Following tonight’s slate of games, the Final Four in all the NCHSAA classifications will be set. Although this new, seemingly unnecessary realignment for public school programs appeared to be a direct money ploy at first, it’s actually made for some highly entertaining playoff games. In turn, we will take a closer look at each of the upcoming semifinal matchups as they are determined, moving on to 6A…
Kings Mountain (12) v. Charlotte Catholic (2)
Quite possibly the most intriguing (and improbable) Final Four matchup on the slate, Kings Mountain is fresh off upsetting top-seeded Ben L. Smith (the assumed title-favorite by many, including myself). They’ll now advance forward to play Charlotte Catholic to decide who will compete in the state championship. Despite their 15-12 record, it’s all about which team shows up on a night-to-night basis. For example, they played Huss twice in a month span. The contest at home? 28-point loss. The contest at Huss? 4-point loss. Almost the same thing happened against South Point. So, if the best version of the Mountaineers shows up, they could definitely win. Folks should know that Caleb Nixon is their focal point, Ethan Daniel provides a polished offensive presence, Micaiah Daniel anchors the paint, Silas Tate dictates the action, and Xavier Hutchens offers motor, toughness, and athleticism.
On the other side, Charlotte Catholic has consistently trended upward throughout the course of the season. Winners of seven straight games, this will be their biggest test since facing off against Marvin Ridge earlier last month. The senior duo of Jack Siegel and Joseph Kapsiak has carried a heavy load while sophomore floor general Mack Jordan has continued to elevate his game to new heights. Siegel has increased his numbers across the board, Kapsiak is a well-rounded piece who can alter his approach based on team needs, and Jordan knows how to properly set the tone with his IQ and unselfishness. Those three players combine for nearly 75% of the Cougars’ total scoring production. However, they also have veteran guys like Luke Woeste, Trey Houser, and Andrew Shepard who know how to properly operate within their respective roles. Ultimately, it will come down to which team shows up for both sides.