By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
The Fluco boys hosted perennial Jefferson District rival, the Black Knights from Charlottesville High on Jan. 21. At half-time, the Flucos led in a defensive battle with a score of 17-16. The third quarter was a different story. The Black Knights were playing an aggressive full court press defense. The goal of this style of defense is to create turn-overs and steals. However, if the offense is able to break the press the result is often easy lay-ups. The Fluco broke the press consistently in the third quarter and put the ball in the hands of sophomore Antwon Carter. Carter knew what to do with the ball. He took it hard to the basket and finished well. Carter had 11 points in the quarter, half of the Flucos’ 22. Carter had three baskets and five free throws.
The Flucos played a different defense altogether. After the game, Coach Heath Bralley reported that his assistant Coach Jay’von Jackson suggested that a 1-3-1 zone defense might work against the Black Knights. He was right. The zone, anchored by big man Mason Kirby in the middle, completely flummoxed Charlottesville. They managed only two points in the third quarter. The way to beat this zone is with outside shooting, especially from the corners. The Black Knights tried to do this, but the Flucos were always in their face. As a result, the Black Knights made only two of nineteen three-point attempts for the game. The Black Knights needed a Vinny Agee or a J.J. Reddick. But, they didn’t have outside shooters.
The Flucos took a 21 point lead into the fourth quarter. Charlottesville played intensely and aggressively in the fourth quarter, but it was too late. The Fluco lead shrunk to 12, but the outcome was never in doubt.
Carter led the Flucos in scoring with an impressive total of 27. He scored five in the first and second quarters, eleven in the third and six in the fourth quarter. Junior Kemaan Massie contributed 12 points, scoring in all four quarters. Junior Tramayne Minor added six points. Senior Kirby controlled the boards, with ten rebounds. Junior guard Tyrell Ntenda had three assists for the Flucos. The Flucos made 50 percent of their shots while the Black Knights hit on only 25 percent of their shots.
The Fluco win was their third in a row. They are now 6-9 overall and 3-3 in Jefferson District play. On Jan. 24 they traveled to Louisa County and on Jan. 28 they played at Western Albemarle. On Jan. 31 they will host Monticello High School. There are three games on the schedule in February against Albemarle High, Orange County and Charlottesville again. The last game of the regular season is at Charlottesville on Feb. 11.
