Lady Dragons too much for CC
Charles City’s KeAra Jones uses her body in an attempt to gain space as she challenges Lady Dragon defender Paris Browser.Andre' Jones photo
In a preseason poll, Charles City’s Lady Panthers and the visiting Appomattox Regional Governor’s School’s Lady Dragons were rated the top two teams in Tri-Rivers District basketball. But in their Jan. 8 match-up, the guests showed why they are the number nine ranked team in state Group A.
The Lady Dragons (11-2 overall, 4-0 Tri-Rivers) put on a defensive clinic, holding the Lady Panthers (8-3, 2-2) to eight first half points en route to a 46-23 victory and maintaining a stranglehold on the district lead.
Charles City’s Jessica Hill scored on a lay-up at the onset, giving the hosts a brief 2-0 lead. That lead, however, would be it for the night as the Lady Dragons went on a 10-1 run to end the quarter.
Early on in the contest, the hosts crashed the glass and were able to snag second chance opportunities away from ARGS despite the visitors’ distinct height advantage. While the Lady Panthers were dominant on the glass, miscues led to turnovers and quick scores for the guests.
The Lady Dragon trio of Melicia James, Jakara White, and Paris Browser were able to score 20 of the team’s 23 points in the second quarter. Not helping the Lady Panthers’ in the second quarter was miserable free throw shooting, as the hosts were only able to convert two of 10 attempts, a strong contributor to the first half deficit (33-8).
After intermission, the Lady Panthers received back-to-back scores from Adrienne Miles and Cheyenne Davis. A Hailey Holmes three to end the third quarter did minimal damage to the scoreboard as ARGS carried a 24-point lead into the final frame. Holmes’ three-pointer was also the final field goal for the hosts, as they mustered eight free throws in the final frame.
After the game, Lady Panther head coach Vashaun Otey pointed to dismal shooting in the first half as a downfall in the contest.
“We missed key free throws in the first half, as well as shooting two for 34 from the field,” he said. “I know that 28 of those misses were lay-ups right by the basket.
“We got into a deep hole tonight,” he continued. “We dug our way in that hole and it was hard for us to try and climb out. We also rushed a lot and that caused us quite a few unforced turnovers.
Hill paced Charles City with seven points. Holmes scored six, Davis added five, Miles and Sara Whitehead produced two each, and Myonka Boyd chipped in with one.
James and Browser each scored 12 for the visitors, while White also finished in double figures with 10.