It was do or die for the fourth- and fifth-grade Ducks and Yellow Jackets in the hoopster fall classic. After battling neck-and-neck in the first half, the up-tempo play of the Ducks led them to a 25-12 victory Tuesday at Langston Hughes Elementary.

The Ducks had just the right combination of speed at the guard position and height down low to distance themselves from the Yellow Jackets.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do if we want to win our next game, but I was pleased with the hustle,” said Duck head coach Allen Kelley. “This is a young team, but they’re doing a good job of working as a team.”

The Ducks were led by point guard Kennedy Kirkpatrick. After starting on the bench, Kirkpatrick took advantage of her time on the court, dominating with a quick crossover and aggressive play. Kirkpatrick used her speed to attack the hoop, leaving herself a lane or creating opportunities for her teammates. In addition to her slashing play, Kirkpatrick displayed her soft touch on her midrange jumpers. With the Yellow Jackets collapsing down low, Kirkpatrick pulled up and drained a 15-footer.

At the shooting guard position, Dillon McKee of the Ducks pestered the Yellow Jackets with his defense. McKee’s speed and positioning caused problems for the Yellow Jackets. On several occasions, McKee was able to sneak into the Yellow Jacket passing lanes and force an odd-man break the opposite way.

Tye Hughes leads the Yellow Jackets in pre-game lay ups Wednesday at Langston Hughes Elementary.

The Yellow Jackets were able to keep it a tight game in the first half with the strong play at the guard position. Tye Hughes and Jack Kelin used their speed to challenge the Duck defense. While Hughes attacked the hoop, Kelin found an open spot on the court and waited for the pass. Kelin’s touch from outside forced the Ducks to respect his shot and open up spacing around the hoop. With room to work, Hughes slashed to the hole and dazzled onlookers with a tear-drop turnaround.

Looking to pull away from the Yellow Jackets, the Ducks turned to their big man, Dayton Valentine, in the second half. Valentine turned in double-digit points and rebound totals, dominating the second half of play. Valentine’s soft hands and knack for finding the ball contributed to the Ducks’ second-half run and convincing win over the Yellow Jackets.