Charles Henderson basketball coach Carl Hollis did not sound like a coach whose team had just defeated the defending state champions Friday night.

The Trojans (10-2, 2-0 in area play) defeated Wilcox Central 55-51 to drop the defending champs to 7-5 overall and 0-2 in the area.

But the Jaguars were without all-star player Michael Williams, and the Trojans made many poor decisions in escaping with a 55-51 win.

"I am not pleased with this win," Hollis said. "Michael Williams would have given them about 12-to-14 points. Without him, we should have taken better advantage."

Charles Henderson used a full-court press to take the Jaguars out of their offense and force many turnovers. The Trojans built a 33-18 lead in the third quarter, but they committed turnovers and rushed shots to allow Wilcox back into the game.

The Jaguars eventually tied the game at 49 with 55 seconds to play, but Allen Crumpton elbowed a Trojan to warrant a technical foul. Terrance Hooten hit a pair of free throws to give Charles Henderson a 51-49 lead, and Jason Swanson had a putback for two points to push the lead to four.

After WCHS hit a shot to cut the lead to 53-51 with 26 seconds to play, Curtis Parker hit two free throws to ice the game.

Parker scored 12 points to lead the Trojans, followed by Hooten's 11. Quavian Lewis scored nine points and Jeremy Jones and Swanson added seven. Martesi Carlisle scored four, and Ray Money added two.

Earlier in the day, the CHHS girls missed 13 free throws, including 10 in the fourth quarter, and missed a chance to go 2-0 in the area. Wilcox won the game 38-36.

The only Lady Trojan in double figures was eighth-grader Adrianne Barber, who scored 12 points. Bridgitte Dix added eight, Quoya Dubose scored six, Latofia Barnes scored three, Valerie Jones scored four and Chris Harvey scored three.

On Saturday, the Trojans improved their record to 11-2 with a 70-41 win over Andalusia.

Demante King led the Trojans with 11 points against Andalusia. Devon Tucker added 10.

Loftin and Money chipped in nine points apiece, Hooten scored eight, Parker and Justin Green scored six, Swanson five, Carlisle four and Lewis scored two.

Both teams will be off until they travel to Escambia County Friday night.