Goochland head basketball coach Oliver Courtney felt his team would have to play error free in order to negate the tall trees on the James River roster in their season opener.  What he did not expect was a three-point barrage from the Rapids and a slew of turnovers from his team.  Host James River used their full court press early and timely three point shots throughout to defeat the Bulldogs 53-49.

  Early on the Bulldogs could not deal with the Rapids’ full court press.  Goochland committed several turnovers in the game, which put them down in the first half.  In addition, James River’s strong perimeter shooting helped them build and maintain the lead.  According to Coach Courtney, the Rapids’ size forced them to give up something.

  “They hit some outside shots,” Courtney said. “They were so much larger than we were.  I had to choose my poison.”

  James River had a clear size advantage with players 6-7, 6-4, and 6-4.  On the other hand, Goochland’s tallest player is 6-3 James Tinsley.

  The Bulldogs went into halftime down 31-20 after a buzzer beating three point shot by James River guard A. J. Nash (12 points).

  But Goochland started the second half primed to cut into the lead.  On defense, they extended their coverage forcing the Rapids guards to commit turnovers.  On offense, the Bulldogs utilized their advantage of speed and attacked the press that had given the problems in the first half.  The Bulldogs penetrated the Rapids defense and got to the foul line.  They were able to cut their deficit to 34-32 after standout guard Mark Sampson , who led all scorers with 15 points, made a steal and swooped in for beautiful reverse lay-up. 

  “I told them if they are going to put pressure on us we have to make them get out of it by attacking,” Courtney said. “That’s what we did the second half.”
  The Rapids however, followed the play with more timely three point shots.  Guards Nash and Drew Mclean hit back to back threes to stop the Bulldogs’ run and extend the Rapids’ lead.

  The game appeared out of reach but once again Goochland was able cut into the lead again.  However, center James Tinsley was called for a charge after he scored on a spin move in the lane.

  “That would have cut it even closer in the end,” Courtney said. “But that’s how the game goes sometimes.”

  The Bulldogs were without their starting point guard who did not make the trip due to an injury.  In addition, standout guard Mark Sampson did not start the game.  He still led the team in scoring including two back-to-back baskets in the final quarter.

  “He’s my senior,” Courtney said. “He’s going to come along.”

  Though James River is picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the Dominion District, Courtney used the game as a measuring stick for his squad. “It was a test,” he said. “We have 700 kids compared to (James Rivers’) 1800.  We are a single A school playing a triple A school.  I think it is going to make us better in the end.”

GOOCHLAND (0-1) Henry 4, Morris 4, Harris 0, Johnson 9, Sampson 15, Henley 2, Ezell 8, Athey 3, Eby 0, Tinsley
4. Totals 17 10-24 49.
JAMES RIVER (1-0) Diechman 6, Kemp 9, Nash 12, Peck 3, Smith 2, Dougherty 12, Jones 6, McLean 3, Anderson 0,
Ransom 0. Totals 15 11-19 53.

Goochland….............. 11 9 17 12 — 49
James River….............. 19 12 14 8 — 53
3-point goals: G — Sampson 3, Ezell 2. JR —Nash 4, Dougherty 4, Diechman, Kemp, McLean, Peck.
Highlights: G — Mark Sampson 15 points. JR — A.J. Nash 12 points; Sean Dougherty 12 points; Robbie Kemp 9 points, 8 rebounds.