2016 Girls' Basketball Preview

Robert Stocks The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — With all but two players returning from last year’s team that won 21 games and reached the Group 4A state quarterfinals, Millbrook’s girls’ basketball team is aiming high once again this year.

The Pioneers return junior forward Haile McDonald (15.9 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks) and junior guard/forward Erika Reed (15.1 points, 2.8 assists, 2.1 steals and 2.3 rebounds), who were both first team all-conference selections a season ago, as well as junior point guard Maddie Green (13.4 points, an area-best 7.2 assists, a team-high 3.6 steals and 3.4 rebounds) and junior guard/forward Amari Anthony (7.6 points, 10.8 rebounds), who both earned second team all-conference accolades.

Lauren Reed (16 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals), the Conference 21 West Player of the Year last season who is now a freshman a Shepherd University, is the only starter the Pioneers lost to graduation.

The other big change is that Erick Green replaced Kevin Barr, who resigned back in March, as the Pioneers head coach.

Green plans to make the Pioneers, who went unbeaten in Conference 21 West (sweeping both the regular season and tournament titles), more of a team that relies on tempo and defensive pressure this season.

“We’re definitely a get-up-and-down-the-floor team,” Green said. “We want a secondary transition break, and we’re always pushing the ball up the floor like old Millbrook basketball. We want to apply pressure and see if teams can handle pressure.

“Last year, [the team] played a lot of zone defense. This year, 80 percent of our defense is going to be man. We’re going to be 32 minutes up in [the opponent’s] face — that’s what we’re teaching.”

Based on the Pioneers’ 85-19 victory over Kettle Run in the season opener on Tuesday and Millbrook’s 74-34 win over Osbourn on Thursday night, Green’s players certainly seem to be adjusting to the new system rather well.

Green said what impressed him most was how well the players shared the ball in the opener.

“I have four of the top players in the area on my team,” Green said. “Anyone [of those four] on any given night could be our leading scorer, rebounder or assist leader. They’re very unselfish as a team, and they looked for the open [player]. We don’t have any superstars, we’re a team.”

Green said conditioning has been stressed during practice because he wants his players ready to play a more uptempo style.

“I’m going to hold everybody accountable about being in good shape,” Green added. “Standing around is going to get you on the bench. We’re always going to be moving.”

The Pioneers (2-0), who won their eighth straight Northwestern District title a season ago, made their ninth consecutive regional appearance last year, but Green and the Pioneers have much higher goals this season.

“We’ve only got one goal and that’s to win the state championship,” Green said. “We have a lot of talent from the returning players and the addition of new players. We’re running a lot of plays, so the kids really have to focus in practice and learn the system. It’s a very complex system. Once they get the system down, I see them doing some great things.”

The Pioneers defeated Sherando 69-49 in the conference tournament championship game last season.

Sherando coach Mike Marsh said the Pioneers remain the favorite in the conference race once again.

“Obviously Millbrook has been the perennial power,” Marsh said. “Millbrook has those returning kids and a good system, so they’re going to be strong. Until someone beats the champ, they’re the champ.”

Sherando returns seven players led by first team all-conference guard Davina Lane, who averaged 15.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.6 steals and 1.9 assists.

Marsh, whose team opened the season with a 53-43 conference victory over Harrisonburg on Tuesday, expects the race for the second regional berth to be a good one.

“James Wood played well [against Martinsburg on Wednesday night], and we [beat] Harrisonburg by 10. It’s going to be a competitive conference. We know what we’re capable of. We have to make sure our game is solid. If we can do that and take care of business, we hope we have a chance to play in the postseason.”

Senior guard Amanda Christian (9.8 points) and senior forward/center Hannah Arnold (7.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.9 blocks) return to lead a James Wood team that must fill the void left by Keiana Brooks (19.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and an area-best 4.6 steals).

James Wood coach Krista Crites likes her team’s balance of veterans and newcomers, but she knows the conference race will be challenging.

“Obviously Millbrook is the toughest team, they’re very talented,” said Crites, whose team lost to Martinsburg (W.Va.) 69-62 in overtime in its season opener on Wednedsay night. “Sherando always really hustles, and we’ve had some really good games with them. If everybody comes to play their best ball, then it’s going to be competitive. If everyone plays up to their potential, there should be some good ball games.”

Roster turnover might make it challenging for both Handley and Clarke to reach double-digit wins again this season.

Handley (0-2), who lost its opener to Central 45-34 on Tuesday night, enters a rebuilding phase after losing six players, including first team all-conference selection Angelica Robinson (16.9 points, an area-best 14.7 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 2.2 assists), to graduation.

Clarke (1-1), who lost to Riverside 42-36 in its season opener on Wednesday, only lost two players to graduation, but the departure of Hannah Ravenscroft (8.5 points, 4.2 steals) leaves a void on both ends of the court. Senior guard Jade Payton (8.9 points, 2.4 steals) returns as the Eagles’ most experienced player.

While there was only one coaching change, there’s one Virginia High School League rule change that fans at Millbrook’s games might have already noticed.

There will be a running clock if a team has a 30-point lead in the second half. (The coaches must agree to the rule to use it before the fourth quarter). The clock will only stop for a timeout, an injury or a technical foul.

Marsh said the new rule makes it a little different, but he didn’t think it would be that big of a change.

