10 Best: #24 Albemarle vs. Louisa County
I traveled the one hour from Richmond to Louisa County for a big time Jefferson District matchup between 18-0 Albemarle and 15-2 Louisa, and it did not disappoint. In their first meeting at Albemarle, the Patriots were able to come away with a victory, and the Lions were looking for revenge at home on Tuesday.
Both teams struggled in the first quarter, as they combined to make four field goals total in the quarter. Louisa got it going in the second quarter, and headed into halftime with a 27-19 lead. However, Albemarle didn’t bat an eyelash going into the locker room, as they have come from behind in multiple games this season.
Behind the scoring prowess of senior wing J’Quan Anderson, the Patriots started to claw their way back, but they were still trailing heading into the fourth quarter 46-39. However, Albemarle stepped up their defensive pressure and started to make shots, and they took the lead with 3 minutes remaining 53-52. The game was back-and-forth down the stretch until the end, with Albemarle leading 58-56 with just over five seconds remaining.
That’s when Louisa drew up a great play, and junior wing Chris Shelton hit a three with 1.2 seconds left to win the game. It was pandemonium in Louisa, as the Lions moved to 16-2 and the Patriots lost their first game of the season, falling to 18-1.
MVP | Chris Shelton | Louisa 2019
Shelton not only led the winning team in scoring, but he also hit the biggest shot of the game (see below). The 6’4” junior wing was big for them throughout the game, making shots when his team needed them in both halves. With both teams struggling in the first quarter, he got Louisa going in the second quarter hitting two threes in their first three possessions of the second quarter, and finished 5-for-7 from deep on the game. He finished with 19 points and four rebounds, and the biggest shot of the game and possibly his career.
Best Play
I mentioned the big shot a few times before, and here it is in video. Shelton knocks down a beautiful three ball with Louisa trailing by two with just over a second left. What a finish!
Best Offensive Performance | J’Quan Anderson | Albemarle 2018
While Shelton and Louisa got the final say, Anderson had a phenomenal second half and showed his takeover ability, which he’s shown all season especially in their come from behind wins over STAB and Western Albemarle. Anderson scored 19 of his game high 24 points in the second half, and did so by scoring fro all three levels and from the free throw line. He finished 7-for-17 from the field, but was 5-for-11 from the field in the second half, was 3-for-5 from deep and 7-for-9 from the line on the game. He showed a great killer mentality and leadership to help bring his team back in the second half.
Best Defensive Performance | CJ Williams | Louisa 2018
While Shelton and others will get the credit for their play on the offensive end, Williams came up time and time again on the defensive end as he protected the middle and made plays to help his team win. Williams finished with six blocks, showing great timing and awareness going straight up to contest shots, and he also pitched in two steals playing the passing lanes. He also had 10 rebounds on the game, nine of them coming on the defensive end.
Best Guy off the Bench | Zavien Hunter | Louisa 2020
Hunter made big shots off the bench and changed the pace with his quickness with the ball in his hands. He played on and off the ball, and when he got his opportunities to score he wasn’t afraid to take them. He was efficient, going 4-for-6 from the filed and 2-for-2 from the free throw line for 12 points on the game, making him the second high scorer for Louisa on the game.
Best Intangibles | Na’il Arnold | Albemarle 2018
Arnold was the x factor for Albemarle, making some big time plays on both ends of the floor and doing the dirty work. Arnold had four blocks and 12 rebounds, and while he only finished with five points they were a big five points. After opening the game 0-for-7, Arnold hit a three pointer to put Albemarle up 53-52, then followed it up with a layup to put them up three.
Best Under-the-Radar Performer | Maxx Jarmon | Albemarle 2018
When Albemarle was struggling in the first half, Jarmon was the guy who found a way to get it going for them. He scored 10 of their 19 points in the first half, and it was his ability to score it from all three levels and get to the line that stood out. At 6’3” with long arms and a good skill set, he’s a sleeper small college prospect out of the Charlottesville area that teams should be looking at.
Best Underclassman | Jarett Hunter | Louisa 2020
The floor general, Hunter did a great job running the show, setting the tempo on both ends of the floor and making plays whenever his team needed him to. At 5’9”, Hunter isn’t the biggest guy, but he’s tough as nails, athletic and gritty on the defensive end, and he has a great understanding of the game and made all of the right decisions with the ball in his hands. He finished with 10 points, eight of them in the second half, shooting 4-for-5 from the field and he also pitched in six rebounds and three assists on the game.
Best Aspect of the Environment | The DJ
Music is a part of the basketball experience, and nothing makes timeouts and quarter breaks better than a DJ with a great playlist. The DJ at Louisa was bumping great music and kept the energy high throughout the game, and that’s something you don’t get at every high school game.
Best Storyline to Watch Moving Forward | Playoff Picture
While the win for Louisa moves them into a tie for the Jefferson District lead with Alebmarle, the issue is that they won’t face each other in the state playoffs. Louisa is considered one of the favorites in Region 4B, and with this win the momentum and confidence of the group is skyrocketing. While Albemarle lost, they have been here before and have been to the Class 5 state tournament the past two seasons, so they should bounce back and be ready come state tournament time.