The excitement, nervousness, happiness and heartbreak that comes in only one game. It is the mlive game of the week, Loy Norrix vs. Kalamazoo Central basketball game this Saturday.
Not only are both schools excited for this game but the whole town of Kalamazoo is getting ready for the highly rated matchup between these two ball clubs. The second placed Knights in the SMAC East division will play the first placed Maroon Giants in the SMAC West division on Saturday at 5 p.m. on Western Michigan’s campus at University Arena.
“It’s so much fun, and it feels like I am in the game myself,” said Loy Norrix senior Lillian Jackson, who has been at every Kalamazoo Central vs. Loy Norrix basketball game since the venue was changed to University Arena last year.
It is a great event to come watch some great basketball between two highly ranked teams in the state ofMichiganwith the family.
Spectators of the game are excited because of the players and their skills they have to offer in front of five thousand plus people and among them alumni, college coaches and friends and family.
The 8-3 Knights will look to knock off the 7-4 two-time defending state champions Maroon Giants for the first time in four years on Saturday.
“I know our team will do well and come out on top,” said Loy Norrix senior forward, Devin Hegler.
The Loy Norrix basketball team does not seem intimidated by any means by the Giants.
“We have a good team, we believe in our system, and we all believe in each other,” said Loy Norrix men’s varsity basketball coach, Matt Covault.
The team, along with Covault, feels it is their time to shine.
“[The] team is deeper, bond more and all focused for the game,” said Loy Norrix senior forward, Tony Boykins.
Practices run the same way as it would be for any regular game this week. But the work ethic is nothing anyone would believe. “Practice this week will be intense,” said Covault
Both Boykins and Hegler are on the same page as their coach with practices this week. “Everyone will go harder this week,” said Boykins and Hegler.
On Saturday night, pregame will be the same. The team will have their team dinner and read the scouting report one last time before they take the court to show that the Knights are real contenders this year when it comes to the State Tournament.
Come out and support the whole KPS sports teams with a day of basketball, with doors opening at noon. The first game will start at 1:30 p.m. withPhoenixHigh Schoolvs. Climax Scotts. Following that game, the Lady Knights will play at 3:15 p.m. versus Kalamazoo Central. Then at 5:00 p.m. the men’s team will look to improve their record to 9-3 overall, 7-2 in their division. Tickets are $6 and being sold at both Kalamazoo Central and Loy Norrix from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. Any remaining tickets will be sent to University Arena for game day sales. Come out and support all teams at University Arena on the campus ofWestern Michiganon Saturday.
“I believe our guys will adjust [to the atmosphere] and perform just as they have throughout the season,” said Covault.
