The heated Middle School North versus Middle School South rivalry reaches its annual peak this Friday when the two middle school boys basketball teams battle for bragging rights on the high school court.

“It was pretty cool in middle school because the varsity players would come to our games and it would be great to see them, but now we’re in their shoes and [that has been] a pretty awesome transition,” Michael Bens, senior varsity player and Middle School North alumni, said. “It can be fun, but we have some responsibility now because you can’t be a moron when a lot of people and players are looking up to you.”

Bens is looking forward to supporting North before playing in his game later on, but Ryan Kutsor, junior varsity player and Middle School South alumni, believes South holds the upper hand in the matchup.

“The middle school games are kind of fun because you get to play against kids you know but at the same time it’s still competitive and a good time,” Kutsor said. “I went to South, so they’re going to win.”

Both Bens and Kutsor are participating in the Blue vs. White game to prepare for their first regular season game next Monday against Grayslake North.

“The scrimmage is a mix of varsity and sophomore, so we’ll be playing with some people who we normally wouldn’t play with,” Kutsor said. “But overall I think [Varsity] will be pretty good this season. We’ll see where it goes and how we do.”

The seventh grade teams play at 5 pm, eighth grade at 6 pm, freshmen at 7 pm, and a sophomore and Varsity game at 8 pm. The high school teams are drafted into two teams for the Blue vs. White Games, and there is no cost for admission.