By Luke Nadkarni / Scrimmageplaycva.com contributor
Jordan Saylor scored 20 points on 5-of-6 shooting to pace four Charlottesville players in double figures as the Black Knights led almost wire-to-wire in a 60-49 home victory over Monticello, keeping them undefeated in Jefferson District play.
After the Mustangs scored the first point of the game on a free throw by Savion Thomas, CHS’ Caleb Gage drilled three-pointers on consecutive possessions and the Knights never trailed again. Monticello, however, hung with Charlottesville for one quarter, trailing only 13-9 after the first eight minutes.
Charlottesville quickly changed that in the second period, scoring the first eight points of the quarter and eventually opening up a 28-13 lead after a 15-4 run featuring eight points from Tyrik Ragland and five from Saylor. Ragland finished with 10 points, tied for third on his team behind Mica Girstantas’ 11. Gage also chipped in 10 for the Black Knights.
“I was proud of the way the guys played,” CHS head coach Mitch Minor said. “I like the way we hustled and the way we got out tonight. I think that was the difference in the game, our hustle and defensive intensity.”
Monticello got 17 points from Rashad Brooks and 15 from Anthony Lee, but struggled against Charlottesville’s constant full-court pressure and couldn’t get into an offensive rhythm all game. They trailed 30-18 at halftime and never got the deficit back into single digits.
“[Brooks] is pretty tough,” Minor said. “They did the right thing, trying to get him the ball on the inside.”
Charlottesville’s lead got as large as 18 on three occasions in the third quarter, first on a basket by Saylor with 5:43 remaining, making the score 40-22, then Girstantas hit a three two-and-a-half minutes later for a 45-27 lead. The Black Knights led 52-34 after three when Saylor scored the final basket of the period. In addition to his scoring output, Saylor grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists. Ragland added six rebounds and Gage had five assists as well.
“We wanted this win,” Saylor said. “We all said before the game, ‘get the 50-50 balls, get the loose balls.’ We wanted it more than anyone else.”
Monticello’s offense woke up in the final quarter, outscoring Charlottesville 22-15, but had dug itself too big of a hole to climb out of.
“We prepared for [Charlottesville’s pressure],” MHS head coach Robert Shelton said. “It’s hard to simulate it in practice, because they have some real quick kids, but I think overall we improved as far as what we do against pressure.”
Charlottesville gets a week off before returning to action next Friday at home against Albemarle. Monticello travels to Powhatan on Tuesday, the first of three straight road games for the Mustangs.
