By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Feb. 12 — Ten different Bulldogs put up points in No. 3 Luray’s 65-41 quarterfinal round victory over sixth-seeded Central on Monday night in the Bull Run District Tournament. Luray got a game-high 19 points from junior Blake Jenkins and shot 55 percent from the floor to advance to Wednesday’s semifinal round.
The Bulldogs (11-4, 15-6) will be traveling to No. 2 Clarke (12-3, 17-6) for a 6 p.m. tip.
While the second half was more evenly played, Luray completely dominated the first half of Monday night’s quarterfinal — and it could have been even worse for the visiting Falcons. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 10-2 lead after the first eight minutes, but the home team still played sluggish — shooting only 4-for-11 from the field and committing five turnovers. However, Central was on ice the first half, going 4-for-20 from the floor (including 1-for-11 in the first quarter) and committing a dozen turnovers. Luray would go on a 21-7 run in the second quarter and lead 31-9 at halftime.
The Falcons took flight in the third and outscored Luray 16-14, but Luray won the final frame 20-16 to secure the 65-41 win and advance to the district semifinals. Central got a team-high 17 points from junior Luke Williams, but no other Falcon was in double-digits. The visitors only shot 32 percent from the floor, but hit 73 percent from the line (8-of-11).
In addition to Jenkins’ 19 points, Luray senior forward Christian Lentz recorded 14 points, while freshman Ayden Haddock had nine and sophomores Matthew Owens and Connor Hilliard added six. Overall, Luray shot 55 percent from the floor and went 9-for-13 from the line (69 percent). Despite the 24-point win, the Bulldogs still committed 10 turnovers during the game.
Heading into the district semifinals, Luray has now won eight of its last nine games. The only loss during that stretch? At Clarke, 69-59, just six days ago on Feb. 7. However, five days prior to that, the Bulldogs beat the Eagles at home, 62-57, on Feb. 2.
Wednesday’s winner of the No. 2 v No. 3 matchup advances to Friday’s Bull Run District championship to face the winner of the other semifinal — either No. 1 Madison (13-2, 16-7) or No. 5 Rappahannock (10-6, 14-8). Fifth-seeded Rapp upset No. 4 Strasburg (9-6, 12-12) on Monday night, 46-42.
No. 2 Page 69, No. 7 Madison 49
SHENANDOAH, Feb. 12 — Second-seeded Page County relied on its depth and solid defense on Monday night in a 20-point quarterfinal round win over seventh-seeded Madison County, 69-49, in the Bull Run District Tournament. Sophomore Ali Purdham lead the Panthers with 21 points, as Page now advances to Wednesday’s district semifinal.
The Panthers (12-3, 16-8) will be hosting No. 3 Central (10-5, 15-5) for a 6 p.m. tip.
The Mountaineers came out strong in the first quarter and took an early lead. Senior Ava Jenkins would hit a trio of three-pointers in the opening eight minutes and score 11 of Madison’s 15 first quarter points. However, the Panthers would get a couple of triples from Purdham and strong play in the paint from senior Bailee Gaskins to gain a 20-15 lead by the end of the first frame.
The biggest difference in the game came in the second quarter, as the Panthers went on a 17-6 run. Senior Faith Mason would score nine of her 17 points on the night in the second quarter, including one of her two three-pointers. The Mountaineers’ only points of the period were two three-pointers, one by Jenkins and one by senior Annie Herrman. Page lead 37-21 at the half.
As they did in the first quarter, Page put up 20 points in the third and jumped out to a 20-point 57-37 lead heading into the fourth. However, the Panthers would go cold and open the fourth quarter 0-for-10 from the floor. That allowed Madison to crawl within 12 points of the lead, but Page closed out the final frame going 6-of-8 from the line in the final four minutes and sealed the 69-49 quarterfinal win.
Despite only shooting 32 percent from the floor, Page County’s defense helped force 21 Madison turnovers on the night. The Panthers had only nine turnovers on the night and hit 64 percent from the free throw line. The Mountaineers hit 39 percent from the floor and 50 percent at the line.
Behind Purdham’s game-high 21 points and Mason’s 17, Gaskins added 14 points and senior Adryn Martin had nine. For Madison, Jenkins finished with 17, followed by Herrman with 10.
Heading into Wednesday’s semifinal, Page County has now won six-straight. Their last loss? At Central, 59-37, on Jan. 26. However, the Panthers defeated the Falcons, 59-52, at home on Jan. 3.
Wednesday’s winner of the No. 2 v No. 3 matchup advances to Friday’s Bull Run District championship to face the winner of the other semifinal — either No. 1 Strasburg (14-1, 20-3) or No. 5 Clarke (9-6, 16-7). Fifth-seeded Clarke upset No. 4 Rappahannock (9-7, 16-7) on Monday night, 47-43.
No. 3 Central 72, No. 6 Luray 34
WOODSTOCK, Feb. 12 — Sixth-seeded Luray stumbled out of the gate during Monday night’s quarterfinal matchup at No. 3 Central and dug a deep hole they could not overcome. The Bulldogs only hit three baskets in the first half and fell behind 44-7 by halftime. Despite a much stronger second half effort by Luray, the Falcons claimed a 72-34 first round win to advance to Wednesday’s semifinals in the Bull Run District Tournament.
The Bulldogs were lead by freshman Chloe Gochenour with eight points, followed by senior Maggie Foltz with six. Seniors Emily Donovan and Lydia Parlett both added five. Despite sinking eight three-pointers on the night — including four in the third quarter — Luray only shot 28 percent from the floor and 50 percent from the line.
Senior Makenna Painter lead the Falcons with a game-high 21 points, while sophomore Vanessa Gordon added 13. Central only committed six turnovers on the night, compared to 14 by the Bulldogs.
Luray (4-11, 6-17) now awaits the Region 2B pairings, where they will likely draw the No. 8 seed and travel to No. 1 Strasburg for the region quarterfinal next week.
No. 2 Clarke 78, No. 7 Page 50
BERRYVILLE, Feb. 12 — Seventh-seeded Page County came out flat in the opening eight minutes of Monday night’s district quarterfinal at Clarke, and created a deficit they couldn’t overcome. The Panthers only hit two field goals in the first, while the Eagles jumped out to a 23-5 lead and closed out a 78-50 victory to advance to Wednesday’s semifinals in the Bull Run District Tournament.
The Panthers were lead by sophomore Caden Combs with 17 points, while junior Ace Campbell added 15. Campbell posted all five of Page’s points in the first frame, while Combs had eight-of-12 in the second quarter. Sophomore Brandon Wright had a good second half, scoring all six of his eight points in the fourth.
The Panthers only hit 32 percent from the floor and 56 percent from the line, while committing 15 turnovers. The Eagles hit 55 percent from the floor, 67 percent from the line, and had nine turnovers.
Page County (3-12, 4-20) is “on the bubble” and likely to miss out on the Region 2B tournament next week by one spot. If they do get an invite, it will be as the No. 8 seed.
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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