Charles City’s Panthers continue to search for first win in calendar year

Charles City's Sherod Barnes (1) has to angle himself in an awkward manner as he finishes the score against Middlesex's Henry Fleet.Robb Johnson photo
It’s been a long year for Charles City’s Panthers boys’ basketball team. And it’s only January.
Charles City fell 62-32 to the visiting Middlesex Chargers in the Jan. 30 Tidewater District contest, remaining winless in the 2025 calendar year.
The Panthers had hoped to turn the tide after winning two game in their final week of 2024. But each game has proved a struggle for Charles City, with the contest against the Chargers being no exception.
Out the game, Middlesex drained three trifectas and added a lay-up to jump out to a lead over the hosts. By the time the first frame was done, Charles City trailed 20-4.
Charles City mustered a little offense in the second quarter, being able to score 14 as a unit but still trailed by double digits at the break.
Quarters three and four mirrored the opening stanza, with Middlesex using pressure man-to-man defense to force Charles City into errors. The results factored into easy lay-ups and baskets for the visitors, with Middlesex coasting to victory.
A frustrated De’Quantae Mason, Charles City’s Head Basketball Coach, summed up the play of the entire month.
“We have to be more physical,” the head coach commented. “Right now, it’s about our fight. We have to be motivated to be better.”
Charles City (3-12) received a team high seven points from Joseph Simms. Damian Barnes Jr. tossed in six, Sherod Barnes and Terrell Crawley each added five, Ke’Vonta Meekins pumped in four, Damian Zuidema contributed three, and Shane Jones chipped in with two.