A year ago, the Handley High School boys’ basketball team smashed its opponents repeatedly in running out to a 20-0 start, winning every single game by double digits.
Twenty straight double-figure wins to start the season isn’t a likely scenario for the Judges in 2025-26. But their experience, talent and challenging regular-season schedule could help them end the postseason with a winning streak that would be historic.
After last year’s 25-2 campaign that ended with a 56-52 Class 4 state semifinal loss to Varina, Handley will take aim at winning its first state title in program history led by four returning full-time starters and a part-time starter. Virginia Preps has the Judges as the preseason favorite, with Handley ranked No. 1 in Class 4. The Basketball Coaches Association of Virginia poll has Handley and Varina sharing the No. 1 spot.
The Judges will again be led by 6-foot-3 junior Will Braun-Duin, a two-time Winchester Star Player of the Year and two-time Class 4 All-State selection. Braun-Duin — who has scholarship offers from NCAA Division I Old Dominion, Tennessee-Martin, American and Mount Saint Mary’s — was also named the Region 4D and Northwestern District Player of the Year last season.
Braun-Duin earned First Team Class 4 honors last year after leading the area in scoring (26.4 points per game), steals (2.3) and free throw percentage (87.4). He also ranked second in rebounds (6.4), assists (3.3) and 3-point percentage (44.6; his 90 makes were 36 more than anyone else) and fourth in field goal percentage (53.4).
Senior Christian Dinges led the area in rebounds (6.5), blocks (1.1) and field goal percentage (64.7). The 6-foot-6 player also ranked second in scoring (13.6 points), steals (2.3; his 61 total was 1 behind Braun-Duin), fourth in free throw percentage (71.6) and tied for eighth in assists (2.0). The Class 4 Second Team and Region 4D First Team pick will have a post-graduate year at Fork Union Military Academy year.
Senior Kyren Oglesby led the area in assists last year with 3.7 per game. The 6-foot-4 Oglesby also ranked third in rebounds (5.9), eighth in scoring (10.2 points) and 3-point percentage (33.8), and ninth in free throw percentage (68.5). He was a Region 4D and Northwestern District First Team pick.
Senior Jaevon Brisco returns after being second in the area in made 3-pointers last year (54) and fifth in 3-point percentage (35.5). Brisco also averaged 8.4 points per game and 2.0 assists. He was a Northwestern District First Team selection.
The Judges also return a standout defender and occasional starter in senior Amari Brown, who averaged nearly 5 points per game last year.
Handley prepared itself well for the season with a challenging spring and summer schedule.
The Judges went 6-2 in the Capitol Hoops Summer League held in Hyattsville, Maryland, beating 2025 Class 6 state finalist C.G. Woodson and Class 6 South County in the competition. They were 6-0 at the Liberty team camp, which included wins over Region 4D semifinalist George Washington-Danville (21-4 last season), West Virginia Class AAAA state quarterfinalist Parkersburg South, and Evergreen Christian School in Leesburg.
Handley played three games in the Philly Live event, losing by 12 to Pennsylvania Class 6 state champion Father Judge, the state’s top-ranked team for public and private schools.
The Judges beat Class 6 state semifinalist Landsdown and Class 6 Robinson at the VHSL Virginia Live event.
At the inaugural East Coast Live Showcase at the Henrico Sports & Events Center that featured 82 teams, Handley beat Class 6 state quarterfinalist Patriot, Class 5 King’s Fork and trailed by just four points with two minutes to go against nationally-ranked Petersburg.
Handley will be tested by its schedule in the regular season.
The Judges will play three games in the Arby’s Classic from Dec. 27-30 at Virginia High School in Bristol. The 20-team event will bring in schools from Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, Florida and Kentucky. One of Handley’s games will be against Virginia’s nationally ranked Oak Hill Academy.
On Feb. 7, Handley will play Varina in a state semifinal rematch at the Adam Ward Classic at Salem High School. The Blue Devils have three starters still in school from last year. Two of them are playing football right now, including Second Team All-State selection DaMari Carter. First Team All-State selection Brian Mitchell transferred to Paul VI. Mitchell scored 17 of his game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter against Handley last year.
The Judges’ schedule also includes games against Class 5 Briar Woods and non-area teams like Class 4 Huguenot (Richmond) and Class 4 Denbigh (Newport News).
Class 4’s defending state champion Atlee was senior-laden last year and lost both of its All-State players to graduation.
While Handley is the clear favorite locally, Millbrook is off to a promising 2-0 start after going 15-9 and falling to the Judges in the Region 4D semifinals last year.
Senior Rylee Baker leads the Pioneers and is averaging 19.5 points per game. Last year, Baker ranked third in the area in scoring (13.5 points), fourth in 3-point percentage (37.6), seventh in free throw percentage (69.6) and field goal percentage (49.6), and tied for seventh in steals (1.7). He was a Region 4D and Northwestern District Second Team selection.
