Sports Dogs Podcast: State Championship recap and Bracket Bustin’

3/18/26- The Dogs take a bite out of their Tournament brackets, and look back at a great weekend at VCU for our area basketball teams including:

  • Clarke County’s girls claiming their second title in four years and record-breaker Alainah McKavish
  • Handley’s boys first program title in over 100 years
  • Luray’s boys fending off a record-setting performance to win in double-overtime
  • The valiant efforts by the Central boys, Skyline girls, and Luray girls

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Listen to the Sports Dogs on The River online, Spotify, Amazon, or iTunes HERE.

The Duke’s Championship Preview: Handley vs Hampton

3/14/26 Richmond, VA- The Handley Judges will look for the program’s first Class 4 VHSL Boys Basketball State Championship against the Hampton Crabbers today with coverage starting at 12:40 pm for the 1 pm tip-off on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app brough to you by the Hike Kidz Foundation c/o Brickhouse Bar and Grill.

Last season, Varina eliminated Handley in the State Semifinal and then defeated Hampton in the State Championship game, but this season, Handley took out Varina in the semis and will look to leave the Crabbers as runner-ups once again.

In this year’s semifinal, Handley traveled to Varina and knocked off the Blue Devils in an electric second half comeback.

Trailing 30-23 in the 3rd quarter, Christian Dinges turned the tide for Handley with a dunk and three to tie the game.

The game stayed tight into the 4th quarter when Will Braun-Duin pulled up for a three from Braddock Street to take the lead for the final time.

Now this generation of Judges will look to do something no basketball team in Handley history has ever done, finish as state champions.

Coach Zach Harrell-Zook became the youngest coach in VHSL history to reach a title game in 2021 when the Judges fell to Smithfield.

Saturday, he will try to finish the job with a team focused on “‘we,’ not ‘me.”

Standing in Handley’s way are the Crabbers from the 757.

The 757 plays a tough brand of basketball that Handley has tried to prepare itself for all season long by playing the toughest competition they could find including the Arby’s Classic and playing powerhouse programs like Oak Hill to ensure the lights will not be too bright at the Seigel Center.

Hampton fell to perennial state champion Denbigh in the season opener before rattling off 26 consecutive wins on their way to back-to-back State Finals.

The Crabbers are led by Region Player of the Year Joshua Rice with 16.1 ppg and shoots 40% from deep.

The senior 6’2″ guard is coming off a 19 point performance in their Semifinal win over Heritage, 50-46.

Rice is supported by powerful forwards 6’4″ Abraham Taft, who had 12 points and 14 rebounds in the semi, and 6’8″ Gavin Kay (9.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.4 bpg).

Both teams feature senior-heavy rosters built to contend for a state championship this year, but one will go home empty-handed.

I look for the Crabbers to underestimate a team from the Valley out of the gates but to tighten up the score by halftime.

Will Braun-Duin and Asher Mattison’s shooting ability combined with Kyren Oglesby coming off a three 3-pointer night and Dinges ability to score at all three levels will make the Judges hard to guard down the stretch.

Handley wins on a last second basket three for the win by Braun-Duin for the first title in program history, Judges 61- Crabbers 59.

For color commentator Josh Kirby’s interviews with both coaches, click HERE.

For The Sports Dogs State Championship weekend preview and Commanders Free Agency, click HERE.

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Skyline vs Handley

2/6/26, Winchester, VA- Handley (14-5) hosts Skyline (14-4) for a Northwestern District grudge match in tonight’s Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week c/o of Brickhouse Bar and Grill with coverage starting at 7:15 pm for the estimated 7:30 pm tip-off on Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app.

Skyline held on for a 67-64 victory at home less than a month ago after jumping out to 22-10 1st quarter lead thanks to six JHHS turnovers.

The Hawks lead reached 20 in the second quarter before Handley started to chip away and bring the lead to 11 at halftime then 9 entering the 4th quarter.

Handley eventually brought the deficit to just 2 points with 1:12 left, but some clutch free throw shooting by Cameron Kerns following a Zayden Burks offensive rebound helped secure the win.

Burks and Kerns led the way all night with 19 points and 17 points and it was only fitting they shut the door on the comeback bid.

Skyline has carried the momentum from that win into victories in five of their last six and seem to be playing their best basketball as the playoffs approach.

