Purdham puts up 24 pts on Senior Night, Caton adds 15; Page County set to host Luray on Tuesday in doubleheader, Girls tip at 5:30 p.m., Boys at 7:30
By Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH, Jan. 16 — Free throws proved to be the difference in Page County’s Bull Run District win over Madison on Friday night, 59-49.
However, the Mountaineers actually did better at the line, hitting 70 percent of its free throws, compared to 65 percent for Page. They even shot better from the floor, hitting 34 percent of their shots, compared to Page’s 32 percent. But it was the Panthers’ 23 trips to the charity stripe — compared to only six for Madison — that gave them the opportunity to extend their lead and hold on down the stretch.
“That was huge for us…and we talked in the locker room about …I really like how we put the game away, and we did that by making free throws and being smart and not forcing stuff. We really worked through our offensive action, moved the ball around…and really, we knew they had to foul us, so we either wanted to get to the line or make layups,” PCHS head coach EJ Wyant said after Friday’s game. “So, I like how our girls closed that game out. I wish we could get to the line that much every night.”
The Panthers hit 30-of-46 at the free throw line, including 19 of its 30 second-half points. In its meager six trips to the line, Madison went 7-for-10. The Mountaineers only went to the line twice in the first half.
Despite a solid full-court pressure defense by Page that caused 10 turnovers in the first eight minutes, the Mountaineers were able to make a surge and lead at the end of the first quarter, 12-11. Five different players contributed for Madison. The first frame saw two ties and four lead changes.
Page County broke the back-and-forth battle in the second quarter and dominated the middle frames, 18-11 and 18-12. The Panthers hit four three-pointers during that stretch, including two from senior Kahlei Shifflett to close out the half and midway through the third. Page lead 29-23 at the half and 47-35 heading into the fourth quarter.
Madison saw three different players foul out in the final period, including leading-scorer Lariana Kilby. The freshman posted a team-high 16 points. Sophomore Leah McLearen (6 points) and junior Allyson Cave (4 points) also fouled out in the fourth.
The Mountaineers actually took the lead at 32-31 with 5:05 left in the third, but Shifflett’s second three-pointer gave Page the lead back and they did not relinquish it. Page’s pressure defense was key to the win, forcing a total of 25 turnovers by the Mountaineers during the game.
Senior Ali Purdham (#34) posted a game-high 27 points and snagged four steals on Senior Night at PCHS. Junior Adi Caton recorded 15 points and three steals of her own. Caton showed a great deal of hustle and grit despite getting in foul trouble early and not playing much of the third quarter.
“She just goes out and plays hard,” Coach Wyant said. “She plays with heart and leaves it all out on the floor.”
Things don’t get any easier for Madison County, as the Mountaineers (1-5, 1-11) host top-ranked Clarke County (6-0, 13-1) at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
With nine games left in the season, Page County (2-4, 5-9) will be hosting the first of two rivalry games with Luray (4-2, 8-5) on Tuesday night, Jan. 20 — the girls tip-off at 5:30 p.m. and the boys at 7:30 p.m. Both games should present great matchups, with both boys’ squads fighting for the top spot in the district.
“It’s the next game,” Coach Wyant said of facing Luray for the first time this season. “We’re gonna get ready. Should be a pretty good game. Hopefully we play well.
“We’ll go out and leave it on the floor and see what happens.”
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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