CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Matched up with a Lincoln team not lacking size, Class AA No. 1 James Monroe knew its trademark full court pressure would be even more important to the team’s success than normal.
The Mavericks relied on it early and often, and the No. 8 Cougars hardly had an answer for it.
James Monroe forced 14 first-quarter turnovers and 33 in all, helping the Mavericks nearly double up the Cougars on field-goal attempts in a commanding 68-33 victory at the Charleston Coliseum.
“It’s a tough defense and that’s how we teach it and play it,” Mavericks’ coach Shari Helvey said. “Once you get a few turnovers, you can get a little bit of momentum.”
JMHS (23-1) made only 5-of-16 shots in the opening quarter or its lead would’ve been larger than 14-4.
While the Mavericks were no more efficient in the second quarter and shot 6 for 22, it was the sheer volume of field-goal attempts as a result of turnovers and a rebounding advantage that made a massive difference.
After Mya Dunlap scored seven points in the opening frame, sister Lydia Dunlap, a freshman, accounted for eight in the second.
Despite the Cougars making half of their 10 shots in the second period, James Monroe’s halftime lead was 28-15.
“When you sit and watch Lincoln, I was having a hard time with those matchups and trying to decide which way to go,” Helvey said. “The unicorn of Mya Dunlap is something we love to see. I’m able to put her 1-4 and she’s able to match up with a big that I didn’t think maybe Monica would do as well on. I’m able to move her around to what I felt like is the best matchup for us. With our size on the offensive end, too, it’s tough to guard us.”
While the Cougars were within striking distance at halftime, they could have been closer were it not for 20 turnovers and 18 field-goal attempts.
“Turnovers were the big thing. Their pressure is good,” LHS coach Rob Hawkins said. “They’re long and athletic. We knew if we could break it, we’d have opportunities to score. Once we were able to get past that, that was true, but we turned it over too much.”
JMHS increased its offensive efficiency and execution throughout a 21-point third quarter in which the Mavericks shot 9 for 19.
Mya Dunlap and Lydia Dunlap combined for 15 of the 21 with nine and six points, respectively.
Mya Dunlap scored a game-high 21 points and made 8-of-16 shots, including half of her six triples.
“It’s nerve-wracking being in this big arena, but after first quarter, you adjust,” Mya Dunlap said. “You have to listen to your teammates and coaches and you just have to give it all you have.”
Lydia Dunlap chipped in with a dominant double-double of 18 points and a game-best 16 boards. She made 9-of-17 shots and helped her team win the rebounding battle, 49-41, including 30-14 on the offensive glass.
Kendall Long scored 13 to give the Mavericks three double-figure scorers.
“Lydia is constantly moving,” Helvey said. “She’s a bigger Kendall. Their motors are going 100 miles an hour all the time. That’s half of it with Lyd.”
James Monroe attempted 75 shots to 40 for Lincoln.
“When you double a team’s shots, that’s pretty nice to see as well,” Helvey said.
Cougars’ post players Aundrea Rockwell and Brystol Toth led their squad with 14 and 10 points, respectively.
Despite bowing out in a quarterfinal, Hawkins expressed pleasure the resiliency and perseverance his team displayed following a season-ending injury to senior guard Sadie Adams in January.
“We lost someone and everybody improved to makeup for that,” Hawkins said, “and that’s why in the second half of the season, we played so well. As a group, they made up for that together — and that was huge.”
The Mavericks will face No. 5 Wyoming East in a Class AA semifinal.