Panthers drop game to top ten West Point, remains winless in season

By Robb Johnson | January 28, 2022 4:38 pm

Charles City's Sherod Barnes (4) applies defensive pressure against West Point's Ichi Layne.

Robb Johnson photo

Charles City High School’s boys’ basketball schedule wouldn’t be easy for anybody, let alone a smaller, more inexperienced team.

Playing their fourth game in four days and facing their second top ten team in the state in the West Point Pointers, the hosting Panthers found themselves down 27 before their first field goal dropped as they fell 71-27 to the visiting West Point Pointers.

After Charles City stopped the Pointers on their initial possession, an inbounds play saw 6’8” Cade McCulloch dunk the ball with ease for the visitors. From there, West Point reeled off 25 more points before Charles City’s Aidan Stewart hook shot in the lane at the end of quarter accounted for the Panthers only basket. And while Charles City was able to find the basket more successfully in the second half, they were unable to slow down West Point who continued to slice through the lanes for uncontested baskets as they took a 49-9 advantage at the break. From there, a running clock along with exchanged scores by both teams down the stretch concluded the contest.

After the contest, Charles City Panthers head coach said that while the games have taken a toll on his team, he hopes their next practice will instill some passion in them.

“We just have to want to do the small things,” he commented. “We have to box out and rebound, but we have to want to do it. More importantly, we need to communicate with each other.

“When they stop holding back and start holding each other accountable and play as a unit, the results won’t be so lopsided and we will be a lot closer in games,” Cotman continued.

Taequan Williams’ 12 points led Charles City, who remains winless on the year with a record of 0-9. Mitchell Whitehead and Tyshawn Dennis both finished with five, Randy Brown Jr. tossed in three, and Stewart chipped in with two.

McCulloch led all scorers in the game with 27 points.