It had never happened before this season, and with the season winding down, it was the wrong time for it. Fluvanna County has held a lead in every game they’ve played this year. Of course they’ve only lost twice technically, and in both their loss to Monticello and win turned forfeit to Western Albemarle, the Flucos were out front.
But against Waynesboro it never happened. The Little Giants led Fluvanna from start to finish as Waynesboro won the battle of the boards while the Flucos struggled mightily from the field for the first three quarters. And with YaYa Anderson under the weather after his record setting 47-point performance over the weekend, Tuesday night’s Group Division 3 semifinal belonged to the Little Giants as they picked up a 72-60 win.
“They controlled the backboards on us and I think that was the difference in the game,” said Fluvanna coach Monro Rateau. “I couldn’t be more proud of the kids on our team. The senior leadership we’ve had all year has been tremendous, and I feel bad for all of them, but I feel bad this guy sitting next to me (YaYa) as he’s been sick for the last two days.”
The night got off to a rough start for both teams offensively, but while Waynesboro was able to shake off its tipsy start, Fluvanna’s dry spell lasted all the way into the second half. The Flucos missed their first 10 shots from beyond the arc, shot less that 30 percent from the field deep into the third quarter, while at the same time saw Waynesboro control the glass on both offense and defense.
“We knew that with YaYa, we had to do a good job defensively,” said Waynesboro coach C. Jay Dewitt. “But you can’t just take points away from him and give easy points to everyone else.”
The Little Giants, behind the play of Alex Graves, Brandon White and Sky Phillips worked they way out to a 15-point lead in the second quarter. When Anderson — who was held scoreless in the first quarter and had to continuously sub in and out of the game — finally got on the board in the second, the Flucos found a spark. Along with with Aric Edmonds, the two worked their team back to within nine points of the lead just before halftime.
Although Fluvanna started off the third quarter well, the momentum of the frame swung Waynesboro’s way as Graves piled up points and rebounds while Brown and Phillips knocked down jumpers and easy layups. With three minutes to go in the third, the Little Giants found themselves up by as many as 17 points.
“We had a chance to really gain control of the game in the first half and then got in some foul trouble,” Dewitt said. “We were really pleased to be up nine at halftime … we’re pretty mentally tough and the boys handled it well and have confidence in (the rest of the team).”
In the fourth, Fluvanna turned up the pressure defensively to try and fight their way back in. While the Flucos were able to cut the deficit down to 12 points in the first minute of the fourth quarter, ultimately the closest they got was within 10 points and that wasn’t until there were 12 seconds left on the clock.
“We just really struggled getting the ball in the basket,” Rateau said. “They were a little more aggressive on defense than we were on offense.”
Graves was 7 for 12 from the field and 6 of 7 at the free throw line to rack up a game high 20 points. He also led all rebounders with 14. White added 19 and five boards. Phillips scored 14 points.
For Fluvanna, Jamal Tolliver led the team with 20 points. Anderson finished with 14 and Edmonds chipped in eight and a team best six rebounds.
The Flucos lose six seniors including Tolliver, Edmonds, Josh Hinkle, Jordan Green, and Spencer Tinsley.
“These (seniors) are excellent students and its not like they’re just thinking about college, they’re going to be successful, either as students or athletes in any place they go,” Rateau said.
Waynesboro and Brunswick will play Saturday for the state title.
