Harrisonburg edges Staunton girls
STAUNTON — Staunton climbed out of an early double-digit hole to get a lead with two minutes left, only to let that slip away, falling to Harrisonburg 42-40 in girls basketball Friday night at the Paul Hatcher Gym.
It was the second loss in two nights for the Storm after a 2-0 start to the season.
With Harrisonburg up two and 33 seconds left, Staunton let the Blue Streaks dribble away all but two seconds without fouling. The Storm did force a turnover, but couldn’t get the ball inbounded cleanly, turning it over as the clock ran out.
Staunton coach Donta Robinson said the team was trying to force a turnover before fouling. He took the blame for losing track of how much time ran off the clock.
They did get the turnover, but with just 2.4 seconds showing on the clock. The inbounds pass was tipped by a Harrisonburg player, preventing any chance Staunton had for a game-tying or winning shot.
Freshman Trioux Williams led Staunton with 14 points, while senior Avian Fields had 11 points and eight rebounds in the loss.
It took Staunton nine minutes to find its first points in the game, falling behind 11-0 early in the second quarter. Finally Hayden Terry knocked down a three — part of her seven points in the game — and Staunton clawed its way back to within two at halftime.
The lead changed hands five times in the second half and there were four ties. Staunton’s last lead came on a Williams’ 3 with 2:10 left in the game, but Harrisonburg answered with a bucket to go in front 41-40. A free throw by the Blue Streaks provided the final margin of victory.
While the early deficit didn’t help, missing 12 free throws may have been a bigger problem. Staunton was 6-of-18 from the line, including 2-of-11 in the second half.
“Overall, we just need to be more disciplined and execute in the half-court set,” Robinson said.
Even with four seniors on the roster, the team is young. Williams is one of four freshman. There’s also two sophomores on the roster.
“The more we do this, as the season goes on, hopefully we’ll be where we want to be,” Robinson said. “They’ll have that confidence.”
Coffman paces Gap girls
Hannah Coffman scored 14 first-quarter points to help Buffalo Gap to a 49-19 win over Stonewall Jackson in girls basketball Friday.
The win improves Gap to 2-0 on the season.
The Bison opened a 21-point first quarter lead and never looked back in picking up the victory.
Coffman finished the night with 20 points to lead Gap. Kayleigh Hemp added eight points and freshman Bailey Tribble had seven for Buffalo Gap.
Riverheads girls win
Riverheads got 20 points from Alexis Myrtle in a 52-28 win over Rocktown Friday in girls basketball.
With the win, the Gladiators are now 3-2 on the season.
Grace Golladay added 10 points for Riverheads in the win.
Grace girls top Ridgeview
Aubrey Greenmun had 21 points to help lead Grace Christian to a 44-28 win over Ridgeview Christian Friday night in girls basketball.
Grace’s Kaitlyn Harper finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the win.
Grace improved to 5-1 on the season.
Waynesboro boys fall in overtime
Page County beat Waynesboro 54-51 in overtime Friday night in boys basketball.
The Little Giants missed six consecutive free throws in the last 20 seconds of overtime. Waynesboro, which lost the first game against Page in overtime also, is now 1-4.
“We’ve got to be stronger with the ball,” said Waynesboro coach John Spears, “and we are badly needing a floor general.”
Jackson Darden led the Little Giants in scoring with 12 points.
Draft boys with bounce-back win
Stuarts Draft snapped a three-game losing streak with a 54-42 win over Rockbridge Friday night in boys basketball.
It was a balanced scoring night for the Cougars. Derrick Moore led the way with 15 points, including three 3-pointers, but was the only player in double figures.
Seven other Draft players ended up in the scoring column, including nine points from Landon Graber.
Wilson boys still unbeaten
Wilson Memorial picked up a 69-50 win over Turner Ashby Friday night in boys basketball.
With the victory, Wilson is now 3-0 on the season.
Chase Snyder led three Hornets in double figures with 19 points. The senior had two 3s in the first quarter as Wilson opened up a 19-4 lead.
Mason McWhorter added 14 points and Eli Irving had 12 for Wilson in the win.
OTHER SCORES
BOYS BASKETBALL
- Fort Defiance 57, Broadway 53
- Rocktown 50, Riverheads 41
- Buffalo Gap 47, Stonewall Jackson 32
GIRLS BASKETBALL
- Broadway 58, Fort Defiance 20
- Page County 44, Waynesboro 42
— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
