Fluco boys fall to Charlottesville in Jefferson District opener

By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent

The Fluco boys hosted the Black Knights from Charlottesville High on Dec. 14 and The Flucos came from behind early in the fourth quarter to take a 51-50 lead. However, the Black Knights rallied with back-to-back three point baskets and outscored the Flucos 28-10 in the rest of the final period.

In the first quarter, the Flucos had four players in the scoring column and they trailed at the end of the quarter by only two points 14-12.  Kenyon Smith had a three-point basket and two free throws to lead the Flucos in the quarter.

In the second quarter, the Flucos outscored Charlottesville by a point, 15-14, so it was 28-27 in Charlottesville’s favor at the half. Fluco junior guard Lance Bruce had seven points in the quarter including a three-point basket. Junior guard Bobby Gardner contributed five points.

In the third quarter, the Flucos fought hard to close the gap after Charlottesville scored the first three points, but the score see-sawed back and forth. Late in the quarter, Charlottesville stretched its lead to five and the quarter ended with the Black Knights leading 48-43. Bruce had two three-point baskets in the quarter and senior guard Kobe Edmonds contributed five points.  

Charlottesville scored first to open the final quarter and take a seven point lead, but the Flucos then put on a run. Edmonds made two free throws and then drove for a basket and was fouled. His free throw was good for an old fashioned three-point play. Bruce then drained a three-point shot for a Fluco run of eight points and a lead of 51-50.  Two baskets by the Black Knights put them up by three, but senior forward Blaise Silverman dropped in a three pointer for a tie at 54-54. Edmonds made one of two at the line and the Flucos led again 55-54. Unfortunately, Charlottesville scored the next 16 points, including back-to-back three-pointers. Bruce ended the Charlottesville run with a three-point shot, but the game was effectively over by that time. In the quarter, Bruce had two threes and Edmonds had five points.

After the game, Coach Heath Bralley commented that Bruce had a good game. He also praised the strong play off the bench of juniors Tyler Coleman and Clayton Cannady, and noted that it hurt that Smith, who is a strong defender and rebounder, was in foul trouble late in the game. Bruce led the team in scoring with 15, while Edmonds had 14 and Gardner 12. Five different Flucos made at least one three-point basket in this game, so the team has some diversity in its offense.

On Dec.15, the Flucos bounced back from their loss to Charlottesville and ran their record to 4-1 as they trounced visiting Waynesboro High by a 79-40 score. The Flucos continued their heavy pre-holiday schedule by beating Goochland on Dec. 17, 68 to 57. On Dec. 18, the Flucos played Salem High, winning 63 to 36.