BECKLEY- James Monroe may be quietly becoming what they have been the last two seasons.
Except Thursday night at the New River CTC Invitational, they were not that quiet.
The no. 4 Mavericks defeated the third ranked Webster County Highlanders 59-51 and gave the previously undefeated Highlanders their first loss of the young season.
After going 7-of-15 in the first half from downtown, coach Matt Sauvage devised a plan that ran the Highlanders off the 3-point line in the second half, and it worked. They shot just 20 percent from deep after the halftime break.
“This team is a really fun team to coach,” Sauvage said.
“These young men are very coachable but more than that, they have bought into the team concept. They are not worrying about who gets the credit. They are working together towards a common goal every practice and every game. That goal is to get better as individuals and as a team every single day,” he continued.
Ryan Cole had a huge game for the Mavs as he scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds (7 off, 7 def). His effort on the glass also helped the whole Mavs team outrebound Webster Co. 35-17. Brady Baker added 14 points for James Monroe who moved to 5-2 on the season. Ryan Mann also played well and added 8 points and 9 rebounds for James Monroe.
“The win against Webster was a good win. It lets us know that we are rising in the right direction, but we can’t stop where we are. We have to continue to rise and find the highest point we can with this team,” Sauvage explained.
James Monroe shot 45 percent from the field for the game while holding the Highlanders to 38 percent.
“The coaches I coach with and the players I coach, I am blessed,” Sauvage concluded.
Riley Clevenger led Webster County with 17 points.
Saturday’s showdown with Greenbrier West was cancelled due to inclement weather and the Mavs are slated to play Greater Beckley Christian on the road this Tuesday, Jan. 9, weather permitting.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.