SR 2002

Commending the John Handley High School boys' basketball team.
Agreed to by the Senate, April 23, 2026
WHEREAS, the John Handley High School boys' basketball team won the Virginia High School League Class 4 state championship on March 14, 2026, at Virginia Commonwealth University's Stuart C. Siegel Center in Richmond; and
WHEREAS, the John Handley High School Judges defeated the Hampton High School Crabbers by a score of 61–42 to secure the first boys' basketball state championship title in the school's history; and
WHEREAS, the Handley Judges executed their game plan and took a 24–18 advantage into halftime, then expanded their lead in the third quarter before pulling away in the fourth; and
WHEREAS, the Handley Judges saw strong performances from Christian Dinges, Will Braun-Duin, Isaiah Baxter, and Jaevon Brisco, who all had point totals in the double-digits, and from Kyren Oglesby, who helped neutralize Hampton's best defender; and
WHEREAS, the Handley Judges were led throughout the year by head coach Zach Harrell-Zook, who became the youngest coach in Virginia High School League history to win a boys' basketball state championship; and
WHEREAS, the accomplishments of the Handley Judges are the result of the hard work and dedication of the student-athletes, the leadership and guidance of their coaches and teachers, and the unwavering support of their families and the entire John Handley High School community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That the John Handley High School boys' basketball team hereby be commended for winning the 2026 Virginia High School League Class 4 state championship; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Zach Harrell-Zook, head coach of the John Handley High School boys' basketball team, as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for the team's achievement and best wishes for the program's continued success.