Charleston shuts down high touted EPC

NEW MADRID -- The Charleston Bluejays began their season on a positive note by downing 6-5 senior Ky Madden and the East Poinsett County Warriors, 69-62 on Friday during the first day of the New Madrid County Central Riverbend Classic.

"It's a great win for us," Charleston head coach Danny Farmer said. "Considering the team, their resume, their biography, it's a great win for us."

Fighting back-and-forth for the greater part of three quarters, Charleston was able to slowly pull away towards the end of the third quarter. Bluejay junior Gregory Tucker, who scored 10 of Charleston's 18 third quarter points, untied a 44-44 contest late in the third. Krushon Scott added another basket before the third quarter buzzer to give Charleston a 48-44 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Charleston's Aaron Cassell opened the fourth quarter with five-straight points to widen the gap. One free throw by East Poinsett's Darius Barnes cut the Bluejay's advantage to one, 63-62, with just over one minute left, but strong free throw shooting by Charleston iced the game and the win.

The Bluejays hit 6-of-8 from behind the charity stripe within the last 48 seconds including a perfect 4-for-4 from Trey Watkins.

"We felt we could win a free throw shooting contest," said Farmer. "One thing I knew we could do, we are a very good shooting team and we can make free throws. We didn't shoot it as well as we are capable of shooting it, but, we made up for it and kept playing defense, which is our forte.

"I was pleased with it."

Madden, who recently committed to the University of Arkansas and is ranked 27th nationally by the ESPN recruit rankings, led the Warriors with 23 points. Jammar Sturdivant added 16 as well.

Tucker, however, led all scorers with 29 points.

East Poinsett 14 16 14 18 -- 62

Charleston 14 16 18 21 -- 69

EAST POINSETT (62) -- Jori Ford 9, Jammar Sturdivant 16, Byron Ford 4, AJ Turner 6, Ky Madden 23, Darius Barnes 4. FG 22, FT 14-20, F 21. (3-pointers: J. Ford 3, Sturdivant 1. Fouled out: Turner.)

CHARLESTON (69) -- Aaron Cassell 7, Maurice Moore 2, Ryan Parham 5, Michael Hull 3, Trey Watkins 6, Gregory Tucker 29, Jamaul Gray 2, Claude Armstrong 3, Jerry Carter 8, Krushon Scott 4. FG 24, FT 18-24, F 17. (3-pointers: Cassell 1, Hull 1, Tucker 1. Fouled out: none.)