January 23, 2012

The Charlottesville boys' basketball (9-4, 2-3) team got off to a rocky start in Jefferson District play, dropping consecutive games to Fluvanna and Western Albemarle. The returning state qualifiers have lost three of five league contests and attribute the letdown to inconsistency.

"You can't get to high and you can't get to low. If we go in up ten points at the half or down ten we have to come out with the same attitude, said head coach Mitch Minor. "Take it one play at a time, play hard at both ends of the floor, and maintain the type of intensity that I think we're capable of playing."

On Tuesday, the Black Knights travel to Fluvanna (14-1, 5-0) for a chance to dish the Flucos their first district loss. Charlottesville aims to avenge a 61-48 loss from January 9 when Flucos outlasted the Knights on their home court.

"We just have to stay focused, stay positive and keep working at it," said senior captain Rickquan Jones. "Hopefully we can put together a full four quarters tomorrow against a very good Fluvanna team and come out with a 'W'."

At practice on Monday, Coach Minor said he can't remember the last time one of his team's was 2-3 in JD play but full expects his team to rebound and make a run at the title.

"Hopefully with the few games that we have left, we'll get better on both sides of the ball," said Minor. "We certainly have a chance to do well down the road, but right now we need to take one at a time and focus on the little things that we have to get better at."

Fluvanna hosts Goochland Monday at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night's game is also scheduled to tip-off at 7:30 p.m. at the Shoebox.