New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 28, 2024

Lady Panthers stifle Windsor to open 2020 with win

By Robb Johnson | January 7, 2020 5:46 am

Charles City's Janiya Washington (right) races Windsor's Grayson Scott (left) to gain possession of the ball.

Robb Johnson photo

When it comes to starting off the New Year right, Charles City’s Lady Panthers hoped 2020 would be an improvement compared to the way the team finished 2019. Monday night’s game against the visiting Windsor Lady Dukes proved to be a good launching point.

Despite not playing a perfect game, Charles City put together a dominating game in toppling Windsor 56-15 to kickoff the new decade on a high note.

The first frame saw the visitors outmatched by Charles City. Windsor had no answer for Lady Panther Alexis Williams, who scored eight points and assisted on another basket to propel the hosts to an 11-0 lead after the first quarter.

Windsor finally cracked the scoring column with 6:06 remaining in the second quarter after Melissa Carr’s lay-in. But from there, the host launched a 19-0 run before settling in with a 30-6 halftime advantage.

Charles City’s defense remained strong throughout the second half, holding the Lady Dukes to a mere nine points. Meanwhile, the hosts built a lead of a game that never was in doubt as a running clock culminated the contest.

After the game, Lady Panther head coach Hailey Holmes commented that while she approved of the victory, the team still has a long way to go when it comes to basics.

“We missed too many shots, too many lay-ups, and too many free throws,” Holmes said, specifically pointing to 13 free throws that failed to fall through the net for the hosts. “We have to get better taking shots uncontested and seeing the floor.

“We need to see the floor and the open pockets for passing lanes and learn how to improvise,” she continued. “We did well tonight, but there is still a long way to go.”

Williams’ career high of 30 points led Charles City (3-7) in the victory. Skye Bradby also finished in double figures with 11 for the victors. Nijah Johnson and Anija Brown both tossed in five, Milla Mantell pumped in four, and Janiya Washington chipped in with one.