Other returners for the Pioneers include Daniel Clater (7.7 ppg last year) and Keon Lewis (7.1 ppg), who had 15 points in Wedneday’s win over Kettle Run. Sophomore Keanan Dennis had 13 points in the season opener against Fauquier.
Sherando (13-12 last year; 0-1 this season after losing to Central on Wednesday) returns a pair of Region 4D Honorable Mention and Second Team All-District selections in seniors Sean Benton (team-high 9.7 ppg and 5.0 rpg) and Jackson Ogle (9.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg).
Benton ranked third in the area in 3-point percentage (43.9) and fifth in field goal percentage (50.3) last year. Ogle ranked first in the area in 3-point percentage (47.5, 19 of 40), third in field percentage (53.5) and third in free throw percentage (72.1). Senior Angel Guzman returns after averaging 2.4 assists per game.
James Wood (11-11) last year is off to a 1-0 start under new head coach Chris Higgs, the JV head coach last year.
Senior Brodie Sirbaugh (Second Team All-District, Honorable Mention All-Region) had 16 points in the win over Clarke County and averaged a team-best 10.7 ppg (tied for fifth in area) and 2.3 steals per game. Senior guard Ashby Copenhaver was Honorable Mention for the district and region after averaging 9.2 points per game. He scored 12 points on Monday.
James Wood also brings back Ronnie Barrett (14 points against Clarke) and Mike Bell (11 points against Clarke, team-high 4.8 rebounds per game last year).
Clarke County is coming off a 7-15 season and has played the one game this year against the Colonels.
The Eagles lost three of their four top scorers last year but do bring back junior Isaac Nei, who averaged 10.2 ppg (tied for eighth in the area), 4.3 rpg, 2.3 apg (tied for first in the area) and 2.3 spg. Nei also ranked second in the area in free throw percentage (76 percent). Varsity newcomer Chris Reid, a junior, had a game-high 20 points against the Colonels, and senior Maddox Roberts had 11 points.
The following is a glance at each area team:
Handley
Coach: Zach Harrell-Zook, sixth season
Last season: 25-2; Region 4D champions; lost to Varina in Class 4 state semifinals.
Key losses: Brendan Campbell, Jashaun Offutt, Logan Ambrose, Dontrell McCreath.
Key returners: Will Braun-Duin, Jr; Christian Dinges, Sr.; Jaevon Brisco, Sr.; Kyren Oglesby, Sr.; Amari Brown, Sr.
Key newcomers: Silas Miller, Jr.; Asher Mattison, Fr.; Timmy Campbell, Jr.
Harrell-Zook’s outlook: “I want to see us play hard, play smart, play together, and play for each other for 32 minutes every single night. The rest will handle itself. [To win a state title], it’s going to take a combination of things that have never been done in school history. It is a long list of challenges and we have to turn over every stone. We have to focus on one game at a time and getting better every day. We will certainly be battle-tested with our schedule and as prepared as possible for a postseason run.
“We took things to a really high level defensively from a schematic standpoint this offseason and especially this summer during live period play. If we are able to execute what we have installed we will be better on the defensive end significantly. We will also be older and stronger. Offensively, we are at the point where we can play more conceptually, which is a lot harder to guard and defend. It took a significant amount of time to get here, but we are there. Teams that are able to play conceptual rather than systemic are significantly harder to defend. [All of our players have] bought in and worked very hard. If teams plan on just loading up on Will, they’re gonna be in for a long night and clearly didn’t watch enough tape.”
First game: Dec. 13 vs. Huguenot in Handley Showcase
Millbrook
Coach: Erick Green, Sr., third season
Last season: 15-9; lost to Handley in Region 4D semifinals.
Key losses: Shawn Rooks, Dreyton Bailey, Kyle Arthur, Trey White, Sammy Martey.
Key returners: Rylee Baker, Sr., G; Keon Lewis, Jr., G; Daniel Clater, Jr., F; Isaiah Charles-Munoz, Jr., G; Keanan Dennis, So., G; Josue Hernandez Morales, Sr., F; Rome Johnson, Jr., G; Braylon Fauver, So., C.
Key newcomers: Keegan Hepner, Fr., F; Tyler Jones, Sr., G; Carter Kinley, Jr., G; Carlos Valladares Melendez, So., C.
Green’s outlook: “I think we’ll be very competitive. This being my third year, I think we’ll be expecting more than the previous two years. We’re definitely expecting to compete for making it to the region tournament, and hopefully, advance from there. Shawn Rooks was a great shooter, and Kyle Arthur, he gave it to you on both ends of the court. Great offensive threat, great defensive pressure type of kid. Losing them two, it’s going to be extremely hard to replace their intensity and their basketball skills. But I think as the season goes on, some of these kids will step up and try to give us what those kids gave us, and more.
