By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Dec. 18 — The Luray High School boys basketball team picked up their first win of the 2021-22 season on Friday night, 51-43, over Clarke County in a Bull Run District matchup. The Bulldogs struggled in the first half, but came out strong after the break and closed out the final minutes as their leading scorer sat on the bench.
Calder Liscomb put up a game-high 17 points for Luray before exiting midway through the fourth quarter with a leg injury. The senior guard scored 11 in the first half and went to the line five straight times in the final period before a collision underneath the basket ended his night.
The Eagles were lead by Luke Lyman with 16 points. The senior center scored 10 of Clarke’s 12 points in the first quarter and proved to be a presence in the paint all night.
Clarke outscored Luray in the first two frames and lead 22-17 at the half. Despite only hitting six shots from the floor in the first 16 minutes, the Bulldogs’ defense kept the visiting team in check and kept the game close.
In the third quarter, junior Kenny Frye exploded for eight points, including two three-pointers. The Bulldogs outscored the Eagles 16-13 in the third and only trailed by two, 35-33, heading into the final frame.
Luray would go to the free throw line a dozen times in the fourth quarter. Despite only hitting 11-for-20 at the charity stripe during that time, the Bulldogs were able to make an 18-8 run in the final eight minutes and pull away for the 51-43 district win.
Junior guard Bailey Graybeal had a strong fourth quarter for Luray after Liscomb’s departure, putting up a three-pointer and going 5-for-7 from the line. Graybeal finished with 10 points on the night.
The Eagles got 10 points from both sophomore William Booker and senior Cordell Broy.
Clarke shot 4-for-11 from the free throw line for the night. Both teams shot about even from the floor, with Luray hitting 44 percent and Clarke making 43 percent. The difference in the game was never more than five points until Luray pulled away in the final minutes to win by eight.
Next up, Luray (1-5) will travel to East Rockingham on Tuesday to take on UNC-commit Tyler Nickel and the “other Eagles” of the Bull Run District. Clarke (2-2) will travel Skyline on Monday for a non-district matchup.
Luray’s junior varsity and varsity girls basketball games scheduled at Clarke on Friday night were postponed until Monday, Jan. 17 due to COVID protocols.
For full schedules, rosters and standings — check out the Bull Run District website.
•••
The PVN Sports broadcast crew selected
Calder Liscomb and Luke Lyman
as the Blue Ridge Bank “Players of the Game“.
Liscomb, a senior guard, lead the Bulldogs with a game-high 17 points before leaving the game with a leg injury in the fourth quarter.
Lyman, a senior center, lead the Eagles with 16 points, including 10 in the first quarter.
•••
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