Basketball Recap: Kayland Byirt Leads a Balanced Attack to Beat Atlantic Coast

While KIPP Bold City didn't have the best season last year (they finished 8-16), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They narrowly escaped with a victory as the squad sidled past the Atlantic Coast Stingrays 62-60. Given the Greyhounds' advantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 206th, while the Stingrays are ranked 413th), the result on Tuesday wasn't entirely unexpected.

KIPP Bold City got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Kayland Byirt out in front who went 6 for 11 on his way to 12 points and eight rebounds. The dominant performance gave Byirt a new career-high in boards. The team also got some help courtesy of Maalik Belford, who went 6 of 12 on his way to 15 points and five rebounds.

KIPP Bold City smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 13 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least nine offensive rebounds in nine consecutive contests.

Despite the loss, Atlantic Coast still got an impressive performance from Jaden Pearson, who went 6 of 10 on his way to 21 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Da'Juan Thompson, who posted seven points and four steals.

KIPP Bold City's victory bumped their record up to 7-2. As for Atlantic Coast, with the defeat, they broke their four-game winning streak and moved their record to 6-4.

KIPP Bold City wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next game, a 55-49 win against Interlachen on the 20th. As for Atlantic Coast, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next matchup, a 61-55 loss against Sandalwood on the 20th.