Page Wins Tourney Title
Panthers Outscore Draft, 90-82
Posted: February 16, 2013
Special Correspondent
Page’s Kol Shuler wrestles a rebound free from Draft’s Zach Sauder. (Photo by Jason Lenhart)
Fortunately for Page County, Stuarts Draft cooled off after the blistering start, allowing the regular-season-champion Panthers to hold off a late Cougars’ run for a 90-82 win at Yoder Arena.
“I couldn’t be prouder of this group of kids and the way they represent the community,” Page coach Mike Purdham said. “It’s a unique challenge to prepare for a team like Draft, with the waves of players they bring in, and I thought we did a good job getting back in transition tonight.”
Stuarts Draft made its first six 3-pointers and finished the first quarter 8-for-11 behind the arc, jumping out to a 30-25 lead at the opening break.
Late in the second quarter, Page used a 15-3 run, keyed by Tim Brown and Tanner Dofflemyer, to move ahead 54-49 at halftime.
The two players came up big again in the fourth.
After Stuarts Draft reeled off 10 consecutive points in the final quarter to tie the game at 82-apiece with 1:24 left, Brown got open for a layup. After contesting a missed 3-pointer at the other end, Dofflemyer’s layup extended the lead to 86-82 with 27.2 seconds left, and Page County iced it at the free-throw line from there.
“We stepped up our defense late, and I think the way we bonded together after they were making that late run enabled us to come away with the win,” Brown said.
Purdham talked about challenging each of his players late in the game with the score knotted.
Brown led PCHS with 24 points. Zach Sauder paced the Cougars with 23, hitting four 3-pointers.
Both teams will advance to regional tournament. Game dates and opponents are to be determined.
All-Shenandoah District selections were presented after the game. Dofflemyer was named the league’s Player of the Year and Stonewall Jackson’s Patrick Smoot was named Coach of the Year.
First-team selections were: Page’s Dofflemyer and Brown; East Rockingham’s Tyler Hensley; Stuarts Draft’s Jamal Simpson; and Wilson Memorial’s Brandon Poole.
Second-team awards went to Page’s Kol Shuler; Draft’s Zach Sauder; Riverheads’ Kyle Wilson; Luray’s Braden Cook; and Stonewall Jackson’s Colton Harlow.
STUARTS DRAFT
Rankin 3 0-0 6, Sauder 5 9-12 23, Johnson 3 2-2 11, Thacker 4 0-0 9, Knect 1 0-0 2, Patton 1 0-0 3, Harden 2 0-2 4, Simpson 8 1-2 19, Deibert 1 0-0 3, Yancey 0 2-4 2. Totals 28 14-22 82.
PAGE COUNTY
McKay 6 2-3 14, Shuler 5 1-6 12, Campbell 5 4-4 15, Dofflemyer 7 3-4 17, Brown 11 4-8 24, Mayes 1 2-4 4, Switzer 2 0-0 4. Totals 37 16-29 90.
Stuarts Draft 30 19 14 19 - 82
Page County 25 29 16 20 - 90
3-Point Goals-Stuarts Draft 14 (Sauder 4, Johnson 3, Rankin 2, Simpson 2, Thacker, Patton, Deibert), Page County 2 (Shuler, Campbell). Fouled Out-Rankin. Total Fouls-Stuarts Draft 27, Page County 17. Rebounds—Stuarts Draft 29 (Thacker 9), Page County 36 (Brown 11).