At the end of last season’s Class 2 state semifinal game, the Clarke County High School girls’ basketball team was clearly frustrated after being whistled for 31 fouls to John Marshall’s 15, having four players foul out and seeing the Justices shoot 21 more free throws than the Eagles in a 67-54 John Marshall victory.
With eight of it nine players back from last year’s 24-5 team, Clarke County has the fuel and talent it needs to capture its second state title in four seasons.
The Eagles will be led by the All-State McKavish sisters.
The senior Alainah has been First Team All-Class 2 each of the last three years. Last season, McKavish led the area in field goal percentage (56.1). She also ranked second in scoring (21.8 points per game) and free throw percentage (77.8), third in 3-point percentage (32.4) and fifth in rebounds (6.9), assists (2.7) and steals (3.6). She was the Region 2B and Bull Run District Player of Year.
The sophomore Paige earned Second Team All-State honors last year. She averaged 10.4 points points per game and recorded 4.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.9 steals per game.
The Eagles also return senior Paige Stemberger (First Team All-Region, 9 points, 3.1 assists and 4.2 steals) per game and three other players who averaged more than four points per game. Clarke County’s one edition is junior Emmerson Kennedy, a JV player whose work ethic has impressed head coach Shadd McCaw. Kennedy’s speed in softball helped her rank second in the area in runs and tied for third in the area in stolen bases last year.
Clarke County shared the Bull Run District regular-season title with Strasburg last year. The Rams bring back two First Team All-Region 2B selections, as does Stuarts Draft, who Clarke County defeated for the Region 2B title.
At the state level, two-time defending state champion Central-Wise lost both of its All-State players, including Class 2 Player of the Year Emmah McAmis, while John Marshall lost one of the two All-State players who combined for 53 points in the win over the Eagles. Tiara Herron is back after scoring 25 against Clarke County.
McCaw — an assistant coach for the previous three years with the Eagles — is one of three new head coaches in the area. Regina Downing left after 12 seasons as head coach with Clarke County to take over at Sherando for Brooklyn Wilson, who stepped down after six seasons at the helm. At James Wood, Joe Hall steps in for Sanford Silver, who is now an assistant coach with Community College of Beaver County in Monaca, Pennsylvania, after a five-year run with the Colonels.
Katlyn Orndoff is back to guide a Handley team that went 19-6 last year and features two-time Winchester Star Player of the Year Reagan Edsell.
The senior — who has signed with NCAA Division I James Madison University — earned First Team All-State honors and was the Region 4D and Northwestern District Player of the Year. Edsell also led the area in scoring (23.8 points per game), assists (4.1), steals (7.3) and 3-point percentage (32.9); ranked second in rebounding (13.0), blocks (2.5) and shooting percentage (48.6); and third in free-throw percentage (76.1).
Handley senior Cameron Hobson is also back. She earned Region 4D Honorable Mention last year when she averaged 7.2 ppg and 4.8 rpg and led the area in free throw percentage (.810, 47 of 58). Returning senior Amaya Smith also averaged 4.8 rebounds per game last year.
The Judges have been knocked out by Charlottesville in the Region 4D semifinals each of the last two seasons. The Black Knights bring back both of their First Team All-Region 4D selections.
James Wood (14-10) lost its two All-Region selections in Josie Russell and Maddie Shirley. Aubrey Nail (6.8 ppg, 2.3 spg, 1.7 apg), Ashlyn Evans (5.5 rpg) and Hailey Harlow (4.7 rpg) are among the Colonels’ returners.
Millbrook (13-12) lost its top player in Jaliah Jackson but brings back one of the area’s best players in senior Jane Moreland. Last year, she ranked fourth in the area in rebounds (8.4) and blocks (1.7), fifth in points (14.5) and sixth in free throw percentage (65.6) and field goal percentage (39.2). She was a Region 4D and Northwestern District Second Team selection.
Led by head coach Cary Bartlett, the Pioneers also bring back sophomore Mackenzie Jones (5.4 points, 3.2 steals per game), who was Northwestern District Honorable Mention last year, and Jane’s sophomore sister Grace (5.0 points, 2.2 assists, 2.2 steals).
Sherando (12-11) lost three All-Area players from last year. The Warriors do bring back Avery Ryan, who averaged more than 5 points per game as well as 1.6 assists per contest.
The following is a glance at each area team:
Clarke County
Coach: Shadd McCaw, first season
Last season: 24-5 (13-1 Bull Run District; regular-season co-champions); Region 2B and district tournament champions; lost to John Marshall in Class 2 state semifinals.
Key loss: Devin Simmons-McDonald
Key returners: Alainah McKavish, Sr., G/F; Paige McKavish, So., G/F; Kendall Harman, So., G/F; Savannah McCaw, So., G; Haley Foltz, Jr., F; Paige Stemberger, Sr., G/F; Anna Taylor, So., G; Eryn Demko, Sr., G/F.
Key newcomer: Emmerson Kennedy, Jr., G/F.
McCaw’s outlook: “This was the biggest turnout in the last three years I had seen in the offseason. The major majority of our core group has been in the gym since the second week of July. We had the opportunity to play in the Spotswood fall league, and we did extremely well. We have very high expectations for the 25-26 season and we are in position to make a run at another state championship. We will be very hungry after losing to John Marshall last year. We will be better than last year since we will be in better shape and conditioned than last year. We made some offseason adjustments to better prepare ourselves physically, and with that we will be better mentally prepared.”
First game: Monday at James Wood
Handley
Coach: Katlyn Orndorff, fourth season
Last season: 19-6; lost to Charlottesville in Region 4D semifinals.
