Madonna’s Evan Bone (25) and the Blue Dons are hoping to pull off a monster upset during Day 1 of the state tournament in Charleston today. Photo by Cody Tomer

CHARLESTON — Quickly following the excitement of winning the Class A Region Co-Championship on Wednesday, the work to get ready for an even bigger test began. 

Shortly after the Blue Dons 66-56 victory over Clay-Battelle, the seeding for the WVSSAC Class A State Tournament had been announced and George Vargo’s group found out it was the No. 8 seed, drawing No. 1, 25-0 James Monroe in Tuesday’s quarterfinals. 

“We’re still excited, but our emotions have come down a couple notches,” Vargo said. “We’re confident. We started preparing immediately the next day, looking at the opponent and getting tapes on them and scouting reports on them. 

“Since they are down around the Bluefield area, we didn’t know a whole lot about them, but our friends that we have throughout the state were able to give us some good scouting reports and some good tapes. That’s been a big help.” 

The Blue Dons and the Mavericks have seen two common opponents this season — each owning wins over Tyler Consolidated and Valley. 

Despite the daunting task of facing a team that has yet to be beaten, the Dons are excited for the challenge. 

“It’s the right time to beat them,” Vargo said. “They have a talented starting five, they have an excellent point guard, an excellent 3-point shooter, and they have an big man that is going to give us trouble in the paint. They have a couple nice defenders and they are quick. 

That big man Vargo alluded to is senior Cameron Thomas, a 6-foot-5 who averages nearly 12 points and seven rebounds. 

He will make for an j interesting match up with Madonna’s own big man on the inside, Evan Bone (15.1 points, 5.3 rebounds). 

“I think it’s going to be a fun two-man battle to watch.”

As far as who the Mavericks remind him of, Vargo pointed to a team the Dons have seen plenty of and could even see again — Cameron. 

“They play a lot of man defense, they are right in your face, nose-to-nose,” Vargo said.

“They also run the court very well. 

“We think they compare to compare to Cameron very good.” 

Madonna enters the game riding an eight-game win streak, a record of 17-7 and averages 67.3 points for and 50.5 against. 

The Mavericks have won five of their 25-straight on neutral courts and average 77.2 points for and 48.4 against. 

James Monroe has two players (Eli Allen with 20.6 and Shad Sauvage 20) average 20 or more, with four over eight per game with Thomas’ totals and Collin Fox at 8.6 per. 

Allen averages nearly a triple-double with nine rebounds and 9.5 assists. 

For Madonna, Bone leads a group of five averaging over eight, with Matt Amaismeier (11.9), Santino Arlia (9.4), Anthony Mascio (9.3) and Lennon Dietrich (8). 

Amaismeier leads the Dons on the glass with an average of 7.1 rebounds, while he and Arlia average 3.1 assists. 

As for the state tournament experience — the first for this group but not got the veteran coach — he said “it never gets old” 

“If we don’t make it, we go down and watch,” Vargo said. “Going as a coach is even more exciting. It’s the big dance, it’s the end of the season. Just being able to see these kids gets to perform on a bit court like that in front of a big crowd, it’s really exciting for us as coaches and for the kids. 

“It’s also really exciting for our student body, they are all wound up for this. They have supported us all season.” 

The fan support was perhaps best evidenced by how fast a bus to the capital was filled. 

“Our principal Mr. (Jamie) Lesho was able to secure a charter bus and they filled it in one day,” Vargo said. “I think the reason we’ve been so successful these last 10 games has been the support of our fans and student body. They’ve even been coming on the road.

“That sixth man is so important.”

Not only does Cameron, which is the No. 5 seed and takes on No. 4 St. Joseph, making the tournament as well show the strength of Section 1, the overall performance of northern panhandle teams across the four classes shows OVAC basketball is strong. 

“The northern panhandle always has good basketball,” Vargo said. “You have us, Cameron, Magnolia, Wheeling Central and Park. That’s five schools from up here representing the OVAC in Charleston. 

“It says a lot about our style of basketball.” 

Should both the Dons and Dragon prevail on Tuesday, they would meet in Thursday’s semifinals — a potential fifth meeting. 

“I would look forward to it because it means we both won,” Vargo said. “It would be interesting to see how a fifth time would go on the big floor in front of ten thousand people. I would welcome that whole-heartedly.” 

The tip on Tuesday is set for 5:30 p.m. 

Tickets will be on sale today in the Madonna High School main office between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The cost is $10 for adults and $6 for students