There simply wasn’t anyone that was able to keep her from doing what she wanted. Charlottesville sophomore center Sydney Calloway got what she wanted, when she wanted it. That’s exactly what the Black Knights needed as they look to try and keep pace with the top of the Jefferson District and keep hold of third place in the Jefferson District standings. With some help from Calloway, Monique Perkins and London Todd, Charlottesville did just that by taking down Orange County on the road, 54-33.
“We were able to do a good job of being really aggressive, moving the ball around on offense and getting the nice open look and finish.” said Charlottesville coach Dee Mitchelson. “We’ve got Western Albemarle and William Monroe just ahead of us and Orange was just below us, so it’s a nice win to have.”
In the first half, Charlottesville jumped out to a 12-4 start to take a comfortable 8-point lead. With a significant size advantage, the Black Knights were taking it to the Hornets in the paint and winning the rebounding battles at both ends of the court. As such, it wasn’t long until Charlottesville doubled and then tripled that early difference between itself and its opponent as they took to the lockeroom at halftime on the right side of a 24-point game.
“It was a hard week of practice and we came into this ready,” said Calloway. “Coach (Mitchelson) just kept telling us during the game to keep playing like we did in pratice. We did, we put our heads together and played like a team and that’s how we got the win.”
Nothing changed in the second half. While the Hornets did not give up any further ground, they were not able to get on a run to chip away at the deficit. In the first half Orange was able to get to the free throw line by penetrating inside. But those opportunities proved fruitless as they missed all but one foul shot in frames one and two.
In the second half, those opportunities were few and far between with the Charlottesville defense clamping down in the paint.
“We came out in a lull,” said Orange coach Dave Rabe. “We thought we could use our speed to our advantage but we just weren’t ready to play physical. Against Charlottesville, that doesn’t work. Their big, physical, but they’re also quick. If you don’t stay low and keep moving your feet while banging with them, it’s going to be a long night and that’s what it was.”
Calloway finished with a game high 17 points while Perkins contributed 11 points. Todd likely would have joined the two in double figures, but finished with eight points and was forced to come out of the game in the second half because of an ankle injury.
For Orange, Grequetta Davis scored nearly half her team’s points with her 15 points. Paige Phillips finished with eight points.
Charlottesville (7-3, 3-2) next faces former coach Harry Terrell for the first time since he joined Albemarle. The game is today at 6 p.m. at Albemarle.
Orange (5-6, 2-3) hosts out of district rival Madison County also today at 6 p.m.
