Story and Photos by Dominic Baima
The Charleston boys varsity basketball team didn’t give up in a tough matchup Thursday against Apollo Conference rival Mahomet-Seymour.
The Trojans clawed back from an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter to move within six points with a minute left in the game.
Mahomet-Seymour, though, found a way to hold on for the 68-60 victory.
Mahomet started strong by outscoring the Trojans 18-10 in the first quarter. Both teams would start the second quarter out slowly with cold shooting. The Bulldogs would capitalize on turnovers and two 3-pointers to extend their lead to 30-18 going into the half.
A 3-pointer by sophomore Luke Bonnsetter, two free-throws by junior Langdon King, and a basket by senior Will Applegate brought the Trojans within 10 in the third quarter before the Bulldogs nailed three 3-pointers in a row.
A three by CHS senior Josh Sipes to end the third quarter would help narrow the gap to 45-30.
Mahomet-Seymour senior Jacob Waldinger took advantage of a foul on a 3-pointer to add three free throws to start the fourth quarter.
A steal and a layup by Charleston freshman Tyler Oakley followed by a jumper and 3-pointer by senior Caleb Oakley would give the Trojans some momentum to make a comeback run.
Caleb Oakley made two 3-pointers to bring the Trojans within 11 points.
Mahomet-Seymour senior Jacob Waldinger would connect on his third and fourth 3-pointers of the evening to give the Bulldogs a 17-point advantage.
But the Trojans fought back on two 3-pointers by sophomore Luke Bonnstetter and one by senior Will Applegate to again move CHS to 10 points. The Trojans would score off a rebound and two free throws by freshman Tyler Oakley to make it 66-60 with about a minute left in the game.
The Trojans ran out of time and in an attempt to stop the clock and regain possession the Bulldogs scored two more free throws to seal their 68-60 victory.
The Trojans outscored the Bulldogs 30-23 in the fourth-quarter with every player who entered the game scoring. Applegate led the Trojans with 19 points.
“I told the guys we can’t wait to get punched in the teeth to play our best basketball,” said Charleston Coach A.J. Alexander following the loss. “It was good to see the fight, it was good to see the ‘Hey, I’m willing to take this shot when we need it’ from guys like Caleb and Luke. I just wish that dog mentality had come out a little earlier.”
Up next: the Trojans host Lincoln Saturday at Baker Gym.
Find additional photos here.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Charleston | 10 | 8 | 12 | 30 | 60 |
| Mahomet-Seymour | 18 | 12 | 15 | 23 | 68 |
Charleston: Dunklin 1 0-0 2, Spour 1 0-0 2, Bonnstetter 1 0-0 11, Sipes 0 0-0 3, Applegate 2 5-4 19, King 0 5-3 3, T. Oakley 1 2-2 4, C. Oakley 3 3-1 16. 3-Pointers: Bonnstetter 3, Sipes 1, Applegate 3, C. Oakley 3.
Mahomet-Seymour: Randolph 1 0-0 5, Lynch 1 0-0 2, Eisenmann 2 2-2 12, Starrick 0 0-0 6, A. Dyer 0 1-0 6, Peters 3 4-4 10, Selk 4 4-2 10, Waldinger 0 5-5 17. 3-Pointers: Randolph 1, Eisenmann 2, Starrick 2, A. Dyer 2, Waldinger 4.
Coles County Sports 