Handley's James, Wood's Firebaugh named Class 4 Northwestern District Basketball Players of the Year

Handey senior forward D’Andre James has been named the Boys’ Player of the Year and James Wood junior guard Makayla Firebaugh has been named the Girls’ Player of the Year to lead Class 4 All-Northwestern District basketball selections that were released on Wednesday night.

James led Handley in scoring during the regular season with 14.6 points per game. Handley’s Jason Toton has been named the Boys’ Coach of the Year after leading the Judges to their second straight Class 4 Northwestern District regular season and tournament championship.

Firebaugh led the area in scoring during the regular season with 24.0 points per game. Handley’s Randi Jones has been named the Girls’ Coach of the Year after leading the Judges to a 14-8 overall record and a 7-5 district record (tied for third) after the team went 12-11 overall and 5-7 in the district last year (fifth).

Joining James on the boys’ first team are senior teammates and guards Kevin Curry and Sam Wise, Millbrook senior forward Jalen Tyson and junior guard Jordan Jackson, and Sherando sophomore forward Keli Lawson.

Second-team selections are Handley senior guard Tyson Long and sophomore guard Demitri Gardner, Millbrook senior guard Noah Thomas, and Sherando senior guard George Gibson.

James Wood sophomore forward Ben Smith is an honorable mention selection.

Joining Firebaugh on the girls’ first team are junior guard and teammate Brenna Prunty, Millbrook senior guard Jalyn Abernathy and junior forward Ali Hauck, Handley senior forward Taylor Beard and sophomore guard McKenzie Jolliffe, and Sherando senior guard/forward Ashton Clark.

Second-team selections are Millbrook senior forward Hailey Paige, junior guard Emily Magee and freshman guard Avery O’Roke, James Wood junior guard Jenny Kerns, Sherando sophomore guard Asia James, and Handley senior guard Neysha Washington.

Sherando sophomore guard Bella Entsminger and Handley junior forward Kiah McFarlane are honorable mention selections.

Tickets on sale for regional girls’ final

Millbrook High School will have 150 pre-sale tickets available for the Pioneers’ Region 4C girls’ basketball championship game at Loudoun Valley tonight.

Tickets are $7 and will be available in the main office from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Loudoun Valley will have a separate ticket gate open for the pre-sale tickets, which must be checked in by 5:45 p.m. The championship game between the Pioneers (22-3) and Vikings (22-2) will tip off at 6 p.m.