BY DUNCAN NIXON
CORRESPONDENT
It was a contest between the two top girls’ basketball teams in the Jefferson District. The Flucos came into the Jan. 4 game at 3-1 in the District and Western came at 4-1.
Unfortunately, the Fluco girls’ team could not find the basket against the Warriors from Western Albemarle. The Fluco girls made only five baskets in the entire game and fell to the very defensive-minded league-leading Warriors 17-38.
The Fluco girls’ offense is usually centered on drives to the basket, resulting in lay-ups, or free throws. League-leading Western Albemarle was not deterred by the Flucos’ driving offense. Their defense was highly effective. The Flucos were unable to convert a single driving lay-up all game.
The first quarter was a balanced defensive struggle. Fluco freshman post player Khamare Steppe converted on two inside baskets and junior shooting guard Nevaeh Ivory hit a three point shot, and the Flucos trailed at the end of the quarter 7-8. In the second and third quarters the Flucos got killed.
Photos by Fluvanna Sports Photography.
In the second quarter, the Warrior defense basically won the game. The Flucos simply could not get any good shots, and the shots they got did not convert. The Warriors scored 10 points in the quarter – not an overwhelming total, but the Flucos were completely shut out, losing the quarter 0-10.The halftime score was
7-18. The game was effectively over.
In the third quarter, the Flucos continued to have problems dealing with the Warriors’ intense defense. Steppe managed an inside basket and junior point guard Jules Shepherd converted a free throw for a total of three points in the quarter. The Warriors put up 12 points, so the Flucos were outscored in the second and third quarters by an overwhelming 3-22.
In the fourth quarter, the Flucos got a three point shot and two free throws from Ivory and two free throws from sophomore guard Kelise Thomas. The Flucos were outscored in the fourth quarter by the same 7-8 score as they were outscored in the first quarter. The Flucos were not really overwhelmed by the Warriors, but they just were unable to find the basket. The teams appeared to be more evenly matched than the score indicated.
After the game, Coach Chad White noted that the Warrior defense was intense, but he commented that the Flucos just could not seem to get any of their shots to fall. The Flucos had a number of put back opportunities on the offensive boards that rolled around the rim and failed to go down. With only 17 points, it is not surprising that the Flucos had no one scoring in double figures. Ivory had eight points and Steppe had six.
The Fluco girls are now 5-5 overall and 3-2 in the district. They played a make-up game at Albemarle High School Monday (Jan. 7). They hosted Monticello High on Wednesday (Jan. 9) and they will then host William Monroe on Friday (Jan. 11). On Jan. 14 they will host Madison County and on Jan. 18 they will travel to Orange County. The girls will then return home Jan. 22 to host the Black Knights of Charlottesville High.
