After dropping their season opener to Fluvanna, the Goochland girls’ basketball team traveled across the James River to compete in the E. Dale Travis Invitational Tournament at Trinity High School.

  The Bulldogs utilized an aggressive defense to force the action in the opener against Pope John Paul the Great. The pressure resulted in numerous turnovers for Pope John and allowed the Bulldogs to mount an early 10- point lead.

  John Paul crawled back and got it close at 17-11 in the second quarter but couldn’t overcome the Bulldog defense.

  Goochland protected that lead in the second half and recorded their first win of the season, 36-22.

  “It was a little sloppy but we came out much more aggressive than we did Tuesday night (Fluvanna),” said Goochland coach Sarah Voyack. “When we can set up our defense, it makes everything a lot easier for us and gives us opportunities.”

  Voyack said it’s always good to get that first victory, but realizes her team is still a work in progress. “I told them in the locker room that it’s good to get a win, but there’s a lot of room for improvement.”

  The coach felt the win over John Paul was a team victory and most of her squad saw playing time. “We have some girls we can play this year off the bench. Some of them are not scoring threats, but solid defensive players,” she said. “It’s nice to have that luxury this year.”

  Tammara Taylor had 13 points, and Chakiryn Jackson added eight points and eight rebounds. Khayla Leabough had six points and six steals in the victory. Both Taylor and Jackson were named to the All-Tournament team.

  The Lady Bulldogs have participated in The Trinity Tournament in the past but missed the last two editions due to scheduling conflicts in the Jefferson District. Their return to the James River District allowed them to return to the competition.

  “We’ve always liked playing in this tournament, so it’s nice to be back after two years,” Voyack said. “It’s a chance to go for a championship early in the season and we get to see some good competition. It also gives us a chance to work some of the kinks out.” 

  The coach saw some positives in the team’s first week of competition and some things they need to work on. “I definitely see the talent we have and I see potential, but it’s a matter of whether we play up to our potential and work hard,” Voyack said. “If we want to be successful, we have to push each other and work hard in practice. I think we are willing to step up and do that.”

  A tournament title was not in the making as host Trinity defeated the Bulldogs in the final, 50-30.

  “We handled their pressure without a problem in the first quarter and were only down one,” Voyack said.  “They took off their press in the second quarter and we seemed to fall apart.”

  The upcoming schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Bulldogs. “We have three tough games again this week with Fluvanna and Powhatan on Tuesday and Wednesday and then we travel to Central on Friday (who won the district last year),” the coach said.

  Voyack used the first week as a learning experience and an opportunity to pinpoint issues that need to be corrected.

  “We certainly saw where our weaknesses are in the first week and know we need to work on ball fakes, boxing out and getting back in transition,” she said. “It was apparent in all three games that these are three issues we need to take care of quickly if we want any chance to be competitive in the district.”