Girls' basketball outlook

Few could have imagined when Clarke County went 1-8 during the COVID-shortened 2021 season that Clarke County would become a girls’ basketball powerhouse.

Regina Downing’s squad rebounded the next year to advance to the Class 2 quarterfinals.

And last season, the Eagles took it all.

Clarke County netted Bull Run and Region 2B titles on the way to bringing home the Class 2 state championship, knocking off defending champion Central-Wise 45-41 in Richmond.

While last season may have had a fairy-tale ending, Regina Downing and her players want to add a few more chapters to the story.

Despite losing two starters, including Second Team All-State selection Keira Rohrbach, the Eagles are confident and hungry they can bring the big trophy home again.

They certainly looked good to open the season Friday, rolling to a 71-32 triumph against Class 3 Skyline.

Clarke County’s optimism certainly isn’t without merit. The Eagles return three starters, including the versatile Alainah McKavish, who averaged 14.1 points and 6.5 rebounds in earning First Team All-State honors as a freshman. McKavish netted 24 points in the season opener.

Downing also returns starters Kaiya Williams, a top-notch defender who is deadly from 3-point range, and Selene Good, a stopper on defense. Emily Emmart, Bailey Beard and Devin Simmons-McDonald also have experience from last season.

The coming season for the area’s four Class 4 teams could be as predictable as the winter weather.

Sherando, coming off of its second consecutive run to the state quarterfinals, lost its top three scorers, including freshman sensation Aliza Murray, who transferred to Virginia Academy in Ashburn.

Yet without much of last season’s offense, the Warriors are off to a 3-0 start, which includes a win in the Hampshire Tournament.

Brooklyn Wilson’s team is getting it done with defense so far this season, having held their three opponents to an average of 40 points. The primary offensive weapons are guards Asia Williams, Josie Willett and Farren Crist, who all can shoot from long distance. Williams led the area in assists last season.

Millbrook, facing a tough schedule, is off to a tough 1-2 start as new coach Cary Bartlett tries to continue what former coach Erick Green, Sr., who led the Pioneers to a state title and a pair of runner-up finishes, started. The Pioneers continue to play frenetic pressure defense, but have struggled at the start offensively.

Junior Jaliah Jackson (a 6-0 center) averaged a double-double with 11.9 points and 12.0 rebounds per game, while leading the area in steals (3.8) and blocked shots (3.5) per game. Point guard Michaela Owens is an excellent long-distance shooter. Jada Arrington and Valentina Burrill are excellent athletes who provide speed and defense.

James Wood also suffered a pair of huge losses. Winchester Star Player of the Year Brynna Nesselrodt, who averaged 20.9 points per game, graduated and junior soccer standout Jolie Jenkins, who averaged 10.5 points, is not playing this season.

Sanford Silver’s club is led this season by returning guards Nayah Edwards and Maddie Shirley, returning center Josie Russell and guard Brooklynn Medina, a transfer from Martinsburg, W.Va.

Going 8-15 last season might not seem like a great turnaround, but it was huge for Handley, which was 1-22 the previous season.

Katlyn Orndorff’s squad is showing that the Judges just might be able to contend with the top of the district. Handley is off to a 2-0 start entering Monday’s action. The Judges are winning with a mix of old faces and two key transfers. Flashy guard Olivia Jett returns and can score points in bunches. Guard Cameron Hobson is a solid defender.

Sisters Reagan and Corin Edsell, transfers from Spring Mills, W.Va., have made huge impacts early. Each was a top scorer in the Judges’ two wins, one over a Spotswood team that had previously beaten Millbrook. Reagan Edsell is averaging 17 points in two games and Corin led in scoring against Fauquier with 18 points.

All four area teams know that their regular-season record will determine seedings in the Region 4D tournament. Unlike in years past, only one area team will have the opportunity to advance past the regional level and that team must capture the Region 4D North Division crown in the playoffs. That winner will face the South champion for the Region 4D title.

Clarke County

Coach: Regina Downing, 11th season

Last season: 25-5, 13-3 Bull Run District. District, Region 2B and Class 2 champions.

Key losses: Hailey Evans, Keira Rohrbach, Willow Oliver, Emma Nelson.

Key returners: Kaiya Williams (Sr., G), Alainah McKavish (So., G/F); Bailey Beard (Sr., G/F); Emily Emmart (Sr., C); Selene Good (Sr., G), Devin Simmons-McDonald (Jr., F).

Key newcomers: Courtney Paskel (Jr., G); Caydence Roberts (Jr., G/F).

Downing’s outlook: "We are looking for the seniors to provide the leadership and guidance that pushes us hard in practice. The team knows what is expected of them and they understand that our defense has to be better than last year. We will continue to hang our hats on our defense. All of our players have taken the offseason to build their individual skill sets. Now we have to bring it all together as a team. Bringing six experienced players back helps us tremendously. The district is going to be tough from top to bottom. Every game is going to be hard fought. I think that we should be among the top teams in the district.”

Next game: Tuesday at James Wood

Sherando

Head coach: Brooklyn Wilson, fifth season

Last season: 22-5, 10-2 Class 4 Northwestern District. District tournament champion and regular season co-champion, Region 4D runner-up, Class 4 quarterfinalist.

Key losses: Jaiden Polston, Grace Burke, Emma Clark, Aliza Murray.

Key returners: Asia Williams (Sr., G), Paige McKee (Sr., F), Averi Thomas (Sr., G), Farren Crist (Jr., G), Josie Willett (Jr., G).

Key newcomers: Madison Mood (Jr., F), Hannah Sutphin (Jr., F), Kaylee Hogan (Jr., F), Allison Williams (Sr., G), Meghan Walker (Jr., G), Julia Jenkins (So., G, transfer from Strasburg), Avery Ryan (Fr., G).

