Bulldogs dominate Dukes in region quarterfinal, 55-19

February 21, 2026 PVNPublisher 0

Emily_Benson — LHS sophomore Emily Benson scored 14 points against Cumberalnd on Feb. 20 in a Region 1B quarterfinal.

Owens leads Luray with game-high 18; Region 1B semifinal set for Tuesday

By Randy Arrington

LURAY, Feb. 20 — The Luray girls basketball team dominated the Dukes of Cumberland County in a Region 1B quarterfinal on Friday night , 55-19. The Bulldogs held the visitors to just 10 points through three periods, and got a game-high 18 from freshman Makenzee Owens.

Cumberland (9-10) finished third in the James River District this season, while Luray (14-10) finished fourth in the Bull Run. However, the difference between the two teams on the court proved to be much more than what showed on paper.

While the Dukes listed a dozen players on its roster, Cumberland arrived at the Luray gymnasium on Friday night more than 30 minutes late and with only seven players. They would only hit three buckets in the first half — all three-pointers — while committing 21 turnovers.

Luray shot 56 percent from the floor in the first half and went 3-for-4 from the line. Seven different Bulldogs got in the scorebook in the first half, and Luray carried a 36-9 lead into the break.

The second half would see a running clock throughout the final two frames, as Luray substituted freely in the fourth. The Dukes only scored a single point in the third and went 0-6 from the floor. Luray cruised to a 55-19 win in the first round of the Region 1B tournament.

Behind Owens’ game-high 18 — which included four three-pointers — sophomore Emily Benson had a strong night in the paint with 14, while freshman Kynnly Lucas hit a hat trick of threes for nine points. Overall, the Bulldogs shot 48 percent from the floor, while going 5-of-8 at the line and only committing three turnovers all night.

Senior Nevaeha Hobson lead the Dukes with 10 points, including six of the team’s nine points in the first half. Overall, Cumberland shot 19 percent from the floor and 40 percent at the line, while committing 28 turnovers.

Luray now advances to the Region 1B semifinals, where the No. 3 Bulldogs (14-10) will travel to No. 2 Riverheads (16-7) on Tuesday, Feb. 24 for a 6 p.m. tip-off. The Generals beat No. 7 Brunswick, 57-20, on Friday to advance and host Tuesday’s semifinal.

The other semifinal will feature No. 1 Surry (21-1) hosting No. 5 Rappahannock (11-10). The winners will face-off in the Region 1B championship on Feb. 27 at Louisa High School.

Region 1B Girls Basketball Tournament

QUARTERFINALS ~ Friday, Feb. 20