MACON, Ga. — When Central and Westside play each other on Tuesday night, it'll be more than two rival schools playing each other. The game pits friends against friends on the hardwood.
Kowacie Reeves Jr. of Westside High is plenty used to dunking on opponents but on Tuesday night, it will be friendly faces he tries to jam on.
"The competitiveness in both of us, well, all of us, it just drives us so we're not going to be friendly on the court," Reeves Jr. said.
Reeves and teammate Javian Mosley will face off against their summer ball teammates Antonio Card and Quay Primas of Central. The foursome play on the same AAU team, Hypesouth, started by Reeves father.
"Just the idea, man, was to gain some exposure. Players from the area, we've always had good ball player, but not a lot of light shown on them," said Kowacie Reeves Sr.
The team formed when Reeves Jr and Mosley were in elementary school. It also includes Howard Husky, Collin Tarver, and Jones County Greyhound, Bryson Wooten. Playing together during the summer has developed tight, but competitive bonds between Central Georgia's finest hoopers.
"I think it just builds chemistry between us. We all like getting better and then we get back into school ball, we play against each other. It's just good team ball and chemistry," Mosley said.
Despite district lines dividing them, they all understand the bigger picture. They motivate each other on and off the floor.
"I always motivate them. Them my little brothers there," Anthony Card said. "I don't ever hate or nothing. They're like family to me so when I see them doing good, 'Good job, keep it up.'"
"It's fulfilling just knowing the work that we're putting in together, everyone's thriving," said Reeves Jr. "Just in the summer time, I get an offer it's 'congratulations.' Next week, this person gets an offer."
While they all want to see each other succeed, all four have said there is no love after the ball tips off on Tuesday.
"When we're playing against each other we're not friends. We might say a couple words to each other, but at the end of the day it's all love and it's basketball," Primas said.
The game will be played in the Southwest High gym. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
STAY ALERT | Download our FREE app now to receive breaking news and weather alerts. You can find the app on the Apple Store and Google Play.
STAY UPDATED | Click here to subscribe to our Midday Minute newsletter and receive the latest headlines and information in your inbox every day.
Have a news tip? Email news@13wmaz.com, or visit our Facebook page.