Monacan Girls Basketball: Regular Season Recap and Postseason Preview
Everything you need to know about the Lady Chiefs as they prepare to three-peat (Originally posted 2/7)
Regular Season Record: 22–0
Wins: Midlothian (79 to 39), @Clover Hill (66 to 17), *National Christian Academy (73 to 61), *Cathedral (74 to 67), *Prairie View (77 to 28), *Norcross (58 to 57), *Myrtle Beach (59 to 46), James River (91 to 31), @Bird (72 to 44), *Forest Trail Academy (75 to 64), Huguenot (98 to 38), @Manchester (77 to 24), @Midlothian (94 to 42), Clover Hill (91 to 20), @James River (92 to 58), Wythe (61 to 26), @Wythe (64 to 24), Cosby (82 to 41), @Huguenot (93 to 60), Manchester (80 to 22).
Losses: None
Postseason forecast:
So far, no team in Virginia has been able to keep things competitive with Monacan. At this point in the season, the Lady Chiefs are almost a lock to win a third straight title. Other than two-time defending 6A State Champion L.C Bird, no other team from the area has been able to stay within 28 of the Girls. If there’s one team with a reasonable shot of spoiling a Monacan three-peat, it would be Millbrook (21–1). Ranked tenth in the state and second in the 4A standings, the Pioneers are led by sharp-shooting point guard Madison Green, junior guard Erika Reed, and forward Amari Anthony. Like the Lady Chiefs, Millbrook has an impressive record, and could prove to be dangerous if they get hot from the floor. The odds are against of the two ever meeting up, but even if they did, I’d put my money on experience and talent of the Monacan Girls every single time.
Starting Lineup:
Alex Parson- Parson is the glue that holds the Lady Chiefs together, leading the team in rebounds (127), assists (112, the next highest Chief has 27), and steals (58). Advanced metrics reflect her value: her 67.3 Points Contributed per 100 Possessions rivals Walker’s (70.9) and the two have identical Efficiency Ratings (23.7). While her game isn’t flashy as Walker’s or Morris’, her 1st Team All State counterparts, she makes everyone around her better.
Jasmine Norman- A defensive specialist with a history of making big shots, Norman will play an even larger role as the Girls move into the postseason. Since January 17th, she’s brought her scoring average from 5.0 per game to 9.6.
Jaiden Morris- Even after putting up great numbers as a junior (17.6 points per game), she might Monacan’s most improved player. Despite a slight dip in scoring average (14.0 ppg), Morris is doing more and helping the team more than ever. An improved defender and passer, the Rider University commit has proved she’s much more than just a shooter.
Megan Walker- There’s not much to say about the nation’s top recruit that hasn’t already been said. It’s no surprise that she’s played her best basketball against tough competition, averaging 24.5 points per game on 46.1% shooting in Monacan’s six game stretch of invitational tournaments. There are times where she forces tough shots, but that’s only because she’s bored playing against borderline varsity players instead of the best college athletes in the country. She’s been ready for D1 ball since her sophomore year; watching her at the next level will be fascinating.
Abby Oguich- After recovering from a minor back injury, she’s ready for postseason play. This season, Oguich is leading the team by a mile in field goal percentage at 63.3%: the next highest Chief is at 46.3%. Her athleticism and rebounding ability makes her a staple in the starting lineup, and arguably the most valuable returning player for the 2018 season.
Reserves
Shalonda Wilkins- An experienced rotation player with a good feel for the game, Wilkins plays well with the starters and is always one of the first players off the bench. On any other team in the area, she’d probably start. Her rebounding ability and aggressiveness on defense (16 steals, 16 deflections) are her biggest strength.
Lindsay Estes- Estes is an underrated rotation player who has gone from shooting 20% from deep in 2016 to leading the team in threes at 38.8%. As a 3 and D wing (a specialist in three pointers and defense), she’ll likely see the court more often in the playoffs as she transitions into what could be a starting role next year.
Ajah Alexander- Alexander brings size and length to the lineup while shooting an efficient 54.5% on two pointers. She compliments both Eiser and Oguich quite well as one of the top options on the second unit.
Haley Eiser- As a physical rim protector, Eiser shores up what otherwise could be this team’s fatal flaw: interior size. Fortunately for Monacan, opponents will be hard pressed to score in the paint with Eiser in the game. In addition to rebounding, she can score when needed on a field goal percentage of 45.8%.
Jadesia Fludd- In her second year on varsity, Fludd has continued to improve. Against Wythe on January 30th, her steady progress culminated in a breakout as she posted a career high 18 points on eight for 12 shooting. As a senior, she’ll be a leader alongside younger players as she rebounds and plays in the post.
Lena Lee- Monacan’s freshman point guard is young, talented, and much improved since the start of the year. She’s become a dynamic passer and better decision maker while cutting down on turnovers. It will be interesting to see how she plays when given postseason minutes.
Kaira Winston- One of eight varsity underclassmen, Winston has also shown flashes of potential in limited time. With numbers nearly identical to Lee, the two will enter a friendly competition for a starting spot next year.
Nyah Hall- A sophomore transfer from Nevada, Hall has the tools to become a dependable rotation player in the near future. Her length and size should allow her to develop a good defender and rebounder, and when she masters her shot, the sky’s the limit.
Nation Wilson- Out of all the young athletes Coach Starr will work with, Wilson has the most star potential. In six games and limited playing time, she’s averaging 6.0 points and 3.1 rebounds on 46.1% field goal shooting and over 41% from deep. After dominating on the JV team, she’s transitioned nicely to the next level with few growing pains. If Wilson gels with her fellow underclassmen, there’s a chance the 2018 Lady Chiefs won’t be rebuilding, but contending for another title.
Team Stats
Assist Ratio- 13.7%
Turnover Ratio- 13.1%
Shooting percentage- 40.2%
Three point shooting percentage- 29.7%
-James Faris
