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28, with 4:43 left in the third period.
Danny Ellis, Rappahannock’s workhorse, hit two shots for a 6-0 spurt; then patience on offense paid off as Doug Smith got free under the hoop for a 38-35 third-quarter lead.
Despite four fouls, Anthony Porter began the final period with a strong inside move to score two, and Julian Groves added a layup off a steal for a 42-37 advantage. The Panthers continued to capitalize off Ram miscues and built their biggest lead, 50-42, following a pair of charity shots by Dunn.
After a timeout, the ninthranked Rams regrouped and tallied the next eight points to pull within 50-48 with 1:48 left. Then Strasburg’s coach -opted to force Rappahannock to win the game at the line, gambling that the Panthers would continue their erratic showing at the charity stripe.
This time, the gamble didn’t pay off.
Porter and Groves shot a perfect nine-for-nine from the foul line in the final period, shutting down the Rams’ bid for a comeback.
“Our foul shots down the stretch were important, but I thought rebounding was the key in the fourth quarter,” Coach Leake said. Smith and Porter were forces on the boards, limiting the Rams to one shot per trip down the court.
The Panthers placed four members on the Bull Run District all-star squad: Porter, Smith and Groves were honorable mention, and Dunn made the first team. Dunn could still get an all-state position, a feat never accomplished by a Rappahannock player.
The Bull Run District opted not to select a District MVP because the voting was too close between Dunn, Walters (Central) and Roller (Strasburg). Ballots for the Commonwealth team will be cast following post-season play, so another set of outstanding performances from the RCHS swing man will certainly improve his chances for all-state honors and a secure place among Rappahannock’s basketball idols.
Now that you’re in the groove,
this time let’s really move!
That cheer will doubtless reverberate from the rafters of the gymnasium at Western Albemarle High School as the Panthers and their fans vie for the regional championship and a berth in the state basketball finals.
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