By Tommy Keeler Jr. -- Daily Staff Writer

WINCHESTER — Memories of last year's Group AA state title still linger in the back of many players' minds, but don't expect Millbrook to think it will gain any advantage by being the defending champs.

"It was great winning the state championship, but that was last year," Millbrook senior Clayton Rodney said. "Now we're looking forward to this year.

"I think all the teams will be gunning for us, but not so much because we're the state champs, but because of the name on our chests."

There's no question this is a much different team from last year's squad that went 29-1. The Pioneers lost Jordan Sugars, Levon Williams and T.J. Williams to graduation. They also lost Group AA Player of the Year and Virginia Tech-bound point guard Erick Green, who transferred to Paul VI.

The good news is Clayton Rodney, his brother Calvin and Andrew Oates return to the starting lineup, where they will be expected to provide leadership.

"Not only do the three of us need to step up, we need everybody on the team to step up," Clayton Rodney said. "We still have a lot to learn. The team just needs to gel together."

Seniors Dustin Pierce, who was a key reserve last year, and Chris Hardware will round out the Pioneers' starting lineup. Millbrook coach Scott Mankins said he expects a lot from seniors Neil Bishop and Cody Fazenbaker as well.

Oates will succeed Green in directing the offense, which he also did for the Pioneers' football team as quarterback.

"I've been a point guard my whole career, but I've always been a back-up to Erick [Green]," Oates said. "We've switched off-and-on a lot. The biggest thing is just getting used to getting more time at the point."

The Pioneers face a brutal schedule, which includes playing Group AAA powerhouse Robert E. Lee, Dulles District power Heritage, Cave Spring and Jefferson County (W.Va.) in an effort to get ready for another playoff run.

"That's one of those things where when we make the schedule up in May and June it looks good on paper, but when the season comes you're like 'What were we thinking?'" Mankins said. "The tough schedule we have in December is all about getting us ready for February."

* CENTRAL: Falcons coach Roger Wilkins is happy with the team he has this season, but he is also realistic of the competition he faces in the Northwestern District.

Central returns an experienced roster that went 8-15 last season. Seniors J.J. Armentrout, Stuart French and junior Aaron Heishman look to lead the way. The Falcons lost point guard Derek Snarr to graduation, but Wilkins said he's planning to use the trio of Morgan Reynard, Kyle Willis and Matt Sherfey to replace Snarr.

"If we can get everybody to play together, I think we can have a pretty good team," Wilkins said. "The league is just so stacked. Hopefully we can do well. I'm not worried about where we finish as long as everybody gives 100 percent and gives their best I'll be happy. Hopefully we can win more games than we did last year. We'll see what happens."

* CLARKE COUNTY: The Eagles lost all but one player from last year's squad, but that doesn't mean the cupboard is bare. Clarke County coach Brent Emmart has brought up most of the players from last year's championship JV team, and the Eagles may not miss a beat.

Senior Cord Keating is the only player returning from last year's 20-6 squad. Juniors Jeremy Rhoads, Vernon Matthews, Jordan Shepherd, and Billy Parker, and sophomores Zach Shiley, Sam Shiley and Grant Shaw will help give the Eagles a strong foundation for this season.

And although Clarke County has won five consecutive district titles, Emmart expects competition from Madison County and George Mason to alter the Eagles' role in the Bull Run this season.

"We have a lot of young guys and they still need to prove themselves," Emmart said. "We're the underdogs and we relish that role. I think we can surprise a lot of people this year. I think we'll be picked to finish fourth in the district. We just have to keep working hard. The kids have a great attitude. The coaching staff and the team still has high expectations this season."

* HANDLEY: One of the biggest challenges for the Judges may be replacing first-team all-district selection J.J. Dorsey, who averaged 18 points per game as a point guard last season. Senior Chris Fishback will take over at the point with plenty of weapons at his disposal.

The Judges have seven returners from last year's team, which advanced to the Region II semifinals.

Seniors Tylon Raynor and Robert Galloway and junior Terrance Sloane will provide an interior presence, while Fishback, Vance Washington, Danziel Cartwright and Jeremiah Wilson will be catalysts from the perimeter.

