Success has been running rampant at James Monroe High School lately.
The boys basketball team is coming off a state championship season. The football team advanced to the state championship game earlier in the month and the volleyball team also earned a berth in the state tournament in November.
Add individual success in cross country and golf and it is clear to see why Maverick-mania has been running wild.
While the boys are favored to contend for another state title, the girls hoops squad now appears poised to add its name the long list of successful teams in Lindside after a slow start.
With several players getting started late due to the state tournament volleyball run, the Mavericks opened the season 0-2.
However, in week two James Monroe started hitting on all cylinders and now the Mavs have won four games in a row including back-to-back lopsided victories so far this week.
The week two game that provided the spark was a road win over regional rival Greenbrier West.
Central to the the Mavs’ success that night was all-state senior Adyson Hines who narrowly missed a triple-double scoring 16 points, while grabbing 14 rebounds and collecting eight steals.
For her efforts in the key early season win, Hines has been named the Lootpress Girls Basketball Player of the Week for the week two of the high school basketball campaign.
The Lootpress Player of the Week Award is sponsored by Mid-State Ford, Bodyworks and The Law Offices of Brandon Steele.
“I am ecstatic really,” Hines said about being named Player of the Week. “I can’t do it without the help of my teammates like Mary Beth (Meadows) dishing it into me. She passes it where I want it and I can also kick it outside to Haley (Hunnicutt). Without my teammates I can’t get the credit that I do.”
James Monroe and Greenbrier West were both one win away from a state tournament berth last year. Needless to say, both teams were highly focused on the early season clash in Charmco.
“I think Greenbrier West was one of the games that the girls had marked on the calendar early in the year,” James Monroe head coach Mike Hines said. “They pretty much returned everybody and they are really scrappy. (Greenbrier West head) coach (Mark) Agee always has those girls ready to play. They just picked up a big win (Tuesday) at Midland Trail.”
“Greenbrier West has a smaller gym and it’s a tough place to play,” coach Hines continued. “Everything feels like it is on top of you. We came out and held them to two free-throws in the first quarter.”
Adyson Hines echoed her father’s words about the importance of an early road win over a tough opponent.
“I was ready to get the win. I was unable to play in the game before that due to sickness. So I was ready to get back out there and get to work,” Adyson said. “My mindset in that game was try to dominate really.”
As could be expected, there was some excitement in the James Monroe locker room after the win.
“When they were in the locker room after the game, they were on a pretty good high,” coach Hines explained. “The momentum of that win is going to carry over, regardless of who you play the next game. The confidence goes out the roof, especially with it being on the road.”
While the 16 points were crucial for her team, it was the 14 rebounds that the younger Hines was most excited.
“That was a big win for us and I was really happy. It was great to get that boost of confidence, not just in myself, but in the team,” Adyson Hines said. “Rebounds are what I strive for and that is what I work to get. I was fourth in the state last year and I want to be right up there at the top again.”
Hines was expected to be a key contributor this year if the Mavericks were to be successful. So far, she has handled those lofty expectations like a senior should.
“I think the girls still look to her, but without them, she doesn’t get what she does,” coach Hines said. “I told her coming into the season that she would draw a lot of attention once they see her name.”
True to his words, Adyson has drawn the attention of the opposing defenses, but that has also created opportunities for the rest of the team.
“I tell the other girls that is when they need to step up. Haley had a huge game (Tuesday) night,” coach Hines said. “When Adyson touched the ball, Montcalm most of the time had three girls come at her. She would throw it back out and Haley had her best game with 19 points.”
Also a senior, Hunnicutt has shown her maturity by understanding that 3-point shooting is much different if you can pitch it in the post first.
“When you are able to throw the ball in as a shooter, when it comes directly back to you, your shooting percentage goes up at least by 25 or 30 percent,” coach Hines said. “When she is set and ready to get the ball back, Haley is one of the better shooters in southern W.Va.”
As the saying goes, success breeds success and Adyson Hines likes the path her team is on so far in the early portion of the season.
“We are gelling really well right now. We have the shooters and the height. We have the defenders and we have the speed. So, I feel like we can do really well later in the season,” Adyson said. “I think winning is contagious. In our school right now, winning is our mindset.”
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Summers County’s Abby Persinger won the fan vote. In an effort to reward communities for their diligence in voting for their respective players, Lootpress will take the top vote getter each week that hasn’t already won the Community Choice poll and advance them to the pool of candidates for the newly created Community Choice Player of the Year. When the regular season concludes, the players that led in total votes their respective weeks will be grouped into a poll where everyone can vote on one player to win the award as well as the $500 scholarship that comes with it
2022-23 Player of the Week Winners
Week 1: Harmony Mills, Independence
Week 2: Adyson Hines, James Monroe
2022-23 Community Choice Winners
Week 1: Sullivan Pivont, Summers County
Week 2: Abby Persinger, Summers County
