Southampton eclipses century mark in rout of Panthers

Charles City’s Justis Crawley (with ball) tries to create separation against Southampton’s Shamon Reid-Wilkerson.

Robb Johnson photo

After suffering a season opening loss at Southampton, Charles City looked to extract a measure of revenge. For one half, it looked like the hosts Panthers were going to do that.

But a switch in defenses by the visiting Indians resulted in Charles City being outscored 57-22 in the second half as Southampton rolled to a 101-55 thumping in the Dec. 11 contest.

The Indians jumped out to a 12-7 advantage in the first quarter before Charles City found offensive momentum. Consecutive lay-ins by Justis Crawley, Cameron Vaden, and Cameron Johnson provided the hosts with their first lead of the contest (13-12). After Keonje Stephenson returned the lead to Southampton, a free throw by Leo Charity tied the game once again. The back-and-forth battle continued for the remainder of the frame, with Southampton emerging on top 18-16.

The Indians sank four free throws to extend their lead to open the quarter before Charity’s lay-up halted the hosts’ scoring drought. Crawley’s additional score and a wide open three-pointer once again tied the contest at 26.

Charles City regained the lead 31-30 before a hoop by Southampton’s Martin Baskerville put the visitors up for the remainder of the game. The Indians used the basket to finish the quarter on an 11-1 run to take a 44-33 lead heading into halftime intermission.

A shift by the visitors into a match-up zone defense confused Charles City’s offense to begin the third quarter. Multiple turnovers leading to easy baskets for Southampton echoed multiple times in the final two frames, allowing the guests to break open what was once a close contest into a runaway.

After the game, Panther head coach VaShaun Otey commented about the overwhelming second half.

“Southampton went to that match-up zone and forced our point guard to get confused and turn the ball over,” said the disappointed head coach. “That lead to easy lay-ups and our fouling put them at the line for easy points.

“We have to play more consistent,” Otey continued. “We have talent, but we have to foul less and rebound. Basically, it comes down to taking better shots and as a team, we have to make those strides everyday.”

Charity contributed a team-high 15 points for the Panthers, who remain winless with a record of 0-3. Crawley scored 10 points, Juwaun Bowman tossed in eight, Cameron Johnson scored seven, Devonte Johnson dropped in four, Tanner Grubbs and Christian Stewart scored three apiece, Vaden and Steven Trull Jr. pitched in with two apiece, and De’Rome Chretien chipped in with one.

Southampton’s Shamon Reid-Wilkerson scored a game-high 20 points for the victors.