Upcoming basketball season highlighted by tough slates

By Andre Jones | November 21, 2013 11:55 am

With the release of the 2013-14 basketball schedule, it’s apparent that postseason success garners attention. Just ask the Charles City Lady Panthers.

After its first state quarterfinal appearance last year, the Lady Panthers will face one of the toughest schedules in team history. The team, that returns four starters, will open up at home against Rappahannock on Dec. 4, before a five game road swing, with the last game a Dec. 16 with Group 3A John Marshall. Dates with Southampton and last year’s Region A champion Colonial Beach are also on the slate. The Lady Panthers will open up Tidewater District play on Jan. 13, 2014 when they host the King William Cavaliers.

The New Kent Lady Trojans are expected to continue improving. The Lady Trojans kick off their season with a visit to York on Dec. 3. The team returns home two days later (Dec. 5) and opens its doors to Jamestown to start their home campaign.

Charles City’s Lady Panthers and New Kent’s Lady Trojans will square off twice within a 10-day span. The two teams battle on Monday, Dec. 9 in New Kent and again on Thursday, Dec. 19 in Charles City.

On the boys’ side, New Kent will commence its journey with a home opener against York on Dec. 4. The team will travel Dec. 6 to Jamestown with a contest against the Eagles to open up their road schedule.

In Charles City, it will be a strange feeling as they open up the season at home against the Southampton Indians and former Panthers head coach Sharone Bailey. The Panthers Tidewater District schedule commences with a trip to Mathews on Dec. 17.

The Charles City-New Kent rivalry games are slated for Saturdays in January. The two will clash Jan. 11 in New Kent, with a return meeting Jan. 25 in Charles City.

2013-14 Basketball Schedules (subject to change)

Girls

Charles City: Dec. 4 vs. Rappahannock, Dec. 5 at Colonial Beach, Dec. 6 at Southampton, Dec. 9 at New Kent, Dec. 11 at Rappahannock, Dec. 16 at John Marshall, Dec. 18 vs. Lancaster, Dec. 19 vs. New Kent, Dec. 27 at Lancaster, Jan. 6 vs. Franklin, Jan. 9 at Mathews, Jan. 10 vs. Southampton, Jan. 13 vs. King William, Jan. 16 at West Point, Jan. 21 at King & Queen, Jan. 23 at Middlesex, Jan. 27 vs. Mathews, Jan. 30 at King William, Feb. 3 vs. West Point, Feb. 5 at Franklin, Feb. 6 vs. King & Queen, Feb. 10 vs. Middlesex.

New Kent: Dec. 3 at York, Dec. 5 vs. Jamestown, Dec. 9 vs. Charles City, Dec. 10 at Grafton, Dec. 12 vs. Tabb, Dec. 16 vs. Smithfield, Dec. 18 vs. Poquoson, Dec. 19 at Charles City, Jan. 2 at Lafayette, Jan. 7 vs. Bruton, Jan. 13 vs. York, Jan. 16 at Jamestown, Jan. 28 at Tabb, Jan. 30 at Smithfield, Feb. 4 at Poquoson, Feb. 6 vs. Lafayette, Feb. 11 at Bruton, Feb. 13 at Warhill.

Boys

Charles City: Dec. 2 vs. Southampton, Dec. 4 at Rappahannock, Dec. 5 at Southampton, Dec. 11 vs. Rappahannock, Dec. 17 at Mathews, Dec. 20 vs. King & Queen, Dec. 27-28 Christmas Tournament, Jan. 3 at Chesterfield Community, Jan. 10 at Middlesex, Jan. 11 at New Kent, Jan. 13 at Franklin, Jan. 14 vs. King William, Jan. 16 vs. West Point, Jan. 21 vs. Mathews, Jan. 24 at King and Queen, Jan. 25 vs. New Kent, Jan. 28 vs. Chesterfield Community, Feb. 4 vs. Middlesex, Feb. 5 vs. Franklin, Feb. 7 at King William, Feb. 11 at West Point.

New Kent: Dec. 4 vs. York, Dec. 6 at Jamestown, Dec. 11 vs. Grafton, Dec. 13 vs. Tabb, Dec. 14 at West Point, Dec. 17 at Smithfield, Dec. 19 at Poquoson, Dec. 20 vs. Lafayette, Jan. 8 at Bruton, Jan. 10 at Warhill, Jan. 11 vs. Charles City, Jan. 15 at York, Jan. 17 vs. Jamestown, Jan. 24 at Grafton, Jan. 25 at Charles City, Jan. 29 at Tabb, Jan. 31 vs. Smithfield, Feb. 1 vs. West Point, Feb. 5 vs. Poquoson, Feb. 7 at Lafayette, Feb. 12 vs. Bruton, Feb. 4 vs. Warhill.