Eagles use pressure, soar to victory over Charles City

Charles City's Noah Ragland (1) challenges Washington & Lee's Joseph Fulcher as they make contact at the rim.

Andre' Jones

Unable to cope with pressure enforced by visiting Washington & Lee, Charles City’s Panthers turned the ball over 11 times in the first quarter as the visiting Eagles never trailed en route to a 94-55 victory on Dec. 10.

Utilizing a full court man-to-man defense, the Eagles turned the hosts over early, pulling out to a 9-3 lead. Charles City was able to elude the press on back-to-back possessions, with a Ray Crump jumper and free throw from Noah Ragland to pull within three (9-6).

But that margin would be the closest the Panthers would get for the remainder of the night. Washington and Lee closed out the opening quarter on a 10-4 run to take a nine-point advantage into the next frame (19-9). Back-to-back threes from Eagles’ wingman Carson Bell to open the second stanza sparked another 10-0 run to put the guests up comfortably (28-10). And even when the Panthers made a small run, the Eagles retaliated, upping their advantage to 49-22 at halftime intermission.

Inability to execute offense for the hosts eventually led to an astounding 42 turnovers in the contest. Meanwhile, the Eagles pushed their lead to 30 after a Joseph Fulcher jumper midway through the third (61-30). The largest lead for the guests was 43 points, courtesy of a Keshon White lay-up at the 2:11 mark of the final quarter as the Panthers failed to put a dent in the deficit.

After the contest, interim head coach Avery Jones talked about the inability to execute press-breakers.

“We were prepared for [Washington & Lee] their press and we worked on how to beat it during our practices,” said Jones. “We failed to execute it tonight.

“Another problem we had was our turnovers and how we didn’t play the numbers game,” the coach continued. “When we were on offense, we usually went one on five while when they were on offense, they were more like four on two.”

Jones said the Panthers, who remain winless at 0-5, will have to refocus their energy and build more confidence in each other.

“Our attitudes have to get better,” Jones commented. “We have got to play together. I need some leadership out here and I am looking for someone to step up.”

Brian Hicks’ 14 points led the hosts in scoring while Kyle Jones also finished in double figures with 12. Conner Robbins pumped in eight, Rashawn Shine tossed in six, Crump added five, Ragland scored four, Tyler Allen and Michael Callahan ended with two apiece, and Marvin Brown and Mason Jefferson chipped in with one each.

D.L. Kelly’s game-high 23 points led all scorers. Five players finished in double figures for the Eagles (3-1).