The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Skyline vs Millbrook

1/6/26 Front Royal, VA- Millbrook hits the road to visit Skyline in tonight’s Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week courtesy of Brickhouse Bar and Grill on Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app with coverage starting around 7:15 pm for the estimated 7:30 pm tip-off.

Both teams began there seasons with strong starts and will need to sustain that success as the calendar turns and district play starts to heat-up.

While Millbrook is in Class 4 and Skyline is in Class 3, both are members of the Northwestern District and usually put on a show for the fans in attendance.

This is the first of two matchups this season and last year the teams split the season series 1-1.

The homestanding Hawks won their first six games to start the season before stumbling into two losses in the Ram Hardwood Classic.

Skyline led throughout the first half against Spring Mills before fouls began to pile up and the size of the reigning West Virginia State Champions began to take its toll.

The Cardinals pulled away with a 17-4 run to close things out.

The following night against Central, it was more of the same through the first 3 quarters with Skyline leading the entire way.

Then in the fourth quarter, Central tightened up their defense leaving the Hawks scoreless in the final frame and Derek Batiz- Lugo took over scoring the game winning 3 pointer and the game’s final 9 points.

Skyline bounced back into the win column, 66-47, on their most recent outing against Sherando with a balanced scoring attack that saw 5 players in double figures (Cameron Kerns 13 points, Day’Shawn Haley 12 points, Zayden Burks 12 points, Mark Jeffries 10 points, Bentley Frye 10 points).

Millbrook will look for their bounce back against Skyline after a tough loss at home to Handley.

Millbrook hung around with one of the favorites to win the VHSL Class 4 title before falling 63-55.

The Judges were without top scorer Will Braun-Duin, but Jaevon Brisco (20 points), Kyren Oglesby(16 points), and Christian Dinges (19 points) shouldered the load in his absence.

Fouls piled up on the Pioneers which led to Handley reaching the bonus in 3 of 4 quarters and they made it count shooting 17/22 from the line.

Coach Erick Green Sr.’s squad did not go quietly into the night and won the fourth quarter 20-14 behind senior leader Rylee Baker and sophomore spark plug Keanen Dennis.

The loss halted Millbrook’s second four game winning streak this season, but now the Pioneers will head back on the road where they have played incredibly well this season.

Seven of Millbrook’s eight wins have came on the road and all four games in the most recent winning streak came on the road with Baker silencing crowds across the region.

During that stretch, he averaged 26.8 points per game and each win came by 12+.

Baker will need a performance on pace with those outings to take out the Hawks Tuesday night and the game appears to be a matchup of a team with the best player on the floor vs the more balanced team.

Skyline’s team defense has improved lately and could be the difference to limit Baker and the Pioneers.

Millbrook should have an advantage on the glass due to their size, but Skyline’s athleticism will make that size a liability when attempting on-ball defense.

I look for Skyline’s balanced approach to help them hold on after a back-and-forth game, Hawks 67-Pioneers 65.

Click here for Josh Kirby’s interviews with tonight’s coaches Harold Chunn and Erick Green Sr.

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Millbrook vs Handley boys and girls doubleheader

1/2/26, Winchester, VA- Millbrook welcomes Handley in a Northwestern District boys and girls basketball doubleheader tonight for the Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week courtesy of Brickhouse Bar and Grill on Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and TheRiver953.app with coverage starting at 5:45 pm for the girls 6 pm tip-off followed by the boys.

In the girls matchup, Handley and Millbrook meet with identical 3-7 records, but the Judges are starting to find their footing while the Pioneers are still struggling to find their way.

Handley has won three of their last four with the lone loss coming to 9-1 Turner Ashby and the most recent win against previously undefeated East Rockingham.

Reagan Edsell recently returned to the Handley lineup after an injury and has led the way ever since.

Against East Rock, she put up 35 points and gave Harrisonburg/Rockingham County residents a taste of what she is capable of before heading to James Madison University next year.

In addition to Edsell, Reese Craig has been elite in the paint and Cameron Hobson’s three point shooting has taken another step forward.

Millbrook was hoping to have similar support for their returning star Jane Moreland but due to some injuries and sickness surrounding the team, she has been asked to carry the load.

While Handley has stacked wins in their recent outings, Millbrook is just 1-7 after starting the season 2-0.

Jane Moreland can put up a double-double every night but without additional support, it could be a long season for the Pioneers.