Handley coach Tommy Dixon said he also expects juniors DeShawn Harris, Jaron Carey, Mitchell Smith and Geremi Long to give the Judges added depth.

Due to the football program's deep run in the postseason, Dixon expects a bumpy road early in the campaign.

"I think it will take some time for the football players to get into basketball shape," Dixon said. "I think they'll be fine as long as they stay together. I'm sure they will, they're a close group. I think we have a very, very talented group. It's probably one of the most athletic groups I've had."

* JAMES WOOD: The Colonels have a new coach and a new offense this season. Al Smith has taken over the program and said he plans on a much faster tempo than what James Wood has used in the past.

Seniors Matt Johnson, Ben Boxwell, Jordan Dallmann, Tim Spore, and junior Trae Tinsman will be expected to provide the bulk of the offense. Smith said sophomores Garrett Cunningham, Mason Smith and freshman point guard Chris Skinner will also play key roles.

"I think we can have a pretty decent team," Al Smith said. "The offense is coming together. They're getting used to pushing the ball up and down the floor more, but now they need to learn how to make better decisions. We have a ways to go. I think we'll get better as the season goes along, and hopefully we'll be playing our best come tournament time."

* SHERANDO: Warriors' coach Garland Williams is hoping a mix of veteran players and newcomers will form into a solid team this year.

The Warriors have three key players returning from last year's squad — seniors Blake Adams, Jordan Sillars, and Matthew Brady. They also have solid group moving up from the JV squad, including senior Rashod Jones and juniors James Bowens and Chuck Hudnall. The Warriors should also get a boost from 6-foot-3 senior center Derrick Dehaney, who has been a standout on the football squad the last two years but did not play basketball last season.

"The main thing is we have to work hard and then good things will happen for us," Williams said. "It's a tough league. We're hoping to be in the middle of the league somewhere. We want to be a good defensive team that takes care of the basketball. If we do that, we'll have a good season."

* SKYLINE: Hawks' coach Sonny Dyke has good reason to be optimistic about this year's team. Skyline has a plethora of returners from last year, including seniors Terrell Matthews, Keaton Neeb, Andrew Thorne and Joe Comstock, and sophomore Kieren Caison.

Seniors Devin Morris, Eric King and sophomore Luke Pingley are also returning and will give the Hawks some depth.

The Hawks finished third last year in the district behind Millbrook and Handley.

"I think Handley and Millbrook are the two teams you're going to have to beat," Dyke said. "I think the league is going to be really balanced. I really think the last-place team could knock off the first-place team."

* STONEWALL JACKSON: The Generals return a strong nucleus of players this year, including seniors Phillip Hovatter, David Scott, Kyle Wilson and junior Dylan Dawson. All will be counted on to fill the void left by the graduation of Hunter Stout.

Stonewall Jackson coach Sophie Stout said she also expects contributions from freshman John Michael Pirtle and sophomore Russell Hill. The Shenandoah District is usually very tough and competitive, and Stout said she expects the same this season.

"I'm sure Wilson [Memorial] and Buffalo Gap are going to be pretty good," Stout said. "We're looking to use our quickness and get some easy buckets in transition this season. We'll see what we can do."

*STRASBURG: The Rams return a solid core of players, and coach Millson French is hoping that will lead to even better results this season.

Seniors Jamar Crawford, Andrew Kibler and junior Kaleb McKelvey are the most experienced returning players for the Rams. Seniors Cody Pieratt and Will Orndorff and juniors Martin Wisely, Derek Buckley and Dylan Davis are also expected to be key contributors for the Rams this season.

French said the Rams will need to play as a team this season to be successful.

"The kids really seem to be buying into the whole concept of what we're trying to do," French said. "I expect us to play better defense than we did last year. We need the kids to play hard and unselfish."

* WARREN COUNTY: Although the Wildcats lost the bulk of their scoring in Stephen Jefferson, Jon Nicholson and Marty Haley, there is reason for optimism in Front Royal with the return of nine varsity players.

Warren County coach Dave Cramer said he expects seniors Jeff Moxie, Sean Thompson, junior Jon Roof and sophomore Damien Caison to be big contributors to this year's team.

"We're going to be scrappy," Cramer said. "The guys have been working hard, hopefully it will pay off at the end."

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

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