Harrisonburg, VA — Hosting The Basketball Tournament for the first time, James Madison brought in seven other TBT squads for the first round.
Here’s how the Round of 64 panned out in the Shenandoah Valley.
Game 1: (3) Red Rose Thunder 70, (6) Magic Show 59
Though it was a slow-paced game to open the James Madison Regional, Red Rose Thunder’s late push in the fourth quarter gave the group enough swing to made to the second round for the second-straight season.
The Red Rose Thunder’s win also marks the first time in TBT history that a female head coach has won a game at the helm in back-to-back seasons.
The Magic Show’s first-ever appearance in TBT had one of the most front-loaded rosters on paper, with players representing schools including Cincinnati, Penn State, Florida and Kentucky.
Former Boston University and Creighton point guard Maurice Watson Jr. led the way with 17 points and seven rounds. Despite both teams shooting well under 70% from the field through most of the afternoon, Watson Jr. was one of the first players to get the rims to work in his favor.
Game 2: (8) Raleigh 919 Legends 79, (1) Happy Valley Hoopers 75
In the biggest upset of the regional, first-year squad Raleigh 919 Legends upset the top seeded team, Happy Valley Hoopers.
The Penn State alumni squad couldn’t slow down the Raleigh-area team, who jumped out to a 7-0 run within the first minutes of action. Former Rider University guard Jeremiah Pope lead the way with 17 points and four rebounds.
RALEIGH 919 LEGENDS COMPLETE THE UPSET!
Jeremiah Pope finds some space at the elbow and buries the jumper to give Raleigh the win!
WHAT A GAME! pic.twitter.com/OaM8fFGXWk
— TBT (@thetournament) July 18, 2025
Happy Valley Hoopers made one final push during the Elam Ending to try and keep themselves alive, but Pope squeaked through with enough space to nail the game-winning jumper and send the top seed home empty handed.
Game 3: (2) Shell Shock 75, (7) Love Virginia 74
Yet another debuting squad ready to shake up the standings, Love Virginia made the attempt to hold off the Maryland alumni squad, Shell Shock, in its quest to return to the Sweet Sixteen.
But Shell Shock reached the target score as the first team in the regional to win in the Elam Ending starting from behind. After a late foul was called against the Love Virginia squad, Shell Shock ended the game off two free throws.
Ronald March led the game with 24 points and seven rebounds, leading the entire regional in points by the end of the first round.
Shell Shock comes back to win it 75-74 at the free throw line.
One heck of an ending. By far the best game of this regional so far. pic.twitter.com/j0lzYol6iq
— Madison Hricik (@SportingMads) July 19, 2025
Game 4: (5) NXT ERA Elite 82, (4) Founding Fathers 64
The emotional return for Founding Fathers leading member AJ Davis didn’t bring enough punch to the home team’s squad, and the James Madison alumni were left in the dust by NXT ERA Elite.
AJ Davis’s strength, resilience and unshakable spirit continue to inspire us all.
Tonight the former @JMUMBasketball guard returned to the his home court with the @FoundFathersTBT.
Bigger than basketball 🙏 pic.twitter.com/NBeaQOqdJ9
— TBT (@thetournament) July 19, 2025
NXT ERA Elite put together a 19-6 run in the second half that blew open the game, despite the Founding Fathers holding a two-point lead at halftime. The Founding Fathers didn’t have the same energy level as their opponents, who reached the target score with ease after blowing the game open.
Up Next
(2) Shell Shock vs. (3) Red Rose Thunder at 1 p.m. EST (YouTube)
(5) NXT ERA Elite vs. (8) Raleigh 919 Legends at 3 p.m. EST (YouTube)