Foul troubles plague Charles City’s quest for first win

By Robb Johnson | December 12, 2017 7:15 am

Charles City’s Skye Bradby (3) weaves in and out of traffic while avoiding a pursuit by Southampton’s Ashawnti Williams.

Robb Johnson photo

Charles City’s Lady Panthers continue to experience growing pains. This time, it was from too much aggression.

The visiting Southampton Lady Indians attempted 29 first half free throws, enabling them to outdistance themselves from the home-standing Lady Panthers 52-19 in Monday night’s non-district clash.

After a Ja’Maya Hunt layup was made to put the visitors ahead, Lady Panther Alexis Williams sank two free throw attempts to knot the game up early. A stalemate ensued before Hunt converted a free throw at the line. Jordyn Greene’s basket propelled Southampton to a 9-1 run to end the first quarter.

Charles City’s offense failed to muster a field goal until junior Jaelah Wyatt’s lay-in at the five-minute mark in the second quarter. But the biggest problem for the Lady Panthers was the inability to stop the visitors from visiting the charity stripe. Hunt and teammate Ashawnti Williams combined for 17 attempts for Southampton. Despite only converting three of those freebies, the pace of the game slowed down to the Lady Indians style, bestowing them a 23-11 halftime advantage.

Charles City miscues continued in the second half, leading to Southampton outscoring the hosts 29-8 in the final two quarters for the win.

After the contest, Lady Panther head coach Antoine King tried to wrap his head around his team’s performance.

“The fouls tonight showed that we have to move our feet better,” the head coach commented. “At least four of my players had four fouls.

“We just have to continue and see the floor better,” King continued. “We have to improve with our ball movement and we should be fine as the team grows.”

Williams provided a team high six points for Charles City, who remains winless at 0-5. Skye Bradby tossed in five, Wyatt finished with four and Cheyanne Marshall pitched in three.

Hunt led all scorers in the game with 19 points.