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: 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.