“We’ve been on both ends of that, but we try not to be in that situation,” Marsh said. “We’re going to play, but [if we have a large lead] we’re going to back up and not pressure. We don’t try to put teams in that situation. We don’t play for numbers, we play to win. We want to win in turnovers, get to the foul line more and rebound more. If we take care of that, we know we have a better chance of winning the ball game. [The new rule] will help some of the weaker teams.”

Following is a glance at the area teams:

Millbrook

Coach: Erick Green, first year

Last year: 21-7, 8-0 Northwestern District, 5-0 Conference 21 West.

Key losses: Lauren Reed and Emily Teese.

Top returning players: Erika Reed, Jr. G/F; Haile McDonald Jr. F, Maddie Green, Jr. PG; Amari Anthony, Jr. G/F; Lily Treiber, Sr. F; Carrington Nordin, Jr. PG; Lexi Kier, Jr. G;

Top newcomers: Alison Hauck, Fr. F; Vanessa Cooper, Fr. PG; Emily Magee, Fr. G; Caitlyn Lawson, Soph. G; Emme Crosen Soph. G; Cailey Donaldson, Soph. C; Mallory Taylor, Fr. C.

Green’s outlook: “We’ve been working hard in practice. The freshmen and newcomers, it’s been an eye opener for them. They’re seeing a different level of intensity in practice and the way we approach the game. The common goal is the state championship. I’m teaching them to understand what it takes to be a champion, and it’s hard work. They’re putting the hard work in.”

Next game: Today, vs. William Fleming, 3:30 p.m.

Sherando

Coach: Mike Marsh, fourth year

Last year: 17-9, 5-3 Northwestern District, 3-2 Conference 21 West.

Key losses: Madison Leckie, Allison Combs and Kali Kremer.

Top returning players: Davina Lane, Sr. G; Kathryn Robertson, Jr. G; Becca Travis, Sr. G-F; Kelli White, Sr. G; Tymber Minnick, Sr. F; Amber Garrett, Jr. G; Abigail Henderson, Sr. C.

Top newcomers: Kambre Ware, Jr. G; Tori Seymour, Jr. F; Amber Strosnider, Jr. G; Hannah Helsley, Jr. F; Marah Humphreys, Jr. G.

Marsh’s outlook: “I hope our experience pays off. We were competitive last year. Hopefully, we’ll be more competitive because we have more mature girls. We try to keep things going and build each season. This group has made the commitment in the offseason to get better and hopefully it shows on the court.”

Next game: Today, vs. Hampshire at Central Tournament, 5 p.m.

James Wood

Coach: Krista Crites, fourth year

Last year: 14-8, 4-4 Northwestern District, 1-4 Conference 21 West.

Key losses: Keiana Brooks and Grace Greene.

Top returning players: Hannah Arnold, Sr. C-F; Amanda Christian, Sr. G; Randi Pusey, Sr. PG; Amber Wooldridge, Jr. G-F; Hannah Burke, Sr. F; Brittany Haney, Jr. G; Dy’Avean Sloane, Sr. G. Karmen Grimes, Jr. G.

Top newcomers: Makayla Firebaugh, Fr. G; Jenny Kerns, Fr. G; Donyell Sloane, Jr. F; Savannah Swanner, Jr. F; Mia Abdallah, Jr. G.

Crites’ outlook: “We move the ball very well. In the past, we’ve kind of been one dimensional with our outside shooting. We have three consistent outside shooters and one that does both inside and outside [shooting]. We just have more shooters than we’ve had in the past. They’re a fun group of kids, and they work hard. Hopefully, the work they put in all summer and up to this point pays off for them.”

Next game: Tuesday, vs. Woodgrove, 7:30 p.m.

Handley

Coach: Randi Jones, third year

Last year: 10-8, 3-5 Northwestern, 2-3 Conference 21 West.

Key losses: Angelica Robinson, Alysandra Worrell, Joneisha Cain and Madi Woodson.

Top returning players: Taneisha Walker, Sr. G; Chloe Putnam, Soph. F; Haley Swartz, Sr. F.

Top newcomers: Neysha Washington, Soph. G; Taylor Beard, Soph. F; Rosemary Crow, Fr. G.

Jones’ outlook: “We lost six players to graduation and another moved, so we are practically a brand new team. We have had a lot to learn as far as X’s and O’s and also having so many new players adjust to playing varsity. The returners are doing a great job leading the new [players] and everyone is working hard and competing everyday.”

Next game: Monday, vs. Fauquier, 6 p.m.

Clarke County

Coach: Regina Downing, fourth year

Last year: 10-14, 7-7 Bull Run District, 4-4 Conference 35.

Key losses: Hannah Ravenscroft and Allegra Eyles.

Top returning players: Jade Payton, Sr. G; Emily Wenzel, Jr. G-F, Megan Hicks, Jr. G; Morgan Withers Sr. G.; Jayla Stephenson, Sr. G;, Cami Sowers, Soph. F-C, Rachel Oliver, Soph. F, Heather See, Soph. G.

Top newcomers: Tasha Koontz, Jr. F; Lauren Clapp, Soph. G; Anna Lowell, Soph. F.

Downing’s outlook: “We’re young right now, but we’re going to be alright. It’s going to be rough in the beginning, but by midseason we should be able to be where we need to be. We’ll be quick and we’ll be very good defensively. It’s going to take some time for us offensively, but I think we can be in every game defensively. We’re working on our offense more for zones because we saw a lot of 2-3 zones or 1-2-2 zones last year.”

Next game: Tuesday, vs. Luray, 7:30 p.m.

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