MOUNDSVILLE – Going into last season, John Marshall girls basketball coach Brock Melko knew there were going to be some growing pains. However, a young Monarchs squad was able to finish the 2022-23 season with a solid 15-8 record.

“We had our good moments and our bad moments,” Melko said. “Going in we knew we were going to be young. Our freshmen were in for a culture shock. They were used to winning. It was an eye-opener for them in a good way.

“I kind of looked at last year as a group getting our feet wet in the pool with the powers across the state. Hopefully now, we’re ready to handle that.”

Rilee Storm was one of those freshmen from last year, who is the Monarchs’ returning top scorer. In her first varsity season, Storm averaged 13 points per game to go along with more than four rebounds (4.3), four assists (4.3) and two steals per game (2.8) per game.

Her classmates Kaylee White, Masyn Inclan and Nia Miller also were strictly playing varsity last season and Melko has high hopes for them.

“All four of them had moments where they looked really good and then they had those freshmen moments where they kind of needed the game to slow down a bit.

They were coachable, they learned and had bright spots. I envision for these next three years, they’re going to be our leaders.”

Senior Kali Derrow returns to the lineup for her final varsity season after a solid junior outing. Derrow averaged 11.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

“We’re only two weeks into the season and if the Kayli we’ve got the first two weeks is the Kayli we get through March, she’s going to make our team a million times better,” Melko said.

“She has led vocally and through her play.”

Atlanta Updegraff is the other senior while Tori Finley, Kurstin Ebert and Kameryn Wells are the juniors. Lainee Farmer is the final sophomore while Kalyn Reese, Nora Shock and Janiah Zuk could see minutes as freshmen.

“I thought we had a really good offseason. We had a lot of success,” Melko said. “Our goal is to prove ourselves right. A lot of times in sports people will use people not expecting much from you as motivation. I said that on the first day.

“I’m not in the business worrying about other people. I think we did a great job of that the first couple of weeks. Our focus is we think we’re pretty good, so we want to prove ourselves right as individuals as a team and individuals. If we do that at the end of the year, it’s going to be a successful season.”

Melko is assisted by Curt Mele and Justin Eikleberry.