~ PVN staff report
SHENANDOAH — One week after Page County High School saw three of its spring athletes named “Player of the Year” in the Bull Run District, the same honor was bestowed upon three Panthers for all of Region 2B.
“I do not remember a prior situation of this magnitude in the past 15 years honoring three athletes at this level,” PCHS Athletic Director Keith Cubbage stated earlier this month in an email announcing the Bull Run District honors.
This is the first time in the history of PCHS that THREE athletes have earned “Player of the Year” honors at the REGION level in a single season.
Two of the three honorees were announced at the end of last week, along with first- and second-team selections on the All-Region 2B squads for the spring seasons. The trio of Panthers deemed to be the best in the region are:
Taylor Hankins — softball
Lance Williams — baseball
Grace Knighton — girls tennis
Here’s a look at each honoree, along with other All-Region selections released on Friday, June 18:
BASEBALL
The Panther baseball team advanced to the 2A state semifinals on Wednesday, but fell to Poquoson 8-3. Sophomore Lance Williams has lead the team to an 11-4 season, and threw a one-hit, complete game shutout in the Region 2B semifinal against Madison last week. Despite taking the loss, he recorded 12 strikeouts in the state semifinal, including 11 K’s in the first five innings. Williams was named both the Bull Run District and Region 2B “Player of the Year.” The right-hander also earned first-team honors as both a pitcher and a shortstop at both the All-District and All-Region levels. Williams was the only Panther to make the All-Region baseball team.
SOFTBALL
The Panther softball team lost their first game of the season in the Region 2B championship on June 17 by a narrow 2-0 margin to Buffalo Gap. The intense pitching duel during that title game — which left both teams scoreless after seven innings — earned both senior hurlers top honors in the region. Page County’s Taylor Hankins and Buffalo Gap’s Kate Alger were named “Co-Player of the Year” for Region 2B.
Considering the fact that both Page and Gap beat their region semifinal opponent by slaughter rule, 10-0, it’s not surprising that 10 of the 14 first-team, All-Region selections went to these two teams.
Page County earned six first-team, All-Region selections — junior Kirsten Hensley (C), senior Morgan Lucas (1B), junior Marissa Monger (2B), senior Maddie Gordon (3B), junior Taylor Umberger (OF) and senior Taylor Hankins (P).
Gap had two freshman named to the All-Region first team — Caroline Alger (DP-Flex) and Bailey Talley (At-Large) — along with junior Paige Fix (OF) and senior Kate Alger (P). The Bison’s head coach Darren Pultz was named Region 2B Coach of the Year.
Sophomore Jocelyne Rinker (DP-Flex) was the lone Panther to make the All-Region second team.
TENNIS
Page County High School senior Grace Knighton was named the Region 2B “Player of the Year” for girls tennis after capturing the singles and doubles region titles. Senior Taylor Jenkins teamed up with Knighton for the doubles title. Knighton and Jenkins were the first girls to represent PCHS at the state level in tennis.
Knighton finished as the Bull Run District singles’ runner-up in late May to East Rock’s Jamison Meadows, while Knighton and Jenkins claimed the Bull Run District doubles title.
For schedules, rosters, results and standings — visit the Bull Run District website.
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RELATED ARTICLES
3 Panthers named Bull Run District ‘Player of the Year’ in spring sports
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Williams’ brothers lead Panthers to state
Williams hurls one-hitter to send Page to Region B title game at Buckingham
Panthers fall 2-0 in extra innings to Buffalo Gap in Region B title game
Knighton takes Region B titles in tennis
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