HS Girls Basketball: Mavericks ready for a deep postseason ride

James Monroe has earned back-to-back state tournament semifinal berths

not pictured is freshman Madisyn McClung

A first year high school head coach and a young varsity roster.

On paper, that has historically been a formula for a long ride on the struggle bus.

In the famous words of legendary college football coach and personality Lee Corso, "not so fast my friend."

Truth be told, the James Monroe girls basketball team will indeed be young in varsity experience and it will have a first year head coach.

A more in-depth look, however, shows a team that has the makings of a Class AA state title contender.

Shari (Walker) Helvey will now guide the Lady Mavericks after former head coach Angela Mann stepped down to spend more time with family.

Even though it's her initial year in the leadership role, Helvey is well known in Monroe County having played on two state championship teams (2001, 2002) and a state runner-up (2003).

Add in a stint at Peterstown Middle School along with some established relationships with current members of the team and the transition worries fade into the background.

Helvey's original dream was to be a college basketball coach, but when that did not work out, she turned to nursing and being a mother.

Fortunately for Maverick fans, the dream of coaching never totally faded away and has now resurfaced like a raging fire.

Adding a little gasoline to that fire is the fact that the former state champion is also stepping into a great situation in Lindside.

Helvey takes over a program that is coming off of back-to-back state tournament semifinal appearances.

Now the goal is to take the next step.

"I have inherited a lot of wealth. I like to say a gold mine," Helvey said. "We have been talented and we have been athletic, but how do we get over that hump in our preparation and how we see a game? How do we get over that semifinal hump this year?"

The challenge of making it to the state championship game is daunting in itself, but doing so after some heavy losses to graduation adds another level of difficulty.

Helvey has a different perspective, however, on the young roster she has inherited.

"People will look at our roster and say, wow, that is a really young team," the first year head coach said. "I guess some coaches are leery of that, but I love it so much. I have kids that worked all spring and summer with me. We had a JV (team) last year that is looking to shine. We have freshman that I am really excited about as well."

"I played on a state championship team that had four sophomores and a junior," Helvey went on to say. "It can be done as long as we have the confidence in ourselves and mature throughout the year. I think this team can be very successful. I see myself in a lot of these kids on this team and I think they are hungry in the same way."

Three juniors will lead the team this year, including 1st-team all-state selection Mya Dunlap (picture courtesy of Ashley Honaker).

"Mya is a kid that has played two years of varsity basketball. She is strong, intelligent and our best ball-handler. Mya is long and athletic with a huge ceiling. She is looking to be our leader, our voice and taking on a different role that she maybe hasn't had in the past."

Helvey will also look to juniors Rileigh Jackson and Lizzy Smith.

"They are great leaders on and off the court," Helvey said. "I think that adds a lot to this youthful group."

Kendall Long will be part of four sophomores on the varsity squad and will play a key role this year.

"Kendall was the starting guard the last five games of the season last year. She is a very quick and very active guard that is also a very good on-ball defender," Helvey said. "We are looking to transition Mya out of the point guard position and let Kendall do that. Obviously, it is a learning process, but she is a kid that has really worked all spring and summer. A 100 percent coachable kid."

Sophomores Peighton Griffith, Trinity Hill and Monaka Moore will also play key varsity roles.

"Peighton was mainly a JV player last year, but has put in the work to become a solid shooter. She is also a great ball defender," Helvey said. "Trinity was hurt in the state volleyball tournament and has just recently been cleared. She is a solid post player that can step out and knock down a jumper. Monaka has been phenomenal in our scrimmages and is really getting in the mix."

Adding more excitement for Maverick Nation is a talented group of freshman that includes the third, and youngest, Dunlap sister - Lydia.

"Lydia will contribute and will immediately make an impact. She is just a basketball player," Helvey said. "She is long, athletic, intelligent and also gives 110 percent. Lydia is learning, but she has big dreams, big goals and she will be an immediate factor on this team."

"Lydia is a different type player than Mya," Helvey continued. "Mya is going to give you more of a guard-like look where Lydia is our paint presence. She has post-up moves and can seal the defender. She can step out and shoot, but she is more of paint-type player. She is a high-IQ kid that knows where to make the next pass."

James Monroe's youth will be tested early at the Cabell Midland Shootout where it will play Class AAAA foes Huntington and Hurricane to open the season.

"Sometimes I feel like I should show more worry, but I am really not. I feel very passionate about the kids we have on the floor," Helvey said. "We are not just going to give you two main scorers. They just get out there and play. That is my favorite part about them. They are scrappy and they hustle. They know they can compete."