The “K-Cup” decided in classic fashion
The annual matchup between Kernersville and Southeast Middle Schools is an event the entire city of Kernersville embraces. This year’s game was so anticipated it had to be held at East Forsyth High. After the dust settled Kernersville Middle came away with a 45-44 victory in overtime.
The game is affectionately called the “K-Cup” because both schools are in the city of Kernersville. This year’s game held extra importance this year as the winner went on the playoffs as conference champion.
Kernersville came into the game undefeated. Southeast was also a highly rated team in the county, so the game totally delivered on the pre-game hype.
“We hung in there tough even though they hit that three to send it into overtime but we made our free throws and held onto the ball in the end and pulled it out,” said Kernersville head coach Craig Thompson.
The entire first half was a close game. Both teams were able to lock in on the defensive side of the ball keeping the score close. Southeast held a slim 16-13 lead at the break.
The first few minutes of the second half really swung the momentum in favor of Kernersville. While both teams were converting offensively Caleb Britt of the Hawks hit all four of his three-point shots giving them a comfortable lead throughout the third.
“We were down and coach took us in the locker room and said we needed to get the three points we were down back so I just came out and was just feeling it with the first three and from there on my shot felt great for the rest of the game,” Britt said.
“We came out flat on defense in the second half so that really hurt us and those threes really killed us as well,” said Southeast head coach Matthew Halverstadt.
Southeast would not go away easily as they began their comeback effort early on in the fourth quarter. Led by Tyler Bailey and Julius Reese Jr. the Jaguars closed the gap to three with less than fifteen seconds left in the game. As the clock expired Southeast hit a game tying three to send it into overtime.
Halverstadt told his team they had to step up the effort on defense because that is what got them there. Kernernersville had other ideas as they dominated the glass grabbing every rebound and loose ball. The clutch shooting from Jeremiah Scales did not hurt either.
Southeast had their chances late in the game but a lane violation, one of three they had on the night, negated a game tying free throw with just over a minute to play. That one point would prove costly as the late three point shot from Bailey brought them only to within one in the final seconds.
Last season Southeast defeated Kernersville by a sizable margin so this game was on their radar all season according to Britt. He says on top of finishing undefeated they wanted to avenge this loss and head into the playoffs with good momentum.
Scales added, “I just wanted to be there for my team and come out and play hard and hit the big shots when we needed them because that is my role. I’m used to the pressure and I am grateful to come out here and get this win.”
Coach Thompson says his guys have “been doing it all year” and has really listened to what he and his coaches were trying to implement all season.
“They work hard and come to practice everyday and they really stepped up tonight,” he said. “I know we will be playing at home and we will just have to go out there and give it all we got.”
