Monacan High School - Legend Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

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Strong And Quick Struggling somewhat through the 1984-85 season, the boys JV basketball team nevertheless exhibited the potential for a strong team. Although the final record was only 8-12, the team played much better than the record might indicate. As a whole, the team lacked a true big man and therefore, a number of their opponents were sim- ply taller and this height dis- advantage was difficult to overcome. But what the team lacked in height, it made up for with quick handed guards and smooth moving forwards. Un- der the leadership of captain Mike Holley, the team blend- ed well together and per- formed beyond most people’s expectations. On the floor, Jamie Wright was the play- maker. Offensively, he led the team in scoring, averaging over thirteen points per game, and in assists dishing out 85. He also provided the defense with spark, leading the team in steals. Jack Desemone pro- vided strong offensive help averaging ten points per game and he led the team in field 1984-85 Boys JV Basketball Team FRONT ROW: Wes Moore; Wally Granville; Corey Bryant; David King; SECOND ROW: Jamie Wright; Jack Desemone; Steve Triano; Jeff Chauncey; Greg Newman; THIRD ROW: Coach Riley; Mike Holley; Ronnie Smith; Rodney Wells; Todd White; Allison Asher, manager; Pam Robinson, manager. Page 60 Boys J.V. Basketball goal percentage. For re- bounding, the team relied on the duo of Mike Holley and Ronnie Smith and the two to- gether accounted for nearly 200 rebounds. Steve Triano also performed solidly, aver- aging four points per game and giving the team addition- al rebounding power. Coming off the bench, the team also received strong help. David King, the team’s third guard, led the way with strong defense and added three points per game. In ad- dition, David was an 80% free throw shooter making him a valuable player down the stretch. Also, in one game, David canned six out of six shots in the first half to lead the team on to victory. Other strong reserves included Wes Moore, a much needed bruis- er; Wally Granville, an accu- rate jump shooter, and Corey Bryant, who was known for his hustle. Greg Newman rounded out the reserves with his role play. Get out of my way! Looking to the basket for another two points, Jack Desemone dribbles around his oppo- nent.

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We Can Do It Together The 1984-85 Monacan Chiefs basketball team was not expected to play strongly or figure in the Central Dis- trict race. Rather, the team was expected to rebuild; after all, eight of the top nine play- ers from the year before had graduated. But the team took as its motto, “We Can Do It Together in ’85” and togeth- er, they did it. The team started strongly, going 7-1 after eight games. Among those wins was an 18 point victory over arch-rival, 1 ranked (in the state), and eventual state champion, Pe- tersburg; a double sweep of Trinity; and two blowouts of teams previously giving Mon- acan trouble. Towards mid- season, injuries to several key starters resulted in a four game losing streak, but the team finished smoothly win- ning their last four out of five games. In the district tourna- ment, Monacan won its first tournament game ever, de- feating Prince George 60-53, but Monacan fell to then 1 ranked Hopewell by a mere two points. But the season was never- theless a successful one and the Chiefs earned their de- scriptions of “scrappy” and “hustling.” Individually, the team was led by the 6’7” All- State center, Mike Winiecki, who averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds per game, and in the annual East-West All Star game in Lynchburg, Mike scored 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds playing among the state’s finest. Eric Jones provided the team with additional inside help and for the outside game, the team was able to rely on Ty Her- bertson, Rodney Brown, James Thompson, and Jay Van Story. But the story of the year was not only Mike Winiecki, but Jay Van Story as well. Rising from the deep end of the bench which he rode as a junior, Jay rose to the occasion as a senior. Pro- viding the team with strong floor leadership, Jay was both a playmaker and scorer; in ef- Letting nothing stand in his way, Mike Win- iecki rams the ball in for a score over his helpless opponent. fect, he was a perfect comple- ment to the team, and his ef- forts were well rewarded by his selection as the winner of the John Kuester award. The award, given to the top player exhibiting leadership, sports- manship, and ability, was bestowed upon Jay by a panel of area coaches, and this award signified Jay’s dedica- tion not only to the game, but to his team, coaches, oppo- nents, and fans alike. So while the team did not top the winning record of the team preceding it, it certainly topped any Monacan team in terms of hard work, sports- manship, unity, and dedica- tion. With such players as Mike and Jay representing Monacan, anyone loyal to the Chief Belief was well reward- ed. Both of these seniors will be sorely missed for next year and perhaps even irreplaca- ble, but for a season that was supposed to be a rebuilding one, the Varsity squad sure made the most of it. Varsity Basketball THEY Douglas Freeman Lee Davis Prince George Hopewell Trinity Petersburg Dinwiddie Trinity Marshall-Walker Benedictine Lee Davis Armstrong-Kennedy Prince George Hopewell Petersburg Dinwiddie Benedictine Marshall-Walker Douglas Freeman Armstrong-Kennedy District Tournament 60 Prince George 53 Hopewell 67 Central District Record (5-7) Overall Record (13-9) TWO! Calling out the next play, the team’s floor leader, Jay Van Story keeps a careful eye on his opponents. Varsity Boys Basketball Page 59

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This one’s mine! Coming down That’s two! Going up strong for a strong with a rebound, Steve Triano layup, Todd White makes scoring look finds himself surrounded by a mass of easy. Generals. a a ee 1984-85 Boys JV B Basketball Team FRONT ROW: John Moss; Mark Garofalo; Rob Fauber; Gary Robertson; Matt Farrell; SECOND ROW: Jenny Coleman, 4 . a : oe manager; Troy Mitchell; CBIERe : i”. AF ‘gj : eA Ee Ne i + - (Wi ' ! Eddie Burleson; Greg Dia- 32 s HY - : - 7: ae i mond; Kelly Butler; Dana - ‘ ee Fe ‘ Pag Taylor, manager; THIRD ROW: Kevin South; Steve Moats; Chris Detmer; Wayne Morris; Mark Wad- dill; Greg Cousins; David Smith. Boys J.V. B Basketball Page 61