“This is the first year I’ve had all of these basketball players go out for football, so most of those kids haven’t touched a basketball for four months. Our shooting is not its best right now, but we’re in the gym every day, getting shots up, trying to get the feel of the ball back and get our legs back. We’re just taking it one step at a time. Hopefully, when it counts, we’ll be at our full potential and ready to go. [Baker and Lewis] had key roles in our success last year, and I think they will have big seasons. We’re also looking to guys like Isaiah Charles, Rome Johnson, Keanan Dennis and Daniel Clater to lift us and take us to a higher level.”
Next game: Friday vs. Broadway in Broadway tournament
Sherando
Coach: Garland Williams, 29th season
Last season: 13-12; lost to Handley in Region 4D quarterfinals.
Key losses: Micah Carlson, Landon Dahlinger, Rayan Hussain, Blake Sneddon.
Key returners: Sean Benton, Sr.; Jackson Ogle, Sr.; Angel Guzman, Sr.; Reth Puller, Jr., Avery Tann, Sr., Peyton Sullivan, Sr.; Carmelo Copeland, Sr.; Joshua Miller, Sr.; Braedon Symons, Sr.
Key newcomers: Moses Hughes, Fr.; Darian Green, Jr.; Nate Lloyd, Jr.; Brayden Sheets, Jr.; Gavin Even, Jr.; Tyson Kinkead, Jr.; Tanner Dicken, Jr.
Williams’ outlook: “We usually keep 14 or 15 players, but we had some players who were pretty close in tryouts, so we just kept 16. We feel like we have some pretty good depth. We had some JV guys come up who we feel can come in and give us a good boost, and we feel like we have a good nucleus from last year. We hope we can be in the hunt of things. We know that Handley has a really strong team again, and we know that Millbrook will be strong. James Wood played a good bit over the fall. So all of our local guys, that’s going to be a battle every night.
“We hope we can give a little more pressure in some situations. I think we have a little more quickness to be a better defensive team than last year, and hopefully, we can rebound the ball better. Sean, Jack and Reth are top returners, and we feel that Angel will provide some good leadership for us, along with Josh Miller. Avery Tann has shown some good improvement from last year. Hopefully, everything comes together for a good, prosperous year for us.”
Next game: Tuesday vs. Central
James Wood
Coach: Chris Higgs, first season
Last season: 11-11; lost to Sherando in Region 4D first round.
Key losses: Paul Brooks, Zach Woskobunik, Alex Evans, Alex Gritton, Jordyn Sweetser.
Key returners: Brodie Sirbaugh, Sr., G; Ashby Copenhaver, Sr., G; Ethan Tran, Sr., G; Michael Bell, Sr., F, Ronnie Barrett, Jr., C; Aidric Yurish, Jr., G; Jake Woskobunik, So., F.
Key newcomers: Xander Manzo, Sr., G; Cody Rosenberger, Sr., F; Riley Myers, Jr., F; Sam Tollok, Jr., F; Davion Ford, Fr., G.
Higgs’ outlook: “In my first year leading the program, we are trying to get our players to focus on being a physical, defensive-first team that values possessions. For us, everything starts on the defensive end and with rebounding and creating turnovers. Offensively, it is all about trust/execution, taking smart shots, and sharing the ball. We want to play fast but have to understand that doesn’t mean we have to shoot fast.
“Our focus is on ourselves, competing in practice and getting better each day so that it carries over from game to game. We want our guys to be great teammates and give everything they have every day. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the coaches and programs in our district, which will be very competitive. Playing against talented and very well-coached teams in Millbrook with Coach Green, Handley with Coach Harrell-Zook, and Sherando with Coach Williams will make for exciting games regularly in the district.”
Next game: Friday at Fauquier
Clarke County
Coach: Kent Auslander, third season
Last season: 7-15 (5-9 Bull Run District).
Key losses: Lincoln Booker, Tanner Sipe, Colton Johnson.
Key returners: Isaac Nei, Jr., SG; Maddox Roberts, Sr., PG; Drae Ellis, Sr., G; Aidan Genda, Sr., G; Jacob Taylor, Sr., F; Brynmor AhChong, Sr., F.
Key newcomers: Chris Reid, Jr. G; Nick Kerr-Hobert, Jr., G.
Auslander’s outlook: “I think we have the talent to compete with everyone, but if we don’t bring high energy and play hard every night, then we won’t be as successful as we hope. We have a very strong district/region this year with Luray, Central and Page County all returning key players from the year before. I think they are the three favorites going into it. But the district is deep and everyone can compete with each other and upset one another.
“I feel we have a little more offensive talent this year. More ball-handling and shooting ability across the board. We also have more size and length across our lineup to go along with some solid athleticism. The hope is that we are improved across the board from last year but we lack the leadership that graduated at this time. Those senior leaders we lost played very hard and instilled that energy in others. Maddox Roberts has vastly improved. Aidan Genda and Brynmor AhChong are both players we will rely on that have improved from a year ago.”
Next game: Tuesday at Catoctin (Maryland)
— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at rniedzwiecki@winchesterstar.com
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