Clutch free throws down the stretch lift CC to opening win

Lady Panther Mary Black battles with Lady Raider Saracart Gallagher for a rebound during a tie game in the fourth quarter.

Andre' Jones photos

Charles City’s Lady Panthers, a team that returns four of five starters from last year’s state playoff appearance, are favored to win the Tidewater District. However, an early scare in the season’s opening contest against the visiting Rappahannock Lady Raiders proved to the hosts that a return trip will not come easy.

Overcoming a first quarter deficit and withstanding multiple rallies, the hosts escaped its home floor with a 48-44 victory in last night’s (Wednesday) season opener for both teams.

Early in the contest, Rappahannock used a methodical slow pace to take the hosts out of their element. The ploy worked, as a high-low post combination of Lexi Holmes and Selena Epps led the guests to a 12-7 first quarter advantage.

Countering the pace, Charles City picked up the tempo, thanks in part to junior forward Adrienne Miles, who converted quick baskets and scored six points in the second quarter to rally the hosts to a 24-20 halftime advantage.

With the switching of baskets after halftime, it was a change that clicked with senior forward Jessica Hill in the second half. Hill utilized passes from teammates at the free throw line, driving to the basket for lay-ups. And if she wasn’t making lay-ups, she was converting offensive rebounds into scores, including an early bucket to start the fourth quarter to give the hosts a 38-30 lead with just under seven minutes remaining in the game

The Raiders rebounded following a time out, thanks in part to speedy guard Ashley Towles’ lay-up and assist to teammate Cedara Ashton to cut Charles City’s lead to three (38-35). Hill scored on another stickback, Towles increased her defensive pressure, ripping the ball from Miles and converting a lay-up. The guard would haul in the next rebound and find Epps on a two-on-one fast break that cut the Lady Panther lead to one (40-39).

After the hosts scored on a Cheyenne Davis free throw, Epps bullied her way underneath the basket for a lay-up to knot the game at 41 apiece. But a crucial backcourt turnover on the guests’ possession the next time down the floor proved costly, as Davis found herself uncontested behind the arc and nailed a three-pointer.

Rappahannock managed to tie at 44-all after a Megan Elbourn jumper and free throw by Epps with less than a minute to go. After a time out, Hill was fouled on a lay-up attempt. She converted both from the charity stripe to give the hosts a two-point advantage.

Advancing down the court after the score, Towles’ attempt to connect with Epps was deflected by Davis into the hands of Miles. Miles then found classmate and junior guard Hailey Holmes, who was fouled with 14.2 on the clock. Holmes sank both ends of a one-and-one bonus situation and the Lady Panther defense held on from there.

Afterward, second year head coach VaShaun Otey spoke about his seniors’ efforts, noting how both are overcoming off-season knee surgeries.

“It’s a major thing to get Cheyenne [Davis] and Jessica [Hill] trusting in themselves with this being the first action they’ve really seen,” said the victorious coach. “After the first half, they played real solid.”

As for as the rest of the team, Otey emphasized the pace of the game and the upcoming schedule.

“In this game, I wanted to push the tempo because that’s our style of play,” he continued. “We had to get out into transition so that we can get lay-ups and get to the free throw line. Once we did that, we were fine.

“Our schedule will be a true test for us,” he added, pointing to an upcoming date with rival New Kent and an appearance against Group 3A John Marshall. “This schedule is helping us prepare for the postseason so that we won’t be in a culture shock when we get to that level.”

Hill led the Lady Panthers (1-0) with 16 points, all in the second half. Davis also finished in double figures with 11, Miles pumped in eight, Holmes added seven, and Taylor Bradby contributed six.

Epps was the leading scorer for the Lady Raiders with 15 points.

Charles City’s Adrienne Miles tries to slow down the speedy progress of Rappahannock guard Ashley Towles.