HPCA boys, Wesleyan girls earn rivalry wins
• Michael Lindsay | Enterprise Sports Writer
HIGH POINT – High Point Christian's boys gained the lead in the first quarter, stretched it to double digits in the second and third, and held on late to beat rival Wesleyan Christian 47-41 on Saturday night in the Headliners Challenge basketball showcase at Wesleyan.
In the girls game, Wesleyan trailed by double digits early in the second but rallied the rest of the way to build a double-digit lead of its own and won 54-41.
Isaiah Sanders scored 13 points to lead the HPCA boys (1-2), who quickly led 10-4 midway through the first and used a 7-1 run to lead by 11 midway through the second. Benny Limbacher followed with eight points, while Toot Clay added seven points.
The Cougars, who led 24-18 at halftime, pushed their lead to 16 in the third before the Trojans rallied back within reach.
Stephen McLamb scored 15 points to lead Wesleyan (1-3), while Jasean Williams added 11 points as the Trojans inched within three with 31 seconds left. But HPCA made three of four free throws to seal the outcome.

Carmel Christian upsets top 15 Calvary Christian in Atlanta

Friday night in Atlanta, Carmel Christian ran out to a 21-point lead over national power Calvary Christian from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Then the Cougars lost all of their lead, went to double overtime but rallied to win 76-69. Carmel (6-0) led 22-10 after the first quarter and 36-20 at halftime.

But Calvary Christian dominated the second half, outscoring the Cougars 37-21 to get back into the game.

Carmel got a put-back basket from Bryce Cash to force double-overtime, where the Cougars got more big baskets and big plays from Mustaf, Cash, Khamani Wertz and Boston Smith to get the win.

Former Chambers star Jaylen Curry shot 6-of-21 but had 22 points, four rebounds and three steals for Calvary Christian (1-1). Calvary Christian wing Carl Cherenfant -- a Memphis recruit ranked among the nation’s top 25 players at his position -- had 26 points and six rebounds.

Mustaf led Carmel with 23 points, 10 rebounds; Cash had 22 points, seven rebounds; Wertz had 15 points and three rebounds; and Smith had seven points, three

CANNON GIRLS 69, SOUTH MECKLENBURG 44
Cannon - 15 8 26 20 - 69
S. Meck - 11 18 8 7 - 44
CANNON 69 -- Lili Booker 16 A. Fowler 14 S. Suffren 13 M. McCorkle 11 K. Thompson 5 K. Morrow 4 A. Brooks - Manning 2 T. Mathis 2 J. Cherry 2
SOUTH MECKLENBURG 44 -- Maggie Houpt - 17 A. Sinclair- 9 G. Troy - Mebane 8 C. Williams 4 G. Phifer - 4D. Miller - 2.
Record: Cannon (4-1) S. Meck (2-1)
Notable: Cannon has won 4 straight. 4 of 5 starters in double figures. S. Meck led by 6 at the half.

Friday, November 25th, 2022 – Lake Norman HS

12:00PM – West Cabarrus Girls vs. Alexander Central Girls
1:30PM – Hickory Ridge vs. Covenant Day
3:00PM – Metrolina Christian vs. Lincoln Charter
4:30PM – Lake Norman Girls vs. Ardrey Kell Girls
6:00PM – WS Christian National vs. Combine Regional
7:30PM – Lake Norman vs. Rocky River

Saturday, November 26th, 2022 – Lake Norman HS
12:00PM – Hickory Ridge Girls vs. Ardrey Kell Girls
1:30PM – Lake Norman Girls vs. Olympic Girls
3:00PM – Covenant Day vs. WS Christian Regional
4:30PM – Hough vs. Metrolina Christian
6:00PM – Harding vs. West Cabarrus
7:30PM – Providence Day vs. WS Christian National
9:00PM – Lake Norman vs. Central Cabarrus

‘We never planned it that way’: Holmes siblings at home coaching at Carmel Christian
BY STEVE LYTTLE NOVEMBER 25, 2022 6:00 AM


Chavis and Travis Holmes insist it was never planned this way.

They never planned to get married three weeks apart. They never planned to have two children each, born within three months of one another.

And the twin brothers said they never planned to wind up working together on the same high school basketball coaching staff. But they all say Carmel Christian, a private school in southeast Charlotte, is home.

And to have their little sister at the same school, coaching the girls’ basketball team?

“We never planned it that way,” said Kendria Holmes, the “little sister” and Carmel’s girls’ head coach.

But the twins, who are NCAA record-holders, are working together this year under Carmel Christian boys’ head coach Joe Badgett, whose team plays in a Thanksgiving tournament in Atlanta this weekend. And they’re keeping an eye on their sister, who coached middle school boys’ and girls’ teams at Carmel for several years before taking over the girls’ high school varsity this season.

“We’re lucky to have these three siblings here,” Badgett said. “They add a lot to the school and the athletic program.”