Coach Cary Bartlett is still optimistic for the season and we could see some big strides from underclassman like Grace Moreland, Emily Randall and Brielle Demus who have shown potential throughout the season.

Grace Moreland led the Pioneers in the season opening win with 15 points and Millbrook will need her to continue to help out her big sister in the scoring column.

When the boy’s take the court, Handley will need to overcome a key injury on their roster and lockdown one of the area’s top athletes to continue their quest towards a State Title against an upset minded Millbrook squad.

Future D-I athlete and reigning All State selection Will Braun-Duin went down with a leg injury against Sherando in our last game of the week and the Judges responded by outscoring the Warriors 40-15 the rest of the way.

While Handley should be able to win the district with or without Braun-Duin, their State Title hopes could lie with their injured leading scorer.

The Judges went 0-2 during the recent Arby’s Classic without Braun-Duin played put up respectable performances against two powerhouse programs in Oak Hill and Roanoke Catholic.

Millbrook’s star power on the other hand has continued to heat up with Rylee Baker dominating the competition lately.

The Pioneers enter Friday night on a four game win streak with Baker averaging 26.8 ppg through the stretch.

Outside of the superstars in Baker and Braun-Duin, both teams have great supporting pieces as well.

Christian Dinges, Kyren Oglesby and Jaevon Brisco all have college basketball aspirations for Handley and Millbrook’s Keon Lewis, Daniel Clater, and Keanen Dennis provide plenty options to help out Baker.

This matchup will also feature one of the best coaching duals in Virginia this weekend with the established leader Erick Green Sr. taking on the youngest head coach to lead a team to the VHSL Championship, Zach Harrell-Zook.

Expect a big crowd for these rivals as Millbrook’s 7-2 record this season has came primarily on the road or in tournaments and tonight will be their first home game in over a month.

Just two seasons ago, a struggling Millbrook boys team upset Handley thanks in part to the rowdy homecourt.

For the girls matchup, I look for Handley to ride their recent momentum and go to Edsell early and often to secure the lead and roll from there, Handley 57-Millbrook 37.

The boys should be a bit more competitive with the loss of Braun-Duin evening the playing field, but Judge’s depth will prove to be too much for the Pioneers and Handley will pull through late with some clutch shooting from the free throw line, 76-69.

For color commentator Josh Kirby’s interview with both girl’s basketball coaches Cary Bartlett and Katlyn Orndorff, click here.

For Josh’s interview with Coach Erick Green Sr., click here.

(Coach Harrell-Zook was unavailable for an interview at this time.)

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

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Skyline vs Millbrook

Tonight tips-off our coverage of the High School Basketball Game of the Week on Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com, and The River 95.3 app with the Skyline Hawks hosting the Millbrook Pioneers (0-1) starting at 7:15 pm.

Skyline returns a ton of talent from last year’s roster including late season call-up Zayden Burks, Isaiah Maxwell (5.3 ppg), Andre Ford (7.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Ahsan Adul-Qasim(6.3 ppg), and First Team All-District and All-Region selection Dwayne Tucker (18 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 2.6 spg).

Tucker is also one of the area’s leading returners in points, steals, rebounds, and field-goal percentage.

The Hawks biggest losses came in guards Colby Wood and Caden Thorne, but will have Burks, Cole Logan and Dayshawn Haley ready to step up at their former roles.

Coach Harold Chunn’s squad utilized a fast paced style and aggressive defense to advance to the Regional Semifinals last year, before falling to James Monroe at home.

This is a team that plays at another level on their homecourt in recent years and has allowed only three home losses over the last two seasons: two playoff losses and one loss to Class 4 state title contender Handley.

Millbrook is continuing to shift the culture of their basketball program in the second year under the local-legend Erick Green Sr.

Coach Green wants his Pioneers to focus on a balanced, team approach and will be led by returning contributors Rylee Baker(51.5% 3p, 75% FT) and 6’4″ Shaun Rooks (8.7 ppg, 1 bpg).

Rooks and 6’4″ freshman Braylon Fauver will have their hands full Tuesday night with Skyline’s senior forward.

Tucker had a career night against the Pioneers last year totaling 27 points including an exclamation point of a dunk in the fourth quarter during the 88-74 win.

Skyline’s wealth of varsity experience will play a huge roll against a Millbrook team still finding itself after a 69-33 loss to Broad Run on Monday night.

I predict the Hawks soar to a win on opening night over the Pioneers, 74-66.

Check out the full list of upcoming games on Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com and The River 95.3 app with the schedule below!

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.

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