Pershing champs

Before the pandemic hit, the Pershing Middle School eighth-grade boys’ basketball team (pictured) won the HISD district championship. The Pandas had an undefeated season against some strong teams from The Rice School, Pin Oak Middle School, Lawson Middle School, Welch Middle School, Meyerland Middle School, Lanier Middle School and West Briar Middle School. They also placed first in a district tournament held at West Briar. This fall, the players will head to high school, and many of them hope to continue playing basketball. The graduating players are (back row, from left) Pierre Kemp, Justin Howard, Robert Jones, Collin Irving, Blaze Covington, Noah Barcot and Michael Olaly (and coach Eddie Breaux); (front row) Kamorian Cole, Dayvyon Gipson, JT Baber, Zach Gosda, Joseph O’Garro and Jack Lamkin.

Editor’s note: Send your best high-resolution photos and behind-the-scenes stories about young local athletes, in both team and individual sports, to SportzBuzz, Jr. at [email protected]. Include all contact info, names, ages, grades and schools. Featured athletes must live in Buzz-circulation neighborhoods. Items will be published on a space-available basis.