Fluco bench during the game on Jan. 9.
“We got out to a quick start. We shot the ball well in the first quarter and got that lead. I thought we did a great job again in running our offense,” said FCHS head coach Munro Rateau.
The Flucos started the game on a 10-2 run and didn’t miss an uncontested shot for the first four minutes of the game. One shot didn’t go in because of a foul, but Dale Ludwig hit both free throws instead. It was that type of night for Fluvanna.
Charlottesville couldn’t find the basket, missing turnaround jump shots, 3-point attempts and fast break opportunities. Then to compound the problem, the Flucos grabbed 39 rebounds. It was that type of night for Charlottesville.
FCHS held a 16-6 lead after the first quarter. The scoring differential didn’t get much better in the second quarter. The Flying Men of Flu.Co. started the second frame on a 10-2 run.
“Everyone is starting to develop into their role now,” said Fluco sophomore Vinny Agee who scored the first eight points of the game. “No one is trying to play out of their persona. Everyone is stepping up to their role.”
Charlottesville did score the first four points of the third quarter to cut the lead to 35-23 but would then go scoreless for the next 8:30 of play, spanning into the fourth quarter. The Flucos used that time to score 14 straight points, making it 49-23. CHS would score 16 points in the final five minutes.
“They did a good job executing their offense. They were very patient, they got the shots they wanted to get — that’s the difference in the game,” said CHS head coach Mitch Minor.
Charlottesville tried to go to its tried and true full court press whenever possible. The speed advantage the Black Knights appeared to have proved to be ineffective.
“We try to beat the press through passing it. We did that effectively tonight,” said Fluco guard Dorian Butler.
Minor said, “I don’t think we defended well. We had the speed but we didn’t utilize it at all. They beat us down the court too. It is something we need to work on.”
Leading all scorers was Fluco forward Jalen Harrison with 15 points along with four rebounds. Agee recorded another double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. FCHS senior Dashon Tibbs grabbed 12 rebounds along with his eight points. Butler scored seven points and dished out four assists.
Leading scorer for Charlottesville was Jordan Saylor with 12 points, all in the fourth quarter. Isaiah Green had 10 points. Darius Watson ended the night with seven.
“We are getting better every time we go out there. I thought Dorian Butler, Dale [Ludwig] and RyQuan [Washington] did a great job handling the pressure,” said Rateau.
Next up for Fluvanna (10-2, 2-1 JD) is district foe Powhatan on Thursday night. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 10 in Palmyra.
