PB’s Knotts named to all-state first unit
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CHARLESTON -- When Shari Helvey (maiden name Walker) led James Monroe to its first girls basketball title as a player in 2001, the Mavericks became notorious for being one of the few teams in state history to win a state championship without a first team all-state selection.
Twenty-five years later Helvey has again led James Monroe to the peak of the Class AA mountain, this time as the head coach. And the West Virginia Sports Writers Association has recognized those accomplishments accordingly, with interest.
This time around the Mavericks have netted two first-teamers with sisters Mya and Lydia Dunlap earning co-captain honors of the Class AA first team all-staters as selected by the WVSWA.
For Mya, a junior, it's her second consecutive first team selection. It's the first for the freshman Lydia who led the state champions in scoring this season, failing to reach double figures just once in 26 games.
The duo's selection as co-captains was well-merited. They finished with a record of 9-0 against the other first team selections they played against with an average margin of victory of 19 points.
Each sister had a different role for the team.
Mya was one of the few holdovers from last year's state semifinal squad, providing leadership and a steady hand at the guard position while pitching in 15.7 points per game.
Lydia became a consistent scoring threat, averaging 17.8 point per game and transitioning to the high school game seamlessly.
Joining the Dunlap sisters on the first team are eight players who all showcased their talents in Charleston.
State runner-up Williamstown is represented by junior point guard Quinn Bunch and senior forward Arissa Burt, both of whom started the second title games of their careers this season. It's the first first team selection for both players.
Bunch averaged 17.4 points per game and made 72 3-pointers on the season while Burt netted 9.6 points per game to go along with 7.1 rebounds.
Joining the pairs of teammates is Charleston Catholic's Mary Rushworth, who averaged 14.9 points per game for the 2025 champs, closing her career out with consecutive first team selections after beginning it with consecutive second team selections.
Wheeling Central's Seneca Heller is the sixth member of the first team, earning her second consecutive first team selection with a scoring average of 18.4 point per game that helped the Maroon Knights back to the Class AA semis.
Wayne's Jayce Sammons, a Class AAA first team-selection a year ago when the Pioneers claimed the Class AAA crown, repeated her personal feat in Class AA. She did so by averaging 26.5 points and 4.8 steals per game.
Philip Barbour junior Izzy Knotts bumped up from second team to first team this season with a year that saw her net 14.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game for the Colts.
The ninth member of the squad is Lincoln center Aundrea Rockwell who averaged 11.5 points and 10 rebounds per game on 51 percent shooting from the floor.
Last but not least is Wyoming East standout Abi Baker who finished all four years of her career at the state tournament, winning titles as a freshman and sophomore. She hit the game-winning shot in the 2024 state championship game, earned second team all-state honors last year and wraps her career with first team honors.
Captaining the second team is Charleston Catholic Nora Aliff. She's joined by Buffalo's Brooke Woods, Logan's Jerzee White, James Monroe's Kendall Long, Wyoming East's Kyndal Lusk, Independence's Lacey Goodson, Wheeling Central's Erin Maxwell and Bella Fitzsimmons, Doddridge County's Peyton Trent and Roane County's Anna Tolley.
Class AA First Team
Mya Dunlap, James Monroe, Jr. (co-captain)
Lydia Dunlap, James Mornoe, Jr. (co-captain)
Seneca Heller, Wheeling Central, Sr.
Quinn Bunch, Williamstown, Jr.
Abi Baker, Wyoming East, Sr.
Mary Rushworth, Charleston Catholic, Sr.
Jayce Sammons, Wayne, Jr.
Izzy Knotts, Philip Barbour, Jr.
Aundrea Rockwell, Lincoln, Jr.
Arissa Burt, Williamstown, Sr.
Second Team
Nora Aliff, Charleston Catholic (captain)
Brooke Woods, Buffalo, Soph.
Jerzee White, Logan, Fr.
Kendall Long, James Monroe, Soph.
Kyndal Lusk, Wyoming East, Sr.
Lacey Goodson, Independence, Jr.
Erin Maxwell, Wheeling Central, Sr.
Payton Trent, Doddridge County, Sr.
Bella Fitzsimmons, Wheeling Central, Jr.
Anna Tolley, Roane County, Sr.
Honorable Mention
Aleigh Cheeseman, Doddridge County; Bailey Pritt, Braxton County; Anna Cosner, Williamstown; Katie Grimm, Tyler Consolidated; Jayme Salser, Ravenswood; Brooke DeHaven, Doddridge County; Harmony Mills, Independence; Kenzie Chaffin, Midland Trail; Raelyn Morris, Midland Trail; Sarah Lilly, Westside; Chasity Kennedy, River View; Jaelynn Boone, Summers County; Journey Blair, Logan; Peighton Griffith, James Monroe