Charlottesville boys roll past Louisa

It is never an easy task defeating a team three times in one season. The Charlottesville boys basketball team accomplished that feat by in convincing fashion by defeating No. 5 Louisa County for a third time this season on Friday night, 88-48, in the first round of the Jefferson District Tournament in front of a pumped up student section. The fourth-seeded Black Knights (12-7) now face No. 1 seed Fluvanna County on Wednesday in the semifinals, while the Lions’ season ends with five wins.

“I’d like to thank our administration for their support, and especially our student body,” said CHS coach Mitch Minor, adding that the team has stayed positive all week following the incident that prematurely ended the regular-season finale at Monticello on Tuesday. “They were simply wonderful, I love them to death, the way they came out and supported us. I’m so proud of our school and the way we came together as a family tonight.”

Three Black Knights finished in double figures, led by senior forward Rickquan Jones’ 14 points, while Dashaun Blakey scored 10 of his 12 points before halftime and snagged 12 rebounds. Junior guard Darius Watson got the start and hit four of his five 3-pointers to also finish with 12. Every CHS player on the roster scored at least two points, as reserve guard Brennan Lee scored the final bucket to the delight of the crowd in the game’s final 10 seconds to complete the 40-point thrashing.

After CHS began the contest by scoring the first seven points, Louisa rallied to within three, 14-11, on a Kaleb Corle triple with 2:32 left in the first quarter. However, the home team scored the next seven points and led by 10 after one period. Charlottesville used the long ball in the second quarter, connecting on six 3-pointers, including three by Watson in less than two minutes to extend the lead to 23. Junior Juwan Taylor knocked down a 3 at the buzzer, and the Black Knights took a 49-26 lead into the break. Rickquan Jones led all scorers with 11 at halftime.

Minor was pleased with the unselfish team play that his squad displayed on Friday night.

“I was proud of the fact that we shared the basketball,” he said. “We played very unselfishly, we moved the ball very well and found the guys that were open — I think that was the biggest difference in the game, particularly early on. I thought we did a good job also defensively.”

The Black Knights took advantage of their in-your-face pressure defense and ended the third quarter on a 10-2 run to push their advantage to 31, and the starters exited the game and cheered on the reserves over the final eight minutes.

Daquan Jones had seven points and six rebounds off the bench, while Dashad Cooper finished with eight points and four assists. Ethan Best blocked three shots in what was likely he and the other six seniors’ final home game at CHS.

Louisa senior Keon Winkey led the Lions with 11 points. Chad Grooms had nine and Adam Williams added eight off the bench.

Charlottesville will now turn its attention to a third meeting with the Flucos, a team that the Black Knights had on the ropes in both of the regular-season meetings before Fluvanna rallied for two victories.

Minor says his team has just the right kind of momentum on its side heading into Wednesday’s big game, which could very well keep postseason hopes alive with an upset win. In order to avoid a third loss to star guard YaYa Anderson and the Flucos, Minor believes that sticking to fundamentals and connecting on easy looks will be key.

“The thing I’ve been emphasizing is that we need to finish around the basket,” the coach said. “I think we’re pretty strong on the inside… if we can do that, and get to the line at all and make free throws, I think we have a good chance.”

Wednesday’s tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Western Albemarle High School, while No. 2 Monticello will face No. 3 Western afterwards in the other semifinal.