Charles City’s rebuild continues, falls to Surry County 90-35

Charles City's Joshua Harrell (10) attempts a drive against a Surry County defender.

Robb Johnson photo

Losing their top five scorers from the previous season, Charles City’s Panthers entered the 2025-26 season in a rebuild phase. But their demeanor of play during a Friday evening contest against the visiting Surry County Cougars provided enough evidence that the season and pride the team once had needed to be found sooner rather than later.

Charles City surrendered the first 17 points of the game as the visiting Cougars cruised to a 90-35 victory over the Panthers.

In the first quarter, the hosts had trouble stopping baskets from Surry’s Cayden Drew and Royal Hunt. Pressure defense from the visitors resulted in Charles City turning over the ball several times. Surry capitalized with a 17-0 run to kickoff the game. It wasn’t until a Victor Torrence trifecta put the Panthers on the scoreboard. However, by the end the buzzer sounded in the first quarter, Charles City found themselves trailing 25-4.

Things didn’t get any easier in the second frame, as Surry continued to put the pressure on the Panthers, taking a 54-14 lead into the halftime break. In the beginning of the third quarter, a slam dunk by Surry’s Hermione Slade signified the end of the game as a running clock closed out the contest.

Charles City (0-5) received eight points from both Ke’Vonta Meekins and Joseph Simms. Joshua Harrell pumped in seven, Jah’keem Cooper tossed in six, and the duo of Torrence and Damian Zuidema tossed in three apiece.