WINCHESTER -- J.J. Dorsey loves playing basketball. It was obvious in the graceful way he flew to the hoop, banked in fade-away jumpers, and then hustled back to play defense during drills at an open gym session at Daniel Morgan Middle School on Saturday.
By Jeremy Stafford - jstafford@nvdaily.com WINCHESTER -- Luke Mason never felt that soccer came naturally to him. Mason didn't make his high school varsity team until he was a junior, and as a freshman at Slippery Rock University, Mason could hardly keep up with the...
By Tommy Keeler Jr. - tkeeler@nvdaily.com WINCHESTER -- Sarah Moomau used to spend her summers with her mom at work. Moomau's mother, Joni, works at Stonebrook Racquet and Fitness Club and Sarah was always there looking for a match. "I'd hang around Stonebrook all day...
For the last 15 years, the Handley girls tennis program has been one of the best in the area. The Judges won state titles in '95 and '97 and the program has been consistently strong since. As good as the program has been, the seniors and juniors of this year's team have taken the program to new heights.
BLACKSBURG -- Many of Handley's players sat and stood in the doorway of the indoor courts at the Burleson Tennis Center and watched as Lane Stickley tried to close out her match. The players sang, talked about wanting to eat and anxiously cheered on Stickley and fellow teammate Taryn Burke.
Name: Lane Stickley Sport: Girls tennis Position: No. 5 singles, No. 3 doubles Year: Senior Q: What do you love most about tennis? A: I think being on a team -- that's one of the biggest things. Tennis is very individual itself, so you can...
Winning a state title in any sport is hard enough; so to repeat as state champions, even for a Clarke County track and field team that brings 22 male and female athletes to Saturday's Group A state meet at Radford University, is a rare feat in its own right.
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Handley's John Adams went to the Region II boys tennis tournament at Boar's Head Sports Center in Charlottesville expecting to play tennis, not participate in a marathon.
WINCHESTER -- Taryn Burke experienced several things for the first time on Saturday. The Handley junior played in her first-ever regional final, she played in her first three-setter, and most importantly, she was mobbed by her teammates after clinching the Judges' fourth-straight Region II title.
MINERAL -- Ashley Rasmussen and Tootie Jackson, who compete in the discus and shot put for the Skyline girls track and field team, are like most close teammates.
STEPHENS CITY -- It was the same story for Handley all season: Build a lead, keep it throughout the game, then squander it in the last inning. Tuesday's Northwestern District semifinals game was no different for the Judges.
NOKESVILLE -- In a tough and at times brutal contest, Brentsville survived upset-minded Handley, 2-1, on Tuesday in the semifinals of the Northwestern District boys soccer tournament.
WINCHESTER -- After more than four hours of tennis, which featured 280 points and 38 games across three sets, Sherando's Kaleb Nguyen was the last man standing -- literally and figuratively.
WINCHESTER -- Handley forward Michael Paule-Carres said he couldn't do it. He couldn't run with the Warren County backs, his legs weren't under him. He couldn't create any open space in which to take shots and he couldn't manipulate the ball.
NOKESVILLE -- Kari Pope wore her frustration on her face. No matter what the James Wood senior tried in her match against Handley's Sarah Moomau, nothing worked.
NOKESVILLE -- James Wood's Kari Pope and Headley Wilson zone out everything around them during a match. They're not thinking about the score or who they're playing. Maybe that explains why as Handley's Katie Gordon served for the match in the second set, they were unaware of how dangerously close they were to losing for the first time in almost a year.
STEPHENS CITY -- Sherando senior Nick Merchant told coach Pepper Martin on Thursday that he wanted to pitch in the Warriors' Northwestern District tournament quarterfinal against Handley. Martin decided to let Merchant start the game and put him on a pitch cout. Merchant didn't disappoint as hed led the Warriors to a 6-2 win over the Judges in baseball action on Friday.
WINCHESTER -- Handley's Brittany Myers was a bit tired after winning her second distance race in as many days. Still, the freshman had enough left in her legs to give the Judges' 4x400 relay team a win in Thursday's final event of the Northwestern District Track and Field Championships.
WINCHESTER -- It was a long afternoon Thursday at James Wood for Sherando's Kaleb Nyugen and Handley's John Adams. The pair played three matches with district championships on the line within five hours. Two of those matches were against each other.
NOKESVILLE -- Most of Handley's girls tennis top six is used to playing in postseason matches. The Judges return five of their six from last year's state championship team. For junior Taryn Burke, the postseason is a whole new world.
QUICKSBURG -- The Generals may have lost, but they went down fighting. In its home finale, Stonewall Jackson fell, 8-4, to Shenandoah District foe Buffalo Gap on Wednesday. But even with the loss, head coach Michael Hunt was gushing about the performance of his seven seniors.
