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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – As J.J. Quinerly savored her French toast during the team’s Sunday breakfast, she found it challenging to recall the details of her inaugural college basket at West Virginia University. “I can’t really remember; all I know is the team wore black and gold, and it was a layup,” she mused.
However, her memory may not be entirely accurate. The black and gold team she faced was actually Kennesaw State, during her second college game—just three days after she scored 10 points in a dominant 86-33 victory over Saint Francis, Pa., in her freshman season in 2022.
Not one to obsess over individual stats, Quinerly has nevertheless amassed an impressive total of 2,009 points in her four-year career as a Mountaineer, which is soon coming to an end.
The school’s all-time leading scorers include Cathy Parson, who scored 2,113 points over 121 games from 1980-83, and All-American Rosemary Kosiorek, who ended her esteemed career with 2,061 points. Another notable player, Bria Holmes, racked up 2,001 points between 2013-16. They constitute the university’s exclusive cadre of 2,000-point scorers, alongside potential considerations for Georgeann Wells, who made history as the first woman to dunk in a college basketball game.
Mark Kellogg, J.J.’s coach, may not be as well-acquainted with the other legends, but he is fully aware of Quinerly’s impact and believes she deserves a spot on that prestigious list. “If we had a Mount Rushmore, J.J. Quinerly should certainly be included,” he stated after her standout performance of 27 points in a recent NCAA Tournament victory over Columbia.
“She’s solidifying her legacy with her contributions in steals, points, and her dedication to staying with the program throughout four years, especially through three different coaching changes,” Kellogg added. “Most players would transfer after such instability.”
Originally recruited by Mike Carey, Quinerly chose to remain at West Virginia for her sophomore season under Dawn Plitzuweit, and she has flourished over the past two years under Kellogg’s dynamic coaching style.
This season, Quinerly is averaging an impressive 20.8 points per game, which places her among a select group of only four players in school history to surpass a 20-point average in a season. The others are Kosiorek, Janis Drummonds (21 ppg in 1981), and Parson (20.7 ppg in 1981).
Coach Kellogg describes Quinerly as a “calming influence” for her teammates. “When the game isn’t flowing well, we tend to lean on J.J. and allow her to unleash her dynamic skills,” he explained.
While Parson and Drummonds played in an era with little game footage available, Kosiorek’s career was widely documented. I was proud to promote her All-American senior season in 1992, which ended with a heart-wrenching round of 16 loss in the NCAA Tournament.
Quinerly embodies many of the key qualities that defined Kosiorek’s game—toughness, athleticism, and competitiveness. In person, both women exude self-confidence, with Quinerly’s readiness to acknowledge her major milestone. When asked if she knew she was approaching 2,000 points, she candidly admitted, “Yes, but I wasn’t fixated on it – I just took my shot.”
Upon reflecting on her achievement, she said, “It’s just an amazing accomplishment. I never really dreamed of scoring 2,000 points. It’s incredible to see it happen and to be with this amazing group of girls and my coach right now.”
Her coach treasures these moments too. “Every so often, she pulls off a move that you can’t teach,” he reflected. “That’s just pure talent making things happen. When I saw a favorable matchup, I just told her to go for it— and she did.”
This year, Quinerly finds herself recognized as one of the top 25 players in the NCAA Tournament, despite being overlooked on a prior ESPN list of elite athletes. “She has played in significant games, and her temperament is key,” Kellogg remarked. “Since I arrived, I’ve referred to her as an unassuming superstar.”
Quinerly now has an opportunity to shine once again against third-seeded North Carolina on their home court, a pivotal matchup being broadcast nationally. She experienced a similar chance last year competing against esteemed player Caitlin Clark in Iowa City.
This game represents a chance for West Virginia to achieve a historic milestone— two consecutive NCAA Tournament victories, something they have never accomplished since the tournament expanded to 64 and now 68 teams. Their previous ‘Sweet 16’ appearance in 1992 was aided by a first-round bye.
“Our goal is to advance as far as possible,” Kellogg stated. “I told the team that if we win two games in the tournament, we will make history— the first team to do so for our school.”
“We discussed this a year ago. We had a great plan and executed it well during our last game. This upcoming opportunity allows us to create a legacy, which is what every player and coach aspires to do,” he added.
“We will enter that contest expecting to accomplish something truly special,” he concluded. Now, it’s up to Quinerly to deliver another remarkable performance for her team.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the game will be available on ESPN2.
