Sherando High School might have lost the coach who took the girls’ basketball program to its only two state tournament appearances, but the Warriors are bringing in someone with even more experience at the state level.
Sherando announced on Thursday that Regina Downing will be the successor to Brooklyn Wilson (80-50 in six seasons) as the Warriors’ head girls’ basketball head coach.
In 12 seasons as Clarke County’s girls’ basketball head coach, Downing led the Eagles to a 180-117 record, three region titles and four state tournament appearances, including the 2023 Class 2 state title. Last year’s Eagles went 24-5, won the Region 2B and Bull Run District tournament titles and advanced to the Class 2 semifinals.
Downing asked to have questions about her job situation submitted by email. In her response, Downing did not specify why she decided to leave Clarke County for the Warriors. She did say she spoke to Clarke County principal Dana Waring and director of athletics Casey Childs on Wednesday.
“After speaking with [them] and receiving their full support, I made the difficult decision that evening to accept a new opportunity,” Downing stated. “It was extremely difficult to make the decision to leave Clarke County. The staff, players and students have been nothing short of outstanding, and I’m truly grateful for the time I’ve spent in that incredible community.
“Looking ahead, I’m excited to begin a new chapter at Sherando High School.”
Because of the summer break, Downing said she wasn’t able to meet with Clarke County’s full team in person to let the players know of her decision. She did say she contacted the team’s rising seniors directly and shared the news through the team group chat for players who were of town.
Prospective Sherando basketball players and their parents will have a chance to meet Downing at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
Sherando coordinator of student activities Jason Barbe believes there is a lot for people in the program to look forward to with Downing.
In addition to being a head coach at Clarke County, Downing played collegiately for two years at Division I New Mexico State and she helped her alma mater, Clovis (New Mexico) High School, to two girls’ basketball Class 5A state titles in 10 years as an assistant coach. Downing spent two years as an Eagles assistant coach and two years as Lord Fairfax’s head women’s basketball coach before taking the head position at Clarke. She’s also coached at the AAU level.
“We are very excited to bring Coach Downing into the Sherando basketball program,” said Barbe in a news release. “She is a proven winner who brings credibility with her to this position. We had an outstanding candidate pool to choose from, but she quickly moved to the top with her experiences and abilities. Coach Downing is an even better person than she is a basketball coach. We are very excited for her to lead our young ladies.”
As the coach of the Johnson-Williams seventh-grade team that plays in the fall since 2018, Downing noted that she’s had a chance to coach against a lot of girls who will be at Sherando next year.
“I am looking forward to working with them in this next phase of my coaching career and seeing what we can accomplish,” Downing said.
In a post on X on Thursday, Childs wished Downing the best.
“Thanks Coach!” he wrote. “Congrats on a legendary run and best of luck at your next stop! Remarkable person! Forever an Eagle!”
That statement is typical of the type of support Downing received throughout her time at Clarke County after arriving from New Mexico.
“I remember my first days at Clarke County after relocating and thinking to myself, ‘This is the kind of positive, supportive atmosphere I just left,’” Downing said. “Even though I came from a much larger school, the outpouring of support from the Clarke community was beyond anything I could have imagined. I’m humbled by the kindness and generosity shown to me from Day One.”
Downing said she wanted her players to feel just as appreciated when they were part of her program.
“I hope that during my time here, I helped carry forward the strong sense of family that Clarke is known for,” Downing said. “It was always my goal to make every young lady I coached feel the care and respect I have for them. With the unwavering support of the administration, Ms. Waring and Coach Childs, along with dedicated parents who were always willing to help — from concessions to community service projects — our program truly thrived.”
Downing said she maintains relationships with the players she’s coached.
“The memories I’ve made here will stay with me always,” Downing said. “I still receive messages from players I coached in my early years at Clarke, and that continued connection is something I deeply value.”
Sherando and Clarke County are in two different situations in terms of experience.
Wilson — who led the Warriors to the 2022 and 2023 Class 4 quarterfinals — guided Sherando to a 12-11 record last season with a team that featured five seniors. The Warriors’ three leading scorers and four of their top five scorers were seniors, their top four rebounders were seniors, and five of their top six rebounders were seniors.
Because of what it has coming back and the graduation of Central-Wise star Emmah McAmis, Clarke County will be a major contender to win its second state title in four years next winter. The Eagles will lose only two seniors and one starter, and Downing expects Clarke County will be just fine without her.
“I believe Clarke County has an incredibly bright future, and I fully expect them to win the Class 2 state championship next year,” Downing said. “In my opinion, it won’t even be close. I will be cheering for them all the way.”