K-Central Girls Basketball Extends Rivalry Win Streak Against Loy Norrix

Freshman De'Niyah Colbert hits game-tying and game-winning shots in final seconds to lift Kalamazoo Central to 53-51 victory over crosstown rival Loy Norrix.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a thrilling rivalry matchup, the Kalamazoo Central girls basketball team extended its winning streak over crosstown foe Loy Norrix to 24 games, dating back over 12 years. Freshman De'Niyah Colbert delivered in the clutch, hitting a game-tying free throw and then a game-winning layup in the final seconds to lift Kalamazoo Central to a 53-51 victory on senior night.

Why it matters

The long-standing rivalry between Kalamazoo Central and Loy Norrix is one of the fiercest in the region, with the teams battling for local bragging rights and playoff positioning each season. Kalamazoo Central's continued dominance in the series, even as Loy Norrix has remained competitive, speaks to the program's sustained excellence over more than a decade.

The details

With the score tied 51-51 in the final seconds, Kalamazoo Central freshman De'Niyah Colbert stepped to the free throw line and calmly sank one of two attempts to give her team a 52-51 lead. On the ensuing possession, Colbert drove to the hoop and scored the game-winning layup just before the buzzer, sparking a celebration from the home crowd.

  • The game was played on Friday, February 20, 2026.
  • Kalamazoo Central has now won 24 straight games against Loy Norrix, a streak dating back over 12 years.

The players

De'Niyah Colbert

A freshman at Kalamazoo Central High School who hit the game-tying free throw and game-winning layup in the final seconds to lift her team to victory.

Amiriyae Greene

A senior at Kalamazoo Central High School who celebrated a basket during the rivalry game against Loy Norrix.

Yasmyne Morales

A junior at Kalamazoo Central High School who made a key block during the game against Loy Norrix.

Jordan Fowlkes

A freshman at Loy Norrix High School who drove to the basket during the game against Kalamazoo Central.

Jordyn Ivy

A junior at Loy Norrix High School who drove to the basket during the game against Kalamazoo Central.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This rivalry game showcased the intense competition and high stakes between these two Kalamazoo-area powerhouse girls basketball programs, with a young star emerging to deliver a clutch performance for the home team. Kalamazoo Central's continued dominance in the series underscores the program's sustained excellence over more than a decade.