Dan River’s improbable postseason run comes to a crushing halt in overtime to James River in a Group A, Division 2 boys basketball state semifinal

Dan River falls to James River in Group A, Division 2 state semifinals

The Dan River players feel that the Siegel Center on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond is like a second home. The track record over the past two seasons speaks for itself.

There comes a point in every season where a basketball team learns its true identity. For Dan River, it came in a classroom when the team was in its deepest valley.

Dan River escaped the Siegel Center on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University with a thrilling 48-45 Group A, Division 2 state quarterfinal victory over Essex on Saturday, propelling the Wildcats to their second consecutive state semifinal appearance.

Dan River and Essex take the floor for tonight’s Group A, Division 2 state semifinal boys basketball game

The thought of Essex center Walter Lee’s size in a half-court game has made Dan River coach Jacob Gruse change the focus of practice to an up-tempo attack as the Wildcats prepare for the Trojans in Saturday’s Group A, Division 2 boys basketball state quarterfinal game.

Taylor Boyers scored a game-high 17 points and Buckingham used a huge advantage at the free throw line to claim the Region B, Division 2 title, 61-49, over Dan River on Saturday night on the campus of Eastern Mennonite University.

Buckingham defeats Dan River 61-49 to claim Region B, Division 2 championship.

Dan River’s improbable recovery from an early exit in the Dogwood District tournament has the Wildcats (13-7) in the Region B, Division 2 championship game and a second consecutive berth in the Group A, Division 2 state tournament which begins next week.

Dan River (12-7) advances to the Region B, Division 2 championship game on Saturday at 8 p.m. at Eastern Mennonite University and earns a spot in the Division 2 state tournament next week.

Clarke County’s depth and defensive prowess was too much for third-seeded Dan River to handle in the second half, as the Eagles pulled away for a 71-53 victory in the quarterfinals of the Region B, Division 2 tournament Wednesday night.

Dan River jumped out to an early lead and held off George Mason 58-49 to advance in the Region B, Division 2 boys basketball tournament.

Altavista held Dan River scoreless for more than 6 minutes in the third quarter and easily defeated the Wildcats 49-27 to claim the Dogwood District tournament championship Saturday night.

Dan River hosts Altavista tonight at 7 p.m. in the Dogwood District championship game — a rematch of last year’s district championship game and the first time since the Colonels defeated the Wildcats on Jan. 28.