The College Park Skyhawks (1-2) delivered a statement performance in front of a sold-out crowd at Gateway Center Arena, knocking off the Capital City Go-Go (2-2), 121–113, in a thrilling home opener that had the building rocking from start to finish.
Rookie guard Kobe Johnson stole the show with the first double-double of his young career — and he did it in historic fashion. Johnson posted 15 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, five blocks and a steal in 35 minutes (6-14 FG, 3-7 3PT), becoming the first player in Skyhawks history to record at least 10 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five blocks in a single game, per Elias Sports. It was a complete, confident, breakout performance that energized the crowd every step of the way.
Atlanta Hawks assignment center N’Faly Dante was nearly unstoppable, turning in a dominant and efficient 33-point, 11-rebound double-double on a near-perfect 16-of-17 shooting. He added five assists, three steals and a block in 31 minutes. Dating back to last season, Dante has now posted six straight double-doubles and 13 across his last 15 games — the definition of elite consistency.
Two-way forward Jacob Toppin joined in with a double-double of his own, finishing with 14 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in 35 minutes as the Skyhawks trio set the tone on both ends of the court.
The opening quarter featured tight, back-and-forth action, with Capital City edging ahead 26-22 as neither team led by more than five. College Park flipped the momentum in the second, opening the quarter on an 11-0 run to take control. Capital City battled back to reclaim a 54-52 halftime lead, despite Dante erupting for 19 first-half points on a flawless 9-for-9 start — making him just the second player in franchise history to begin a game that hot.
Capital City led for much of the third quarter, but the Skyhawks caught fire late, closing the final 3:22 on a 16-4 burst to take a 94-87 advantage into the fourth. From there, College Park never trailed again. Even when the Go-Go cut the lead to two in the final five minutes, the Skyhawks maintained their poise, closed strong and secured the 121-113 home-opening win.
Capital City was led by Washington Wizards assignment guard Will Richard, who finished with 25 points. Skal Labissiere (20 points, 13 rebounds) and Leaky Black (13 points, 14 rebounds) each added double-doubles in the loss.
The Skyhawks are right back at home on Sunday, Nov. 16, for a rematch with Capital City on the first Kids Day of the season. College Park will then host the Long Island Nets on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m.
