Fuqua School’s varsity boys basketball team holds a 6-9 record with five games left and the possibility remaining of qualifying for the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division III state tournament.

“I feel we still have a chance to go to states, but we got to have a signature win that shows we belong,” Falcons Head Coach Mike Edwards said.

The last game the Falcons played was Friday, Jan. 31, when they fell 77-72 to host Peninsula Catholic High School.

“I felt we played our hearts out,” Edwards said. “We kept the game close for the most part. We kind of freaked out and let things get out of hand when they made a run, but we battled back and were a couple plays away from pulling off the upset.”

Fuqua had only six active players in the game.

“The flu came in and wiped out not just our team but the school,” Edwards said. “I was surprised we had the numbers we had. I would’ve went down there with five guys.”

He said it was homecoming for Peninsula Catholic, and he did not want the school to have to cancel due to Fuqua not coming.

“I know what that feels like with a team canceling on us for our Senior Night,” he said.

The flu was already having an impact on the team Wednesday, Jan. 29, when the Falcons visited Carmel School and lost 74-61.

“We battled, kept it close, but I had a number of guys with flu-like symptoms,” Edwards said. “Carmel is a good team. They had size and depth. All we can do is go out there and battle. We hope that we can keep it close and try to come out with a victory.”

Fuqua achieved a 71-47 home victory the day prior over New Covenant Schools.

“I feel it was our most complete game,” Edwards said. “My guys were dialed in and it showed with how they were moving the ball and attacking the rim.”

He hopes to have his team healthy when it visits Fredericksburg Christian School Friday, Feb. 7, at 7:15 p.m.