Those who had the favorites advancing in the opening round of the Jefferson District can pat themselves on the back. Seven of the eight games played in the first round were decided by eight or more points, and the Orange County boys were the only member of the bottom four seeds in either of the two brackets to reach the second round.
With their overtime victory against Goochland, the Hornets continued to prove that when it comes to the JD tournament, their seeding is irrelevant. A reasonable underdog last year, Orange took down the top two seeds in Charlottesville and Western Albemarle to win their second title in a row.
Having lost 11 of its last 13, the Hornets were widely considered significant underdogs against Goochland. The Bulldogs came into the first round with a 10-5 record, and while Bradon Henry was able to pour in 26 points on the night, a balanced Orange offense proved too much.
Josh Pugh has been a reliable scorer for Hornets coach Keyode Rogers throughout the season, and Pugh was just that against Goochland as he paced his team’s offense with a 20-point night. But a number of other players joined Pugh with eight or more points, including Tres Winkler, Travis Braxton and Tyler Seal.
And so for the second straight year, Orange will square off against top-seeded Charlottesville in the JD semifinals, this time on Wednesday night at Monticello. They’ll again play the role of the underdog, but history has shown that moniker doesn’t seem to bother the Hornets.
However, before all weather cancelled the regular season, Charlottesville was suffering from an injury and flu bug. The Black Knights should come into the game ready to run at full strength.
On the girls side of the tournament, it’s another piece of history repeating itself. Last season William Monroe and Fluvanna County met up on five different occasions. Without a meeting during the holiday tournaments, and a contest in February being cancelled because of weather, this will mark just the second time these two squads have played each other.
The Greene Dragons were able to hang on at home against Louisa County in the quarterfinals, with sophomore Alex Cave leading the way with an 18-point night. If Monroe wants to contend against a Fluvanna squad that is perfect on the year against JD opponents, they’re going need more than a big game from Cave.
Caitlyn Roach has been arguably the most consistent performer for Phillip Lamb’s team, but another name to keep an eye on is Shawnterica Cochran. The junior forward can dribble and isn’t afraid to try and find her way into the paint, something not a lot of teams can do against a tall Flucos team.
The Dragons are young and face an uphill climb against Fluvanna, but if Cochran can contribute on offense and help out Cave and Roach on the glass, Monroe has the ability to give the Flucos a good fight.
Boys Top Five
1. Blue Ridge (16-4) — A narrow win over Roanoke Catholic highlighed the Barons’ week. The loss they suffered? Fishburne Military’s postgraduate squad. A big-time rematch with Miller is slated for tonight at 6 p.m.
2. Madison County (18-0) — Madison is in the same boat this week, having not played since January 30. But, during the break they earned another regular season district title and the top seed in the Bull Run tournament.
3. Miller (9-5) — They knocked off Roanoke Catholic by 11 last week, now can they avenge that loss to Blue Ridge earlier in the year? Expect it to be standing room only over at the Mavericks’ house tonight.
4. Albemarle (13-5) — Albemarle hasn’t played in over a week, and they’ll jump right into the district tournament with the quarterfinals at home Wednesday.
5 t. Charlottesville (11-6) — They took care of business against Monticello in the JD quarterfinals, now they face an Orange team that knocked the Black Knights out of the JD tourney last year.
5t. Western Albemarle (15-5) — Fluvanna Wednesday night won’t be an easy out for the Warriors, who looked strong against Louisa County with their big three firing on all cylinders. Can they keep it up?
Lurking — Buckingham (14-3), Fluvanna (12-7), Covenant (12-4)
Girls Top Five
1. Fluvanna County (18-1) — The Flucos had a tough shooting night against Goochland in the JD quarterfinals, but there’s no doubt that a 29-4 run to close out that game has Fluvanna feeling alright.
2. Miller (10-4) — After drubbing Holy Cross, the Mavericks showed they can win the tight ones too with a 2-point win over Carlisle. And in those two games Whitney Martin combined for an outstanding 30 points and 30 rebounds.
3. St. Anne’s-Belfield (11-5) — Sarah Imovbioh put together 27 points and 22 rebounds in a win over St. Gertude’s to cap the regular season. Now she and the Saints head into the LIS Division I tournament. Will they see Collegiate for a third time?
4. Western Albemarle (15-5) — The good news for the Warriors is that, win or lose in the JD semifinals, they’re set to earn a Region II Division 3 bid. Still, there’s no doubt that Western wants another crack at Fluvanna if they can get it.
5t. Orange County (12-8) — With the Warriors as their opponent in the JD semis, which version of the Hornets will take the court tonight; the one that nearly knocked off Western in January, or the one that took it on the chin in February?
5t. Covenant (8-7) — The road to the LIS Division II championship rolls through the Eagles’ nest. Covenant has now won four consecutive LIS titles.
Lurking — William Monroe (11-10)
