1A: United Faith vs. Northside Christian
Even prior to the season, pretty much everyone in the grassroots community predicted these two squads would meet in the title game. Both teams (and first-year head coaches) have more than exceed expectations. Coach Darrion Holloway pushed the Falcons to a 31-2 record with their only losses coming to Winston-Salem Christian (ranked nationally and first among non-association teams in North Carolina) and Central Cabarrus (first in our Top 20 NCHSAA/NCISAA ranking). Although their group is quite balanced overall, Fordham commit Alex Bates is such a vital part of their success. His shot-making, both off the bounce and catch, will be a major x-factor in determining the outcome of this game. Evan Morton is a polished scorer, reliable ball-handler, and quality creator. Lance Gill (WSSU commit) offers a steady, well-rounded presence. JD Bowden is an extremely poised playmaker and easily one of the top young floor generals in the state. Dylan Deluca provides energy and floor-spacing. Isaiah Sutherland is an incredibly long, athletic big man with bounds of upside. Bryce Slay is a great shooter with size and obvious long-term appeal. Guys like Camyl Witherspoon and Logan Johnson also provide meaningful minutes for this group.
On the other side, Northside Christian has enjoyed a lot of success under Coach Ed Cooke. They currently stand at 21-14, but have gone 13-3 in their last 16 games and appear to be playing their best basketball heading into Saturday’s championship contest. This group, like their opponent, has terrific balance as a group. Josh Bullock controls the action as the floor general and tone-setter on both ends of the floor. Antonio Perkins remains a natural glue-guy who hits shots at a high percentage and consistently finds production by filling in the gaps. Kyrell Shaw has really emerged as a notable scorer and shot-maker throughout the course of the season (and currently leads them in scoring). Arael Jones still has so many enticing qualities as one of the young, up-and-coming guards on the roster. Rounding out their core grouping, Kamar Goudelock does a lot of things well as a utility piece, KJ Shouse is a high-motor forward who consistently does the dirty work, and Josiah Johnson-Freeman can make an impact within the flow of the action.
Prediction: United Faith. Although both Cooke and Holloway have solidified themselves as two of the better coaches in the state, it’s impossible to ignore the sheer consistency that United Faith has exemplified on the court all season long. Despite being thrust into the role, everything has clearly come together for Coach Holloway. That being said, Northside Christian is as capable of pulling off an upset as anyone—making this a must-see battle.
2A: TBD
3A: Greensboro Day vs. Concord Academy
Quite possibly the most intriguing matchup across all of the NCISAA classifications, Greensboro Day and Concord Academy should make for an excellent battle. On one side, Coach Frank Cantadore and the Eagles have won state championships in two of their last three seasons. On the other, Coach Freddy Johnson is a legend in the high school basketball coaching ranks. Unfortunately, both guys fall under the “never bet against” category, so choosing one to prevail over another is quite a difficult task. Add in the fact that these squads play contrasting styles, and it really comes down to which team establishes the tempo and controls the pace.
A victory for Concord Academy on Saturday would quietly stamp one of the most impressive four-year runs you’ll see from a high school program. Coach Cantadore is probably still one of the more unsung coaches in high school basketball, but it’s impossible to deny how much he’s separated himself from his peers (especially over the last few seasons). It’s genuinely shocking to see the lack of recruitment for highly productive seniors like Avion Pinner, Isaiah Tate, and Petar Asceric. Pinner has been a focal point for this group all season long; his adaptable, versatile game has only continued to blossom. Tate is a quality shot-maker with a crafty nature and the ability to play with or without the ball. Asceric is a low-maintenance big man who finishes, rebounds, and blocks shots around the basket. Furthermore, JJ Moore is a tough, heady guard with a great balance between playmaking and three-level scoring. Noah Van Bibber (Winthrop commit) is a quality shooting threat with size and athleticism. Jake Benham and Carson Cooke provide phenomenal three-point shooting. Guys like Mags Swinger and Sergej Cvetkovic also offer great size and energy off the bench.
Although their style and approach remain in place, the structure of this Bengals squad is quite different from those in recent memory. Everything starts, ends, and goes through Virginia Tech commit Jaydon Young. He’s the undisputed leader of this group, and it’s easy to see through his massive offensive workload. Young has really excelled at being the focal point, setting the tone, and scoring or getting others involved. Will Otto understands how to run the team in a balanced manner. Between Reid Carrier, Julius Reese, and Jordan Moody, they have a group of steady seniors along the perimeter—each of whom can defend and knock down shots. Joseph Bachman brings a great blend of size, motor, toughness, and rebounding prowess as their primary big man. Addison Newkirk makes countless winning plays and naturally affects all facets of the game as a glue-guy. Rounding out their group, underclassmen James Stainback and Kohi Strickland are capable of providing useful minutes.
Prediction: Concord Academy. As stated above, both of these squads (and coaches) are extremely difficult to bet against…but someone has to come out on top. It’ll really all come down to pace. If Greensboro Day can keep things slow and methodical, they will win. If Concord can get up and down while hitting shots, then they will win. The obvious x-factor is Young. If he scores 70% of the Bengals’ total points (as he did in their semifinal contest), then all bets are off. Either way, it should be a high-level game with a lot of excitement.
4A: Carmel Christian vs. Christ School
The biggest NCISAA classification also features the top seed (Carmel Christian) facing the second seed (Christ School) in the championship contest. It probably goes without saying, but Coach Joe Badgett has been incredible since taking over the helm of Carmel Christian. In five seasons, he’s gone 131-17 with two state titles (currently hunting for his third). On the other side, Coach Josh Coley is known for his ability to assemble talented teams and compete for championships on a yearly basis—and this group might be his most talented in recent memory.
In looking at the Cougars, they’ve been a difficult matchup for the majority of their opponents this season. Jaeden Mustaf entered the state with a lot of buzz and has clearly delivered on all expectations. He’s an exceptional leader by example who prioritizes setting the tone on both sides of the ball. Bryce Cash is still the ultimate teammate who visibly contributes to winning, yet still remains one of the more (unjustifiably) under-recruited players in the state. Khamani Wertz really came into his own this season as a 3-and-D guy who can initiate the offense and make plays off the bounce as needed. Michael Marcus is a steady two-way big man who can finish, space the floor, and rebound at a consistent rate on both ends. Kaleb Siler also provides nice size and understands how to operate within the flow of the action at all times. Brett Freeman is a blossoming young guard who has consistently gotten more comfortable throughout the season. Rounding out this group, Boston Smith is an explosive athlete who plays hard and Jackson Burnham is a lethal spot-up threat with a scrappy nature.
The amount of talent at Christ School should be fairly obvious. Keenan Wilkins has made a seamless transition into being a point guard while maintaining his three-level scoring prowess. Emanuel Richards (Longwood commit) is an absolute force and legitimate matchup problem with his blend of ball skills, open-floor ability, and sheer strength. Anthony Robinson (USF commit) checks all the boxes in terms of size, athleticism, and physicality; he finishes above the rim, blocks shots, and rebounds well. Bryson Cokely (Wake Forest commit) is an athletic shot-maker with great size and the ability to attack closeouts as needed. Jamari Briggs has arguably improved as much as any player on the roster and offers a great change of pace as a big, strong, athletic guard. Lleyton Thomas-Johnson also offers athleticism, three-point shooting, and a high motor from the wing/forward position.
Prediction: Carmel Christian. Although the Greenies have a slew of talent on their roster, it’s extremely difficult to bet against Carmel Christian and Joe Badgett. Both of these teams have tight rotations, so it should ultimately come down to whose core grouping is better.