By Tommy Keeler Jr. -- Daily Staff Writer

Millbrook dominated on the basketball court this season, and now, the awards are rolling in.

Erick Green was named the Associated Press' Group AA all-state boys basketball Player of the Year on Tuesday, while his coach, Scott Mankins, was named the Coach of the Year.

"It means a lot to me," Green said on his way back from an Amateur Athletic Union practice in Washington. "It's a big accomplishment. I just want to thank all my teammates, my fans, coaches for all their support. It shows all the hard work has paid off."

Two other locals also made the second team — Handley's J.J. Dorsey and Millbrook's Jordan Sugars.

Green averaged 18.5 points, 3.0 assists and 2.9 steals for the Pioneers this season. The junior guard led Millbrook to a 29-1 record and the school's first state championship.

"Erick really stepped up for us this year in every statistical category," Mankins said. "I know that's what most people look at, but I was fortunate enough to see him mature as a player this year. He makes all the people around him better."

The 6-foot-2 guard scored 19 points in the Pioneers' overtime victory over Blacksburg in the Group AA state semifinals, and had 18 in the team's state championship victory over Brunswick.

Green, who is committed to play basketball at Virginia Tech, shot 40.4 percent (54-for-136) from beyond the arc, and 71.7 percent (91-for-127) from the free-throw line.

"It still hasn't hit me that we won the state title, but I'm sure it will when we got our rings," Green said. "It feels good just knowing that we're state champions."

Joining Green on the first team were Jeff Early of Rockbridge County, Ben Boggs of Hidden Valley, Logan Thomas of Brookville and Josh Hairston of Courtland.

Sugars, who signed his certificate of acceptance to play at the Naval Academy in March, saved his best basketball in the postseason. The senior swingman averaged 16.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.5 steals per game, and had 21 points in the Pioneers' regional final win over Charlottesville, and 25 against Courtland in the state quarterfinals.

"After the championship, I said I wasn't ready to quit coaching Jordan," Mankins said. "I don't think it will hit me that I'm not going to coach him anymore until the first practice of next year.

"In the regional tournament and the state quarterfinal game, he really carried us. I think in the state semifinals, the teams were really playing him physical. He didn't let it bother him. He still was a leader for us. He doesn't look at the box score and his rebounding was still there."

Dorsey, who has signed to play football at West Virginia University next year, led the Judges to a 19-6 record and a Region II semifinal appearance. The 6-1 senior had 25 points in a regional semifinal loss to Charlottesville. He averaged 18.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 steals per game.

Dorsey averaged 25.7 ppg in the Northwestern District tournament, including 26 against Millbrook in the final.

"J.J. is a class act," Mankins said. "He deserves all the recognition that comes his way. I think he is a good representation of Handley basketball and Handley athletics both on and off the floor."

Dorsey and Sugars are joined on the second team by Antonio Epps of Brunswick, Nick English of Blacksburg and Art Crew of Lafayette.

Mankins said having three players make the all-state team makes a strong statement.

"That speaks volumes right there," Mankins said. "It says a lot about the quality of basketball in the Winchester area."

Green and Mankins also won the Virginia High School Coaches Association Player and Coach of the Year awards last month.

"I wouldn't trade what we won a few weeks ago for anything in the world," Mankins said. "I was just fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time."

Green, who is considering transferring to a private school for his senior season, said he isn't sure if he will be back at Millbrook next year. He said he hopes to make a decision sometime this summer.

"I'm going to wait until AAU season is over and then sit down and decide all this," Green said. "It's still up in the air. Right now I'm just going to maintain at Millbrook and enjoy the rest of the school year. After that, whatever happens, happens."

*Contact Tommy Keeler Jr. at tkeeler@nvdaily.com

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