By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
The Fluvanna County girls’ basketball squad did not start strong against the visiting Little Giants from Waynesboro on Dec. 18. The first half of this contest was fairly even and low scoring, but in the second half the Flucos dominated the overmatched Little Giants, outscoring them 33-8 for an easy 50-20 win.
In the first quarter, the Flucos got five points from senior forward Mya Wright, but led only 9-8 late in the quarter. Sophomore forward Emma Russ scored on a drive as the first quarter ended to put the Flucos up 11-8.
The second quarter started with Waynesboro draining a three-point shot to tie the score. The Little Giants then took a brief lead with one of two from the foul line. Wright made a steal for the Flucos and took the ball coast to coast. She was fouled on her lay-up attempt and made both free throws to put the Flucos back on top for good.
It was a, slow moving, defensive quarter. Fluco senior guard Nevaeh Ivory was fouled shooting a lay-up off a nice pass from senior guard Jules Shephard. Ivory made both free throws for a 15-12 score. Freshman Aniah Webb scored on a drive to the basket to close out the half at 17-12. The Fluco held the Little Giants to the four points that they scored early in the quarter to take Waynesboro’s brief lead. The Flucos won the second quarter 6-4 and their defensive effort was a preview of what would transpire in the second half.
Fluco Coach Chad White said after the game that his half-time message to his squad was that they needed to play with more energy. He said he was pleased to see his captains: Ivory, Shephard and Wright pumping up the team prior to the start of the second half. The third quarter was decisive. The Flucos did up their energy, achieving steals and creating turnovers. Ivory scored four baskets in the quarter, twice as many as the Little Giants achieved. Wright, senior Maggie Wentz and junior Khyariah Davis-Heinrich all had two points and the Flucos won the quarter 14-4 for a fifteen-point lead.
The fourth quarter was an extension of the third. The Fluco defense was too much for Waynesboro. In addition, the Flucos put on their three point shot hats. Shephard scored a three, as did junior Allyson Crothers and freshman Abby Seal. Seven Flucos scored in the final period, as the Flucos outscored the Little Giants 19-4 for a 30-point win. The Flucos had nine players score, as Coach White got a good look at his back-ups in the fourth quarter.
The Flucos were led in scoring by Ivory with 13, while Wright pitched in with nine. Davis-Heinrich grabbed a bunch of rebounds. After the game, Coach White noted that the Little Giants were obviously well coached. However, they only had a roster of six players and it was clear that the deep Fluco squad was not likely to fall to such a team.
The Lady Flucos are now 6-1 on the season. They played at Orange County on Dec. 20. After a brief holiday respite, they travel to Madison County on Dec. 30. They will host Albemarle High on Jan. 3 and travel to Western Albemarle on Jan. 4. They will be at Waynesboro on Jan. 8 and they will host Charlottesville on Jan. 10.
Don Stribling’s official title is: Executive Director of Human Resources, Operations and Student Services. Regards, duncan