Handley has made some changes since the first matchup and seem to be adjusting well to life without the injured superstar Will Braun-Duin.

Christian Dinges has emerged as a top player in the District…Region State and Asher Mattison appears to be the heir to Braun-Duin’s three-point throne.

Earlier this week, Dinges put on a clinic against James Wood with 36 points (20 in the 1st quarter), 10 rebounds, and some highlight reel dunks to lead the way for a 77-32 road win.

Mattison followed with a 37 point and 10 three pointer performance against Veritas Collegiate Academy on Wednesday.

The freshman sharpshooter was just one made three away from tying Braun-Duin’s single game record while taking only 12 shots from long range.

Mattison has only made four varsity starts entering Friday night, but Handley is 4-0 in those games with an average margin of victory of 49.5 ppg.

The 6’4″ athlete has shown he is ready for the varsity level and could provide the spacing that Handley needs to make a deep playoff run which many thought was impossible following the second Braun-Duin injury.

While Skyline jumped on Handley early in the first matchup, I look for the Judges to turn the tides and come out hot with the home crowd behind them and a chip on their shoulder following the first loss to the Hawks.

The addition of Mattison and the rest of Coach Harrell-Zook’s lineup feeling more comfortable in their roles post-Braun Duin will be enough to make up the difference from Game 1, Judges 75 – Hawks 68.

For more local sports coverage along with a Super Bowl preview, check out the latest Sports Dogs Podcast. 

Sports Dogs Podcast: NFL, CFP, and debut of “The Three Pointer”

The Dogs have a full bowl in this edition, with NFL coaching firings and hirings, a great Wild Card Weekend, and a new feature, “The Three-Pointer,” as we discuss some local high school hoops happenings.

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To listen to the latest Sports Dogs Podcast, click here.

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

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: Handley vs Sherando doubleheader

12/19/25, Winchester, VA- John Handley High School hosts Sherando High School in a Northwestern District doubleheader for tonight’s Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week courtesy of Brickhouse Bar and Grill on Fox Sports Radio 1450 WFTR, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app with the girls tipping-off at 6 pm followed by the boys around 7:30 pm and a Tana Hoffman Pregame Show beginning roughly 15 minutes before each.

In the first matchup, both teams will continue to look for their identities in this young season with Sherando adjusting to a new head coach and Handley finding their footing after the return of their superstar.

Regina Downing made the move from Clarke County to Sherando this offseason after a State playoff appearance.

The Eagles have continued to soar since her departure and are undefeated while the Warriors are still searching for their first win.

Downing is inheriting a Sherando team that went just 12-11 last season but does have some exciting talent in Junior Avery Ryan and Sophomore Kinsley Richardson.

The duo combined for 20 of Sherando’s 22 points in the first half against Kettle Run on Tuesday and can fill-up the stat sheet with steals and rebounds as well.

While the Warriors enter at 0-6, they have closed the gap in recent outings losing the last three games by less than 10 points and will continue to gain confidence in Downing’s style which prioritizes strong man-to-man defense.

Handley has also struggled out of the gates and enters Friday night at 1-6, but the Judges have faced stiff competition mostly without the help of Reagan Edsell.

Handley’s six losses came against teams with a combined 26-5 record this season and the reigning Regional Player of the Year and James Madison commit was sidelined for the majority of those games.

She did return in the 55-50 loss to Loudoun Valley.

Handley also returns a solid roster around Edsell including All District Honorable Mention selection Cameron Hobson and Senior Center Amaya Smith, but the group will need their full lineup to take on top teams come playoff time.

When the boys take the floor following Game 1 of tonight’s doubleheader, Handley will also have the advantage in star power with Will Braun-Duin.

The First Team All-State selection as a Sophomore returns to the lineup after leading the area in scoring (26.4 points per game), steals (2.3 per game), and free throws (87.4 %).

Like Edsell, Braun-Duin will play at the Division-I level and has quite a few options fighting for his commitment including Old Dominion, Mount Saint Mary’s and more.

Coach Zach Harrell-Zook brings back essentially the entire roster around Braun-Duin from last year’s State Title contending squad including the areas returning leaders in rebounds (6.5) and blocks (1.1) Christian Dinges and assists(3.7) Kyren Oglesby.

Sherando also returns some solid talent, but it is more likely that the Warriors will be fighting for second place in the District with the expected dominance of Handley.