WINCHESTER -- With things not going well and his team mired in the bottom half of the Northwestern District, Millbrook baseball coach Mike Smith made the decision to move up several junior varsity players in an attempt to find better chemistry.
Daily Staff Reports SWOOPE -- Patrick Bain put himself in the Stonewall Jackson record books on Friday night. Bain had four assists in the Generals' 8-0 Shenandoah District win over Buffalo Gap to break the school mark for assists in a season. Bain now has...
WINCHESTER -- For a moment, everything stopped. The soggy turf, drenched by an hour of pouring rain, weighed down the cleats of the Handley girls soccer team. And their disbelief of what was happening weighed down their spirits.
WINCHESTER -- Perhaps it was because the Handley backs were scared. Perhaps it was because the wide turf field at Sprint Field at Shentel Stadium, which usually plays to the Judges advantage, led to their undoing.
WINCHESTER -- Handley boys soccer coach Cosmo Balio said that last night's match against Millbrook was, at the time, the Judges' most important game of the season.
WINCHESTER -- On the third consecutive day of nearly continuous rain, heavy at times, the artificial surface and excellent landscaping of Shentel Stadium at Shenandoah University provided the only usable venue in the area for outdoor prep sports Monday afternoon.
WINCHESTER -- Amanda Litwin's attempt at throwing a change-up midway through the game failed miserably, as the ball failed to even make it to the plate. With two strikes and two outs in the bottom of the seventh, the Skyline senior decided to try the pitch again.
WINCHESTER -- It was the toughest decision Lauren Delmerico has ever had to make. Lauren tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee at the end of last season. The Handley senior was cleared to play back in December, but during the first two days of spring soccer practice she still felt a lot of pain.
WINCHESTER -- The Handley Judges girls soccer team employed a new defensive set, and freshman midfielder Cassandra Alamo scored her first varsity goal in their 3-0 win over the Warren County Wildcats on Tuesday.
FRONT ROYAL -- All David Ko had to do was sit back and watch. Watch as Randolph Boppe was moved from center back to forward, where he played last year and so is one of the more experienced Judges at the position.
FRONT ROYAL -- For a team that has been in a recent slump, the last thing Handley needed to see was top pitcher Brian Tavenner have to leave Monday night's Northwestern District baseball game at Warren County early due to an injury.
FRONT ROYAL -- Four innings of nearly flawless pitching wasn't enough for Nicole King and the Wildcats. Breakdowns in defense rattled Warren County in the fifth and an inability to muster any offense against Handley ace Chelsea Hamric resulted in the Wildcats self destruction in a 5-0 Northwestern District softball loss on Monday night.
WINCHESTER -- Sherando Warriors freshman Tre Porter drew his first starting pitching assignment against the Handley Judges on Saturday in a Northwestern District baseball game.
WINCHESTER -- The host Colonels haven't won the Apple Blossom Invitational in so long that not one James Wood coach could remember how many years it's been.
WINCHESTER -- Henkel-Harris Field showcased two of the best pitchers in the area Saturday morning in a game so well-played that it was a shame one team had to lose.
WINCHESTER -- There's a little extra excitement in the air for James Wood's boys track team as it gets ready to host today's 41st annual H. Brian Landes Apple Blossom Invitational.
WOODSTOCK -- Central started off slowly, but led by Ashley Ebersole's fifth homer of the season the Falcons got back on track for a 6-2 Northwestern District softball win over Millbrook on Friday.
WOODSTOCK -- The thought of his older sister going away to college was weighing on Mason's Smith mind. So throughout basketball season, the James Wood sophomore continually tried to talk her into coming out for the Colonels' track team this spring.
Daily Staff Reports Softball Handley 12, Millbrook 3 WINCHESTER -- Handley played a near-flawless game against Millbrook, scoring in all but two innings and exuding patience at the plate. "We were happy about the win," Handley coach Tim Mondell said. "Millbrook's a young team so...
WINCHESTER -- As his shot flew past diving Handley keeper Stefano Frantellizzi in the final minute of overtime, Ryan Witt spun around on his heels and pumped a single fist into the air.
WINCHESTER -- Brittini Dennis scored on a breakaway and then went sprinting back up the sideline, pointed into the stands and waved goodbye to one of the spectators.
WINCHESTER -- Things haven't gone as smoothly this season for Handley's girls tennis team as they would have liked, but on Saturday the two-time defending Group AA state champions showed things are starting to come together.
WOODSTOCK -- Daniel Park spent most of last year watching from the sidelines, but by the end of the season he was able to make it into Handley's starting tennis lineup. Park even played at No. 5 singles in the regional quarterfinals, where he pulled out a long three-set victory.
