Asheville Christian has been one of the more consistent programs here in North Carolina, continuing to find and produce talent, and that doesn’t seem to be changing this season. After finishing the season 17-8 overall and 5-3 in conference play, Coach Andy Ray and players are hoping to continue not only that winning tradition but also take another step forward. They will be led once again by clear leaders in Ian Bailey and Pavlo Markiv, but who else will step up. We dive a bit into this roster.
2026 6’3 Ian Bailey
“When you watch how Bailey operates, you have to be impressed with his overall feel for the game. He knows and understands how to run the offense, playing with pace and feel, showing the ability to be a facilitator and creator, making high IQ decisions, and has another gear in being a true scorer for himself. Bailey’s feel and pace impress, especially with how he sees the floor. And that doesn’t mention his ability to be a true scoring threat off the bounce, finishing through contact, getting to his spots, and scoring from various levels.”
2026 6’8 Pavlo Markiv
“When you talk about this young man’s game, there is a lot of intrigue with his blend of physicality, motor, and overall impact. He brings great size at 6’8 and is willing to battle down in the paint for his team. Markiv does a great job in attacking and finishing strong around the basket, getting on the boards and creating extra opportunities, and simply competes when he is on the floor. He isn’t flashy but just impactful for his team, and I believe he is going to have a strong season as he looks to earn more attention from college programs.”
These two will be the clear go-to leaders for this team this year, with one being able to create and be an effective scorer, while Markiv should be a force down low for them in a variety of ways. However, they will need others to step in and help. 2027 Sullivan Hill, 2027 Noah Earwood, 2026 Jordan Hall, 2027 Noah Pierce, 2027 Josh Moore, 2028 Blake Garrett, 2027 Les Otis, 2028 Ace Rogers, and others are all players to keep an eye on and see who steps up for this team. Overall, this is a roster that has two lead guys heading the charge, along with a nice group of potential and experience to fill in the rest. But will it be enough to make a run this season?