CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Tucker County High School head basketball coach Dave Helmick says every trip to Charleston for the Girls State High School Basketball Tournament is exciting, but this year is special.
Not only is it the Mountain Lions’ 20th consecutive year playing in the tournament, his two daughters, Macy and Maddy, are on the varsity team this year.
“It’s these girls too but it’s all the other girls that came before us,” Coach Helmick said. “We got shirts made this year and we actually honored that with 2024 but the other side of it says 2004, so we appreciate everyone that came before us and gave us this streak we have.”
Macy Helmick, a senior, said not many high school basketball players in West Virginia get the opportunity to experience a state tournament. She’s been to Charleston every year of her high school career.
“I’ve had so many good memories here with my dad and all my teammates. We’ve had great wins throughout the whole time, and I’ve just gained that experience. I look at people that maybe haven’t made it to the state tournament and I realize how blessed I am to be here four years,” she said.
Sophomore Maddy Helmick said while she takes pointers from her dad, her older sister is the person she really looks up to.
“I always wanted to play like her, obviously, I’m a forward and she’s a guard” she said. “I love playing for my dad and he’s really helped me throughout the years and this year has really been amazing.”
“Go Tucker, Go Tucker, Go!” 🗣️
Tucker County defeats Tyler Consolidated in Class A Quarterfinal at the Girls State High School Basketball Tournament this morning, 64-31.
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— Carrie Hodousek (@CarrieHodousek) March 6, 2024
Coach Helmick said the family has established a healthy relationship on and off the court. He said he knows how to turn off the “coach” title when he and his daughters get home from practice.
“You try to balance it because you don’t want to be too hard on them as a parent or a coach. I think we do a pretty good job once we get home. We don’t really focus on the basketball stuff as much as people think we do,” he said.
The team drew a crowd during Wednesday’s 64-31 win during the Class A Quarterfinal against Tyler Consolidated High School. Coach Helmick said the community support means everything and never gets old after all these years.
“This community is just rallying around this team and this program. It’s an amazing accomplishment,” he said.
Helmick, who has served as head coach for the last 10 years, said his goal is to make sure each team and each student has a unique experience at the state tournament. He said he gives his daughters the same amount of attention as other players.
“Our relationships are so good that I don’t really have to say too many things — two or three words and they kind of know what I’m thinking because they’re around me so much as opposed to other kids where I have to explain things more,” he said.
Macy said one of her favorite memories this season has been sharing the court with her younger sister.
“I’ve gave her some passes and it’s been great,” she said. “Me and dad have had so many memories over the years here off the court and I really wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Tucker County takes on Gilmer County in the Class A Semifinal at 7:15 p.m. Friday.