CHARLESTON MIGHT JUST LIVE UP TO ITS TOP BILLING IF IT CAN DEVELOP A KILLER INSTINCT

If Charleston can ever develop a killer instinct, then coach Danny Farmer believes his team might really be on to something.

But until the Blue Jays learn how to put an opponent away, Farmer figures they'll continue to struggle.

"We don't have a killer instinct, and we're trying to develop that," he said.

Farmer is hoping Charleston will be able to close games out better during the U-High Tournament. The top-seeded and two-time defending champion Blue Jays, carrying a 5-3 record, will take on No. 16 and last seed Chaffee at 9 a.m. Friday in the opening round.

Charleston started out the season strong with a pair of victories. Then the Blue Jays lost a 10-point halftime lead against West Plains, which rallied for the win. That was followed by New Madrid overcoming an18-point deficit to prevail. Even Marion, Ill., was able to rally late before Charleston won at the end.

"We played two terrific games to start the season, but since then we've been playing very inconsistent. We put together two good quarters sometimes, three good quarters sometimes, but we let up at the end," Farmer said. "We need to learn how to put teams away. I'm not sure if it's conditioning or the mental aspect, but we're working on it."

Farmer definitely had to feel better about the Blue Jays' most recent game, a 39-point rout of a decent Caruthersville team.

While not tall, Charleston is quick, led by Howard Biles, who is averaging about 16 points per game. Also scoring in double figures are Lezcano Dean and Terrance Gillespie, who both contribute around 13 points a contest.

Rounding out the starting lineup for the Blue Jays are Jordy Mixon (6 ppg) and Phillip Turner (4 ppg).

Contributing off the bench have been Lee Barnhill, Roosevelt Mitchell, Jemorrio Betts and Delon Turner

"After some of our letdowns I started going to an eight and nine man rotation to try and keep everybody fresher and more mentally alert," Farmer said. "

Farmer said the Blue Jays also need to work on their rebounding since they have no real height.

"We're so small, so we really need to work on boxing out, but I've seen a lot of improvement in that area," he said.

Looking ahead to the tournament, the Blue Jays should be primed for a strong run at their third straight title.

"We've played well the last couple of years. We really turned it on last year," said Farmer of the U-High event. "I'm hoping we turn it on again this year. I feel like we get extra motivated for this tournament."

Charleston doesn't figure to have any trouble with first-round foe Chaffee, but Farmer said the Blue Jays must be ready for tough games after that.

"I remember two years ago, Woodland had us down by 10 points in our second game of the tournament," he said. "We're going to have to be ready to play that second game and every game after that."