PALMYRA — A strong third-quarter push propelled the Fluvanna boys’ basketball to a 64-57 victory over E.C. Glass Saturday afternoon in the Shoebox.
In that third quarter, the Flucos scored 13 points while holding the Hilltoppers to only four points.
“We may be playing better defense in the zone than in man-to-man,” said FCHS head coach Munro Rateau, who made the switch to a 1-3-1 defense to start the third quarter.
In the frame, the Flucos had to erase a 10-point halftime deficit, sparked by a 15-5 Hilltopper run to end the first half. Freshman Jalen Harrison scored five points of the Flucos’ 13 third quarter points and seemed to single-handedly turn the Shoebox into a playoff atmosphere.
“It was hard and we battled through it the whole time,” said Harrison.
Listen to a recording of the Fluco SN broadcast
Leading the way for the Flucos was senior YaYa Anderson who dished out plenty of assists to go along with 24 points. Freshman guard Vinny Agee scored 14 points as well. Senior forward Jake Smith, who sat out last game with a back injury, didn’t start Saturday but still scored six points off the bench.
“We’re getting contributions from everybody that’s playing,” said Rateau. “Everyone went out there and did a great job.”
With only 2:42 left in the game, the score was tied at 55-55 when the Flucos went on a 6-0 run all from the charity line. Then, senior Taylor Lintecum took a charge that sealed the deal for the Flucos’ victory.
“We know if we’re going to win that we have to play good defense and taking charges is part of that,” said Rateau.
Rateau notched career victory 465 for his career Saturday. He is seventh among active coaches for career victories, according to the VHSL Book of Records.
The win over EC Glass caps a three-win week for Fluvanna. FCHS knocked off district opponents Western Albemarle by 20 points on Tuesday and Monticello by 28 points.
The next game for the Flucos is a rematch of last year’s Region II, Division 3 Championship against the Charlottesville. The Black Knights lost their first Jefferson District game of the year, falling to Western Albemarle in Charlottesville.
The FCHS-CHS game is set for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday night in Charlottesville. The game will be broadcast on the Fluco SN with Bryan Rothamel and Mike Sheridan on the call.
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