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Goochland head basketball coach Oliver Courtney fashions himself as a slow starter with his teams.  He says, he likes to get to “know” his players.  After starting the season with a few early losses, Courtney has now “gotten to know” his players. Last Friday they scored their fourth James River District win by defeating the Amelia Raiders 76-58.

  “Sometimes it takes me a little while because our guys may not do a lot during the summer,” Courtney said. “So we sort of use the beginning of the season like a preseason to get ready for district play.”

  Against Amelia (3-3 JRD, 8-9), Goochland (4-0, 9-4) conjured up the same recipe that has been prominent in all their victories.  Speed and athleticism has been a formula the Bulldogs have used due to their size disadvantage in the majority of their games.

  “That’s us,” Courtney said. “I have athletes.  I am going to use my athletes.  We are small but we are quick.  And I really tell them if you are small you really have to be aggressive.”

  Goochland jumped out to an aggressive start in the first half carrying an 11-point lead into the half.  Courtney witnessed his team’s lead fluctuate a few times during the first half due to turnovers. 

  The Bulldogs focus in the second half was to be efficient and take care of the ball.  At 5-8, forward Nick Morris continues to defy the odds with his small yet muscular frame under the basket.  Recording another double-double, Morris finished with 16 points, 6 assists, 3 steals, and a astounding game-high 23 rebounds.  According to Courtney, Morris’ play down low was a big plus against Amelia’s taller front line.

  “Nick Morris, what did he have 23 rebounds?” said a proud Oliver Courtney. “That was key, he dominated the glass the second half.”

  Morris, who is one of the smaller post players in the James River district, epitomizes Goochland’s scrappy, athletic, and aggressive style.  Athletic do-it-all wing guard Mark Sampson (14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals) complemented Morris’ aggressive style with his smooth swooping drives to the basket.  However, point guard Brandon Henry continued to expand his offensive role.  He led all scorers with a game-high 29 points.  He scored 13 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter including a game ending break away one handed dunk that brought the home crowd to their feet.  When asked about the dunk, Henry said he had to get the approval from his coach.

  “I asked for the okay from coach and he shook his head saying yeah,” Henry said. “So I went on and did it.”

  Henry’s role was vital to the teams’ success.  He also led the team with three steals and three blocked shots.  He was able to hurt the Raiders from outside and inside.

  “My role is to sometimes slow the pace down and sometimes pick it up,” Henry said. “I try to get everyone involved.  Coach always tells us if someone is on you and you think you, can drive go ahead and drive.  But sometimes they forgot about me in the corner.”

  Courtney has enjoyed the progress his team has made this season but this game was a great indication of the continued improvement they must make in the upcoming weeks.

  “We missed a lot of lay ups the first half,” said Courtney. “I told the guys they came out tonight trying to have a show.  They have to realize when they come out to play basketball you have to come out in the right frame of mind.  I told them at half time they have to go out and play basketball and not just to entertain.

  “The second half we made our lay ups and turned up the heat defensively and that got our transition game going,” Courtney added.

  Goochland hosted JRD co-leader Buckingham on Tuesday night after press deadlines.

GOOCHLAND 76, AMELIA 58
AMELIA (3-3 James River, 8-9) Delaney 2, Perry 9, C. Jackson 16, Pegram 4, Skyden 2, Dunford 3, Meadows 16, Southill 2, Herbert 2, B. Jackson 1, Johnson 1. Totals 21 7-19
58.
GOOCHLAND (4-0, 9-4) Turner 0, Henry 29, Morris 16, Harris 0, Johnson
8, Sampson 14, Henley 0, Ezell 3, Athey 6, Eby 0. Totals 33 6-19 76.
Amelia ....................... 15 15 14 14 — 58
Goochland….............. 20 10 25 21 — 76
3-point goals: A —C. Jackson 4, Meadows 2, Perry, Pegram, Dunford. G — Henry 2, Sampson 2. Highlights: G — Brandon Henry 13 of 29 points in 4th quarter, 7 steals, 3 blocks; Nick Morris 23 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals; Mark Sampson 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals.

GOOCHLAND 69, CUMBERLAND 66 (OT)
GOOCHLAND Turner 0, Henry 31, Morris 6, Johnson 4, Sampson 17, Henley 2, Ezell 8, Athey 1, Eby 0. Totals 24 16-25 69.
CUMBERLAND (n/r) Foster 3, Swan 4, Harris 3, R. Hatcher 2, D. Walton 11, Shearn 11, M. Walton 15, H. Hatcher
2, Martin 15. Totals 24 11-23 66.
Goochland…........... 10 13 20 18 8 — 69
Cumberland ........... 10 11 17 23 5 — 66
3-point goals: G — Henry 3, Ezell 2. C — Shearn 3, D. Walton 2, Harris, Walton.