Prince Edward County High School’s varsity girls basketball team recovered after a slow start Friday night, but the Lady Eagles were not able to maintain momentum against Buffalo Gap High School. They fell 63-41 in the Virginia High School League Class 2 state quarterfinals at Stuarts Draft High School.

“They played well,” Prince Edward Head Coach Carlton Redd said of his players. “That’s the biggest team we’ve ever played against.”

In the first quarter, Prince Edward struggled to score early, missing some inside shots, some of which were set up by the Lady Eagles’ trademark tenacious defense. The Lady Bison held a 10-0 lead with three minutes, two seconds remaining in the period when Prince Edward hit a free throw to get on the scoreboard.

Buffalo Gap held a 13-4 advantage going into the second quarter. The Lady Eagles continued to struggle offensively, though they began to draw some fouls and get to the line.

But the Lady Bison continued to produce on offense and started hitting baskets more consistently from three-point range, firing up a huge showing of Buffalo Gap fans that traveled to Stuarts Draft for the game. The Lady Bison led 32-19 at halftime and extended their lead to 48-27 after three quarters.

When asked what he felt like was the deciding factor of the game, Redd said, “That’s a loaded question.”

He cited the officiating as being a key element that shaped the contest.

“We weren’t going to get so far tonight,” he said. “It just wasn’t going to happen. … You haven’t ever heard me say that, but I’ll say it this time.”

Lady Eagles junior point guard Da’Mya Harris finished with 29 points, 12 of which came in the fourth quarter. She made five three-pointers on the night and offered strong defense. Senior guard Ka’Deshia Wright contributed nine points and was a standout, as usual, on the defensive end of the floor. Senior forward Asia Wilson rounded out the team’s scoring with three points.

Prince Edward finished the season with a 22-6 record. For the first time in its tenure as a Class 2 program, it won the James River District regular season championship, reached the regional title game and made an appearance in the state tournament.

Reflecting on the 2017-18 Lady Eagles after Friday’s game, Redd offered up a simple message.

“I love ‘em,” he said. “I love ‘em.”