Windsor escapes with 36-33 win after Lady Panthers’ offense sputters

Charles City’s Madison Bradby (3) gets around Windsor’s Mikaela Walker (20) for a lay-up.

Robb Johnson photo

Charles City’s Lady Panthers looked to get back on track as they welcomed the Windsor Lady Dukes on Dec. 4. But as the game progressed, offensive struggles and the inability to sank free throws proved to be the difference maker as Charles City continues to search for win number one.

Windsor escaped with a 36-33 victory, keeping the Lady Panthers winless on the season and having the coaching staff looking for a way to muster offense.

Early on, the Lady Dukes took advantage of Charles City’s misses at the free throw line. Behind guard Mariah Stephenson, Windsor’s aggressiveness resulted in the visitors outplaying the Lady Panthers in the first half, taking a 22-10 lead into the halftime break.

After the intermission, Charles City started to turn the tide, resulting in a 9-2 run to cut Windsor’s advantage down to five (24-19). But for every offensive attack and defensive pressure, Charles City had to deal with the Lady Dukes’ defense clamping down on guard Jaela Smith. Despite additional baskets from teammates Madison Bradby and Sha’Ryan Paige, Windsor kept the lead due to the home team missing nearly two dozen free throws.

Smith’s steal and score with less than 20 seconds remaining along with being fouled cut Windsor’s lead to three (36-33). Smith missed the free throw but was able to get her own rebound and was fouled again. However, both shots from the charity stripe caromed off the rim, with Windsor grabbing the rebound and running out the clock to win the contest.

After the game, Charles City Lady Panthers’ Head Coach Casey Crawley spoke about the team’s lack of consistency preparing for contests.

“It does not start on game day, it starts in practice,” he said. “We have to stack the days at practice and stacking the days is what we have been telling the girls since day one.

“It’s about accountability,” Crawley continued. “You see in the second half, we stepped up and we could have played like that in the beginning. You can’t have that on and off switch and even as coaches, we have learned some things and we will be better.”

Charles City falls to 0-2 on the season.