Girls' basketball preview

After recording one of the best seasons in program history, the Handley High School girls’ basketball team will now look to sustain its success.

The Judges improved from 8-15 in 2022-23 to 22-1 in 2023-24, suffering its only defeat in the Region 4D semifinals to a Charlottesville squad that was also undefeated at the time. Handley had its first undefeated regular season since 1980, matched the 1980 team for the best start to a season for the program at 22-0, captured its first Northwestern District title since 2007, and won its first regional game since 2013.

The Judges return five of their top six scorers, including the biggest reason for their success in Reagan Edsell. The junior earned Winchester Star and Class 4 Northwestern District Player of the Year honors and was named First Team All-Region 4D after averaging 17.1 points (second in the area), 12.0 rebounds, 5.6 steals and 4.2 blocks (all area-best marks) and 2.3 assists. The 5-foot-10 Edsell — who also made 51.4 percent of her field goal attempts — has received offers to play from 23 Division I schools, including Virginia programs James Madison, William & Mary, Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth, Radford and George Mason.

Handley will be without a major contributor in Edsell’s older sister Corin (now at NCAA Division II Shepherd University), who tied for third in the area in scoring at 15.2 points per game and excelled as a 3-pointer shooter, ball handler, and on defense. But the Judges’ returnees include senior guard Olivia Jett (9.8 points, 2.1 assists, First Team All-District, Honorable Mention All-Region 4D), junior guard Cameron Hobson (8.3 points, Second Team All-District) and sophomore forward Reese Craig (4.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, Honorable Mention All-District).

The graduation losses for Millbrook (12-11, 5-3) include Michaela Owens (now playing for NCAA Division III Juniata), Hailey Williams (NCAA Division III Bridgewater) and Valentina Burill, each of whom earned All-District honors. The Pioneers will also be without their second-leading scorer from last year in Jada Arrington, another All-District pick who is focusing on her track sprinting career this year.

The Pioneers will roll out two players whose skill and height should give opponents fits on a regular basis. Six-foot-1 senior forward Jaliah Jackson earned First Team All-Region 4D honors last year after tying for third in the area with a 15.2 scoring average, ranking first in field goal percentage (56.2), fourth in rebounding (8.0) and third in blocks (2.4). Jane Moreland, a 6-2 junior forward, was named Honorable Mention All-District after averaging 5.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game.

Sherando (10-10, 4-4) graduated Asia Williams (now at Bridgewater), but the Warriors bring back two highly productive guards in seniors Josie Willett (First Team All-District, Region 4D Honorable Mention, 11.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 steals) and Farren Crist (8.6 points, Second Team All-District).

James Wood (9-13, 5-5) graduated First Team All-District guard Brooklynn Medina (now at NCAA Division II Salem) and will be without Nayah Edwards, a Second Team All-District selection last year who ranked third on the team in rebounds and steals, due to injury. James Wood will still feature its other two All-District selections in senior forward Josie Russell (First Team, 12.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, 2.3 assists) and senior guard Maddie Shirley (Second Team, 3.8 points, 3.3 steals).

In Region 4D, Charlottesville advanced to the Class 4 quarterfinals before suffering its only loss. The Black Knights return two of their three All-Region 4D selections but lost Player of the Year Rayquel Allen.

In the Bull Run District, Clarke County (17-9, 8-6) lost four more players from its 2023 Class 2 state championship team, including All-Region 2B Second Team selections Kaiya Williams and Selene Good. The Eagles still feature junior Alainah McKavish, a two-time First Team All-State selection who averaged an area-best 22.2 points, tied for the area lead with 3.9 assists, and was third in rebounding (8.6).

The Eagles were one of five Bull Run District teams that finished at least eight games over .500 overall last year. Defending champion Strasburg, a Class 2 state semifinalist, no longer has All-State player Macy Smith (now at St. Bonaventure).

The following is a glance at each area team:

Handley

Coach: Katlyn Orndorff, third season

Last season: 22-1 (8-0 Class 4 Northwestern District); lost to Charlottesville in Region 4D semifinals.

Key losses: Corin Edsell, Khadijah Long.

Key returners: Olivia Jett, Sr., G; Reagan Edsell, Jr., F; Cameron Hobson, Jr., G; Reese Craig, So., F

Key newcomers: Autumn Wotring, So., SF; Bella Hines, Fr., SF.

Orndorff’s outlook: “I’m eager to see how we evolve over the season. We hope to stay on pace with our success from last season within the district. Defense will be key for us this season. Returners Olivia Jett, Reagan Edsell, Cameron Hobson and Reese Craig have put in a lot of work in the offseason. I think it will pay off throughout the season and will only benefit the team.”

First game: Tuesday vs. Heritage (Leesburg)

Millbrook

Coach: Cary Bartlett, second season

Last season: 12-11 (5-3 Class 4 Northwestern District); lost to Charlottesville in Region 4D quarterfinals.

Key losses: Michaela Owens, Hailey Williams, Valentina Burrill, Kamora Talley, Jada Arrington.

Key returners: Jaliah Jackson, Sr. F/C; Jane Moreland, Jr., F/C; Kaylyn Chandler, Jr., G/F; Maia Parks, So., F; Riley Bayse, So., G/F.

Key newcomers: Lexi Welch, Jr., G; Sofia Lara, So., F; Mackenzie Jones, Fr. G; Grace Moreland, Fr., G; Emily Randall, Fr., G.

