Woodberry Forest spreads the wealth in win over FUMA

By: JASON WESSON | Daily Progress correspondent
Published: January 31, 2012

WOODBERRY FOREST —Woodberry Forest played quintessential team basketball as the Tigers completed the season sweep over Fork Union Military Academy on Tuesday.

Five different players scored nine or more points for Woodberry as it easily disposed of the visiting Blue Devils, 61-43.

While the scoring wealth was spread around by Woodberry, Fork Union could find only scoring option: Amir Johnson. Johnson finished with 23 points, but no other FUMA player scored more than five points on the night.

FUMA coach Matthew Donohoe is aware of the difficulty in winning with just one scoring threat.

“I’ve talked to Amir about that, but it’s hard. Teams in our league are so well coached that they are doing a good job keying in on him,” Donohoe said.

The first quarter set the tone. Six players contributed to Woodberry’s 15 first-quarter points, while Johnson scored all seven of Fork Union’s points.

Trailing 15-7 to start the second, there was one positive for FUMA: Woodberry’s eight first quarter fouls had already landed the Blue Devils in the bonus. When FUMA managed to sink only two of its five chances from the charity stripe, however, a second theme of the game began to emerge: Fork Union’s inability to make free throws.

Woodberry opened the second quarter with a 9-3 run, increasing its lead to 24-11 with three minutes remaining in the half. However, Fork Union rallied with a 7-0 run of its own to trail 24-18 at the break.

Woodberry upped the intensity in the third and increased its lead to 42-30, while FUMA continued to struggle with making baskets.

“They did a really good job of forcing us to take contested shots,” said Donohoe.

In the fourth, Woodberry pulled away and FUMA never made a serious run at the lead. FUMA shot just 53 percent from the line on the night, which Donohoe knows isn’t going to get it done.

“Had we executed from the free-throw line we could have been in it in the fourth quarter,” he said.

Woodberry coach Joel Justus was pleased with his team’s effort.

“I think it was a tremendous effort by our guys. I was really proud of the way we really stepped up the intensity in the second half,” Justus said. “I was happy to see a balanced effort that’s when were at our best.”

Woodberry was lead by James Long with 12 points. The Tigers next play at home on Saturday against Christchurch.

FUMA’s next outing is Thursday at Benedictine.