CHARLESTON, W.Va. — James Monroe girls basketball coach Shari Helvey rarely calls into question her team’s defense.
When the Mavericks generate offensive production to match the consistency of their defensive output, a result like Saturday’s 50-26 win against Williamstown in the Class AA title game is essentially ensured.
The result inside the Charleston Coliseum gives the Mavericks a third state championship and their first since 2002 when they won in repeat fashion. The next year, the Mavericks were upended by one point and denied a three-peat.
“I thought that game was going to be a way closer matchup,” said James Monroe coach Shari Helvey. “I lost a state championship on a last-second shot as a player [at James Monroe] and the trauma book I have in my pocket I keep for what to do in certain situations, and I’m just going to throw it out the door. We executed and made shots today.
“I’m proud to be their coach and proud to be from Monroe County. It’s been 24 years since I was here cutting down the nets. It’s a real full circle for me and enjoyable to look at all these kids. It’s very strange. The defensive effort, I can’t say enough about it.”
That was the case throughout the state tournament for JMHS, the top seed that finishes the season with a 25-1 record. Over three games in Charleston, the Mavericks allowed 89 points and no more than 33 in a contest.
Williamstown (21-4) made five first-half field goals and shot 9 for 46.
“We played hard,” Yellowjackets’ coach Danny Bunch said. “The biggest thing was we couldn’t put the ball in the hole and get the lid off the basket in the first half or second half. The first half, we had some looks.
“It just wasn’t our day. James Monroe was obviously the better team today. We couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. Unfortunately, that’s basketball. Some days you love basketball, some days you hate it. As a player, today is probably one of those days you hate it.”
As strong as the defensive effort was, the Mavericks made 7-of-8 shots in the opening quarter to build an 18-5 lead. Mya Dunlap was 3 for 3 with eight points and Lydia Dunlap and Kendall Long added two buckets apiece.
“We knew we had to knock down some shots tonight, keep our nerves down and come out with a win,” Mya Dunlap said.
The Mavericks settled for a 25-12 halftime lead, and never allowed No. 2 WHS to cut into that deficit in the second half.
“When you get that little bit of cushion, their defense gets that much better,” Helvey said.
Mya Dunlap’s three-pointer and Lydia Dunlap’s layup upped the lead to 18, and it became 20 for the first time at 39-19 after Long scored with 1:17 left in the frame.
“They were passing the ball and were crisp with it,” Helvey said.
Mya Dunlap shot 8 for 11 and made 5 of 6 from long range while leading all players with 21 points. She added seven rebounds and was named Most Valuable Player of the Class AA State Tournament.
“It’s incredible. Being able to do it with this team and playing team ball instead of ‘me’ ball,” Mya Dunlap said. “Our offensive game was on today. We played great together. We knew we had to come together and nobody could do this by themselves. I didn’t do this by myself.”
Lydia Dunlap posted a double-double of 13 points and a game-best 10 boards to help James Monroe dominate the board battle, 38-26.
“They’re two tall, lengthy girls. That’s a matchup issue for anybody,” Bunch said of the Dunlap sisters.
Long scored eight to go with six rebounds.
Arissa Burt had eight points and Quinn Bunch four steals in defeat.
Class AA all-tournament team
Kyndal Lusk, Wyoming East
Arissa Burt, Williamstown
Erin Maxwell, Wheeling Central
Kendall Long, James Monroe
Quinn Bunch, Williamstown
Lydia Dunlap, James Monroe
Gracie Montgomery, Williamstown
MVP: Mya Dunlap, James Monroe