By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
The Fluvanna girls basketball team under new Coach Josh McElheny got off to a strong start at home against the Dragons of William Monroe High (in Stanardsville) on Dec. 3. Unfortunately, by the end of the first quarter the Dragons were in the lead. Fluco senior guard Aniah Webb started things off for the Flucos with a two-point shot and a three point shot. Senior guard Alana Carter-Johnson made a steal and took the ball to the basket for a 7-0 Fluco lead. William Monroe scored a lay-up and Fluco senior guard Abby Seal responded with a long three point shot for a 10-2 Fluco lead. The Dragons bounced back and ended the quarter with a steal for a basket and a three-point shot to give them a 15-14 advantage.
The second quarter was even, right to the end, with the score 23-23 in the final minute. But this time the Dragons scored the final seven points of the quarter on a jump shot and a three-pointer, and two free throws. Webb scored the first five points of the third quarter, with a steal for a lay-up and her second three pointer. In the middle of the quarter, the Flucos had three two shot free throw attempts and each time made only one. Free throw shooting was a problem throughout for the Flucos. As the quarter ended, Fluco sophomore forward Ikeena Spruill scored on a lay-up and one of two from the line, but her points were offset by a Dragon three-point basket. The quarter ended with William Monroe still up by seven 41-34.
In the fourth quarter, the Flucos again cut the lead to two points, as Webb had a lay-up and a three-point shot. Unfortunately, as time ran down the Flucos could not convert a couple of lay-ups and several free throws and the Dragons eased to a five point win 49-44. The Flucos were in the game all the way, but played from behind from the end of the first quarter to the finish. Fluco lay-ups throughout frequently rolled around the rim and fell out instead of in.
The Fluco scoring was led by Webb who had a balanced game, scoring five in three of the quarters, with a three-point shot in each of those quarters, and with four points in the second quarter for a game high 19 points. Carter-Johnson had six points, as did Spruill. McElhaney has an experienced team this year with four seniors starting and two tall freshmen, Reagan Woods and Molly McCall, playing in the middle.
On Dec. 8, they will play at Chancellor High and on Dec. 12 they will play at Buckingham County. On Dec. 13 they will host Albemarle High and on Dec. 16 they travel to Orange County High.
