Lady Panthers top Middlesex for third time in 10 days to advance to conference finals

Charles City's Adrienne Miles (center) and Cheyenne Davis (right) impedes the progress of Middlesex's Giovanni Reed.

Andre' Jones photo

It’s a known saying in sports that defeating a team three times in a season is difficult. For the Charles City Lady Panthers, a third matchup with the visiting Middlesex Lady Chargers in 10 days ended with the same result–a victory.

Cheyenne Davis pumped in a season-high 20 points while teammates Jessica Hill and Adrienne Miles both added 12 apiece as the hosts claimed a 50-36 victory over Middlesex during the Feb. 20 Conference 42 semifinal matchup.

Poised from the onset, Davis scored six of the team’s first nine points. And when the senior didn’t score, it was junior classmates Miles and Hailey Holmes who put the ball in the hoop, leading to the hosts 13-6 lead after the first quarter.

Davis second three-pointer of the night gave Charles City its first double-digit lead of the game (16-6) to start the second quarter. And while Middlesex’s sole offensive threat Avis Keeling pumped in 11 of the team’s 14 first half points, the Lady Panthers remained poise to end the half up 26-14.

The hosts’ experience from last year’s state tournament run was evident, as the Lady Panthers remained calm in offensive sets and aggressive on the defensive glass. Middlesex’s turnovers led the Lady Panthers lead to reach as much as 19 with 5:41 remaining in the game before Charles City’s bench subbed into the game to close out the contest.

After the game, Lady Panther head coach VaShaun Otey spoke about the team’s strategy playing Middlesex for a third time in less than two weeks.

“We had two types of games with them; the first they played on even terms with us and the second game they jumped out on us,” said the victorious head coach. “We stayed calm and executed our plan on offense and defense.”

Otey also commented about the team’s experience, pointing to eight players on the roster who reached the state quarterfinals last year.

“These girls knew what to do and implemented our style of play,” he continued. “For the most part we controlled what we wanted to do and that led us to a win.”

Now, Charles City (15-7) heads into a championship matchup with Mathews, who upset top-seeded West Point. With the win, Charles City also qualifies for the 1A East Sectional playoffs.