Tigers are Champions! What It Took to Get Here

Story by Raegen Coby and La’Shea Kingsbury. Photo by Dhenim Washington.

The Friendship Southeast Tigers had truly an incredible season. They won the Elementary School Basketball Championship with an undefeated record! FNN Southeast reporters caught up with Coach Cherry and two of his star players, Stanly Johnson and Mekhi Ford, to ask them about their amazing season, and what it took to get here. 

FNN: What obstacles did you all face this season?

Coach Cherry: Well, it was a tough season, but some of the players were first timers, and they really didn’t know how to play. But, throughout the season and practice, the boys learned how to play, they did much better and improved.

FNN: What expectations do you have for your players?

Coach Cherry: Well, I just want them to do their best. Winning the championship isn’t easy and everybody doesn’t win, but you can always give your best effort. And that’s what really counts.

FNN: What are your preferred pre-game, locker room and post-game routines?

Coach Cherry: Well, we like to get up stretch, then we hydrate and we warm up. And finally,  just a little speech pre-game and we are all ready to go.

FNN: How do you keep your team feeling positive and motivated during a loss?

Coach Cherry: Well, we didn’t lose this season so I don’t know, but, I just want my kids to do the best that they can. If you do your best, your results will be positive every time. 

FNN: Describe the qualities you believe an effective player must have.

Coach Cherry: Determination is the number one thing that you need to be an athlete, because things are not always going to go your way, and you have to be able to push past those things and do your best.

FNN: How do you feel about Southeast’s teamwork and collaboration on the court?

Stanly Johnson: I feel like if we all work together on the court and pass the ball around, we can still score buckets.

FNN: How would your coaches and teammates describe you?

Stanly Johnson: They would describe me as a leader.

Mekhi Ford: They would describe me as a good player, because of how I play on the court.

FNN: What is one important lesson you’ve learned from your time as an athlete?

Stanly Johnson: You are not going to always win everytime you play.

Mekhi Ford: That if you work hard, you can get better.

FNN: What did it take to be undefeated in your conference?

Stanly Johnson: We had to work hard, listen to our coach, and try our best!

La’Shea Kingsbury is a 4th grade scholar and Raegan Ware is a 5th grade scholar at Friendship Southeast Academy.