CHHS looking to open area slate on high note

Published 12:38 am Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Charles Henderson notched a season sweep of the Northview Cougars with a 45-42 Saturday night at Betty Wagoner Hall in Troy. The win was the Trojans third straight win, and fourth in five games.

Most would say Charles Henderson is playing top notch basketball, but head coach Carl Hollis is not one of them.

Hollis said his teamed looked sluggish and unfocused in the win over Northview.

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“We came out and dug ourselves an early hole,” said Hollis. “We weren’t hustling the way we needed to be, and the only way I know to fix that is to practice and get in shape. We won some games but we have had a sluggish streak lately.”

The Trojans started the game against Northview just 2-13 from the field, and scored just 8 points the first quarter.

A big second quarter for Joshua Noel and Tyler Mitchell helped the Trojans lead 20-18 at the half. Noel dropped in six points in the quarter, while Mitchell added four more.

The game swayed back-and-forth for all 32 minutes of clock time. The largest led for either team came in the second quarter when Noel went coast-to-coast for a layup giving the Trojans a seven-point lead, 16-9.

Mitchell and Noel would come up with the night’s biggest plays late in the fourth quarter. With Charles Henderson down by four, Mitchell was able to hit a floating jumper to pull within two. Just seconds later and after multiple put back attempts didn’t fall, Noel grabbed a rebound and laid it off the glass to tie the game with less than 30 seconds to go.

On the ensuing possession Northview missed a three-point shot, and Mitchell grabbed the rebound, made the ensuing free throws and sealed the come-from-behind win.

“We will take a win any day,” said Hollis. “But I am not happy with the way we played one bit. We should’ve been well rested, but did not play like it.”

The Trojans open area play on Tuesday night at home against Ashford. Hollis harped on the importance getting off to a good start in area play.

“Ashford is coming here Tuesday night, and that starts area play for us,” said Hollis. “Ashford is a talented, well coached basketball team. If we don’t come out ready to go, we will get beat. A good start in area play, and you don’t have to play from behind down the stretch.”

Along with the Yellow Jackets, Charles Henderson’s area foes include Bullock County, and Headland.

Tipoff at Wagoner Hall is set for 4:30 p.m. The JV boys, varsity girls and varsity boys will be in action.