Charleston wins opener

CHARLESTON -- The Charleston Lady Bluejays got off to a dominating start Tuesday night in the 2007-2008 season by defeating the Meridian Lady Bobcats by a score of 47-33.

Charleston head coach Michael Minner had nothing but praise for his squad as they played tough for four quarters.

"A win's a win, any way you get it," Minner said. "We're excited (about this win)."

"(Charleston) will have a new brand of basketball this year," he added. "We stuck with the plan we wanted to--to play fast and furious."

Charleston led the entire game, and at half the Lady Jays were up 26-16. The Lady Jays' Jerquawnda Sherrell stole the show, putting up 25 points, including four three-pointers. She was also 1-for-4 at the free throw line.

Charleston's Raven Walker looks to pass.

Charleston's Raven Walker looks to pass.

Phyliccia Turner added eight points, two of which were three-pointers.

"Jerquawnda Sherrell played her tail off tonight," Minner said. "Phyliccia Turner stepped up and shot the ball well for us, and the Simpson twins (Kariah and Tariah Simpson) got the rebounds for us."

"We had pretty good guard work," he added. "As we get more comfortable with running the floor we'll do a better job."

The Lady Bobcats were led by Monique Davis, who had 12 points on six field goals, and Brionna Coleman, who added 11 points, while going 4-for-7 at the line.

For the Lady Jays, it was definitely a physical game, as they had 18 fouls in the victory.

"We got our fouls in," Minner said. "That's one thing we work on--we want to be physical, and play our style of basketball. Overall for the first night, I was very pleased."

Up next for Charleston is their first road game, at East Prairie on Monday night. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. for the junior varsity match-up. Varsity will follow.