PALMYRA — In a game reminiscent of a 1990s James River District matchup, the Fluvanna boys’ basketball team beat Goochland 89-78 Monday night.
Tied at 54 in the third quarter, Fluvanna (No. 2 AA AP) ended the quarter on a 8-2 run to lead 62-54 heading into the final frame.
In the last stanza free throw shooting put the game away. In the fourth quarter, the Flucos made 17 free throws, shooting 80 percent from the stripe. FCHS shot 68 percent from the line overall.
“The difference in the game tonight was we made our free throws much better than we have in the past couple games,” said FCHS head coach Munro Rateau.
Despite Fluvanna’s constant transition offense being in motion, Goochland kept the game close with lights out shooting. The Bulldogs made 14 3-pointers while Fluvanna made just one.
“They tried to press us early in the offense and we got past them and scored easy baskets. Their small guys do such a good job of rebounding, they are so quick and active around the baskets. That was kind of a struggle for us matching up with their quickness just because they were smaller than us.
“[Goochland] shot the lights out tonight. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a team shoot like that,” said Rateau.
To keep the GHS speed at bay, Fluvanna started the game in a 1-3-1 zone and briefly used a triangle-and-two defense. FCHS experimented moving players to new sections of the 1-3-1 to gain any advantage as possible.
“It’s pretty hard [playing a shooting team]. It puts a lot of pressure on you knowing you have to lookout for independent players knowing they are capable of causing harm. Overall, it’s just hard,” said Brad Bullock.
“We just had to step out on the shooters because coach [told us before the game] they all shoot 3-pointers and they are pretty good at it. The wings had to step up, the top had to step up,” said Vinny Agee. “We did that better towards the fourth quarter.”
There were 14 lead changes in the game and five ties. Up until the end of the third quarter, no team lead by more than four points. Fluvanna’s largest lead was 12 points, once in the fourth quarter.
FCHS was lead by YaYa Anderson with 24 points. Agee scored 18 points, including 16 in the second half. Taylor Lintecum finished with 15 while Bullock scored 14 points on eight made free throws. Jalen Harrison and Jake Smith each scored seven points.
Next up for the Flucos (15-1) is Jefferson District rival Charlottesville on Tuesday night. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Shoebox.
“We just got to play hard. We can’t take any game off, got to go hard,” said Agee of the Charlottesville game.
The game will be broadcast on the Fluco SN.
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