MOUNDSVILLE – Going into last season, John Marshall girls basketball coach Brock Melko knew there would be growing pains. However, the Monarchs’ young team was able to finish the 2022-23 season with a strong record of 15 wins and 8 losses.
“There were good times and there were bad times,” Melko said. “We knew from the time we came in that we were going to be young. Our freshmen had a culture shock. They were used to winning. It was an eye-opener for them in a good way. It was something.
“Last year, it looked like we were a group getting our feet wet in the pool with powerful people from all over the state. I hope we’re ready to deal with that by now.”
Riley Storm was one of last year’s freshmen and is the Monarchs’ leading scorer returning. In his first varsity season, Storm averaged over 13 points per game, along with four rebounds (4.3), four assists (4.3), and two steals (2.8).
Classmates Kaylee White, Masin Inklan, and Nia Miller also played on the national team last season, and Melco has high expectations for them.
“There were moments where all four of us looked really good, and then we had moments with the freshmen where we kind of needed to slow down our game a little bit.
They had leadership, learning, and bright spots. I think they will be our leaders for the next three years. ”
Senior Kari Derrow returns to the lineup for her final varsity season after a solid performance as a junior. Derrow averaged 11.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
“We’re only two weeks into the season, but if the Keiri we got in the first two weeks is the Keili we got by March, she’ll make our team a million times better. ” Melko said.
“She has led through her voice and her play.”
Atlanta Updegraff is the other senior, and Tori Finley, Kirstin Evert and Kameryn Wells are juniors. Lainie Farmer will be the final sophomore, with Karin Reese, Nora Schock and Jania Zook potentially available as freshmen.
“I think we had a really good offseason. We had a lot of success,” Melko said. “Our goal is to prove that we’re right. A lot of times in sports, people use people who don’t expect much from you as motivation. I said that on the first day.
“I don’t work worrying about other people. I think we did a great job the first few weeks. Our focus is on thinking we’re pretty good. “So we want to prove that we are right, both as a team and as individuals. If we can do that at the end of the year, it will be a successful season.”
Melco is supported by Kurt Mele and Justin Ickleberry.