Skyhawks vs. Go-Go Recap: College Park Falls 111–104 in Kids Day Matchup
Kids Day at the Gateway Center Arena delivered exactly what a Sunday afternoon basketball game should—noise, laughter, superheroes roaming the concourse, and a bright, family-friendly energy. Though the crowd was noticeably smaller than the home opener, the vibe was anything but dull. Princess Tiana, Cinderella, Spider-Man, Georgia State’s mascot, and of course Colli turned the building into a playground where young fans were fully dialed into the College Park Skyhawks experience.
And early on, the team matched that energy.
College Park Skyhawks on Kids Day against Capital City Go-Go. | Photo: Dez Barnes
Skyhawks Set the Tone Early
The Skyhawks came out firing, opening the game with a confident three-pointer that immediately sparked the building. Playing the same Capital City Go-Go squad they faced just days before, both teams clearly entered with adjustments in mind—leading to a competitive, back-and-forth first half.
College Park held control for most of the first two quarters. While some second-chance opportunities went unconverted, the Skyhawks were steady and composed. Rookie guard Kobe Johnson played far beyond his years, knocking down multiple threes and carrying himself like a veteran. His court presence—vocal, poised, and energetic—was a major factor in keeping the Skyhawks in rhythm.
Injury Scare Shifts the Momentum
Midway through the game, tension filled the arena when N’Faly Dante went down after being fouled by Skal Labissière. Labissière was later ejected, but Dante’s injury—especially with him already wearing a knee sleeve—paused the action and briefly interrupted the Skyhawks’ momentum. Dante eventually limped off under his own power, but the emotional dip was noticeable.
Go-Go Grab Their First Lead—and the Crowd Responds
Heading into halftime up 59–53, College Park looked in command. But the second half told a different story.
The third quarter belonged to Capital City. They tightened their defense, hit shots they were missing earlier, and surged ahead for their first lead of the game, taking an 85–82 edge into the fourth. That’s when the smaller—but mighty—Skyhawks crowd came alive, rallying behind their team with the kind of heart that makes G League games special.
Turnovers Tell the Story in the Fourth
Despite the crowd boost, the fourth quarter became an uphill climb. College Park continued to fight, trading buckets and keeping it close—but turnovers began piling up. Each mistake gave the Go-Go another chance, and they took full advantage. Capital City’s late-game push ultimately created the separation they needed, sealing the 111–104 win.
The Skyhawks, now 1–2 to start the season, showed flashes of brilliance but couldn’t regain the early fire they played with before halftime.
Final Score by Quarter
Q1: 32–28 Skyhawks
Q2: 59–53 Skyhawks
Q3: 82–85 Go-Go
Q4: 104–111 Go-Go
Key Performers
Javan Johnson – 24 pts (10/16 FG, 4/9 3PT)
Steady, explosive, and the most consistent scorer on the floor.
Jacob Toppin – 21 pts (9/19 FG, 3/9 3PT)
Relentless attacking the rim and bringing energy in transition.
Kobe Johnson – 13 pts (5/9 FG, 3/6 3PT)
A standout rookie moment—confident shooting, poised decision-making.
Even with the loss, Kids Day was a win for the Skyhawks community. The energy, the characters, the family atmosphere—combined with competitive basketball—made for the kind of Sunday that brings people back. And despite the bumps and turnovers, the Skyhawks showed enough upside to suggest that once they clean up the details, they’ll be on the winning side of afternoons like this.
