Girls’ Basketball

The Fluvanna girls’ varsity basketball team traveled to Monticello on Senior Night, Jan. 27. The team fought hard, but came up short and lost 41-43. “We played hard, but they had better offense and we were just throwing the ball up,” said Freshmen Mya Wright.

Their next game was at home on Jan. 31 where they took on Charlottesville. Although the Lady Flucos played smart as a team, they ended up losing 52-56, making their overall record 13-8 going into their last game of the regular season. “It’s never easy when we lose,” said Junior Michelle Hammond, who added that “We need to pick up the pace and make early shots, and continue doing that throughout the game.”

Meanwhile, the JV team took on Monticello on Jan. 27 and lost in overtime 38-45. “Our defense was tight and our shots were falling, but it wasn’t enough,” said Freshman Maggie Wentz. The girls’ next game was at home on Jan. 31 against Charlottesville, where the Flucos lost 19-50. With this loss, the JV girls’ record became 5-14 going into their last regular season game.

Boys’ Basketball

Jan. 27 was Senior Night for the Fluvanna boys’ varsity basketball team as they battled Monticello at home. Monticello had an early lead, but the Flucos refused to give up. “We brought it back to 45-40, but Monticello went on another run and we just couldn’t score,” said Senior Colby Deforge. At the end, the Flucos ended up losing 46-65.

The Flucos then lost to Charlottesville 37-65 on Jan. 31. “We didn’t play as a team,” said Senior Josh Carlton, who added, “we need to move around more defensively and we have to execute better offensively.” Going into their last game on Feb. 3, the boys’ record was 1-19.

Meanwhile, the JV team played Monticello at home on Jan. 27 and won 51-41. “They’re a really good team and it felt good to beat them after losing to them earlier in the season,” said Freshman Emory Davis. The boys then headed to Charlottesville on Jan. 31 and lost 49-61. “They’re the best team we’ve played all season,” said Sophomore Josh Elliott. “We played well, but small mistakes cost us the game,” he added. As of Feb. 2, the team had a record of 4-10.  

Swim and Dive

The Fluvanna Swim and Dive team traveled to Harrisonburg on Jan. 28 for a meet against Spotswood and East Rockingham. The girls managed to win the meet despite missing a few swimmers. The boys placed second in the meet, defeating East Rockingham.

The Lady Flucos’ relay teams came first in every event except the 400-meter freestyle relay, where they placed a close second. Caylyn McNaul placed first in the 200-meter freestyle, and first in the 500-meter freestyle. Stephanie Nardone placed first in the 200-meter individual medley, and first in the 100-meter backstroke. Sheridan Smith placed first in the 100-meter freestyle. Jocelyn Notman placed first in the 100-meter butterfly, and Emily Sprouse placed second. As for the dive team, Emily Baker placed second in her event and Anna Hurdle placed third. “Some of us had to move around because so many people were injured,” said Freshman Jocelyn Notman. “We knew we had to push harder to win,” she said.

The boys’ relay team consisting of Brennan King, Morgan Milburn, Mike DiFazio, and Josh Rocklein won first in the 200-meter relay and the 400-meter relay. DiFazio placed first in the 200-meter individual medley, King placed first in the 100-meter backstroke and second in the 50-meter freestyle, Milburn placed second in the 100-meter butterfly, and Thomas Sam placed third.

Wrestling

Gearing up for their Conference match on Feb. 4 against Western Albermarle, the Fluco wrestling team first traveled to Henrico on Jan. 28. They fought hard, but were unable to win the overall tournament; however, some wrestlers were able to win individual awards in their weight categories including Ian Dillon (First), Mason Justice (Third), Matthew Haden (Third), and Ethan Vernatter (Fourth).

The evening’s highlights included Freshman Matthew Haden, who is in his first year wrestling, and was able to pin his opponent in the first 30 seconds of his final match. Haden said he was pleased “that the tables were turned,” since it made up for him being pined in his first match at that tournament,

As the wrestlers got ready for Conference, Sophomore Mason Justus said, “I feel like we have a good shot of making it through Conference and to Regionals. As a team we will do good with the amount of people we have.”

Forensics

After having many tournaments cancelled due to inclement weather, the Fluco Speech Team was finally able to compete in the new year when they traveled to Fort Defiance on Jan. 28 to compete against many different schools in the Shenandoah Valley Forensic League Tournament of Champions. The team had joined the Shenandoah League for the very last tournament of the season last fall in order to qualify for this event.

Winners included the following: Corban Van Ornum (First in Poetry); Rodasia Watkins (First in Prose); Nikola Bajs (First in Impromptu); Mia Gonzalez and Julianne Bryant (tied for First in Original Oratory); Delaney Hammond (First in Declamation); Alex Logan and Kate Moncure (First in Serious Duo); Alex Pellicane (Second in Extemporaneous); Trinity Haynes (Second in Dramatic Interpretation); Madison Stafford (Second in Storytelling and Fifth in Dramatic Interpretation); Savannah Forren and Madison Garret (Second in Humorous Duo); Jeremy Schwartz (Third in Humorous Interpretation); Haley Smith (Fourth in Extemporaneous); Hailey Donald and Jordyn Palmer (Fourth in Serious Duo); Hollyn Pleasants (Fourth in Storytelling); Laurent Shelton (Fifth in Declamation); and Caden Koslowski and Paul Nazari (Fifth in Humorous Duo).

Academic Team

The Fluvanna County High School Academic Team had their second competition in the Battle of the Brains on Jan. 31 at Menchville High School. The team beat Menchville High School and now moves on to the third round.

Both competitions were recorded and will be aired on WTVR and its affiliate CBS Richmond. The second competition will be aired Feb. 25 at 10 am.