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. 

The Duke’s Preview: Handley vs Varina

The Handley Judges host the Varina Blue Devils in the Class 4 VHSL State Semifinals in tonight’s Van Metre Homes Game of the Week on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com, and The River 95.3 app with coverage starting at 6:45 pm for the 7 pm tip-off.

Handley will look to continue their historic season against one of Class 4’s powerhouse programs in front of what is sure to be another sell-out home crowd.

The Judges started the season 21-0 before falling in overtime to West Virginia state title contender Spring Mills to conclude the regular season.

Handley used that loss as a learning experience and rebounded to win the last four playoff games including a comeback victory against E.C. Glass in the Regional Championship game.

While Zach Harrell-Zook’s squad coasted through most of the regular season with wins often coming by double-digits, finishing that game on a 9-0 run with clutch free-throws from Will Braun-Duin shows this team can win in whatever fashion it takes.

Braun-Duin led the Judges during his sophomore season with 26.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, shooting an astounding 45.3% from three, and already surpassing 1,000 points in his career.

He was joined by the team’s second leading scorer, 6’5″ forward Christian Dinges, and all-around talent, 6’4″ forward Kyren Oglesby, as recent 1st Team All-Region selections.

Junior guard Jaevon Brisco has been on fire from long range in the playoffs and has multiple five three-pointer games in the run including in the Tuesday night win over Heritage.

Three point shooting appears to be an advantage for Handley, but Varina will have some advantages of their own including pure athleticism and familiarity with deep playoff runs in all sports.

Varina recently moved down from Class 5 and has dominated including back-to-back State Championships in basketball before falling to the eventual champions last season.

The Varina football team also went to the State Championship game just a few months ago with many of those top athletes trading their cleats for basketball shoes.

Kaleb Wyche led the Blue Devils football team at quarterback before going down with an injury in the State Championship game and after returning to the basketball team late from that injury, he assumed the role of quarterbacking this offense as well.

Wyche is the younger brother of Kennard Wyche, former All-State selection and currently a member of Virginia Union’s basketball team, and every possession goes through him.

He is dangerous off the dribble with explosive speed and when the defense collapses on him, he always finds the open man.

Usually benefitting from the attention drawn by Wyche are 6’4″ sophomore wing Brian Mitchell and 6’6″ junior forward Caleb Straughter.

Both have shown the ability to score in bunches with Mitchell dropping 41 earlier this year and Straughter leading the Blue Devils last game with 17.

Straughter is not a “back-to-the-basket” big man, and he will stretch the Judges’ defense with his shooting ability.

Both Handley and Varina have kept an eye on each other all season long and will finally meet in Winchester on Friday night with a trip to the Seigel Center on the line.

This game will come down to the final seconds and Handley will celebrate one last time on their home floor before heading to VCU to complete the magical run next week, Judges win with Braun-Duin icing the game from the line 58-54.

To listen to the latest Sports Dogs Podcast including all of the local state title contenders, the latest Commanders updates, and more, click here.