, causing Charles City’s offensive execution to become irrelevant. The multiple Yellow Jacket formations ignited the visitors to a 10-2 second quarter run to push the lead to 17 (30-13).

The hosts finally found continuity with three minutes left in the half. Tyler Allen’s free throw was followed by four points from guard Noah Ragland. Wingman Thomas Kelly assisted guard Jestin Harris as Charles City used a 9-2 run to pull within 13 at the half (36-23).

Northampton resumed control after the intermission, as point guard Dashawn White eight points in third quarter, including a buzzer-beating lay-in to give the visitors a 20-point margin heading into the final quarter (54-34).

Charles City’s efforts continued to be present, as a Charles Vaden steal to Ragland bucket cut the score to 58-42 with five minutes remaining in the contest. But the Yellow Jackets continued to find easy scores, mounting a 24-4 run in the waning moments of the game to earn a convincing win over the hosts.

After the game, head coach Cullen Jenkins commented on the athleticism of the visitors on the floor.

“We tried to man but they were just too quick and a step ahead of us,” commented the disappointed head coach. “We missed a lot of easy shots as well and that played a factor for us.

“We hadn’t seen much of this team in the past and that caused confusion for us,” concluded Jenkins.

Ragland’s 11 points led the Panthers (1-4) in scoring. Marvin Brown scored seven, Gordon and Vaden each scored six, Allen contributed five, Harris and Jaquane Wyatt pumped in four, and Kelly’s three rounded out the scoring.

White’s 15 points led three players in double figures for Northampton, who finished with 12 players in the scoring column.