By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
The Fluco regular basketball season begins on Dec. 3 when they travel to Chancellor High School. Their first home game will be the next day as they host Heritage High. Fluco Coach Heath Bralley said that his squad does not have much height, but that the team will play up-paced basketball with pressing and fast breaks.
Despite a roster that is heavy with juniors Bralley describes his squad as more experienced than some of his past rosters. Two sophomore guards who he expects will contribute points and know how are Kayron Douglas, who was point guard for the JV team last year, and Gunner Marks who comes over from Fork Union Military Academy (FUMA).
Importantly, Antwon Carter returns for his junior year. Last season, Carter was the team’s high scorer and he is the returning player who recorded the most rebounds and assists in 2024-25. Carter was second team All-Jefferson District last year.
Bralley describes senior Tre Key as long and athletic. Another returning senior is defensive specialist Tramayne Minor. These two were prominent members of the Fluco football team, Key as a defensive back and Minor as a wide receiver. Also returning is senior three-point shooter Amir Toney.
Brady Crisp is also a senior. Bralley describes him as a “glue guy”, who contributes a bit of everything. He is a three-sporter, football, basketball and soccer, so he is obviously athletic. Noah Washington provides some height and is long and athletic, as is Quinton McCloud. Shawn Smith is another strong athlete, like Crisp, and Bralley said that he is the player who has improved the most over the summer. A third excellent player is Xavier Grooms. Isiah Thompson who is up from the JV is also expected to contribute.
The Jefferson District is in Bralley’s words “one of the toughest in the state.” Albemarle High, Western Albemarle and Charlottesville are always strong. Jefferson District play starts on Dec. 11, when the Flucos travel to Monticello High.
