Buffalo Gap hangs tough, falls in state championship: Girls basketball
RICHMOND — Buffalo Gap began the season not knowing if it had what it took to get back to the state tournament a fourth year in a row. Had it lost too much firepower from a team that reached the state championship three years ago and the state semifinals the past two years?
Gap ended the season in the Virginia Commonwealth University Siegel Center, not with the ultimate goal of a state championship, but knowing it certainly had what it took all season long to get back on the big stage.
George Wythe, ranked first or second in the state most of the season, beat Buffalo Gap 50-44 Friday afternoon in the Class 1 girls basketball state championship.
Gap certainly did not make it easy for them.
Buffalo Gap withstood an early punch by George Wythe. Down 10-4, the Bison finished the first quarter on a 13-7 run to go into the second tied at 17. Kayleigh Hemp had 12 points in the opening quarter.
Two quick 3s by Wythe — one each from Makaylan Luttrell and Caroline Harris — opened up a six point lead for the Maroons and they stretched it to eight by halftime. Wythe scored 12 second-chance points in the quarter, controlling the offensive boards.
Buffalo Gap cut the Wythe lead to three with 1:27 left in the third quarter on a free throw by Hannah Coffman, but Luttrell responsed with a corner 3 and Wythe scored one more bucket to take an eight-point lead into the fourth quarter. The final 40 seconds were played without Coffman, who went out injured, but returned to start the fourth.
Gap clawed its way back into the game one more time. With 3:33 left in regulation, Coffman hit a floater to get the Bison within four. But like it had all day, George Wythe responded again and this time held off Gap until the end to win the state title.
It was the third state championship appearance in the last eight years for Buffalo Gap. The Bison's last state title in girls basketball came in 2009, part of back-to-back state championships for the program.
Gap ends the season 22-5, losing four of its five starters from a program that has been in the state tournament the last four years. Coffman, Rachael Carter and Karah Richie are all seniors and Kayleigh Hemp, along with her freshman sister Lexi, will be moving to Florida. Of the starters, only freshman Bailey Tribble returns.
Coffman and Kayleigh Hemp both finished with 21 points.
George Wythe finishes the season 27-3.
— 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.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Buffalo Gap girls come up short in Class 1 state championship
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