Handley basketball’s Champions Parade coming up April 13

John Handley High School and the City of Winchester are preparing for The Champions Parade to acknowledge the recent State Championship run by the Handley boys basketball team.

The Champions Parade will take place on Monday, April 13th starting at 6 pm and the route will follow Handley Blvd to South Braddock Street then Jefferson Street and conclude at Handley High School.

Stick around following the parade and join the team at Maddex-Omps Gymnasium for pictures and autographs with the team including Coach Zach Harrell-Zook, the youngest coach to win a State Championship in VHSL history, future collegiate basketball players like Will Braun-Duin, Christian Dinges, Jaevon Brisco, Kyren Oglesby, and the rest of the State Champion Judges.

Handley claimed the school’s first basketball title in program history earlier this month after defeating the Hampton Crabbers 61-42 at VCU.

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

For more local sports coverage, check out the Sports Dogs podcast.

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 Sports Dogs Podcast: Some Kibbles and Bits

The Dogs cover a variety of subjects from the sports world this week, including college hoops and the Winter Olympic Games ranging from our favorite events to the curling controversy.

Plus Duke’s Three Pointer zeros in on local hoops including Handley basketball Coach Zach Harrell-Zook becoming the youngest coach in VHSL history to 100 career wins, local district champions, and the death of district championship tournaments (with the exception of the Bull Run)!

Available now on The River 95.3 online, Spotify, Amazon, and iTunes here.

Brought to you by Dave and Energy Windows LLC.

Handley’s Harrell-Zook becomes youngest coach to 100 wins, Playoffs begin

John Handley High School head boys basketball coach Zach Harrell-Zook claimed his 100th win as a head coach Monday night against Jefferson, 70-36.

In doing so, Coach Harrell-Zook became the youngest coach in VHSL history to reach the milestone at just 29 years old.

The Millbrook High School graduate is also the youngest coach to reach a VHSL Championship Game when he led the Judges to the 2021 matchup against Smithfield.

This year’s Handley squad secured the #1 seed in Region 4D and will begin their run towards a State Championship next week.

High school basketball playoff coverage begins this week on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, The River 95.3 app, and TheRiver953.com!

Clarke County hosts Strasburg in the girls Bull Run District Championship game on Wednesday night.

Then the Boys Championship game will take place on Thursday night at the highest remaining seed (Tuesday Semifinal Games: #1 Strasburg vs #4 Page, #2 Central vs #3 Luray).

Pregame coverage begins around 7:15 pm on Wednesday and Thursday with Ryan Rutherford and Josh Kirby on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, The River 95.3 app, and TheRiver953.com.

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 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 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.