Charleston wins 12th straight with 40-point victory over Portageville

CHARLESTON, Mo. — The Charleston boys’ basketball team cruised to an easy 92-52 win over Portageville on Friday, Feb. 10.

PJ Farmer finished with a game-high 23 points for the Bluejays (19-5). He also had 10 steals, five rebounds, four assists and a block.

“We played with a lot of energy, a lot of focus, and had fun,” said Charleston coach Jamarcus Williams. “We know that we’re playing this game for a reason, and anybody can win or lose on any given night. Right now, we want to play our basketball night in and night out.”

Rico Coleman had 16 points, four assists, three steals, three rebounds and two blocks; Trey Stanback finished with 13 points, two steals, two assists and a rebound; Ko’Terrion Owens contributed 11 points, four steals, two rebounds, two blocks and an assist; Almareion Williams had 10 points, three steals, three assists and a rebound; and Charleston shot 59 percent from the field and 89 percent from the free throw line.

The Bluejays will host Poplar Bluff (8-12) in its regular-season finale on Thursday, Feb. 16.

Charleston received the top seed in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 2 Tournament, and will take on the winner of fourth-seeded Valle Catholic (14-9) and fifth-seeded Kelly (11-13) on Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.

“We feel good with the way we’re playing with some postseason approaching,” Williams said. “We will continue to improve. The guys know at this point in the season the margin of error decreases, and the focus has to be that much more intent. Everyone is going to do what it takes to have a successful postseason.”

Portageville (14-11) plays its regular-season finale at East Carter (10-11) on Thursday, Feb. 16.

The fourth-seeded Bulldogs will face fifth-seeded Senath-Hornersville (15-8) in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Tournament at New Madrid County Central High School on Feb. 20.

__CHARLESTON 92, PORTAGEVILLE 52__

Portageville 6 13 19 14 — 52

Charleston 27 25 35 5 — 92

__Portageville (52) — __

__Charleston (92) —__ PJ Farmer 23, Rico Coleman 16, Trey Stanback 13, Ko’Terrion Owens 11, Almareion Williams 10, Roy Wiley 8, Tayshon Clark 6, Rommie Turner 2, Lane Morrow 2, Davarious Williams 1. FG: 39-66. FT: 8-9. F: 15. (3-pointers: Farmer 3-3, Almareion Williams 2-6, Stanback 1-6. Fouled out: none.