The James Monroe Mavericks are packing up and heading out on the road for their first away game of the season: they will challenge the Bland County Bears at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
On Saturday, James Monroe didn't have too much trouble with Hurricane as they won 58-42. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Mavericks.

Kendall Long
| 12/06/25 vs Hurricane | 19 |
| 12/05/25 vs Huntington | 13 |
| 01/28/25 vs Jefferson Christian Academy | 13 |
| 02/12/25 @ Mingo Central | 12 |
| 12/12/24 vs Floyd County | 12 |
James Monroe can attribute much of their success to Lydia Dunlap, who shot 69% from the field on her way to 18 points and three steals, and Kendall Long, who went 7-for-11 en route to 19 points and five assists. Those 19 points gave Long a new career-high. Mya Dunlap was another key player, putting up nine points and three steals.
Meanwhile, Bland County gave their fans exactly what they wanted out of a home opener last Monday. They blew past Rural Retreat 63-41. The victory continues a trend for the Bears in their matchups with the Indians: they've now won three in a row.
James Monroe better focus on containing McKenna Hollis and Tinley Worley as the pair were huge in Bland County's win. Hollis dropped a double-double with 20 points and ten boards, while Worley posted 20 points and six steals. Worley's big performance that evening made it five games in a row in which she has scored at least 16 points. Another player making a difference was Bailee Thompson, who scored 12 points in addition to six rebounds and six steals.
Bland County smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 16 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive boards in six consecutive matchups dating back to last season.
James Monroe couldn't quite finish off Bland County in their previous meeting back in December of 2022 and fell 56-53. Can the Mavericks avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps