Playing for the second time in as many days and without leading scorer Nevaeh Ivory who was sidelined earlier in the week in a win over Charlottesville, Fluvanna County found once again that Jules Shepherd was willing to rise to the occasion, just like she did in overtime against the Black Knights. The junior Fluco put up at 25-point effort with the bulk of that in the first half en route to a 59-39 win over Louisa County to finish off a busy week at 2-1 with a 12 day break to get healthy.
“In these situations somebody has to step up and we’ve had different people step up all over in what’s been a long week,” said Fluvanna coach Chad White. “Between SOL’s, three games, one in overtime, another in double overtime, it’s been a lot for one week. They did a great job though, we finished strong and now we head into a break with a win and feeling good about it.”
The Flucos got a battle early from the Lions as Alexis Chapman poured in nine first quarter points to keep Louisa in it while Fluvanna clamped down on Alexis Miller. Heading into the second, the Lions trailed just 13-12.
“We knew coming in that they’d take Miller away from us in the beginning and so we got Chapman attacking the basket,” said Louisa coach Nick Schreck. “That’s what we had to do and will have to keep doing, having a rack mindset. That’s what we’re trying to teach a young team that’s going through some growing pains. I can’t complain about our effort though, the girls played hard in all four quarters.”
The second quarter saw Shepherd get some help offensively with Khamare Steppe scoring five points in the frame. With the Lions getting just one field goal during the second, the Flucos were able to go on and out score their visitors 16-6 with Shepherd coming up with nine to make it 29-18 going into the break.
“When Nevaeh went down against Charlottesville I felt like it was my job to start being a leader,” Shepherd said. “I was really just attacking the basket and hoping for the best, to be real. The outside is not my friend. Inside, different story.”
The third quarter was almost a carbon copy of the first with the Lions hanging tight but the Flucos winning it 13-12. Miller and Taylor Fifer were able to get things going, particularly at the free throw line as they attacked the basket. As a result, the Lions were still in it trailing 42-30.
Fluvanna got seven field goals from five different players in the fourth quarter to quickly take command. With more from Steppe inside and then a pair of 3-pointers from Nevaeh Bishop, the Flucos were able to wrap up the win without much pressure.
On the night, Shepherd had 11 rebounds and sevens steals to go along with her game high 25 points. Steppe finished off a huge week with 11 points and seven rebounds. After an 18-rebound effort on Tuesday, Steppe set a school record with 24 on Wednesday. Friday’s effort gave her 49 boards for the week. Emma Russ had seven points and six rebounds.
For Louisa, both Miller and Chapman finished with 13 points. Fifer added six.
The Lions will play in a Holiday tournament at Eastern View starting on Thursday. The Flucos are off during the holiday break and will resume Jefferson District play with first place Western Albemarle.
