By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
It wasn’t a blowout, but the Fluvanna County High School girls basketball team gradually demonstrated its superior talent and topped the Monticello High Mustangs on Feb. 4.
The Flucos got virtually all their points from two standout juniors. Shooting guard Aniah Webb put on a very impressive scoring display that covered all four quarters. In the first quarter, she had six of the Fluco’s 11 points. In the second quarter, she scored eight of the Fluco’s 13 points. In the third quarter she netted nine of the team’s 12 points and in the final stanza she scored four of the team’s 12 points. For the game, she totaled 27 of the team’s 48 points. Webb had two three-point baskets and a variety of driving, twisting lay-ups. She also scored a couple of easy lay-ups off pretty feeds from point guard Alana Carter-Johnson. Carter-Johnson, normally one of the team’s high scorers, did not score in this game, but played what Coach Nick Ward described as the “classic point guard game.”
While Webb was putting on a fancy offensive show, junior post player Tatyana Turner was dominating inside. Turner was too strong and too talented for the Mustang’s front court. She tallied eight baskets in close and added two free throws for 18 points.
This game was a demonstration of why the Flucos have been quite successful this season. They are currently 12-5. Despite playing with a couple of key players out due to injury, the Flucos still had more quickness and ball handling ability than the Mustangs. In the fourth quarter, Coach Ward put his team into a semi-stall. There is no shot clock in high school basketball. Stalls can be risky, as they often lead to turnovers. However, relying primarily on Webb and Carter-Johnson, this Fluco team proved to be quite adept at weaving on the perimeter as the clock ticked down. In fact, as the clock ran down, Webb made four free throws and the Flucos held the Mustangs practically scoreless. The Flucos won the fourth quarter 12-5, and it was 12 to 2 until the Mustangs sank a last second three.
Amazingly, the regular season schedule is almost over. On Feb. 8, the Flucos traveled to Albemarle High and on Feb. 10 they will play the final game of the regular season at Orange County. The Jefferson District play-offs will follow starting on Feb. 12.
The near future looks pretty good for the Fluco girls. The current roster is dominated by juniors, with one freshman who gets playing time thrown in. The returning players will likely be joined next season by several promising players from a JV team that consists entirely of eighth and ninth graders.
