Kirby Smith’s motto for the second half of the season has been to “finish strong”. Their Coach put in this motto after the young Comet’s losing focus in the final minutes of multiple games this season. It seemed as if history would repeat itself for the Comets, up big during the first and second quarters but letting Highlands come back and win as they did earlier in the season. Yet this time Kirby Smith was able to hold Highlands off late, and beat them for the North Division regular season title 61-57.
The gym was packed in anticipation for this match up of the two powerhouse middle school programs. Kirby Smith came out of the gate hitting nothing but net, draining the first seven points before Highlands even got on the board. Highlands from the jump seemed a little flat. They kept turning the ball over and couldn’t work their offense to knock down necessary shots. Off of the turnovers, the Comets were able to capitalize and hit some fast-break layups and take the lead up to ten before the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter started off much the same for both teams. Highlands not being able to find a rhythm, and Kirby Smith taking the ball to the basket strong. Highlands got in foul trouble quickly to start the second which didn’t help things, as it put an already hot shooting Kirby Smith to the line as they were in the bonus. Highlands never stopped their hustle and was able to start making a small comeback to shift the momentum in their favor even though scoreboard still showed the Comets up by twelve.
Kirby Smith came out very confident in themselves after the half being up by a dozen, but the Highlands team came out with a complete momentum swing. Highlands netted the first three baskets which made it a four-point game with four minutes remaining in the quarter.
The Wildcats took the lead from the Comets for 15 seconds only to have their sloppy play once again take over and put them further behind. As the buzzer sounded, the Comets had grown the lead back up to a dozen to end the third quarter.
Starting off the fourth quarter the way both teams did, little would’ve expected for Highlands to fight back like they did. Highlands was able to make a late game push, never stopping their hustle and turning up their defense. Highlands pulled to as close as three points, but was never able to get over Kirby Smith. The streaky Comet’s almost let the game slip through their hands, but held strong to the motto and did just that.
Kirby Smith will represent the North Division in the Middle School playoffs when they start Monday, March 4th, their opponent and location of game has yet to be announced .
