James, Firebaugh named players of the year in Region 4C

Handey senior forward D’Andre James has been named the Boys’ Co-Player of the Year and James Wood junior guard Makayla Firebaugh has been named the Girls’ Co-Player of the Year to lead the All-Region 4C selections that were released on Tuesday.

James shares Player of the Year honors with Loudoun Valley junior Trent Dawson and Firebaugh shares top honors with Loudoun Valley senior Olivia Badura.

James led Handley in scoring during the regular season with 14.6 points per game and led the area in field goal percentage (66.3), making 122 of 184 shots. James also made 62 of 93 free throws (.667).

James was joined on the boys’ first team by senior teammate and guard Kevin Curry (12.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, area-best 2.4 steals) and Millbrook senior forward Jalen Tyson (area-best 15.5 points to go with 7.9 rebounds).

Second-team selections are Handley senior point guard Sam Wise (8.1 points, 2.2 steals, area-high 5.3 assists), Millbrook junior point guard Jordan Jackson (10.9 points, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals) and Sherando sophomore forward Keli Lawson (10.9 points, area-best 8.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.6 blocks, 1.5 steals).

Firebaugh led the area in scoring this year with 24.5 points and also averaged 6.6 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 2.6 assists.

Firebaugh is joined on the girls’ first team by Millbrook senior guard Jalyn Abernathy (area-best 4.2 assists, co-area steals leader with 5.4 per game, 8.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.0 blocks) and junior forward Ali Hauck (15.4 points, area-best 13.5 rebounds, area-best 3.1 blocks, co-area steals leader with 5.4 per game, and 3.2 steals).

Second-team selections are Handley senior forward Taylor Beard (14.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.8 steals, 2.0 blocks) and sophomore guard McKenzie Jolliffe (13.6 points, 2.7 assists, 2.2 steals), James Wood junior guard Brenna Prunty (12.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.4 steals) and Sherando senior guard/forward Ashton Clark (17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.5 steals).

The two Region 4C championship coaches, Riverside’s Mike Koscinski (boys) and Loudoun Valley’s Kenyamo McFarlane (girls) were named the Region 4C Coaches of the Year.

— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.