Charlottesville’s boys basketball team was tired. Playing their fourth game in six days at the Black Knights’ relentless pace, CHS was just flat out worn out.
“I think we’re a little tired,” said Charlottesville coach Mitch Minor. “It’s a ton of games and it’s kind of hard to keep up that kind of energy.”
Fighting through fatigue made it tough for the Black Knights to pull away from a scrappy Monticello squad in the Jefferson District semifinals, but CHS managed to eventually put the Mustangs away 68-57.
“I played a ton of guys tonight and guys came off the bench and did a pretty good job,” Minor said. “We’re a little bit beat up and tired, but I’m proud of the effort they gave tonight.”
The Black Knights took control during the fourth quarter on a run that put them up 60-50. After building 10-point leads throughout the game before Monticello managed to fight back, CHS made the fourth quarter run stick with an 8 for 10 performance at the free throw line in the final frame.
One of those big mid game runs came when Mica Girstantas got hot from the 3-point line in the third quarter. He buried three 3-pointers as part of a 4-for-7 performance from beyond the arc. He finished with 18 points, three assists and three steals.
Leon Straus led the Black Knights with 19 points and Jordan Saylor checked in with 12 on the night. Saylor also dished out eight assists and six rebounds. Isaiah Green had eight rebounds and a trio of steals.
Monticello’s Rashad Brooks took advantage of the absence of Charlottesville’s Kendall Dowdell, who is nursing a minor knee injury but should be back for the conference tournament. Brooks had 13 points to lead the Mustangs. Savion Thomas was the only other Mustang in double figures with 10 points, eight of which came at the free throw line.
“If we get a chance to play (Albemarle or Western) later on in the week, we’re going to have to do a better job on boxing out,” Minor said.
The Black Knights advance to the Jefferson District final later this week against Albemarle. Monticello turns its attention to the Conference 29 tournament next week.
