Kyungbok High School Wins the Korea Cup Championship
- Joanne Lee
- Jan 3
- 2 min read
Jan 3, 2026
Joanne Lee
On December 6, Kyungbok High School claimed the championship title with an 84-78 victory after a hard-fought battle in the final match of the 2025 Korea Cup Supreme Tournament, held at Dongguk University’s Seoul Campus Gymnasium.
The game was challenging from the opening quarter. Bang Deok-won, the Up-tempo center, used his height and strong physical presence to draw fouls and lead his team’s offense smoothly. He scored 11 points in the first quarter alone, showing impressive scoring ability. The first quarter ended in a tie at 18-18.
Kyungbok High School began to gain control in the second quarter. Yoon Ji-hoon’s performance stood out as he scored 14 points in the second quarter, clearly making his presence felt. Eom Seong-min and Song Young-hoon also contributed 6 points each, helping maintain the team’s momentum. Kyungbok High School finished the first half leading 48-34.
In the third quarter, Kyungbok momentarily struggled after allowing several points to Up-tempo. However, they quickly regained their composure. Although the quarter ended at 65-55, Yoon Ji-won calmly knocked down a buzzer-beating three-pointer from the corner, demonstrating poise under pressure.
Up-tempo continued their pursuit in the fourth quarter. Noh Seung-jun scored 9 points on his own, bringing his team within reach of Kyungbok High School. Despite the pressure, Kyungbok remained composed, creating fast-break opportunities through smart passing and effectively defending the perimeter. Their calm and disciplined play ultimately secured an 84-78 championship victory.
This tournament drew significant attention as it showcased a unique matchup between amateur basketball club players and elite athletes, even being broadcast live on KBS N Sports. With a prize pool totaling 15 million won, the stakes were high. Having settled for second place in 2024, Kyungbok High School’s championship win this year marked a satisfying and successful end to the season.
