By Duncan Nixon, correspondent
The Fluco boys’ basketball team overcame a first-quarter deficit Friday (Jan. 25) to win in overtime against Powhatan.
Photo by Fluvanna Sports Photography
Although neither team has scored many wins this season, the game was a hard-fought and intense battle.
The Flucos, who hosted the game, lost the first quarter by a large margin, but outscored the Indians in the second, third and fourth quarters for a tie at 51-51 at the end of regulation.
In overtime, freshman guard Kobe Edmonds had five and senior forward Drew Pace had three as the Fluco outscored the Indians 11-8, to win 62-59.
Early in the game it looked like the Indians might coast to an easy victory. The Flucos could only manage two-point baskets by Pace, sophomore forward John Boy Rittenhouse and junior guard Ford DeVault in the quarter. The Indians led by 12 after eight minutes.
The Flucos were not deterred and they came back strong in the second quarter. Edmonds had several steals and put in seven points, Rittenhouse hit a three-point shot and sophomore guard Chris Whittle contributed five points. At the half, the Flucos were back in the game, trailing by only four at 24-28.
In the third quarter, the Flucos turned to the long ball. The Indians made one of two from the line for a five-point lead but the Flucos scored the next six on three-point baskets by Rittenhouse and junior guard Emory Davis, which gave the Flucos their first lead at 30-29. Rittenhouse made two more three pointers in the quarter, but the Indians sank a three at the end of the quarter and led by one, 39-40, going to the final stanza.
The fourth quarter opened with Whittle making one of two from the line and Pace scoring inside on a nice pass from Edmonds. The Indians made a lay-up to tie the score at 42-42. Powhatan scored another lay-up and Edmonds answered with a driving lay-up of his own. Powhatan again scored inside and after a Powhatan time out to ice him, Edmonds nailed two for two from the line. Powhatan scored again on a lay-in for the lead. Whittle went to the line for a one and one and calming made two free throws. Powhatan sank a three-point shot with just under three minutes remaining to go ahead by three at 48-51. The Flucos played tough defense for those last three minutes and held the Indians scoreless.
Meanwhile, the Flucos were having trouble scoring as well. Until the last seconds they generated only a free throw by Edmonds. However, as the clock wound down, Edmonds took the ball to the hoop for a lay-up to tie the score and force overtime.
The Flucos jumped into the lead in overtime, scoring the first six points. Whittle made one of two from the line, Edmonds scored on another drive, Pace made one for two from the line and scored on a lay-up. Powhatan sank a three pointer to cut the Fluco lead in half. Coach Jason Davis called a time-out with a minute remaining.
After the time-out, Edmonds was immediately fouled and he hit two from the line. Edmond made one of two from the line and the Flucos were back up by six. Powhatan scored on a rebound and with 11 seconds remaining sank a three pointer to cut the lead to one. However, Rittenhouse was fouled on the inbound and he sank both free throws for a three-point lead. The Indians were unable to get off a decent three-point shot and the Flucos were the winners.
After the game, Davis said he was pleased that his squad settled down and played well after getting behind early. He pointed out that his squad has been competitive in most of its games, but has lost a lot of close ones, several on last-second shots. The team was very happy to take away a win in this close one.
Edmonds, a freshman, led the scoring with 19. Rittenhouse, a sophomore, had 16, including four three pointers. Whittle, another sophomore, contributed 10, while senior forward Pace had eight. Junior guard Davis, who is only 5 feet 10 inches, pitched in with 11 rebounds.
The Fluco season is winding down. They played at Madison County Jan. 28 and hosted Monticello Jan. 29. They will be at Louisa Feb. 1 and their final regular season game will be at home against Western Albemarle Feb. 5.
