By Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH, Jan. 27 — The Page County Panthers jumped out to an early lead on Saturday and never looked back in a 61-47 win over rival Luray. The Panthers have now won three of their last four and sit in a tie for second place with Rappahannock in the Bull Run District at 7-3.
Page County seniors Faith Mason and Taryn Eppard combined for 32 points, a game-high 16 each. The duo each hit a three-pointer to start the game and help open up an 18-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Mason posted seven of her 16 points in the first frame alone.
Luray picked up the pace in the second quarter and went on a 14-8 run behind five points from senior Maggie Foltz, including the first of her trio of three-pointers on the night. After hitting over 50 percent from the floor in the first, Page would only shoot 25 percent in the second. However, despite the Bulldog surge, the Panthers still carried a 26-21 lead into halftime.
Page then dominated the third, 17-7, behind the front court play of senior forward Adryn Martin, who scored six of her 14 points on the night in the third quarter. Luray sophomore Ella Parlett provided the only basket for the Bulldogs, a three-pointer, as the visitors shot 1-for-11 from the floor. However, senior Emily Donovan went 4-for-4 from the foul line in the third. Page carried a 43-28 lead into the fourth.
The Bulldogs would hit four shots from beyond the arc in the final period, but Luray could not close the deficit to single digits. Foltz hit two three-pointers in the fourth and finished with 13 points. Donovan had a triple as well, as part of her seven points in the fourth. The senior leader finished with a team-high 15 points before fouling out with 3:17 remaining. Parlett had nine points on the night.
Overall, Luray shot 71 percent from the foul line, but only 29 percent from the floor.
Page County went 8-for-12 at the line in the final period and got eight points from Eppard to close out the Bull Run rivalry victory, 61-47. Overall, the Panthers shot 63 percent from the line and 52 percent from the floor. A bit out of character, Page also committed 17 turnovers during the game, compared to 11 for Luray.
Behind 16 points for Eppard and Mason, and 14 for Martin, sophomore Ali Purdham had nine points for the Panthers, while senior Destiny Wright added four.
PCHS senior starter Bailee Gaskins was absent from Saturday’s rivalry game due to an official visit to Coker University, the Division II school she signed with in November to play collegiate softball in spring 2025.
With the win, Page County moves to 7-3 in the Bull Run and 11-8 overall. The Panthers have four games remaining — three of those games are on the road, and three are against teams in the district’s top four. After hosting Clarke (5-4,12-5) on Tuesday, Jan. 30, Page travels to Rappahannock (7-3, 14-3) on Friday. The final week of the regular season will see the Panthers on the road at Strasburg (9-0, 15-2) on Feb. 5 and at Luray Feb. 9.
With the loss, Luray falls below .500 in the district at 4-5 and stand at 6-11 overall. Next up, the Bulldogs travel to Strasburg on Monday, Jan. 29 before hosting Central the next night on Tuesday, Jan. 30. The final week will see Luray at home, hosting Rappahannock on Feb. 6 and Page Feb. 9.
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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