The Charlestown Lady Pirates (17-3), under second year Head Coach Michael Prichard, learned their path to returning to the Sectional #30 Sectional Championship game Saturday evening.  The Class 3A Girls Basketball Sectional will be hosted this year by Scottsburg High School, at the Charles Meyer Gymnasium; Tuesday through Saturday, February 14th.  Charlestown has drawn Madison in their first round game in the second upper bracket opposite of a opening game between Salem and Scottsburg.  The Lady Pirates will close their regular season schedule on Friday, February 6th hosting Madison (15-7).  Madison is also the defending Sectional #30 Sectional Champions.  The lower half of the Sectional #30 bracket includes Brownstown vs. North Harrison and Silver Creek vs. Corydon.  Complete Girls Basketball Sectional pairings are available at http://www.maxpreps.com.

The Charlestown Lady Pirate Basketball team improved to 17-3 on the season; and 7-1 in conference play Thursday evening when they dominated the Lady Generals of Clarksville 66-20.  The two teams met in last month’s Holiday Tourney first round, with a 72-28 Charlestown advantage.  Clarksville has beaten Charlestown in girls basketball once in the last nineteen contests, over the past ten years.  The Lady Pirates led 35-11 at halftime Thursday evening, a game played at Clarksville High School.  Lady Pirate Senior Kaitlynn Henning led all scorers, finishing with 24 points.  Justice Burdin added 18 points while Bethany Hall chipped in 12 points in the victory.  The Lady Pirates will learn their sectional pairings this Sunday; as this years girls basketball sectional will be held the week of February at Scottsburg’s Meyer Gymnasium.  Complete Sectional information will be announced, as soon as available Sunday, on www.PiratePride.BLUE.  Charlestown is back in action next Tuesday evening at North Harrison, in a very important MSC closer.

The Charlestown Lady Pirate Basketball team improved to 16-3 overall and 6-1 in conference play Thursday night after dispatching the visiting Salem Lions 52-44.  The night began with Homecoming festivities, including the crowning of Senior Drew Reich as the 2015 King; and ended with the Lady Pirates flexing their experience to gain an important conference victory.  Charlestown jumped out to a quick 11-2 lead at the end of the first period and led 20-13 at the half.  Salem (9-10 & 3-5 MSC) got to within four points on two occasions in the second half before the Lady Pirates surged ahead in the final two minutes for a 42-44 win.  Justice Burdin led the Lady Pirate scorebook, finishing with 16 points.  Kaitlynn Henning added 12 points, including 6 of 8 from the free throw line.  Shelby Goedeker, who was named the Coyle Chevy, Buick, GMC and Coyle Nissan Player of the Game, finished the game with 10 points and several key assists.  Goedeker hit two three point goals at key points of the first and third periods, which lifted the Lady Pirate momentum.  Charlestown returns to action next Thursday (Jan. 29th), on the road at Clarksville.

The Charlestown Lady Pirate Basketball team used their “Never Quit” mode again to make it past New Albany in non-conference play.  The host Lady Bulldogs (12-6) led the majority of the game until a Henning three point play, with 39 seconds remaining in the game, tied the score at 50.  “They never quit”, said Coach Michael Prichard.  “Kaitlynn (Henning), Lexi (Logsdon), and Justice (Burdin) played great offense, and the team dug in on defense….I’m proud of their fight” added Coach Prichard.  The Lady Pirates (15-3) outscored New Albany ten to five in the extra period to secure a good 57-52 overtime victory.  Kaitlynn Henning finished with 24 points, Lexi Logsdon added 16, and Justice Burdin 11 as the Lady Pirates got it done on the road.  Charlestown jumped out to a 12-9 start, however turnovers allowed New Albany to even the score at 15 at the end of the first.  The Lady Pirates, led by Henning’s eight, trailed the hosts 25-23 at halftime.  Charlestown had to fight back after New Albany led by as much eight in the third, using a stiff defense to force 24 turnovers.  The Lady Pirates are back in action Thursday night, for Homecoming festivities, hosting Salem.