Charles Henderson meets UMS-Wright for regional title, Final Four spot on the line

The Charles Henderson Lady Trojans have entered uncharted territory.

With Thursday’s win over the Clarke County Lady Bulldogs, Charles Henderson earned a spot in to the Regional Tournament championship game, and stands as one the final eight teams in the state of Alabama.

But Charles Henderson head coach Dyneshia Jones isn’t letting the success get to the heads of her players.

Less than 24 hours after knocking off the No.2-ranked Lady Bulldogs, Jones had her players back on the court for another spirited practice session.

“We just have to keep playing one day at a time,” said Jones. “We can’t take time to look back on what we have done, because we still have more we want to do.”

Jones and the team watched the film of Thursday’s win, and found things to improve on in preparation for Saturday’s showdown with UMS-Wright.

The Trojans started slow against Clarke County, and found themselves in a two-point hole at the end of the first quarter.

Jones doesn’t think that will be an issue this go around.

“They have seen the big arena now,” said Jones. “Thursday was a good first game, but I don’t think the jitters will be there from now on. They got better as the day went on, and didn’t let the new gym bother them.”

Jones is an old-school coach that preached fundamentals and defense.

Over the last two minutes of Thursday’s win, Charles Henderson did not make a shot from the floor. But the Trojans hit 8-of-10 free throws during the same stretch.

“Free throws can be the difference in the game,” said Jones. “We have to make them earlier and more often. We shot well late against Clarke County and that turned out to be the reason. Everything is important this time of year, but the team that shoots the best from the line and plays the best defense is the one that usually gets to celebrate after the horn goes off.”

Saturday’s game will mark the fifth time in the past 12 months UMS-Wright and Charles Henderson have met in the playoffs of a certain sport.

The game is set for a 3:40 p.m. tip at the Dothan Civic Center in downtown Dothan.