By Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH, Dec. 21 — Freshman phenom Ali Purdham put on a breakout performance on Wednesday night, hitting five shots from beyond the arc and posting a game-high 21 points in Page County’s 52-40 win over Mountain View.
Junior Faith Mason also had a solid night with 16 points for the Panthers, including two three-pointers, a steal, and a perfect 6-for-6 effort at the free throw line. Mason and Purdham combined for 37 of Page’s 52 points on the night.
The Panthers have now won three consecutive district games and are 3-1 in the Bull Run. A 35-20 loss at Strasburg on Dec. 13 marks their only blemish in the district, while Turner Ashby handed Page two non-district losses earlier in December. They picked up a pair of non-district wins over Randolph-Macon Academy.
The Panthers came into Wednesday night’s rescheduled game (moved up a day due to weather) following a 51-46 win over Clarke on Friday, and a 51-43 win over Madison on Tuesday.
Wednesday’s game started sluggish as both teams shot 25 percent (or less) from the floor, and the score stood at 8-6 in favor of Page after the first eight minutes. Mountain View seniors Bre Franklin and Mya Councill hit three-pointers for the Generals, while Page had three different players contribute a bucket in the first frame.
The Panthers went on a 15-9 run in the second quarter, as Purdham hit two of her five three-pointers on the night to go along with six points from Mason, and three from junior Bailee Gaskins. Franklin posted five points in the second quarter to go along with a steal, while junior Ava Pittington added four. Page lead 23-15 at the half.
While Franklin, Councill and Pittington kept Mountain View in the game during the first half, Page County exploded for 18 points in the third period, while holding the Generals to a single bucket by Councill. The Panthers hit a total of five shots from beyond the arc during the third quarter, including three from Purdham, one from Mason and one from junior Taryn Eppard. What had been an eight-point lead at halftime became a 24-point lead, 41-17, heading into the final eight minutes.
Purdham started the fourth quarter with three consecutive jumpers that drove the lead to 47-21. The rest of the Panthers’ scoring would be done at the free throw line. Despite the large deficit, the Generals did not give up. Pittington had nine, fourth-quarter points, while Franklin scored eight in the final frame, including two deep balls in the final two minutes.
Page County (5-3) started off sluggish, and a little sloppy — five turnovers in the first eight minutes — but once they settled down, the Panthers showed sparks of being a real contender this season in the Bull Run District. Their win over Clarke was a quality win — the Eagles only loss this season. Next up, Page travels to Broadway two days after Christmas to participate in a tournament next Tuesday and Thursday.
With the loss, Mountain View drops to 2-6 overall and remains winless in the Bull Run at 0-4. Next up, the Generals also have Tuesday and Thursday games next week with East Rockingham and Staunton, respectively.
For full schedules, rosters and standings — check out the Bull Run District website.
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The PVN Sports broadcast crew selected
Ali Purdham and Bre Franklin
as the Blue Ridge Bank “Players of the Game“.
Purdham hit five shots from beyond the arc and posted a game-high 21 points; while Franklin once again lead the Generals with 16 points, including two late three-pointers in the fourth quarter.
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