Back at full strength, Charles City puts on scoring display to defeat Windsor

By Robb Johnson | December 22, 2024 3:57 pm

Charles City’s Damian Barnes Jr. (3) completes the scoring column for the Panthers as he musters in a lay-up despite being fouled by Windsor’s Aidan Powers (15).

Robb Johnson photo

With Charles City’s boys’ basketball team heading into the Winter break, one of their holiday wishes could be to have a healthy roster when they emerge from the hiatus. Their wish came true a couple days early.

Charles City opened up with a dominant opening quarter as 10 players contributed to the scoring column as the Panthers cruised over the visiting Windsor Dukes 67-35 in the Dec. 20 non-district affair.

The Panthers used their height advantage over the much smaller Dukes from the onset, as 6’5” forward Shane Jones fed 6’5” teammate Joseph Simms from the high post for easy early baskets for the hosts. Then, it was the addition of senior guard Sherod Barnes who returned from injury, sparking Charles City’s defense and forcing several errors. The result was Charles City dominating the first quarter and leading 20-8.

Charles City continued to use its re-energized roster, trapping Windsor and securing easy baskets. By the time the first half ended, Charles City held a 38-16 advantage with nine of the 10 dressed finding the bottom of the net. The final player to score, Damian Barnes Jr., converted a lay-in early in the third quarter while being fouled, stretching the Panthers lead to 25. The hosts pushed the gap to over 30 at the beginning of the fourth with a Jones’ banked shot, triggering the running clock and solidifying the Panthers’ victory.

After the contest, Charles City Head Coach De’Quantae Mason spoke about being back to full strength and getting focused early on.

“We came out with discipline,” he said. “We came back tonight, and everybody knew their role.

“With everything clicking tonight, we stayed on our feet and boxed out,” Mason added. “We pushed the pace and came out with the win.”

Charles City (3-7) received a team-high 16 points from Jones, while Simms also finished in double figures with 13. Gavin Stewart pumped in eight points, Victor Torrence and Terrell Crawley each tossed in six, Damian Barnes Jr. contributed five, Sherod Barnes and Damian Zuidema each scored four, Ke’Vonta Meekins added three, and James Harris IV chipped in with two.