By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Feb. 20 — Two things were on the line in the girls basketball opener on Thursday night — the Bull Run District junior varsity championship, and bragging rights between two county rivals.
The Panthers of Page County High School traveled to Luray on Tuesday night to face the Bulldogs in an old tradition that was brought back to life. In years past, a junior varsity championship was typically held at the end of the season for each district, with no further postseason. At some point, that tradition was lost and junior varsity competitors were left without any type of postseason.
Well that tradition returned this week, and it lived up to the billing of a county-rivalry as both teams battled within a few points of each other for a full 28 minutes of basketball.
Page outscored Luray in the first and second quarter, and took a three-point lead into the locker room at halftime. The two rivals went point-for-point in the third quarter before Luray was able to come up with an 11-8 margin the final frame to knot things up at 27-27 at the end of regulation.
After leading most of the game, the Panthers were unable to get a bucket in the 3:30 overtime. Luray took the Bull Run JV championship, 32-27.
“This was a young team, but they play with heart and hustle,” LHS coach Amy Weakley said after the game. The Bulldogs have only two freshman and seven eighth graders on their JV roster. Most JV squads the Bulldogs (17-4) faced this season featured at least two or three sophomores and a string of freshmen.
“It didn’t matter the score, they play to the end,” Weakley said. “I am just so happy for these girls. They were great to coach, and it was great season.”
Eighth grader Maggie Foltz led the way for Luray with nine points, followed by freshman Bailey Ancell and eight grader Lydia Parlett with five points each.
The Panthers were led by eight grader Bailee Gaskins and freshman Alexis Frymyer with eight points each.
Be the first to comment