Southwest Middle wins OCPS hoops title

ORLANDO — The Southwest Middle boys basketball team overcame a 13-point deficit at halftime to defeat Carver Middle 62-55 in the Orange County Public Schools Middle School Championship Game March 18 at Edgewater High School.

The team, which is coached by head coach Jermaine Kirven and assistant coach Stacy Love, utilized an effective full-court press in the second half to keep Carver off-balance and chip away at the lead throughout the third quarter and into the fourth.

“The momentum changed (in the second half),” Kirven said. “We were telling our guys at halftime that we have to be the aggressor.”

Jordan Poventud had 28 points to lead Southwest, paired with 22 points from Dante Love, to lead the way on offense for the team. The two players also were essential cogs in the defensive pressure Southwest created, helping to force many turnovers.

“They’ve been great all season,” assistant coach Stacy Love said of Poventud and Dante Love.  “We’ve been really riding with them, as far as the offense. … They’ve been our catalysts the whole year.”

Southwest Middle School, located in the Dr. Phillips area, is a feeder school for Dr. Phillips High School.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].