The Charlotte High School girls varsity basketball team took control of the Capital Area Activities Conference White Division Friday, Jan. 18, knocking off previously undefeated Portland, 51-33. Charlotte now sits alone in first place with a 5-0 conference record, and is 7-2 overall on the season.

The Lady Orioles played their most complete team game in knocking off the Raiders. Seven different Orioles scored in the win, led by senior Ashley Beck, who scored 12 in the win. Senior Carly Scheblo was close behind with 11 points, and senior Lauren Pryor added 10 points. 

Grace Smith added 7 points, all during a second-quarter run that broke the game open for Charlotte. Ashley Friar finished with 5 points, Sophia Cribb added 4 points and Lauren Anderson scored 2.

Charlotte’s defensive intensity stymied Portland’s offensive attack as the Orioles’ full-court press and 2-3 zone was the most active it’s been this season. Charlotte managed to come up with several steals, and tips several other passes.

An 8-4 game at the end of the first quarter was broken wide open in the second as Charlotte started hitting shots. The Orioles went into halftime with a 29-14 lead. The Orioles would get the lead up to 25 points in the third quarter before a 10-0 Portland run made it interesting in the fourth quarter.

Charlotte boys defeat Portland, 54-51

Without leading scorer Justin Bates, the Charlotte boys varsity basketball team held off Portland Friday, Jan. 18, 54-51 on the road. Sophomore Kyle Sandusky calmly sank 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to secure the win. Sandusky finished with 17 points in the victory. Charlotte was led, though, by Stephen Dotts, who finished with 20 points.