Wilson’s outlook: “While we know we are trying to rebuild after losing some key players, we are looking to be competitive and remain near the top of the region throughout the season. We have an aggressive and skilled group that are improving everyday and working to continue to be a winning program. … Madison Mood has been working very hard in the offseason and putting in a lot of work to get better. As a new JV player last year, she has improved significantly and I am expecting her to have a great season. Looking at our region, I expect there to be several well-coached and skilled teams. It will certainly be a change from what we’ve done in the past, but I am looking forward to the new format which really emphasizes how important every single game is. It will help hold us accountable in giving our best effort each night as coaches and players.”

Next game: Wednesday vs. Musselman (W.Va.).

Millbrook

Coach: Cary Bartlett, first season

Last season: 19-7, 10-2 Class 4 Northwestern District. District regular-season co-champion (won playoff for No. 1 seed) and Region 4D semifinalist.

Key losses: Hannah Stephanites, Kaylene Todd, Kiara Hill.

Key returners: Hailey Williams (Sr., G), Michaela Owens (Sr., G), Valentina Burrill (Sr., F), Jaliah Jackson (Jr., F), Jada Arrington (Jr, G), Jane Moreland (So., F).

Key newcomers: Kamora Talley (Sr., G); Essence O’Banion (Jr. F); Kaylyn Chandler (So. G); Maia Parks (Fr., F); Riley Basye (Fr., G).

Bartlett’s outlook: “Our expectations remain the same as every year at Millbrook, and that is to win as many games as possible, advance to the postseason and play for a state championship. We have a great nucleus of core players returning who have experience and have played in big games. We expect to be competitive in every game and the girls have bought into the preparation needed to be a top-tier team. We have a really athletic group this year that possesses speed, length, and aggressiveness. We expect to use this to create havoc defensively and play a fast aggressive style of basketball. … We return six players from last years’ team that saw significant playing time and starter minutes. Jaliah Jackson is entering her third year as a starter for us. She is a tenacious competitor who can take over the game with her scoring, rebounding, and defensive length. Michaela Owens is our floor general and is our steadying influence. She is a reliable ball-handler and a knockdown shooter who can score in bunches. Valentina Burrill developed into a top-tier defender for us last year. She will be asked to score more this season and help control the backboards. Jane Moreland has really taken a big step for us since last year. She had a great fall league and showed she is ready to step into a large role. Hailey Williams is another seasoned player we will rely on to take on a larger role. She is an excellent ball-handler and shooter. We have several newcomers we are excited to have. Kamora Talley has shown tremendous improvement from last season. Her explosive athleticism gives us another strong defender with speed who can help us play the style of ball we want to play. We also added Essence O’Banion, another athletic player who is strong and aggressive on both ends of the court. Maia Parks and Riley Basye are two freshmen who have come in and contributed right away. … Our district has always been a great barometer for us in terms of our overall preparation for the postseason and we anticipate that to again be the case. Now that we are in Region 4D with new postseason criteria for advancing to regional play, we view it as an opportunity. Our mindset is that every game matters now.”

Next game: Thursday vs. Harrisonburg

James Wood

Coach: Sanford Silver, fourth season

Last season: 16-8, 9-3 Class 4 Northwestern District

Key losses: Brynna Nesselrodt, Jolie Jenkins.

Key returners: Nayah Edwards (Jr., G); Josie Russell (Jr., C); Maddie Shirley (Jr., G); Mia Fritz (Sr., F); Aubrey Nail (So., G).

Key newcomers: Brooklynn Medina (Sr., G); Ashlyn Evans (Fr., G), Erin Link (Fr., F).

Silver’s outlook: “Nayah Edwards, we look for her to pick up where she left off causing all kinds of havoc on the defensive side. Alongside of her is Maddie Shirley, who can play some defense and knock down the three ball for us. Mia Fritz will contribute with hard play underneath and Josie Russell will be a huge standout for us in many ways. Aubrey Nail, a key returner who is putting in the work, will be fun to watch. Brooklynn Medina, a senior transfer from Martinsburg, will play a huge impact at guard/shooting guard. She brings tough defense and great court awareness and knows how to stretch the floor, which will be amazing for us. Ashlyn Evans will be a new player to watch along with Erin Link, two 9th-graders that can drain the big shot. … Our team’s and coach’s expectations are state bound and return as your new state champions.”

Next game: Tuesday vs. Clarke County

Handley

Coach: Katlyn Orndorff, second season

Last season: 8-15 overall, 4-8 Class 4 Northwestern District

Key losses: Laura Hogan, Jadyn Washington, Zamia Roe, Hannah Yerkie.

Key returners: Khadijah Long (Sr., SG), Olivia Jett (Jr., SG), Cameron Hobson (So., SG).

Key newcomers: Corin Edsell (Sr., SG), Reagan Edsell (So., SG).

Orndorff’s expectations: “This season we are looking to continue to build a strong program at Handley. Last season we improved tremendously and hope to build off of last season. I think we have a great group this year and look forward to getting started. Corin Edsell, Olivia Jett, Cameron Hobson, and Reagan Edsell have really impressed me in the offseason. They all have put in a significant amount of time and effort into becoming the best during our offseason. They push and give you 100 percent at all times. … I think the district will have some great matchups this season. We expect to see ourselves higher in the district/region this year and display our improvement over last season. The new region will bring new challenges, but the group we have for this year is up for that challenge. The postseason format is an interesting setup and just makes every game so important to make it to the postseason.”

Next game: Friday at Kettle Run

— Contact Walt Moody at
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