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Bounce Back: Albemarle starts sub-region play with decisive win

Photo by Kristi Ellis

After a tough loss to Western Albemarle in the Jefferson District championship game, the Albemarle boys basketball bounced back in the first round of the sub-regional tournament.

 

On Friday night, the Patriots soundly beat William Fleming at home 81-55 to lock up a home game in the region playoffs and a shot at Patrick Henry-Roanoke in the second round of the sub-regional on Monday night.

 

From the tip, Albemarle dominated William Fleming for the majority of the game. Albemarle came out on fire, hitting four three-pointers in the first three minutes of the first quarter. Every starter for the Patriots became a threat to score, and that created excellent spacing and opened the door for a lot of open shots. 

 

On defense, the Patriots’ full-court press caused issues for the Colonels all night long.

 

After the first quarter, Albemarle was up 23-8 and was in firm control of the tempo of the game. The Wesson brothers were especially dominant with Ben Wesson sinking three 3-pointers to jumpstart a 21-point, four assist night for the junior while Carter Wesson had five points of his own in the period and finished with 15 points, eight boards and four assists. 

 

In the second, William Fleming’s offense picked up. Their guards found ways to penetrate and finish. Unfortunately for William Fleming, however, Albemarle’s offense picked up as well. William Fleming entered the double bonus early and Albemarle found themselves at the stripe often. 

 

La’mari Parler had a solid showing in the second quarter posting nine of his 14 points and a few assists – he finished with three for the game. With the made three-pointers by the Wesson brothers and Noah Grevious, it opened up driving lanes for Parler. Grevious had nine points and seven boards on the night. Christian Humes had nine points, three assists and two steals.

 

Albemarle went into halftime up 41-22, and in the third, the Patriots widened the margin even further. If William Fleming had any questions regarding who would take over down the stretch, Ben Wesson was the answer. 

 

Wesson was unstoppable, going 4 for 5 from behind the arc in the second half. 

 

“I’ve been mostly a shooter this year,” Wesson said. “I’ve been trying to incorporate my drive more recently, but they were leaving me open for three, so I had to knock down seven of them.”

 

Albemarle cruised to victory and punched their ticket to the next round of the Regional tournament. The Patriots will travel Monday to Patrick Henry to face off against a squad they lost to coming down to the wire. 

 

“We are feeling good,” said Carter Wesson. “We lost to them earlier this year, so we are kind of hungry for that get-back.”

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