Following NC’s previous conference games against the Walton Raiders (12-8) and Osborne Cardinals (12-6), the NC boys varsity basketball team (16-3) continued their winning streak after their victory against the Kennesaw Mountain Mustangs (11-9) Tuesday, January 24. On the other hand, the Mustangs earned an opposite streak with three straight losses after falling short to the Wheeler Wildcats (12-6) and Cherokee Warriors (17-3) prior to Tuesday’s match. NC and Kennesaw Mountain exuded confidence and drive throughout the night while hustling for the ball, raising the stakes in NC’s arena, but ultimately the game ended in NC’s favor with a score of 51-42.

Kennesaw Mountain initiated the match with a four-point lead, but NC senior small forward Damonte Pellot (0) made a jump shot to start the team’s offense. NC senior point guard Mekhi Sherman (2) also earned two points from his free throws. Fast plays from the Mustangs caused a lay-up and a three-pointer by Kennesaw Mountain’s senior point guard Elijah Ford (0) ending the first quarter with NC down five points (6-11). 

The second quarter featured a three-pointer by Sherman and a powerful block by  senior forward Giovanni Harris (5). Still, Kennesaw Mountain’s power forward Tre Miller-Crawford (13) countered NC’s gain with three lay-ups. The Mustangs maintained a strong nine-point lead (15-24) with their lock-down defense strategy preventing anyone from entering the paint. Nonetheless, Kennesaw Mountain’s defense ceased to keep NC’s power forward Evan Daniel (4) out as he dunked the ball, shifting the crowd’s energy and ending the first half down 19-26. 

ELEMENT (VIDEO) link https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/kennesaw/north-cobb-warriors/basketball/media/videos/?videoid=52fa87c3-b509-4c17-9afd-cf8a8ec13587

“We overlooked Kennesaw while playing and started off slowly, but then we got our stuff together to play better in the second half. Luckily they weren’t winning by too much, so we returned to win on our home court. I mostly enjoyed when the coach put me in during the second half, and I helped spark the comeback for us. We focused on playing better, and doing it with the guys was fun. I’m ready to beat Wheeler at their home court since they did that to us,” junior small forward Noah Halloway (3) said. 

NC needed to make a strong comeback in the second half to win the game. Sherman turned a steal into a fastbreak lay-up, and Harris scored six points. The Mustangs’ small forward Thomas McBride (12) dropped eight points during the third quarter. To conclude the game, Sherman scored numerous free throws while Pellot caught the eyes of  NC and Kennesaw Mountain with his two steals and multiple assists to Daniel. The second half also highlighted Halloway as he sped down the court, lobbing a pass to Pellot and assisting a shot, raising the overall score to 44-40, surpassing the Mustangs. 

The Warrior’s incredible comeback ended the game with a final score of 51-42. Following their win, the team will continue practicing and learning from their mistakes to prepare for their away game January 27 against the Wildcats. 

“Winning against Kennesaw Mountain did prepare us for Friday’s game. We realized we have to play with that intensity from the jump when we play against Wheeler. It was a tune-up for the big test we had Friday night. I enjoyed just being out there and competing. I love the game and my team, so I’m happy to be out there and help my team win,” Sherman said.