By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
The Fluco boy’s basketball team has won its first three games, all against non-Jefferson District opponents. The team, under Coach Heath Bralley opened its regular season on the road on Dec.1, traveling to Waynesboro High. The Flucos took a 27-17 lead at half time and won by nine, 54-45. On Dec. 3, the boys played their home opener against Chancellor High. The Flucos put up 45 points in the second half to post a 67-53 win. On Dec. 7, the Flucos traveled to Chancellor High. In the rematch, the result was very much the same, as the Flucos posted a 61-47 win.
Before the season began, Coach Bralley predicted that his team would rely heavily on its guards for scoring. So far that prediction has come true. Against Waynesboro, senior guard Kobe Edmonds led the way in scoring with 16, including two three-point shots. He also had four assists. Second in scoring was guard Bobby Gardner who contribute 13 points. Forward Kenyon Smith had eight points and 12 rebounds. Overall, the Flucos did not shoot well in the game, but they forced a remarkably high 30 turnovers.
In their first game against Chancellor High, Edmonds again led the team in scoring, with Gardner close behind. Edmonds scored 27 on a very good 10 of 18 from the field including four of six from three-point range. Gardner put up 22 points, and also had seven offensive rebounds. Smith also got into double figures with 11. The Fluco defense was strong again as it forced 23 turnovers.
In the third game of the season, a third Fluco guard jumped into the picture. Lance Bruce came through with 17 points, making all six of his shots, including two three pointers, he also had three of four from the foul line. The high scorer for the Flucos was Edmonds for the third time with 20 points. He shot eight of 15 from the field and recorded three steals. Gardner contributed 13 points, seven rebounds and four steals. The Flucos again led in the turnover category, forcing 19.
The Flucos hosted Charlottesville High on Dec. 14 and played Waynesboro for a second time on Dec. 15. On Dec. 17, they play at Goochland and on Dec. 18 they take a long road trip to play at Lord Botetourt. On Dec. 22, they host Spotswood High. After that, they do not return to action until Jan. 4 when they will host Monticello High as Jefferson District play gets seriously underway.
