Summersville – Coming into the week ranked No. 2 in the latest coaches poll, James Monroe had a target on its back and a chance to prove itself worthy of that ranking.
The Mavericks did just that.
Behind 20 points from all-stater Mya Dunlap, James Monroe toppled defending Class AA state champion and No. 4 Charleston Catholic 54-47 Wednesday in the Winter Classic in Summersville.
Playing without all-stater Ali Wilcox, Catholic got out to a slow start, spending much of its energy playing catchup before fading down the stretch.
The Mavericks jumped out to a 12-3 lead in the opening four minutes, threatening to run away with the contest before the undermanned defending state champs weathered the storm, closing the frame on an 11-0 run with Juliana Evans scoring eight of her 13 points in the frame to put the Irish up 14-12 after a frame.
“It’s almost like we get comfortable,” James Monroe head coach Shari Helvey said. “At some point we thought it was (fatigue) but I didn’t think we looked tired the last two games. I just think we get comfortable and quit being the aggressor and quit taking care of the basketball. Charleston Catholic went to a 2-3 in that first quarter. There’s the saying when you play man-to-man and practice against it you play better half court offense against it. When we’re in practice we’re not really playing much zone. I feel like we’re not attacking those zones as good as we do a half court man (defense).”
Dunlap reestablished control for the Maverick early in the third with a 3 while her younger sister Lydia caused problems adding six points in the frame to put the Mavs up 26-23 at halftime.
“I think our girls showed a lot of resiliency, ” Catholic head coach Wes Heavener said. “Opening up the sedans we’ve played a lot of difficult competition and I think it’s kind of helped us. We’ve got to take everything possession by possession and take the highs and make sure we’re playing consistent. I think our girls took it possession by possession and I think they did a great job of getting back in the game and throughout the game getting back to playing the same way we played to get back into it.”
The second half featured a steady dose of Mya Dunlap, who scored 15 points after the break, getting to the rim, drawing contact and converting on 9 of 10 free throw attempts.
Her efforts helped push the lead to seven points in the fourth, stamping a signature victory.
“It really helps when Mya is on and she’s playing well right now and has the last few games,” Helvey said. “She’s looked like the elder statesman of the team so when she dials in and she’s moving and she’s cutting it helps everybody.”
All-stater Mary Rushworth led Catholic with 15 points while Nora Aliff netted 12. Lydia Dunlap finished with 11 for the Mavericks.
JM: 12 14 16 12
CC: 14 9 16 8
Charleston Catholic
Molly Webber 2, Juliana Evans 13, Nora Aliff 12, Mary Rushworth 15, Abby Messah 5
James Monroe
Mya Dunlap 20, Kendall Long 9, Peighton Griffith 6, Monaka Moore 8, Lydia Dunlap 11
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