By Dave Morrison for the register-herald

lindside – A mixture of talented veterans and young players with unlimited potential has turned out for a James Monroe team looking to improve on last year ’ s 12-8 mark and a berth in the Class A Region 3 co-finals .

The Mavericks won 10 games at the end of the last year before losing two games in the postseason .

Four seniors return to the fold for the Mavs , led by Adyson Hines , daughter of coach Mike Hines and Haley Hunnicutt .

Hines was a second-team all-stater and a first-team All-Coalfield selection and a three-year starter .

“ Adyson is great on the boards and all-around stat filler ,” Hines said . “ She plays the post but can also step out and shoot the 3 . Very versatile and can play multiple positions . You will see her name in the box score every night .”

Shooting guard Haley Hunnicutt was a first-team All-Coalfield Conference selection as well and she will have to take on some of the responsibilities of defensive stopper Lilly Jackson who has graduated .

“ She can knock down 3s and we ’ re also asking for a big defensive year this year ,” Hines said . “ She was top 10 in the state last year averaging just over five steals per game and she was also a three-year starter for us .”

The other seniors are Emily Bailey and Chloe Shires .

“ We ’ re looking for ( Bailey ) to be more of an offensive threat this year ,” Hines said . “ She is a superb team player and always motivating every player . ( Shires ) will step in and be able to help both offensively and defensively this year . She had a great start to her senior year in practice so far and has worked extremely hard on getting better on the defensive end .”

Point guard Mary Beth Meadows is back after a stellar sophomore campaign that saw her lead Class A in steals with over six a game last winter .

“ Set will absolutely wreak havoc on guards on the defensive side ,” Hines said . “ She will be asked to be our General on the floor and make sure we are where we need to be on both ends of the floor .

Maggie Boroski leads a quintet of sophomores ready to start making their presence felt .

“ I ’ m looking for her to step up from a great freshman season and will see the floor a lot this year ,” Hines said . “ She has great length that we can utilize on our zone defenses and when we may press . Has Great speed off the dribble and a great mid-range jump shot .

Oter sophomores who will make their presence felt are Avan Dunlap , Kaitlyn Jones , Bryleigh Thomas , and Aleigha Hopkins .

Of Dunlap , Hines said , “ Very quietly can shut down a guard with her quickness on defense . She goes about her business on the floor and never tries to do too much . She is understanding her role as sophomore and will be looking for her to come off the bench and change the tempo of the game .

Of Jones , Hines said . “ Versatile player that I feel can be a better outside shooter with work in practice . She has played post for most of her life , but I feel she can be worked at three different positions . She has some length that I will use on pressing and some trapping zone defense .”

Of Thomas , Hines said , “ Very aggressive player that will absolutely get after it on the boards . Looking for her to be a Great defensive presence this year and be a board cleaner on the offensive end .”

Of Hopkins , Hines said “ One of the softest shots on the Team . Great midrange jumper and we ’ re asking her to be another shooter for us and to come off the bench and knock down some shots .”

Hines said freshman Aliyah Clarkson will be expected to make an immediate impact .

“ She gives us added size for us inside that can be a monster on the boards and can finish with contact ,”

Hines said . “ She has adapted well so far to high school speed of play , and I look for her to step right in and contribute right away .”

Hines knows , as the team found out last year , it ’ s a tough Region to get through and end a 21-year absence from the state tournament .

“ We as a team have discussed the importance of each practice coming into this year and how we compete in practice will only make us better in the game ,” Hines said . “ We have a tough sectional and regional with River View and then on the other side with Greenbrier West and leading scorer in the state Sydney Baird at Webster County . I have asked our seniors to step up and be leaders on and off the floor and to be an ear for the underclassman . I know that we have the team to make a run to Charleston and I am fully aware of our opponents , and we have come up just short the past two seasons .”

To prepare for the postseason gauntlet Hines has toughened the schedule .

“ Along with playing sectional opponent River View , then Regional Greenbrier West we added Greenbrier East , Shady Spring , and Oak Hill ,” Hines said . “ We will travel to Tucker County for a Christmas tournament with all those teams making it to Charleston last year , Tucker County , Frankfort and Union .”