Charleston finally got into the game with back-to-back field goals by Jacarvis Webster to be down 16-10 going into the second quarter. Charleston kept the pressure up and took a 26-22 lead into halftime.

Sophomore Gerotney Kelson came out hot in the third quarter to take the Cougars past Charleston with 3:08 left. Kelson scored all eight points to give the Cougars a 30-28 lead.

The game was tied at 30 and 32 and Charleston retook the lead 36-35.  Junior Ketawan House gave the Cougars back the lead on a field goal with 7:38 left in the fourth quarter. The Cougars went on a 10-1 run before Charleston scored with 4:12 left in the game.

The Cougars did not let up and finished the game strong on steals, field goals and free throws.
Cougar head coach Chris Yancy growls when thinking about the game.

“I knew they were going to be defensively disciplined and not give up the lane. We had to be selective in our shots,” Yancy said.

Oliver found that out as he was blocked many times by Webster going in the low post.

“Our turning factor was our defense,” Yancy said. “Players pick up whatever you instill and for us it is defense.”

Leading the Cougars were House with 17 points, followed by Kelson with 16 and Oliver with 13 points. Other scorers include Anjayvious Farmer, six points and Demetric Porter, two.

Darrius Jackson did not score but had five assists and four rebounds to help the Cougars. Farmer had three assists and three rebounds. House, Kelson and Devonta Howard each had a block.

JV Boys
In Junior Varsity boys action, North Panola won that game 23-20.

The Cougars had a slight 16-14 lead at halftime. The game was tied at seven with 6:51 to go. Charleston took the lead and then the lead changed hands twice more before North Panola scored with 17 seconds to go in the first half for the lead.

Charleston tied the game at 16 to start the second half. Demetrick Porter’s field goal gave North Panola the lead for good with 12:40 left in the game. The Cougars took a 20-16 lead before Charleston scored again to cut the lead to two.

J’Anthony Wright and Virgil Jones closed out the scoring for the Cougars.

Scoring for the Cougars were Wright, nine points; Porter, six points; Virgil Jones, three points; Xavier Brown and Ankervious Harris, two points each.