The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Strasburg vs Warren County
Basketball season has arrived and our coverage tips off tonight at 7:20 as Warren County hosts Strasburg on Fox Sports Radio 1450 and streaming at theriver953.com and the Tune In Radio App.
Strasburg is coming off a great season last year as they advanced all the way to the State Quarterfinals before falling to the Division I basketball factory, John Marshall.
The Rams have some star power returning including a favorite for Player of the Year in the Bull Run District, Walker Conrad.
The 6’7″ senior forward, was a 1st team All District and 2nd team All State selection last season after finishing with 16 ppg, 8.2 rpg, and 2.9 apg.
Another returner for the Rams is Conrad’s tight end counterpart on the gridiron, Griffin Carter.
Carter was a 2nd team All District selection last year and averaged 7.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, and 1.2 apg.
Warren County struggled last season but returns an experienced team with 11 seniors.
Marshall Barton and Raymond Dingess were two of the teams leading scorers last year and either one can light up the score sheet on any night.
Barton was a 2nd team All District selection and an extremely efficient shooter averaging 14.8 ppg shooting 40.4%.
He also shot 32.2% from outside the arc and was one of the area leaders from the free throw line shooting 71%.
Dingess averaged 7.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.2 apg, and 1.1 spg with his season high coming against Brentsville where he finished with 25 points including 11 in the first quarter.
Last year when Strasburg and Warren County faced off, the Rams took the win in both matchups.
Strasburg led basically from start to finish in both games with a combined score of 99-56.
Conrad led the way with 25 points and 15 rebounds the first go round and 17 points the second.
The first matchup also saw Warren County held scoreless for the entire second period.
Strasburg’s emphasis on defense and having the largest, most talented player on the floor in Conrad will help them secure the victory, 55-32.
Next week, we will be back at Warren County High School as the Wildcats host Luray High School with a tip off scheduled for 7:30, pregame coverage at 7:20 on Fox Sports Radio 1450 and theriver953.com.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
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.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.