With the pressure on to prove that KMS could win the 2024 Kenny Whitson 7th grade City Championship, sweat dripped down Amaris Clardy’s face. Boston Bishop stepped up to guard Ramsey’s best player. After an opponent fouled Amaris, he took charge to create a play and a turn over to score in overtime. Coach Arnold had confidence in Zailee Thompson to take some tough shots, which he did, and the boys defeated Ramsey 42-40.

“The best moment was when we realized that we won and heard the last buzzer,” Amaris said.

Kayden Dawkins also loved that final moment.

“I watched the clock go out and then we won the Championship!” Kayden said.

Coming into the 7th grade Championship game as underdogs involved mixed emotions.

“Just beating them, proving others wrong, and the team bonding felt really good,” Charles Cotton said. “The most challenging part was Ramsey’s height advantage and guarding Kyron.”

Rain Arangaga also noticed the size of the opponents.

“Ramsey had people bigger and better who knew our every move, but we ain’t let them stop us,” Rain said. “We kept pushing until we won.”

Kayden did not like being expected to lose.

“It wasn’t good, but it made us more determined to win,” Kayden said.

Lamarcus Gaston believed that the toughest game was against Ramsey, but he did love beating Ramsey.

“Winning felt like a bunch of joy,” Lamarcus said. “I thought we were going to lose because we had lost to them before.”

Coach Arnold was most proud of how hard the kids worked every single day and accomplished the goal they set at the start of the season: win a city championship.

“It was an uphill battle, and there were very few people believed that we could accomplish that goal,” Coach Arnold said. “I am so proud of how the players bounced back after every single bit of adversity that they faced throughout the season!”