Jayem Women Take Home Tip-Off Tourny Crown

Someone might want to place a call to the CDC, because winning seems to be downright contagious at James Monroe High School. In early season action, the Jayem girls' basketball squad defeated Riverbend 48-37 in the finals of the fourth-annual Jayem Tip-off Tournament Friday night in Fredericksburg.

The tournament, which featured Washington and Lee, Lancaster, Riverbend, and JM, held its consolation game at 6:00 and the championship immediately after at 7:30 p.m.

The James Monroe/Riverbend matchup was a close affair throughout, with the teams heading to the locker rooms tied at 22 at halftime and trading leads for much of the second half.

After three quarters, Riverbend led 31-29. In the final period, the relentless pressure of the Jayem defense began to force Bear turnovers, and along with them easy baskets.

"We don't have a lot of size, but we're athletic," said James Monroe head coach Julian Bumbrey of his team. "The transition game is our basketball team."

Riding the above mentioned transition game, James Monroe was able to extend its lead to double-digits in the waning moments of the fourth quarter as the Bears were forced to foul.

University of Albany commit Keyontae Williams led the Yellow Jackets with 14 points despite fouling out mid-way through the fourth quarter.

Following the game, Williams was named the tournament's MVP.

James Monroe will be back in action next Thursday Dec. 8 when they will host Brentsville High School in a non-district matchup.