The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Skyline vs Sherando

Tonight’s High School Basketball Game of the Week on Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com, and the Tune In Radio App features the Skyline Hawks (10-3) hosting the Sherando Warriors (10-5) with coverage starting at 7:20 pm.

The first meeting of the two teams was a Sherando victory in a 55-53 season opening thriller.

This matchup is expected to be no different as both team’s enter the game still holding high expectations for this season.

Sherando will arrive in Front Royal on a four game winning streak led by senior guard Trey Williams, who has averaged over 20 points per game in the stretch.

Williams is an early candidate for Player of the Year in the region as the second leading scorer with 17.2 per game, third in rebounding with 6.5 per game, and the leader in assists and steals with 4.4 apg and 2.3 spg.

Skyline enters the evening winning 7 of their last 8 games by an average differential of 22.4 points per game.

While the Warriors are led by Williams from the outside, the Hawks follow the lead of junior forward Dwayne Tucker on the interior.

Tucker has been a dominant force for Skyline in his second year of varsity action.

He led all scorers in the first matchup against the Warriors with 23 points, many of those coming against Sherando’s 6’4″ senior center Drew Tyson.

Tucker has also collected a few double-doubles this season and joined Williams on the All Tournament Team at the Ram Hardwood Classic.

Tonight’s heavyweight matchup could come down to the free throw line, an area that helped Sherando secure a few victories already this season including the first game against Skyline where the Warriors finished 14/21 from the line while the Hawks made just 5/16 free throw attempts.

Skyline’s aggressive defense could end them up in foul trouble and send the Warriors to the free throw line early and often, leading to the difference in a tight Sherando win, 57-54.

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The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Millbrook vs Handley doubleheader

Millbrook hosts Handley in a boys and girls basketball doubleheader tonight for Fox Sports Radio 1450 WFTR’s Game of the Week.

Pregame coverage for the girls will start at 5:50 pm with the boys following at roughly 7:20 pm on Fox Sports Radio 1450 WFTR, theriver953.com and the Tune In Radio App.

As always, ladies first! Millbrook is coming off a convincing win over James Wood on Monday night.

We were on-hand that evening which saw Millbrook come out to a 15-2 lead at the end of the 1st quarter following 12 consecutive missed shots by James Wood.

Millbrook never took their foot off the gas with steady defensive pressure and dominating the boards with a 21 rebound advantage.

Jaliah Jackson returned from missing the last four games and looked strong finishing with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 8 steals, and 3 blocks.

When the Handley girls enters Millbrook tonight, they bring with them a 6-0 record and look to be the most improved team in the area, boys or girls.

Under Head Coach Katlyn Orndorff, the Judges advanced from a 1-22 season in ’21-’22 to an 8-15 mark last year and have continued that trend.

This year’s squad features two newcomers from Spring Mills (WV), Corrin and Reagen Edsall.

Corrin is a senior guard who has paced the Judges in scoring this season with a dangerous deep ball.

The Shepherd commit is coming off a 21 point performance against Liberty in the Judges 82-28 win.

Now as we head to the backend of the doubleheader, both boys teams are coming off wins while Handley looks to keep their foot on the gas and Millbrook hopes they have turned the corner under first year head coach and local basketball guru Erick Green Sr..

Zach Harrell-Zook may not have the name recognition as Green but he is building a force at the crown jewel of Winchester Public Schools.

Handley looks to compete for a state championship this year and has a blend of experienced players and youth with limitless potential.

Freshman guard Will Braun-Duin has taken the basketball scene by storm and already drawn Division I looks.

Braun-Duin is a lights-out three point shooter and listed at 6’2″.

He has led the Judges in scoring during most of their games with his career high of 31 coming in a recent outing against Sherando.

Kyren Oglesby, a 6’4″ sophomore guard, has also received attention from scouts for his impressive frame, ability to finish through traffic, and defensive effort.

The Pioneers are still adjusting to the new scheme put into place by Green but looked strong on Monday against James Wood.

Millbrook was able to limit James Wood star forward Ashton Kees effectiveness, especially in the first half.

A concerning stretch in the third period saw Millbrook go scoreless for over 4 minutes and a similar stumble could be all that Handley needs to put a game out of reach.

Guard Chase Ford started the game on the bench for the Pioneers after missing practice to commit to Bridewater for baseball.

He still led the team with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

I predict a Handley sweep on the road tonight against Millbrook.

The Handley girls have basically put opponents away in the first quarter in most of their games so Millbrook will need to weather that early storm to maintain confidence they can hang with the Northwestern District front runner but the Edsall sisters and company should have too much fire power, Judges 65- Pioneers 44.

The Handley boys have obliterated local competition with their closest game coming in a 7 point win over Spottswood, a state quarterfinalist last season.

The Judges depth, athleticism, and pure talent with future Division I athletes should allow them to secure a victory, but could be without 6’6″ forward Breylon Miller as he has missed time due to an injury.

The Judges should be able to adapt and have enough depth to make up for one player and roll to a victory, Judges 82- Pioneers 62.

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The Duke’s Playoff Preview: Strasburg vs Central featuring Coach Roller

For the sixth time in the last three years, Central (11-0) and Strasburg (8-2) meet on the gridiron; this time in the second round of the VHSL playoffs.

In their first meeting this year, Central emerged victorious and claimed the Bull Run District Championship with a 28-7 win.

That game was closer than the final score implies as Central added a few late scores.

Strasburg had numerous opportunities in that game to put points on the board where they came up short and a few defensive plays that allowed 4th down conversions.

If Strasburg can correct those mistakes, they will be able to go toe-to-toe with one of the most dominant teams in Virginia over the last two years in Class 2 football, the Central Falcons.

Central has not lost since last year’s State Championship against Graham and has looked to be on a mission to get back to Salem.

The Falcon’s dynamic running game was too much for the Rams in the last matchup which allowed star running back Tyler Forbes to reach 164 yards and Jacob Williams-Warner to reach 140 yards on two carries.

Forbes recently claimed the Central High School career rushing record in the first round matchup against Stuarts Draft when he passed Johnnie Williams with 3,308 yards.

Central’s gameplan will once again revolve around Forbes and his bruising style, but they have shown some big play capability through the air as the season has progressed.

Both team’s have been dominant in the trenches and it will basically be a Bull Run All District All Star game between both team’s lines.

The more physical team who can limit mistakes will win the game.

Strasburg has a nasty taste in their mouth after losing to Central in last year’s playoffs and in the regular season finale, but the Falcons playoff experience and home field advantage should give them the boost they need to get past the Rams in a tight one, 22-14.

Press play below for my interview with Strasburg Head Coach Mark Roller.

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