Bulldogs will host Class 2 state quarterfinal on Tuesday
By Randy Arrington
WINCHESTER, Feb. 24 — It’s hard to beat a good team three times in-a-row…just ask the Eagles of Clarke County. Luray suffered double-digit losses in their last two meetings with Clarke, including a Bull Run District semifinal last week. However, the Bulldogs rallied on Saturday night to overcome an early deficit and outscore the Eagles in the last three quarters to claim the Region 2B championship, 50-40.
As the fifth-seeded Bulldogs stormed the court at Shenandoah University to hoist the championship trophy in front of their fans, Luray head coach Matt Huff barely had the words…
“It’s indescribable,” he said. “It’s something I always dreamed of…I never did it as a player, but these guys allowed me to experience it as a coach.”
Junior Blake Jenkins posted a game-high 17 points, including a three-pointer and a 5-for-6 effort at the line in the fourth quarter. Those decisive free throws came in three consecutive trips to the line in the final 1:23 of the game. Overall, Jenkins went 10-for-11 at the charity stripe.
Senior forward Christian Lentz had a stellar game down in the paint, not only did he lead Luray in rebounds and blocked shots, but he scored in every quarter for a total of 16 points on the night. Sophomore Matthew Owens hit two three-pointers and ended the game with 12. Overall, Luray shot 40 percent from the floor and 75 percent from the line.
Despite the majority of the scoring being concentrated in those three players, Luray truly had a team effort to win the title. Senior Ryder Liscomb, who scored four points, pulled down a number of key rebounds and had a few timely blocks, as did junior Jae Frye. The Bulldogs also got valuable minutes from sophomore Conner Hillard, freshman Ayden Haddock and sophomore Riley Benson.
“They are so unselfish,” Coach Huff said. “It’s not about an individual…they play for each other.”
On Saturday night, Clarke had some early momentum building a four-point lead twice in the first quarter, while Luray committed five turnovers. The Bulldogs kept it close after Owens’ connected on his first three-pointer. Clarke’s senior guard Michael Kerr-Hobert hit a shot and a free throw in the final 45 seconds to give the Eagles a 12-8 lead heading into the second frame.
Owens, Jenkins and Lentz combined to fuel a 15-10 Luray run in the second quarter, going 6-for-7 at the line. The Eagles would go 3-for-11 from the floor during the eight-minute segment, while Luray went up by one at halftime, 23-22.
Minus a slam dunk by senior William Booker early in the third, Clarke would once again struggle from the floor, only hitting 33 percent of their shots. Senior Moses Day produced the final six of the Eagles’ 10 points during the period. After committing eight turnovers in the first half, Luray only had two in the third frame and carried a 34-32 lead into the fourth.
Kerr-Hobert grabbed a steal and and recorded a bucket before fouling out with 1:23 left in the game. Clarke only hit four field goals and went 0-for-2 at the foul line in the fourth. Luray went 7-for-8 at the stripe as the Eagles began to foul late. The Bulldogs closed out the game on a 16-8 run to claim a 50-40 victory, the Region 2B title, and an opportunity to host in the first round of state.
Booker finished with a team-high 12 points for Clarke, while Day posted nine and Kerr-Hobert had eight. Overall, Clarke shot 32 percent from the floor and went 5-of-9 from the line. As the Region 2B runner-up, the Eagles will now be traveling for the Class 2 state quarterfinals on Tuesday.
As Region 2B champions, Luray will be hosting a region runner-up on Tuesday night.
“We’ll go in Tuesday and give it all we got,” Coach Huff said after Saturday’s victory.
PVN will report on All-Region selections
and Class 2 state tournament brackets as they are released.
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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