Even without leading scorer, Lady Panthers cruise over King & Queen

By Andre Jones | February 10, 2016 9:12 pm

Charles City's Jaelah Wyatt looks to pass to a teammate around King & Queen's Shameka Jones.

Andre' Jones photo

With Lady Panther leading scorer Santaesha Hickman missing the game in what’s being described as a personnel matter, Charles City head coach VaShaun Otey looked to other players in hopes to find some offensive firepower. He didn’t have to look too far.

Senior Kiandra Randall scored the first nine points of the contest for the hosts while teammates Veondra Brown and Jaelah Wyatt tossed in nine for the contest as Charles City defeated King & Queen’s Lady Tigers 40-27 in the Feb. 10 home finale.

Randall’s antics started early, draining a three-pointer from the far corner. After Lady Tiger guard Shameka Jones scored on an inbound play, Randall would string together three buckets for the hosts. Wyatt’s wing three-pointer to close the quarter bestowed a 12-2 lead for the host. A Brown free throw, Randall’s follow-up and Wyatt’s bank shot to start the second quarter pushed the gap to 15 (17-2) for the Lady Panthers before they settled for a 19-11 halftime lead.

The Lady Tigers pulled withing six (21-15) thanks to a three-pointer and subsequent free throw by Alys Davis. But the homestanding Lady Panthers responded with an 8-1 run to close the third with a 29-16 lead before sealing the contest in the final stanza.

After the contest, Otey talked about players stepping up on the offensive end.

“Kiandra [Randall] played well tonight,” said the coach, pointing to the center’s game high 16 points and 20 rebounds. “Jaelah [Wyatt] also hit shots she missed the night before [against West Point].

“Tonight, we played relax on offense but at points we were too relaxed,” said Otey, pointing to the inability to execute some offensive sets. “As we prepare for the conference tournament, we’re going to have to rely on our defense to carry us.”

Charles City closes out the regular season at 8-13 and is tentatively scheduled to travel to Cumberland next week.

Randall’s 16 carried the victors while Brown and Jaelah Wyatt tosse in nine apiece. Meryah Bates and Sydney Richard each contributed three, and Kourtney Wyatt rounded out the scoring with two.

Davis and Kayla Hill each scored 11 to lead the Lady Tigers.