Model of Consistency: Mike Craft and Ardrey Kell Basketball
For Ardrey Kell head coach Mike Craft, consistency has defined his entire coaching career. A three-sport athlete at Hickory High School, Coach Craft went on to play collegiately, but his true calling was always coaching. If anyone was born to be a coach, that phrase was custom-made for Mike Craft.
After spending 16 years at the collegiate level, Craft realized that the high school game was a more natural fit for him. When Ardrey Kell opened 20 years ago, he was selected as the school’s first head basketball coach. As with any new program, building success takes time — but one thing is certain: Mike Craft has stood the test of time and proven himself as one of the premier high school basketball coaches in the state of North Carolina.
Now entering his 20th season at Ardrey Kell, Craft has led the Knights to sustained success and helped establish the program as one of the best in the state. In 17 of the past 19 seasons, Ardrey Kell has qualified for the NCHSAA state tournament — an impressive level of consistency at the high school level. The program has also reached six Elite Eight appearances, eight Sweet 16s, and finished as state runner-up twice (2015 and 2021). Even more impressive, Craft has helped develop 35 college players and five professional players, a testament to both his player development and his ability to prepare athletes for the next level. He recently recorded his 350th career high school victory.
Widely regarded as one of the top “X’s and O’s” coaches in the state, Craft’s teams are known for being disciplined, well-prepared, unselfish, and purposeful. As of this writing, Ardrey Kell owns a 13-2 record and is ranked No. 4 in the NCHSAA 8A classification.
This success is even more impressive considering the roster turnover from last season. The Knights finished the 2024-25 campaign at 18-8, losing key seniors 6’4 Brett Freeman (24.2 PPG), who committed to Virginia Tech, and 6’2 Bryceton Thomas (9.8 PPG). Entering the 2025-26 season, very few people — including us — considered Ardrey Kell a major factor in the Charlotte metro area, and they were omitted from preseason rankings. In hindsight, doubting Mike Craft’s ability was a mistake.
Here we are in mid-January once again watching Ardrey Kell firmly positioned for the NCHSAA playoffs — and now viewed as one of the early favorites to make a deep postseason run.
For a man who grew up as the son of a coach, starred as a three-sport athlete, played and coached at the collegiate level, and has devoted his life to the game, it’s easy to see how Mike Craft has achieved this level of consistency and success. From his humble personality to his steady presence on the sideline, Coach Craft represents everything positive about the coaching profession. He is nothing short of excellent — and truly a model of consistency.https://www.phenomhoopreport.com/coachs-corner-ardrey-kells-mike-craft-talks-hs-playing-days-college-coaching-experience/