Key losses: Olivia Jett, Nakayla Armel.
Key returners: Reagan Edsell, Sr., G; Cameron Hobson, Sr., G; Amaya Smith, Sr., C; Reese Craig, Jr., PF.
Key newcomers: Kaydin McCaskill, Jr., G (transfer from Millbrook); Maliyah Hines, Fr., G.
Orndorff’s outlook: “We expect to compete every night and keep improving as the season goes on. I think the district and region will have great matchups and we want to play our best basketball and be amongst the top teams. Our goal this season is to improve on maintaining high intensity and consistency. Defensive pressure will be a key to our success this season. Seniors Reagan Edsell and Cameron Hobson have put in a lot of time in the offseason and I’m excited to see them lead their team this year.”
First game: Monday at Loudoun Valley
James Wood
Coach: Joe Hall, first season
Last season: 14-10; lost to Handley in Region 4D quarterfinals.
Key losses: Josie Russell, Nayah Edwards, Maddie Shirley, Mia Reid.
Key returners: Aubrey Nail, Sr.; Kooper Hall, Sr.; Reagan Hicks, Sr.; Hailey Harlow, Jr.; Ashlyn Evans, Jr.; Claire Snell, Jr.; Erin Link, Jr.; Dayana Jackson, Jr.
Key newcomers: Malise Olah, So.; Carlee Kees, So.; Isabella Hazelwood, So.; Christianne Simwaka, So.
Hall’s outlook: “The focus this year will be on skill development and teaching the game. We want every player to improve individually while learning how to compete as a team. Beyond X’s and O’s, we’re building a culture of hard work, accountability, and supporting one another on and off the court.
“I’m excited for the upcoming season. The team is working hard and getting better every day. I think we have a solid core of players and are positioned to be competitive within our district and region. Our goal is to improve with every game, give our best effort, and make a strong push toward the playoffs. I’ve really been impressed with Malise Olah and Carlee Kees. They are making the transition to varsity this year and have done a great job adjusting to the speed and intensity of the game. That said, I’m proud of the way the entire team is learning and growing together. We are proud to represent our school and look forward to having the community’s support at our games. I’m excited to see how this team continues to develop, both on the court and as leaders in our school.”
First game: Monday vs. James Wood
Millbrook
Coach: Cary Bartlett, third season
Last season: 13-12; lost to Charlottesville in Region 4D quarterfinals.
Key losses: Jaliah Jackson, Riley Bayse, Kaydin McCaskill (transferred to Handley).
Key returners: Jane Moreland, Sr., F/C; Lexi Welch, Sr., G; Kaylyn Chandler, Sr., G/F; Maia Parks, Jr., F; Sophia Lara, Jr., F; Grace Moreland, So., G; Mackenzie Jones, So., G; Emily Randall, So., G.
Key newcomers: Karleigh Grande, Jr., G; Brielle Demus, Fr., G; Caitlyn Fisher, Fr., G.
Bartlett’s outlook: “Our expectation for this season is to improve on our standing from last year. We hope to compete for an opportunity to win a district championship and advance in the postseason. We return a lot of experience this year and our young players from a season ago gained valuable playing time and experience last season. Although we lost a few key players, including four-year starter and leading scorer/rebounder in Jaliah Jackson, we have a seasoned core group returning. We have several girls who can score and defend and I expect us to have a more balanced box score most nights.
“This year I anticipate us being harder to defend, simply because we have so many girls who are able to score. Last year we relied heavily on Jaliah and Jane because we were so young. This year, those young players return with experience. The ball is being shared, and we have shown the ability to spread the wealth better than last year. We bring in two talented freshmen guards as well who can both create off the dribble and score. As the season progresses, I expect them to grow into larger roles and expand on the depth we have in that position group. We need to continue to get better at knowing our assignments, executing, defending the dribble drive, and rebounding. I have been pleased with the growth in those areas so far. Because we have added depth and quickness to our guard group, this will allow us to play faster, substitute more frequently, and keep fresh legs on the court. Several young ladies had great summers and are returning as better players. Our guard group has really shown improvement in their maturity and understanding of what we are trying to accomplish. They have shown an increased aggressiveness and better decision making. Our post depth has improved as well. We are understanding our roles and execution is much better this year.”
First game: Tuesday at Fauquier
Sherando
Head coach: Regina Downing, first season
Last season: 12-11
Key losses: Josie Willett, Farren Crist, Madison Mood, Hannah Sutphin, Kaylee Hogan.
Key returners: Theresa Basile, Sr., G; Avery Ryan, Jr., G; Victoria Holbrook, Jr., Post.
Key newcomers: Arial Robinson, Sr., P; Erin Bowers, So., G; Gianna Sloane, So., P; Kinsley Richardson, So., G; Morgan Scruggs, So., P; Kaylah Houston, So., G; Katherine Ames, So., G; Lily Smith, Fr., P.
Downing’s outlook: “The players have been phenomenal. As we implement our demanding man-to-man defense, they have done an excellent job of understanding my core philosophy and principles. They don’t just know what to do, they are rapidly learning when and how to apply those lessons under pressure. This exceptional buy-in and commitment will be the powerful engine that drives our success throughout the season. We intend to play multiple defenses and speed the game up.
“I expect our team to be competitive this year. We match up well with the other teams in our district, and I believe we have the talent and preparation to challenge them for the top spots. As this is my first year leading these young women, I can genuinely say that all of them have been impressive. Their willingness to embrace new challenges and maintain our established culture has been outstanding. They aren’t just learning from me; they are actually teaching me the Warrior Way every day through their dedication.”
First game: Monday at Skyline
— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at rniedzwiecki@winchesterstar.com
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