Bartlett’s outlook: “The standards and expectations remain the same as previous years, and that is to compete for a district championship and claim a postseason berth. We expect to play hard and be competitive every night. We have a blend of veterans and newcomers who have meshed nicely and formed a solid nucleus. Although we are young as a group, I think we will surprise teams with how hard we play and how talented these girls are. Youth allows for opportunities to grow and mature as the season progresses. We hope to be playing our best basketball as the postseason starts. Naturally we want to win and be at the top of the district when the season ends.

“Last season, we dealt with some critical injuries that forced us to change lineups and rotations consistently throughout the season. Those players are healthy now and have had great offseason workouts. We have a young nucleus of guards who are talented and have shown tremendous growth this fall. We have a good blend of size, speed, shooters and ball handlers. We have good depth at all positions. Most importantly we have a great group of young ladies who play unselfish basketball and who are capable and willing to do the necessary work.

“Jaliah Jackson and Jane Moreland are both playing at a high level and will anchor our team. Kaylyn Chandler has really blossomed into a solid contributor who can shoot it and score the ball. Maia Parks has really improved her overall game and will be counted on to play meaningful minutes. We have a trio of freshmen guards in Grace Moreland, Emily Randall and Mackenzie Jones who will step into big roles for us. All three possess unique skills sets that mesh well with what our team needs. They have improved and adapted quickly to the Millbrook way. Our depth has improved in all areas and I anticipate them all seeing action.”

First game: Tuesday vs. Kettle Run

Sherando

Head coach: Brooklyn Wilson, sixth season

Last season: 10-10 (4-4 Class 4 Northwestern District).

Key losses: Asia Williams, Paige McKee, Averi Thomas, Allison Williams.

Key returners: Josie Willet, Sr., G; Farren Crist, Sr., G; Madison Mood, Sr., F; Hannah Sutphin, Sr., F; Kaylee Hogan, Sr., F; Julia Jenkins, Jr., G; Avery Ryan, So., G.

Key newcomers: Theresa Basile, Jr., G; Arial Robinson, Jr., F; Lily Strong, Jr. G; Victoria Holbrook, So., F; Taylor Spiewak, So., G (transfer from Mountain View Christian Academy, averaged 8.3 rebounds per game).

Wilson’s outlook: “I feel that we will have a competitive team this year composed of both seasoned players along with a handful of newcomers. We have an athletic group that is eager and excited to play and we feel that we will be good competition for the teams in our district/region. I think we have an experienced group of returners this year led by Josie Willett and Farren Crist. I think we have improved our shooting as well as our defensive pressure. I think there is always room to improve every aspect of our game and we’re looking forward to seeing that improvement throughout the season. Madison Mood has put in an incredible amount of work over the offseason. She has extended her range from outside, as well as working on her post moves and footwork. I’m looking forward to seeing her hard work pay off.”

First game: Tuesday vs. Skyline

James Wood

Coach: Sanford Silver, fifth season

Last season: 9-13 (3-5 Class 4 Northwestern District).

Key losses: Brooklynn Medina, Nayah Edwards, Mia Fritz.

Key returners: Josie Russell, Sr., F; Maddie Shirley, Sr., G; Aubrey Nail, Jr., G; Ashley Evans, So., G.

Key newcomers: Camryn Wetzel, Fr., G.; Claire Snell, So., G; Hailey Harlow, So., F/G.

Silver’s outlook: “Our expectations for the season is to get to states and win. We feel we can compete with all schools. I want to see us improve on playing defense with our feet, not our hands, and play fast and furious within the rules. I feel we will be better due to the fact of our players being into the system already and have learned it, and the offseason work that they have put in should pay dividends.

“Josie will be a force to be reckoned with and we expect great things from her. Shirley with her tenacious defense and 3-ball will help a lot. Aubrey Nail will be running the point guard position and I expect her to try and pick up where Medina left off. Ashlyn Evans should see the floor a lot for defense and her 3-point attack. Camryn Wetzel will get a chance to showcase some of her talent this year, and I’m looking forward to it. Claire Snell will get a chance to help with controlling the ball. Hailey Harlow has put in tons of work and will be given the opportunity to showcase her work.”

First game: Monday vs. Clarke County

Clarke County

Coach: Regina Downing, 12th season

Last season: 17-9 (8-6 Bull Run District); lost to Page County in Region 2B semifinals.

Key losses: Kaiya Williams, Selene Good, Bailey Beard, Emily Emmart.

Key returners: Devin Simmons-McDonald, Sr., G/Post; Caydence Roberts, Sr. G/P; Alainah McKavish, Jr., G/F; Haley Foltz, So., G/F.

Key newcomers: Paige Stemberger, Jr., G (transfer from Paul VI); Eryn Demko, Jr., G/F (transfer from Mountain View Christian Academy; averaged 14.7 points, 4.2 steals per game, made 22 of 55 3-pointers for a success rate of 40 percent); Paige McKavish, Fr., G/F; Kendall Harman, Fr., G.

Downing’s outlook: “The district is going to be tough but we are capable of being right at the top. We should match up well with the teams in the district and the region. We lost two of the top defenders in the state to graduation and we have been working hard to fill the voids. Our standard will continue to be hard work with a focus on defense. We plan to use 3-pointers more this year than in the past. Once we learn to be shot ready, it will make our offense flow smoother. We have been working hard on getting out and pushing the ball up the court in an attempt to get easier transition baskets. I think that we will be a faster team than last year, so we will return to trapping the ball more. If we stick to our standard on defense we will be able to compete with any team in the state.”

First game: Monday at James Wood

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

Follow on X @WinStarSports1