Trojan boys split with Opp, girls ease to win

Published 11:00 pm Tuesday, November 5, 2013

The Charles Henderson Middle School boys’ basketball teams split a double header against the visiting Opp Bobcats.

The seventh grade team got things underway and rolled out to an early, dominating 16-2 lead after the first quarter of play.

The Bobcats were unable to handle the Trojans’ zone defense, and Charles Henderson feasted on Opp turnovers throughout the first quarter.

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The Trojans cooled offensive in the second quarter, and the Bobcats began to exploit holes in the Charles Henderson zone.

The Trojans were outscored 9-7 in the second quarter but still held a comfortable 23-11 lead heading in to halftime.

The second half saw increased offensive production from both teams. Working against a full court press,

Charles Henderson had ample opportunities for transition baskets and put up 27 points in the second half.

The Trojans held on for a 50-26 victory.

Keonte Brantley was the high point man for Charles Henderson on the night with 14 points. Braxton McGhee added another nine.

The eighth grade boys were not as fortunate in their game against the visiting Bobcats.

The Trojans had control of the game up until the third quarter.

Charles Henderson used a suffocating hybrid zone and man defense to flummox the Bobcats in the first quarter. The Trojans rolled out to a five-point lead at the end of the first quarter due to come exciting inside-out team basketball.

The second quarter was another defensive battle with the Trojans outscoring the Bobcats 8-7 during the second frame. Turnovers plagued both teams, and neither side could find much room to distribute the basketball.

The second half saw both teams heat up from the floor. The Trojans found success breaking down the Bobcats’ full-court press for easy fast-break baskets.

Unfortunately for the Trojans, the Bobcats also began to find offensive success. The Bobcats caught fire from behind the arc. Opp dropped four three-pointers in the third quarter, including a buzzer beater that gave the Bobcats a slim 28-27 lead heading in to the fourth quarter.

The Bobcats and Trojans traded the lead back-and-forth until the game was tied at 35 with a minute left to go in the contest.

The Trojans took the ball down the court and had a good luck at the basket, but failed to convert the field goal attempt.

Opp took over with 14 seconds left in the game. The Bobcats set up for what appeared to be an easy layup, but, at the last moment, Trojan forward Jaquinton Daniels got just enough of his fingertips on the ball to alter the shot.

The Trojans had one final shot in regulation, but a half-court heave bounced off the backboard.

The Trojans fell cold from the field in the overtime period. Opp scored the first six points of the frame and cruised to a 43-38 victory.

Jalen Tuck scored 14 point for the Trojans. Daniels added another eight.

The Charles Henderson Middle School Lady Trojans rolled out to another impressive victory over the Opp Bobcats.

The Bobcats made their first two buckets of the game, but, after that, found it difficult to score against the Lady’s Trojans’ defense.

After the initial two baskets, the Trojans only gave up three points the rest of the way.

The Charles Henderson offense was able to capitalize off turnovers caused on the defensive end for easy buckets.

Altogether, the Lady Trojans convincingly handled the Bobcats in a 40-7 rout.