WINCHESTER -- James Wood took advantage of two Handley errors and came up with some timely doubles to pull out a 3-1 Northwestern District baseball victory over the Judges on Thursday.
Two former Strasburg players are making a big impact on their college squads: Christopher Newport's Parker Neal (Strasburg '06) and Charleston's Nick Barnes ('07).
Daily Staff Reports FRONT ROYAL -- On the heels of a no-hitter, the Warren County Wildcats received another strong performance from budding ace Nicole King. The freshman struck out 12, walked none and held visiting Luray to one hit in Warren County's 5-2 non-district softball...
Daily Staff Reports Baseball Millbrook 10, Warren County 5 WINCHESTER -- Quinn Courtney went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored to lead the Pioneers past the Wildcats in Northwestern District action. Michael Dillow went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs for the...
BERRYVILLE -- Clarke County's Brianna Smith was in a hurry to get the game over with. Smith hustled around the bases with seven steals, swiping home twice as the Eagles pounded Stonewall Jackson, 15-0, in a five-inning game.
STEPHENS CITY -- Sherando's road-weary baseball team finally got to christen their newly renovated field with a sweet 5-1 Northwestern District victory over rival Handley on Thursday evening.
Daily Staff Reports STEPHENS CITY -- Danielle Walls had two hits, including a double to rally Handley past Sherando, 7-5, in Northwestern District softball action on Thursday. The Judges trailed 5-0 entering the sixth inning, but scored two in the top of the sixth and...
STEPHENS CITY -- Sherando's boys tennis squad hopes to pick up where it left off last season. The Warriors lost a couple of their top six players to graduation, but with two talented newcomers added to the team, they have good reason to be confident this year.
WINCHESTER -- Brian Tavenner stayed calm even when Central was threatening to score early in the game. The senior was able to get out of a few jams and his teammates rewarded him. The Judges used an eight-run fifth inning to break open a close game and pull out a 9-1 Northwestern District baseball victory on Tuesday.
WINCHESTER -- Having won back-to-back Group AA state titles, Handley's girls tennis team was rewarded in the offseason with a lot of recognition and even some bling.
WOODSTOCK -- The spring of 2007 was a special time for the Central softball team. Following a winless campaign in 2006, Jill Yew's first season as the Falcons' head coach, pitcher Brea Hinegardner and catcher Ashley Ebersole were reunited at Central, after playing years together in various leagues, and paraded the Falcons to nine wins in 2007 and 11 in 2008.
WINCHESTER -- Handley used timely hitting to knock off defending Northwestern District champion Brentsville, 6-4, on Wednesday in softball action. The win snapped Brentsville's 17-game winning streak in the district.
QUICKSBURG -- Stonewall Jackson coach Nate Hissong stands in the middle of a barren field, his soccer team scrambling in every direction around him and dribbling soccer balls as they go.
WINCHESTER -- Often meaningless before a pitch has been thrown, the early-season expectations for James Wood -- as they were last Tuesday -- haven't always been so high.
WINCHESTER -- Vance Washington makes flashy dunks and drives to the basket. Danziel Cartwright is known for hitting 3-pointers. The pair, along with Tylon Raynor, have racked up accolades this season for Handley.
WINCHESTER -- Handley is all too familiar with JMU's Convocation Center, where the Judges will play tonight against Greensville County in the Group AA Division 3 state quarterfinals.
ORANGE -- As Handley's name was announced to pick up the Region II, Division 3 championship trophy, Tylon Raynor stepped forward. The Handley senior hoisted the trophy in the air and showed it proudly to the Handley crowd.
WINCHESTER -- Underneath senior Vance Washington's uniform was a sleeveless white T-shirt branded with "Judges" on the front, the No. 44 on both sides and the last name "Raynor" across his shoulder blades.
FRONT ROYAL -- Jasmine Curtis knew her team's season was on the line. When she came off the bench in the third quarter, the Handley sophomore made sure to make the most of her opportunity.
WINCHESTER -- As the Handley players finished their team meeting after the game, Vance Washington commented to his teammates that he didn't want to take off his jersey.
WINCHESTER -- From the eyes of Roger Wilkins, Central's head coach, watching the progression of Handley's basketball team is an annual occurrence. Meeting twice in the regular season, he said, there is initially a "getting started" element to the Judges' game, and a noticeable improvement during the second matchup.
WINCHESTER -- With Millbrook center Lacey Harris sitting out with foul trouble, Courtni Green realized somebody needed to step up. The freshman delivered by taking control of the paint in the third quarter.
WINCHESTER -- The Handley Judges got back to "playing the way they should," according to coach Tommy Dixon, and came away with a 59-37 victory in the quarterfinals of the Northwestern District Tournament over a young Kettle Run team.
