Good things come in threes, especially when they consist of a beginning, middle and end. Keyontae Williams representing the “beginning” of something great by being James Monroe High School’s first female basketball player to become Division One. Playing her first basketball game while in “middle” school, Akira Jones has been dominating ever since. Joining James Monroe for her last year of high school, Sierra Leacock believes in never giving up and working hard up until the very “end”. With this trio working together you can expect nothing but positive results.

Keyontae Williams

Offthemag: What did you learn from last year’s playoff defeat to Brunswick?
I learned to always keep your composure in a high energy place because the one your teammates look up to the most is the captain of the team for direction.

Offthemag: What do you feel that you and your teammates need to do in order to improve and get back to the playoffs?
Work harder, take no days off and no plays off and just be hungry.We have to have that swag when we step on the court but not be cocky.

Offthemag: How would you describe your game?
My game is incompatible, but an easy way to explain my game is I think of a way to be a step ahead of everyone else on the defending team.

Offthemag: What separates your game from others?
What separates my game from theirs is I’m always hungry from start to finish, not letting up even if that means putting my team on my back.

Offthemag: What motivates you?
What motivates me is the fact that there is never enough room for improvement, so everyday in the gym I work to be on top of my game and my physical strength. Self motivation motivates me too.

Offthemag: Any predictions for the upcoming season?
Not to jinx my team but I feel genuinely in my heart we
can take the region and move our way to the state
tournament. We made it into the second round of
regionals last year with the work we put in and this
year we are working two times harder than that.

Offthemag: Are you aggressive or laid back on the court?
On the court when I first come out in warm ups I’m laid back getting mentally forward but once the whistle blows I’M ON IT!

Offthemag: Who do you look up to as a role model in your everyday life?
I have role models in life and that’s all of the women who play at any collegiate level because it truly takes hard work, mental dedication, and physical dedication to play at that level without giving up.

Offthemag: What’s one word that describes you?
Dynamic!

Offthemag: Okay, you are down by 1 with 10 seconds left. Are you taking the shot or dishing it off?
I’m taking the shot! (smiles)

Akira Jones

Offthemag: How and when did you develop your love for the game?
My love for the game came later than most. I hadn’t played my first game of basketball until I was about 12 or 13 in the 7th grade. When I got recognition for my talents I started to work and it became something I loved to do, as a pastime and a stress reliever.

Offthemag: What did you learn from last year’s play off defeat to Brunswick?   
WOW! That was a hard loss! From that defeat I learned so much. One, you can’t rely on that one star player to get the
job done. You have to have faith in your teammates to help you. Also that you don’t always control the outcome of the game.
If you know you put your all into the game, you should walk
away with your head up.

Offthemag: Any predictions for this upcoming season?
STATES! If my teammates & I work hard enough. We have the talent and the dedication to go all the way!

Offthemag: Who do you look up to as a role model in your everyday life? 
I look up to Tracey Young. I’ve known her for years. She has taught me lessons on and off the court. Life lessons especially. She and her kids have taught me that there is always somebody watching you, so do the right thing. INTERGITY! She’s always in my ear telling me to do the right thing for myself and others.

Offthemag: What do you feel that you and your teammates can do in order to have and get back to the playoffs?
Work hard and work to our full potential. We tell each other
“no days off.” We know that we have to live up to our individual
expectations and our expectations as a team. We believe in FAMILY and as long as we remain a family, we’re unstoppable.

Offthemag: If you could give advice to an upcoming female athlete, what would you tell them?
I would tell her to keep her head strong and stay focused. There are always going to be obstacles coming your way. Take all the advice people give you if it’s affective. Believe in yourself and your talents but stay humble.

Offthemag: Do you plan on playing college basketball?
I don’t know. It’s something I reconsider all the time. I used to want it to so bad. All the letters and phone calls are great, but I don’t know if basketball is something I want to take with me when I leave high school.

Offthemag: What’s one word that describes you?
Motivational

Offthemag: Okay, there is 10 seconds on the clock and you’re down 1. Do you take the shot or pass it off?
That’s hard! I’d say pass the ball! Run the clock down and take the best open shot!

Sierra Leacock

Offthemag: How and when did you develop your love for basketball?
As far as I can think back, I’ve always loved the game of basketball. My parents never really had the money to put me on a team when I was younger, but trust me everywhere I went so did my basketball.

Offthemag: Who do you look up to as a role model in your everyday life?
I have a few, but I really look to Kobe Bryant. He just wants to be the best and works on everything.He makes everything look easy. Nobody can see him.

Offthemag: How would you describe your game?  
I would describe my game as hardworking. I love to push myself.

Offthemag: What separates your game from others?
I never give up.

Offthemag: Sierra, being as though you’re new to JM’s roster did you have to make any adjustments to your game?
Yeah I did. I go 100% all the time. At my old school we really didn’t do much, so I used to drag a lot, but Keyontae pushes me everyday more and more to make more adjustments before the season starts.

Offthemag: Any predictions for the season?
I’m not going to curse the team, but I see a BIG future ahead of us (smiles).

Offthemag: How is it playing for Coach Bumbrey?
Its an honor to play for Coach Bumbrey! I love it. He is a great coach and honestly I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him and all the other coaches here at JM! All great coaches!

Offthemag: Would you say you are aggressive or laid back on the court?
I’m both. It depends on the tempo of the game, but most of the time I play aggressive.

Offthemag: Whats one word that describes you?
Dynamic!

Offthemag: Okay, you are down by 1 with 10 seconds left. Are you taking the shot or dishing it off?
I’m confident enough to take the shot.