The Warriors pair of 6’4″ forwards Jackson Ogle and Sean Benton will need to dominate the paint and win the rebounding battle to give Sherando a chance.

In Sherando’s first win of the season over James Wood, the duo helped lead a 32-16 advantage on the glass and more than doubled the opposition in offensive rebounds.

Coach Garland William’s group could also benefit from a “look ahead” spot with Handley getting ready to hit the road for some holiday season tournaments which includes the Arby’s Classic and a date with national powerhouse Oak Hill.

I do not think that will happen as Coach Harrell-Zook has never been questioned about his intensity and he will have his team focused on knocking down a cross-town rival tonight, Handley wins big 84-54.

For the girls, I look for Reagen Edsell to take the floor and have her coming-out party this season with a double-double to lead the way and keep the Warriors searching for their first win, Judges 52-Warriors 38.

For more coverage of tonight’s matchup, click the links below for color commentator Josh Kirby’s conversations with:

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.

The Duke’s Doubleheader Preview: Handley vs James Wood

Frederick County and Winchester’s oldest rivalry takes center-court in tonight’s Van Metre Homes Games of the Week as James Wood hosts Handley in girls and boys basketball on Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com, and The River 95.3 app with pregame coverage of the girls starting at 5:45 pm followed by the boys around 7:15 pm.

The two schools faced off just last week with Handley taking the win in both matchups.

On the girls’ side, the Judges were led by D-I prospect Reagan Edsall with 26 points and 20 rebounds, but the real star of the game was Nakayla Armel on her senior night.

The guard caught fire from downtown and connected on five three pointers on her way to a career high 23 points.

That was Handley’s first win after a four game losing skid which included injuries to Edsall and senior guard Olivia Jett, and the Judges will look to build some playoff momentum against the Colonels tonight.

James Wood is led by Josie Russell, the areas top rebounder at at 13.2 per game.

Russell and he squad will need to a better job on the boards in this matchup to hang with Handley after the Judges out rebounded the Colonels 57-25 in round 1.

When the boys take the court, all eyes will remain on another Handley Division-I prospect in Will Braun-Duin.

The 6’3″ sophomore guard is coming off a 36 point performance on Friday against a talented Skyline defense and helped lead his squad to an 84-53 win.

The win advanced Handley to 18-0, the best mark to start a season in school history.

This year’s squad maintains expectations of a long playoff run and will look to take command of this game early like they did a week ago.

Handley never looked back after 19-2 run that spanned from the first quarter into the second quarter and left James Wood scoreless for the first 5+ minutes of the second frame.

If James Wood can keep it close, the Colonels have shown the ability to make some clutch shots with last second wins over Warren County and Fauquier.

The squads from Winchester will look to maintain their dominance this season and I predict two wins for the Judges tonight on the road.

The Handley girls will show determination to prove the four game losing skid is behind them and surge into the final week of the regular season with a statement W, Judges 66- Colonels 34.

Handley’s boys will begin a week of four games with a victory and take another step toward a matchup of undefeated state championship hopefuls with Spring Mills on Wednesday, Judges 82- Colonels 54.

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Handley vs Skyline

Tonight’s Van Metre Homes Game of the Week features the undefeated Handley Judges (17-0) hosting the Skyline Hawks (16-3) on Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com, and The River 95.3 app with coverage starting around 7:15 pm.

Skyline enters Winchester winning six of their last seven games including an 84-33 thumping over Manassas Park Thursday night.

6’3″ forward Dwayne Tucker dominated once again for the Hawks scoring a school record 44 points including the 1000th of his career.

When Skyline fires on all cylinders, they have been tough to beat.

The Hawks lost just three games this season, with two coming against opponents they had defeated earlier in the season and the other being a buzzer-beater three-pointer to undefeated Meridian

Defensive effort carries Skyline through some poor shooting nights, but they will need shooters like Cole Logan (40% from 3p) to be dialed in from deep to hang with Handley tonight.

The Judges have dominated the competition this season winning 16 of their 17 games by double digits.

Handley is led by the reigning District Player of the Year and D-I bound Will Braun-Duin.

The sensational sophomore reached 1000 points this year and set a school record for points in a game with 51.

Braun-Duin excels where Skyline has struggled, shooting 48.8% from the three point line on his way to averaging an area best 28.5 ppg.

Handley also matches up in the paint better than most teams can against Tucker thanks to their all around size including Christian Dinges.

The 6’5″ forward is one of the area’s top dunkers and averages 13 ppg with 6.2 rpg.

Kyren Oglesby (10.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg) can also lead the team in scoring or rebounding on any given night and defensively can take away a team’s top scoring option.

While Handley has more top end talent than Skyline, the Hawks have a much deeper rotation which could come in play this late in the season.

Handley could find themselves in a look-ahead-spot with another big matchup looming next week against fellow undefeated and last year’s West Virginia Class 4 runner-up, Spring Mills, but Handley Coach Zach Harrell-Zook has done a great job keeping his team with state title hopes focused on the game at hand all season long.

I look for Skyline’s depth and defensive intensity to keep them in the game early, but Handley’s shooting from three to eventually put the game out of reach.

Handley pulls away late to remain undefeated, 78-63.

The Duke’s Doubleheader Preview: Handley vs Millbrook

Handley visits Millbrook on the hardwood for a doubleheader Van Metre Homes Game of the Week on Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com, and The River 95.3 app with pregame coverage beginning at 5:45 for the girl’s tip-off at 6 pm followed by the boy’s around 7:30 pm.

Last year, Millbrook’s boys pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the regular season knocking off Handley at home right after the Pioneer girl’s took the then undefeated Judges down to the wire.

Those matchups served as a recent reminder that you can truly throw out the record books when these local rivals face-off and all four teams look to have taken other step forward from last season.

As always, ladies first.

The Handley girls (12-2) are coming off one of their best seasons in school history including a 22-0 start before falling in the regional playoffs.

Last year’s squad claimed the first district championship since 2007 and the best record since 1980, but this year’s team looks to build on that success to make an even deeper playoff run.

The Judges returned five of six leading scorers from last season including future Division-I talent Reagan Edsell.

Edsell already has offers from James Madison University, George Mason University, and VCU among others and enters the matchup leading the area in just about every statistical category including 21.4 ppg, 7.8 stls, 3.5 asts, and is second in rebounds with 11.5.

Edsell and the Judges will enter Millbrook High School with a bad taste in their mouth after losing just their second game of the season at Millbrook to Charlottesville in a showcase over the weekend.

Charlottesville is the same team that kicked them out of last season’s playoffs.

Millbrook’s girls (9-6) enter the matchup on a two-game losing skid but winners of their previous four.

The young Pioneers roster returns just two starters including the lone senior in 1st Team All Region Jaliah Jackson and junior All-District Honorable Mention selection Jane Moreland, but a lot of exciting underclass talent including Jane’s sister Grace.

The freshman took over late in Millbrook’s most recent district win on the road against Sherando to lead the team in scoring with 14 points including 10 in the 4th quarter.

Millbrook will need a ton of production from underclassmen like Moreland to hang with a loaded Handley squad.

When the boy’s take the court, all eyes will be on Handley(14-0) superstar sophomore guard Will Braun-Duin.

Braun-Duin set Handley’s single game scoring record earlier this season against Kettle Run with 51 points in just 17 minutes played.

His efforts have already caught the eye of numerous college’s including Mount St. Marys and Old Dominion University with many more on the way.

He will likely be the highest recruited player from Frederick County/Winchester since the son of the coach leading Millbrook’s bench, Erick Greene Jr.

Erick Greene Sr. will have his Pioneers (9-5) focused on team basketball and looking for the best shot possible.

His plan worked well last year in the Millbrook upset win with four players reaching double-figures and limiting Braun-Duin to just 19 points, 10 below his average so far this season.

6’4″ Kyren Oglesby was benched due to fouls early in that matchup which led to the Pioneers dominating on the boards to build their lead from 6:16 in the 1st quarter forward onward.

Handley Judges Head Coach Zach Harrell-Zook will certainly use last years performance at Millbrook as motivation in preparing his team for tonight’s game.

Now for the predictions.

On the girl’s side, Handley’s experience led by D-1 prospect Edsell will propel the Judges to a rebound victory and keep them undefeated in district play, Handley 64 – Millbrook 50.

For the boy’s, I predict Handley to come out extremely motivated after last season’s loss to Millbrook and Braun-Duin will make a statement early with a few three pointers from well beyond the arc.

Handley runs away with it late 86-64.