Chavis Holmes, the older of the twins by a few minutes (they’re both 36), joined Badgett’s staff two years ago. Travis arrived this year.

“It just happened,” he said. “I was at Bradford Prep, but I found out that there was an opening at Carmel Christian. Coach Badgett said he’d love to have me. And I was happy to come here.”

BOUNCE, BOUNCE, BOUNCE’

Basketball always has been a big part of life for the Holmes siblings, their mother, Regina, said. “Bounce, bounce, bounce,” she said, remembering the sound that reverberated in their north Charlotte backyard when their three children were younger. “It was always basketball. They all loved it from the start.”

Perhaps understandable, given that the Chavis siblings are cousins of former NBA great James Worthy. Chavis and Travis, now 36, played on a Vance High (now Chambers) team that won the 2003 4A state championship. They spent their junior and senior seasons at Christ School, near Asheville, winning more titles and earning all-state honors.

Then they each chose Virginia Military for college.

“We didn’t plan it that way,” Travis Holmes said. “We each liked the school.”

BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL

The Holmes brothers, each a 6-4 guard, were among NCAA leaders in steals throughout their careers. In fact, Travis Holmes led Division 1 in steals his sophomore season, and Chavis ranked fourth.

“When we were younger, we competed against each other,” Chavis Holmes said. “But it was all in competitive fun. We were always close.”

They finally separated after college, each playing professionally overseas. Travis played in Iceland, Israel and England. Chavis was on teams in Spain, Mexico, England and Germany.

Meanwhile, Kendria, a 5-5 guard, was also doing well. She led Victory Christian to multiple state championships in high school, then went on to Providence, where she was named to the Big East all-freshman team. She transferred to Charlotte, and played several seasons with the 49ers.

“The best thing about my brothers is that they always let me hang around, when they were kids playing basketball,” she said. “That helped my game a lot.”

FOLLOWING THE KIDS

Through it all, their parents, Regina and Kenneth, logged thousands of miles, driving to see them play.

“One time, I drove from here to VMI to watch the boys, and then drove from there to Providence to see Kendria,” Regina recalled. “We did a lot of driving!”

Regina and Kenneth are still following their children, although part of their job in the stands at Carmel Christian games involves helping keep an eye on the grandchildren.

Chavis and Travis said they have found a home at Carmel Christian.

“Joe’s a good guy,” Travis said. “He’s a man of faith, a man of principles. He has the same core values we have.”

“It’s great to be a part of what he’s doing here,” Chavis added.

Badgett said the Holmes brothers have added a lot to the program and have the talent to be top-notch coaches.

“We don’t always agree with one another,” Travis said. “But we don’t get into arguments. We talk it out.”

NATURAL ATHLETES

Regina Holmes said her three children are natural athletes.

“They’re good golfers,” she said. And they’re close, she added.

“They’ve always been that way.”

Travis and Chavis are coaching a team that is ranked No. 1 among private schools in North Carolina, for a program that won the 4A state title last season.

“We’re still a work in progress this year,” Chavis said.

“Right now, we’re just scratching the surface.

There are some great kids on this team.” Travis added, “We know we’ll catch everyone’s best shot.”

Kendria, meanwhile, is building the girls’ program. She has several eighth-graders and freshmen on the roster.

“We’ll get there,” she said. “We’re building this program, and we have some very good young players.”

She seems to take delight in the way her older brothers seem to shadow each other’s life experiences — getting married around the same time, having children around the same time.

“Trust me,” Travis Holmes said to her sister. “We didn’t plan it that way.”

Kendria and Regina Holmes also are proud that the brothers hold a place in the NCAA record book — for the most career points ever scored by twins.

“That’s another thing we didn’t plan,” Chavis said, breaking into a laugh.

GREENFIELD 115 CAPE FEAR CHRISTIAN 69
CFC : 12 20 31 6 — 69
GFS : 30 32 37 16 — 115
CFC : Zeke Brock 29, Brandon Surles 14, Scarborough 8, Bolton, Dunlow, Medlin, McLamb 4, Brooks, Chestnut, Ellis 6, Wilborn 8, Godwin.
GFS : Kobe Edwards 15, N. Edwards 3, Cole Evans 15, Kyshon Atkinson 11, Jack Adair 14, Sherrod 8, Lucas 6, Wall 4, Baptiste 7, Tewes 2, Hampton Evans 30.

Spartans split doubleheader against Thales Academy
By Bryant Baucom bbaucom@hendersondispatch.com; 252-436-2840 Nov 22, 2022 Updated 13 hrs ago
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ROLESVILLE — Holding your opponent to four points, runs, or goals may not be an indication of dominance in sports like soccer, baseball, or hockey, but on the hardwood, it’s almost unheard of.

Unheard of, but not impossible, as the Kerr-Vance girls basketball team earned a victory on Tuesday in rather dominant fashion, defeating Thales Academy Rolesville 45-4.

