Spotsy powers by Fluvanna in a tale of two halves

PALMYRA — The Fluvanna girls’ basketball couldn’t overcome a late Spotsylvania third quarter rush, losing 53-43 in its season opener.

The Flucos were led by Kirsten Allen with 15 points, including 11 in the first half. Kate Stutz put in eight points while Ashleigh Harris scored five.

Fluvanna lead 41-34 midway through the third quarter before a steady dose of Bria Carter and Kortni Simmons. The two scored 10 of the next 12 points for a 46-41 SHS lead heading into the final frame. FCHS would manage just two free throws in the fourth quarter compared to seven Spotsylvania points.

To start the changing of the guard, the Knights stopped using a press and made Fluvanna run a half-court offense. The style limited FCHS to eight points the entire second half.

The first half had solid Fluco play behind an offense coming out of the transition game and a stifling defense that limited second chance opportunities, a plan that was carefully reviewed this week.

“We talked about it in practice all week, especially with this [Spotsylvania team because] they are so athletic with Simmons and Carter. We just said, ‘We just got to limit second chance opportunities.’ That was the game plan. We played our triangle-and-two, we wanted to execute it and see what happens. They did a very good job overall,” said White.

Carter, a top-100 recruit and Appalachian State verbal commitment, and Simmons scored half of their team’s first half points compared to over 90 percent of the second half.

Fluvanna raced out to an early 9-5 lead. By the three minute mark of the first quarter, Spotsy narrowed the gap to 15-14. The teams traded baskets the rest of the quarter for a 21-20 Knight lead.

Spotsylvania scored the first five points of the fresh frame but FCHS scored 11 straight points, including seven points by Allen. Fluvanna scored almost all of its points through breaking the SHS press.

“We figured if they press we could take advantage of it just because our guards do a great job running their lanes and Ashleigh does a good job of finding [them],” said White.

The Flucos would hold a 35-32 lead into the break.

“We worked together to get [the press break] done,” said Allen of the first half performance. “We feel apart in the second half.”

Next up for Fluvanna (0-1) is 2012 James River District champions Goochland Bulldogs. Game is set of 7:30 p.m. in the town of Goochland.