Last year the Class A Region 3, Section 1 championship title came down to James Monroe and River View. On paper, all signs point to a likely rematch this year between the two rivals.
The Mavericks enter the postseason as arguably the hottest team in Region 3.
After some early season struggles, James Monroe has lost just once since the start of the new year. That loss came to Class AAAA No. 7 Greenbrier East on Jan. 5 in Lindside.
In the midst of what has now become a 10-game win streak, James Monroe (12-6) also won a home game against River View, 51-45 the only time the two teams met in the regular season.
Over the successful 10-game stretch, The Mavs have outscored opponents on average 56-37.
Juniors Adyson Hines and Haley Hunnicutt are the key cogs in the Mavericks machine.
Hunnicutt is the leading scorer at 14 points per game, while Hines is averaging a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing nearly 12 rebounds per game.
Sophomore Mary Beth Meadows leads the team in steals with six per game.
River View (13-8), on the other hand, has had to battle numerous stoppages related to Covid this year. Entering the postseason however, the Raiders have won nine of their last 12 games.
“All year it has seemed liked we would play a week and then have to stop for a week. It has been an up and down battle all year,” River View head coach Gehrig Justice said. “The last week-and-a half we seem to have played our way into shape and appear to be moving in the right direction. I say that with my fingers crossed because we have really never fully hit our stride this year.”
Along with the setback to James Monroe, River View suffered two losses to Class A No. 9 Tug Valley in the 12-game stretch.
“James Monroe is good enough to beat us for sure. They have had some players develop throughout the year,” Justice said. “We feel like the game up there we played about as bad as we had all year and still had a chance. We didn’t play smart and I did a bad job with our sub rotation because of how we were playing.”
Juniors Haylie Payne (14.6) and Trista Lester (12.6), along with senior Ali Morgan (11.7) are the leading scorers for the Raiders.
Payne averages 8.6 rebounds per contest, while Lester grabs just under six boards and gets nearly five steals per game.
Katie Bailey has also been a solid contributor scoring seven points and pulling down eight rebounds.
While a rematch between the two state tournament contenders may seem likely, nothing is guaranteed in the postseason. An opening round sectional loss sends the loser home for the season.
No. 1 seed James Monroe was scheduled to host the winner of Monday’s Mount View and Greater Beckley Christian game on Wednesday, Feb. 23.
Monday it was announced that the Crusaders and the Golden Knights have forfeited their sectional games, which automatically moves the Mavericks into Friday’s championship game.
James Monroe will play the winner of No. 2 seed River View and No. 3 seed Montcalm. The Raiders and the the Generals will clash Wednesday.
River View has two decisive wins over Montcalm in the regular season.
“There is always concern about looking ahead and Montcalm played us well earlier in the year,” Justice said. “(Head coach) Cindy (Havens) always has her team well coached and they play right. If you overlook them, before you know you find yourself in a dogfight.”
