Central falls to Charleston rally

~ Charleston overcame a 13-point deficit in the second half and defeated Central 68-64

Charleston's winning streak stayed alive thanks to a big-time rally.

Host Central controlled most of the first three quarters, but Charleston posted a 68-64 victory in Tuesday night's battle between two of the region's top boys basketball teams.

"It was a great game and a great win for us," Charleston coach Danny Farmer said. "We knew what we were up against. We beat a very good team."

Class 3 Charleston improved to 17-5 with its eighth straight win.

Class 5 Central, also 17-5, has dropped two straight following a 10-game winning streak.

Central lost Friday at Sikeston, the state's top-ranked Class 4 squad.

"These are good games for us, to help us get ready for districts," said Central coach Drew Church, whose team has suffered a pair of defeats to both Sikeston and Charleston this season.

Central, ahead 38-30 at halftime, built a 52-39 lead late in the third quarter.

The Bluejays scored the final four points of the period to make it 52-43, then outscored Central 25-12 in the fourth quarter.

"It's a real big win," said Greg Tucker, Charleston's standout junior guard who is being recruited by several Division I programs. "We just wanted it bad in the fourth quarter."

Farmer credited increased aggressiveness on both ends of the court for the rally.

Charleston, which lacks height but is fast and quick, started driving the ball hard to the basket while also amping up its defensive pressure.

"They're a good team," Central senior guard Andrew Williams said. "They're kind of like a miniature Sikeston with their speed and quickness."

The Bluejays were 13 of 16 from the free-throw line during the fourth quarter after they had been 5 of 12 over the opening three periods.

"We needed to get more aggressive on offense and defense," Farmer said. "We just turned it up and started playing."

Central attempted just 10 free throws for the night, hitting eight.

"Them shooting so many free throws, that was huge," Church said. "Down the stretch they out-toughed us. They were the ones getting to loose balls.

"Kudos for them for coming in and taking it."

Charleston grabbed its first lead since late in the opening quarter as Tucker's two free throws with 1 minute, 25 seconds left made it 63-61.

The Bluejays never relinquished the advantage, but Central had plenty of opportunities to take the lead as Charleston made just 3 of its next 6 foul shots.

"I was getting worried because we normally hit our free throws," Farmer said.

Junior forward T.J. Tisdell's two free throws with 10 seconds left pulled Central within 65-64.

Tucker made 1 of 2 from the line with 8.3 seconds left, but Central committed one of its several fourth-quarter turnovers.

Charleston's sophomore guard Ryan Parham then made two foul shots with 3.3 seconds remaining for the final margin.

Tucker struggled with his shooting but still scored a game-high 20 points, nine in the final period as he went 7 of 8 from the line.

"Greg just wants to win. He'll do whatever it takes," Farmer said.

Also in double figures for Charleston were senior guard Jerry Carter (15 points), junior guard Jamaul Gray (13) and senior forward Claude Armstrong (12).

Senior forward James Lane paced Central with 19 points before fouling out with just under two minutes left.

Williams scored all 17 of his points in the opening half, making his first four 3-point attempts.

Tisdell had 16 points, 12 in the second half. Senior guard Curtis Branch added 10 points.

Charleston 15 15 13 25 -- 68

Central 20 18 14 12 -- 64

CHARLESTON (68) -- Aaron Cassell 2, Ryan Parham 3, Michael Hull 3, Greg Tucker 20, Jamaul Gray 13, Claude Armstrong 12, Jerry Carter 15. FG 21, FT 18-28, F 14. (3-pointers: Hull 1, Tucker 1, Gray 3, Carter 3. Fouled out: Gray)

CENTRAL (64) -- Andrew Williams 17, T.J. Tisdell 16, James Lane 19, Curtis Branch 10, Zach Boerboom 2. FG 25, FT 8-10, F 21. (3-pointers: Williams 4, Branch 2. Fouled out: Lane)

JV -- Central 65, Charleston 54