The Paris basketball program traveled up Highway 22 on Tuesday night to take on Charleston at Tiger Center in boys and girls 3A-4 conference match-ups. And when the night was over, it was Charleston getting the sweep of both games over Paris.
The Lady Eagles, again playing with a reduced roster and without junior Brailey Forst who is out for the season, dropped the game to the Lady Tigers who played one of their better games of the season. Charleston coach Jason Rucker has his team playing good basketball as the regular season comes to an end. Look for the Lady Tigers to be a tough out in this year’s district tournament. Charleston has had its obstacles just as Paris, playing with reduced numbers due to injury and COVID. But Coach Rucker seems to get the most out of his talent and numbers every year, including two years as Class 3A state champions, and as a state semifinalist in 2020. His team appears to be peaking now just at post-season tournament time. On Tuesday, the Lady Tigers defeated Paris, 46-21.
The Charleston boys led the Paris Eagles for the entire game on way to a conference victory that will solidify their standing of third place in the conference. Outstanding play from Ransom Merechka and Brandon Scott led the way for the Tigers. Charleston defeated Paris 45-37. Tigers coach B. J. Ross has his Tigers playing good basketball as they look forward to a huge showdown with Waldron on Friday.
The Tigers will host Waldron on Friday night in a very important conference game for both schools that could have implications in the final regular season standings and in district tournament seedings for both schools. Charleston has historically played very well against Waldron at Tiger Center, and Friday night’s game will be another epic game between the two powerhouse programs. Of course, all of this is now up in the air due to winter weather, much like last year’s district tournament that interrupted play after the first round.
On Friday, the Eagles are scheduled to host Cossatot River in a 3A-4 conference game for both the boys and girls, and for Paris Senior Night. And just as the upcoming Charleston / Waldron game, the Paris / Cossatot River games may be postponed depending on Friday’s weather conditions. Eagles fans should watch social media and the Paris Schools website (parisschools.org) for the latest information on scheduling information for basketball games slated for the remainder of this week.
Photos from last evening’s games at Charleston will be posted on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports and at Charleston Tigers Sports on Thursday night, February 3.
So, if games are played this week, Resident Press will be there to bring you all of the action!