WINCHESTER -- The constant buzzing -- a bothersome wail caused by a scoreboard malfunction in the second quarter -- provided for headaches during the unveiling of Handley's newly renovated gym on Jan. 16.
WINCHESTER -- Erin Drumheller is a perfectionist. The Handley guard's obsession with being perfect is at the forefront of everything she does. It's the reason she plays basketball with such a fiery passion.
WINCHESTER -- Handley had six days to stew and think about its loss last week to Millbrook. On Monday night, the Judges got back on the court to take out their frustrations on Sherando.
STEPHENS CITY -- Millbrook wrestler Derrick Borlie remembers the last time the Northwestern District tournament was held at Sherando High School: He was "embarrassed" and pinned in the championship bout by A.J. Bakos.
At least one area player is still holding out hope for a FBS scholarship. James Wood kicker Andrew Lloyd recently decided to accept an offer to walk-on at a major school, but there's still a possibility he could be offered a scholarship by another program.
WINCHESTER -- Andrew Oates heard the Handley crowd. After the Millbrook point guard and quarterback missed on a long pass to Dustin Pierce in the first half, Handley fans chanted "Just like football." Oates didn't miss when he got a shot at redemption late in Millbrook's 63-59 overtime victory Tuesday night.
WINCHESTER -- One night after clinching the Northwestern District regular-season crown, the Handley Judges avoided a letdown and beat Warren County, 78-63, on Saturday night.
WINCHESTER -- Handley girls basketball coach Marvin Scott wasn't at all surprised by the Judges' solid 56-26 victory against the Warren County Wildcats on Saturday night.
FRONT ROYAL -- Handley head coach Marvin Scott said it's too late in the season to be turning the ball over as much as the Judges did against Skyline on Friday. However, he added that this late in the season, he'll also take a win.
WINCHESTER -- Scoreboard malfunctions, a sluggish third quarter and hungry opponents with equally ravenous fans did their best to spoil Handley's quasi-homecoming on Friday.
WINCHESTER -- Erin Drumheller sank four free throws over the final minute and 30 seconds Friday to lead Handley to a 48-43 girls basketball victory over Central. Drumheller led the Judges with 18 points and helped seal victory for the formerly beleaguered club, which had...
WINCHESTER -- Handley started strong and finished strong on Tuesday night against James Wood. The Judges used a solid first quarter to build a big lead, only to have the Colonels close the gap in the third quarter. Handley once again rose to the occasion with another offensive outburst in the fourth quarter to pull out a 70-50 win over James Wood in Northwestern District action.
WINCHESTER — Handley coach Tommy Dixon always preaches to his team that the third quarter is the most important one. On Monday night, his team listened.
WINCHESTER — Handley guard Corin Scott’s jump shot in the fourth quarter wasn’t errant; actually, it fell perfectly through the net. It was, however, seemingly out of place against Skyline on Monday with 2:11 remaining on the clock. Of the Judges’ 21 field goals at Shingleton Gymnasium on the campus of Shenandoah University, 17 were layups.
SHENANDOAH JUNCTION -- Danziel Cartwright could tell in practices over the last week that Handley wasn't putting in the effort they needed to. So, the senior guard wasn't surprised by his team's lackluster performance on Tuesday night against Jefferson County (W.Va).
The instincts and natural ability of Skyline's Andrew Thorne and Handley's Leonard Grant helped the pair to the All-Group AA football team of The Associated Press.
WINCHESTER -- Heather Armel had trouble sleeping Friday night. After a disappointing loss to Millbrook, in which she only took six shots in the game, the James Wood junior was determined not to suffer the same fate Saturday against Handley.
WOODSTOCK -- Normally high school athletes don't enjoy having to practice. Handley's boys basketball team will be the exception when they finally get back in the Daniel Morgan Middle School gym.
Handley grads Brian Partlow and Lang Campbell weren't completely surprised, but that didn't make the news any easier to take. The Arena Football League announced on Monday that the league was canceling the 2009 season, pending an agreement with the players union. The league is hoping to return in 2010.
WINCHESTER -- Getting over a cold, but coming down with the flu, Danziel Cartwright wasn't sure he was well enough to even play basketball, much less start against James Wood on Monday night.
WINCHESTER -- Handley's boys basketball players don't feel like they've played any home games this season. Because of renovations at Handley, the team has had to play its home games at Daniel Morgan Middle School. On Saturday night, the Judges showed they're the same dominant team no matter where they play.
WINCHESTER -- Erin Drumheller understands how bright Handley's future could be, and that's why the sophomore point guard has learned to be patient with her young teammates this season.