In their third of five road games to begin the 2022-2023 season, the Spartans improved to 2-1 on the year, as they recorded their highest point total since Dec. 3, 2019.

Earning their second victory in just three tries, Kerr-Vance surpassed their win total from a year ago and tied their total number of victories during the 2020-2021 campaign.

Following a well-earned holiday break, the Spartans will travel to St. Thomas More Academy in Raleigh on Nov. 29 for a non-conference matchup with the Chancellors.

Currently riding a three game losing streak against St. Thomas More, Kerr-Vance seek to avenge last season’s 55-11 defeat on their home court.

In the varsity boys matchup, the Spartans dropped their first contest of the season, falling to the Knights 85-44.

The outcome of the game was never in doubt after the opening tip, as Thales Academy cruised to a 32-5 lead after the opening frame.

Similar to the opening frame of the first half was the third quarter play of the Knights, who scored a combined 63 points in those two frames.

During those spans, they outscored their 1A opponent 63-17 to account for a majority of their success on Monday night.

Kerr-Vance would bounce back and outscore Thales Academy in the second quarter, trimming the halftime deficit to 26 at 46-20.

Awaiting the Spartans in their next contest will be the Chancellors of St. Thomas More Academy, who will enter the contest with a 1-3 record and on a two-game losing streak.

Kerr-Vance has won their last 10 matchups against the Chancellors, dating back to the 2012-2013 season. In their most recent matchup in 2021, the Spartans opened up the season with a 57-46 victory over their former conference foe.

SAN JOSE PREP Fl 42 NORTHSIDE 38
SJP: 7-8-16-11---42
NSC : 7-8-9-14---38
NSC : Tyler Collins 17, Engle 3, Womack 5, Ashford 4, Johnson 6, Carelock 0, Henderson 3,
NORTHSIDE 1-2

Red-hot Knights bomb Cape Fear Christian 115-69
By Tom Ham Special to the Times

The streaking Greenfield School varsity boys basketball team expected a break from tense outcomes against visiting Cape Fear Christian Academy of Erwin of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A ranks Monday evening.

And Cape Fear head coach Dwain Ellis admitted: “Defense is our problem.”


Did the Knights, 2021-22 NCISAA 1-A runners-up and playing at the 2-A level for the first year, ever feast in exploding to a record-setting 115-69 victory for their fifth consecutive win after a season-opening loss.

Greenfield established a school record with 18 field goals (54 points) from 3-point range and missed tying the single-game scoring mark by one point.

With a two-shot opportunity at the foul line, Greenfield junior Jo-Willem Tewes earned the opportunity to tie or break the record when fouled with six-plus seconds remaining. But with the clock running nonstop because of the Knights’ huge lead, time expired before Tewes could attempt a free throw.

Greenfield head coach Rob Salter declined to complain about his team’s defensive effort. But the 32 minutes of court time belonged to the offenses.

Along with swishing 18-of-29 shots from 3-point range, Greenfield, overall, knocked down 39-of-59 shots for a sizzling 60% accuracy. The Knights thrived at the foul line, sinking 19-of-24 attempts for 80% accuracy.
The Eagles (2-2) were not shabby, connecting on 28-of-52 attempts from the floor 54%. The teams erupted for 68 points in the third quarter, when Greenfield shot 14 of 19 from the floor and Cape Fear posted a scorching 80% accuracy, hitting 12-of-15 shots.

“An impressive display of shooting,” Salter said. “We’ve got that potential. The 3s came on right decisions. We have a lot of guys that can fill it up when they get going. Three’s started raining from everywhere.”

Nine Knights scored at least once from beyond the arc. And the Eagles, led by sharp-shooting junior Zeke Brock, found the range 10 times from 3-point land.


“(Junior) Cole (Evans) got it started for us,” Salter credited. “He is an elite shooter. The guys came out with good energy. The transition was sensational. The guards on the outside did a great job in transition. We scored in our half-court offense. We got it done in a lot of ways. A lot of good things got us going. It was impressive to watch it get going.”

Evans found the mark on five of his 3-point shots for 15 points.

“I was in rhythm and my teammates were getting me the ball,” said Evans, who did not start. “It was easy to get to my spot and knock down shots.”

Of being a key cog in a scorefest, Evans replied: “It felt good. The defense was a little bit slack. I wanted to come in, knock down shots and help the team win. That was a good feeling.”

“We thought we could have this type of game but we knew we had to take (Cape Fear) seriously and respect them.”

The score was knotted at 5-5 and 10-10 when, suddenly, the Evans boys, Cole and Hampton, another junior, ignited Greenfield on a 20-0 tear before promising 6-foot-5 eighth-grader Lathan Wilborn’s jumper finally ended the drought for the Eagles, who were plagued by 10 turnovers in the first quarter.

The remainder of the contest was filled with milestones. