Sherando recommended to remain in Class 4 by VHSL

james wood girls' basketball coach

The VHSL Alignment Committee has made its recommendations for the next 4 year alignment plan following the meeting of the Alignment Appeals Committee and Sherando High School will now be recommended to remain in Class 4.

Sherando won the appeal on 3-2 vote and the VHSL stated the rationale was based on the school being within the 1% allowance and near future redistricting due to construction of the new high school.

Sherando was originally recommended to move to Class 5, but filed an appeal before the committee on August 25th of their opposition to the recommended plan.

The Alignment Appeals Committee will now pass their suggestions to the Executive Committee.

On September 23rd, the Executive Committee will determine the final alignment plan for the 2027-2031 time period.

Schools recommended for alignment that did not file an appeal include Warren County and Skyline from Class 3 to Class 2 and Page County from Class 2 to Class 1.

Other notable winning appeals include Liberty Christian Academy to Class 3, Princess Anne to Class 5, and Loudoun Valley to Class 4.

All changes will go into effect next school year.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

VHSL recommends realignment of Sherando, Skyline, Warren, and Page

The Virginia High School League, or VHSL, announced its Recommended Region Alignment Plan for the 2027-2031 time period and their recommendations could affect many local schools.

The plan recommends Sherando move up from Class 4 to Class 5 which would place Sherando in a different class and region from the other Winchester and Frederick County schools and with schools predominantly from Northern Virginia like Stone Bridge, Briar Woods, Battlefield and others.

VHSL’s plan also recommends Skyline and Warren County drop down from Class 3 to Class 2 and enter the Bull Run District with Strasburg, Central, Clarke County, and others.

Page County was also included in the realignment and would move to Class 1 joining Luray in Region B.

Schools have the opportunity to request an appeal before August 10th, the deadline to submit an opposition to an appeal is August 17th, and then the Appeal Committee will meet to hear the appeals and recommend the final alignment plan on August 25th.

A full breakdown of the statewide realignment plan follows:

 

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Strasburg vs Clarke County V

3/6/26 Berryville, VA- For the fifth and final time this season, Clarke County and Strasburg will face-off in girls basketball, but this go-round the winner will advance to VCU and the State Championship while the other team’s long season will come to an end.

The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app begin State Semifinal coverage tonight at 6:10 pm ahead of the 6:30 pm tip-off, brought to you by The Hike Kidz Foundation c/o Brickhouse Bar and Grill.

Clarke County holds a 3-1 edge on the season series and claimed the Bull Run District and Region 2B Championship trophies against the Rams after falling to Strasburg at home.

The Eagles set a record for the briefest trophy celebration in history after winning the Bull Run District and has clearly had their eyes set towards bigger things all season long.

Coach Shadd McCaw’s group has dominated playoff play with each win coming in double figures and annihilated State Quarterfinal opponent Prince Edward County 90-15.

Prince Edward’s only other losses this season came to John Marshall, Strasburg’s State Quarterfinal opponent.

The Rams discarded John Marshall 54-45 after falling to the Justices the last two state tournament meetings and proved that the Bull Run District is one of the toughest in Class 2.

Strasburg was led by Jaden Stinnette with 18 points and 7 rebounds along with Emily Gorrell who just missed a double-double with 14 points and 9 assists.

Coach Kelly Stinnette will need both of her seniors to have big games against Clarke County to advance to Richmond.

Emily Gorrell lit up the stat sheet with 26 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals in the Region Championship, while Clarke County held Stinnette to just five points outside the six she scored during a late run.

Alainah McKavish led all scorers with 27 points in the Region title game and was joined in double figures by Paige McKavish (14 points), Savannah McCaw (10 points) and Eryn Demko (10 points).

Seniors Alainah McKavish, Eryn Demko, and Paige Stemberger have established the standard, but Clarke County’s three sophomore starters- Paige McKavish, Savannah McCaw, and Kendall Harmon- really showcased their composure on a big stage at Shenandoah University with a trophy on the line.

Instead of shying away or trying to do too much, they stayed within their roles to make sure Clarke County won the turnover battle and played complimentary basketball that allowed their Region 2B Player of the Year to dominate.

While I have no doubt the stars will shine in Berryville Friday night, Clarke County’s edge with their role players will prove to be the difference.

Eagles protect homecourt and advance to Richmond for the trophy they have had their eyes on all season long, Clarke County 72- Strasburg 55.

For more local sports coverage including The Three Pointer discussing neutral sites for the playoffs, unfairness in Class 3, and hiding game film, check out the latest Sports Dogs Podcast. 

For Color Commentator Josh Kirby’s chat with coach Shadd McCaw, click here. 

Local wrestlers excel at VHSL tournament; Skyline claims 2nd straight Championship

Congratulations to all our local wrestlers who represented their schools at the VHSL State Championships over the weekend.

Skyline High School’s wrestling team won their second consecutive Class 3 State Wrestling Championship on Saturday.

The team set a school record for individual champions in a year with four including Dylan Luik, Paden Alyea, Jacob Boffum, and Josiah Sykes.

As a team, Skyline finished with 211.5 points, over 60 points higher than second place finisher New Kent.

Strasburg High School finished as State Runner-Up in Class 2 and senior Hutson Conrad earned his third State Championship.

In the Class 4 tournament, Millbrook’s William Potter and James Wood’s Hayden Black also secured individual State Championships for their schools.

Black won his second straight title at 113 pounds and led James Wood to a fourth place finish.

The VHSL girls state wrestling championship announced a delayed start for Tuesday’s matches.

Doors will now open at 12:30 pm with the 1st round starting at 1:30 pm.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Luray vs Strasburg

1/13/26, Strasburg, VA- Strasburg hosts Luray in a boys basketball Bull Run bash for tonight’s Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week courtesy of Brickhouse Bar and Grill with coverage starting around 7:15 pm on Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app.

Luray will take the court as the reigning back-to-back Region 2B champions but are unable to defend that title after dropping down to Class 1 this year.

Still competing in the Bull Run District, the Bulldogs are off to a strong start at 8-2 overall and are coming off a big win against fellow Class 1 front runner, Rappahannock County.

Luray led throughout and sprung to an early 25-9 lead with just one turnover in the first quarter.

Eighth year Head Coach Mat Huff’s squad continued to play clean basketball and dominate in turnovers 22-14 to secure the 69-48 win.

Luray is led by one of the best backcourts in Class 1 with Matthew Owens and Connor Hilliard.

Both JMU commits, Owens for basketball and Hilliard for baseball, fill up the stat sheet and can takeover a game.

Owens leads the way with 21.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.3 steals while Hilliard is just behind at 14 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.6 steals.

The seniors feed off each other and when teams focus their defense on Owens, Hilliard always seems to take advantage.

Strasburg’s defense will need to limit that duo and keep the game low scoring to defend homecourt.

In Strasburg’s 6 wins, the defense held the opposition to just 34 points per game.

The Rams defense feeds off the crowd and have been incredible at home this year going 5-2, compared to just 1-3 away from Millson French Court.

Junior guard Gavin Dellinger will need a big night to continue that trend.

Following up a strong sophomore campaign and a 1st Team All Bull Run selection, Dellinger leads the Rams in scoring and is one of the best three point shooters in the area.

Jasiah Warner also looks to have taken another step forward.

The junior provides great length at 6’4″ and can play inside or outside the perimeter.

If Strasburg can limit possessions and keep Owens and Hilliard in check, the Rams could pull off the upset.

Fatigue could be an issue for Strasburg.

The Rams will play their fourth game in seven days and are on the second night of a back-to-back after last night’s loss to Sherando while Luray has not played since Friday.

I look for that to play a role in the second half, allowing Owens and Hilliard some separation and they don’t need much; Luray pulls away late 62-49.

For more local sports coverage, check out the Sports Dogs Podcast.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Strasburg takes on Glenvar in Class 2 State Title

The Strasburg Rams are playing in The Class 2 State Title Game later this morning against the Glenvar Highlanders.

Just one year after falling to Graham in last year’s State Title, Strasburg returns to Salem once again.

This will be the sixth time the Rams have appeared in a State Title Game and they have not won in previous championship matchups.

Randy Woodward and Ryan Rutherford have the call on Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com and The River 95.3 App with coverage starting at 10:45am and kickoff at 11:30am. 

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

The Duke’s Preview: Strasburg Coach Tripp Lamb

Ryan and Coach Lamb look back at last week’s 14-13 win over Poquoson and ahead to the State Championship Game against Graham.