New Kent Charles City Chronicle

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

Despite Brown’s 30 points, ARGS escapes Charles City with 53-45 win

By Robb Johnson | November 30, 2021 11:28 am

Charles City's Randy Brown Jr. gets to the basket with ease for two of his game high 30 points.

Robb Johnson photo

February 2020 was the last time a majority of the Charles City County High School community had an opportunity to see live sports. Since then, several changes have taken place to bring back the life of the high school sports atmosphere that include a refurbished gymnasium for the Panthers. A Monday night matchup against the visiting ARGS Dragons to christen the gym spoiled that grand return to the hardwood.

Despite 30 points from Randy Brown Jr., Charles City’s Panthers late rally couldn’t close the gap as the ARGS Dragons toppled the hosts 53-45 in the boys’ basketball season opener for both teams.

The opening quarter was a feeling out for both teams as Charles City only returns three players with experience and eight newcomers. However, Brown was one of those returners and he scored all 11 points for the Panthers in the first quarter to keep them within striking distance (12-11).

But the Dragons found their momentum in the second quarter, outscoring Charles City 20-1 to build a comfortable double-digit lead at the halftime break (32-12).

Trailing 40-24 heading into the final quarter, Charles City went on a furious run. A wing three-pointer banked off the glass by Brown was followed up by two more from freshman newcomer Gavin Stewart to cut the lead to single digits. However, the Panthers weren’t able to get it no closer than six the rest of the way as ARGS emerged victorious.

After the contest, first-year head coach Codera Cotman talked about his team’s debut and the effort demonstrated.

“Everybody is just young right now,” he commented. “We are a young team that has not really played at the big-time varsity level.

“We will go through some things but we will build off of this,” Cotman continued. “I will say that they are holding each other accountable, and as you saw at the end, they picked each other up. We are a family so we want to stick together and build upon this.”

Brown’s 30 was a game high for the Panthers, while Messiyah Greene added nine points and Stewart finished with six.

ARGS’s Isaac Batterson led the Dragons with 23 points.