Two to go: Buffalo Gap continues quest for state championship with win over Westmoreland

SWOOPE — For the third year in a row, Buffalo Gap is headed to the Class 1 state semifinals. The Bison rolled to a 73-27 win over Westmoreland Tuesday night in the quarterfinals.

It was the final home game for three seniors — Bailey Talley, Chloe Emurian and Avery Bradley — and the three didn't disappoint. Bradley led all scorers with 16 points. Emurian had 14 points and Talley finished with 12, the three leading scorers for the Bison Tuesday.

Even though they don't get another official home game, Gap will get to remain close to home for its state semifinal game Friday. Gap will play Brunswick at Harrisonburg High School, 7 p.m. Brunswick beat Essex 56-52 Tuesday in another state quarterfinal. Gap beat Brunswick by 20 in the Region B championship last week.

The gym was packed for the game, a great way to end the home career for the three.

"There were already a ton of people here when we were going out to warm up," Emurian said. "We knew there was going to be a good crowd and we were super excited."

Bradley turned toward her fellow seniors on the bench and told them she'd never seen the gym as packed as it was Tuesday. It was a good feeling.

"Our family, our friends, everybody showed up for us," she said. "It means everything having them by our side through this important time."

Bradley fed off the crowd, drilling four 3-pointers in the first half. That on the heels of Bradley hitting three 3-pointers in Friday's regional championship win.

"Right now, Avery is playing with as much confidence as she's had all year," Buffalo Gap coach Phillip Morgan said. "She's not hesitating. It's like, 'If I catch if, I'm going to shoot it.' And she's making them. That feeds the crowd and then that feeds us."

Bradley started the day not feeling well. She ate one piece of toast and drank eight Gatorades on Tuesday. Early Tuesday, her coach reminded her that Michael Jordan was sick when he scored 38 points in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals in what is known simply as the Flu Game.

Before the game, Bradley told him she was going to be Kobe. Morgan said, "Jordan."

"Same thing," Bradley said.

Call this Bradley's flu game. Less than two minutes into the game Tuesday, she drilled her first 3. She hit another 30 seconds later and another one late in the first quarter. Her fourth came in the second quarter.

"Today was not the best day," Bradley said of her health. "But I think I kind of pulled it together at the end. I was able to play some basketball."

Michael Jordan. Kobe Bryant. Avery Bradley.

After Bradley's first two 3s, Talley struck from deep, starting an 18-2 run over the final five minutes of the first quarter that included a pair of buckets by Emurian. Gap led 26-8 after the quarter and were never threatened the rest of the way by the Region 1A runner-up.

"I thought that was real key for us, to get off to that good start," Morgan said. "When you do that it kind of settles you down a little bit. Experience is a key. And, hey, I liked the crowd. When you have that type of crowd, that's a big deal too."

Bradley said going from regionals to states is surreal.

"Knowing that, us as seniors, we only have two games left now," she said. "It's just such a crazy feeling."

Well, two games if they can get past Friday. It seems a safe bet, but Brunswick has only lost one game this year, against Buffalo Gap. The Bison used a 15-1 run in the second quarter to pull away from Brunswick in the regional championship on Friday, but Brunswick's Alexandria Harrison caused problems for Gap inside, scoring 29 points. Gap countered outside with 3s by Bradley and Karah Richie.

But for Tuesday night, the players weren't thinking about Brunswick yet. They were just enjoying one more game at home and a win in states.

"It doesn't even feel real," Emurian said. "I feel like it hasn't set in yet that I'm not going to play on Gap's court again. It's definitely sad, but I'm grateful for all the memories and everything this school has given me."

Morgan had taken the three seniors out in the fourth quarter, but in the final minute he put them back in the game to get one more chance to play in front of the Bison crowd.

"I means everything to be out there especially with my two girls who I grew up with since eighth grade," Bradley said. "Just to be able to be there at the end and have the fans supporting us in this community, it means everything."

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— Patrick Hite is The News Leader's education reporter. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Buffalo Gap Bison win state quarterfinal game over Westmoreland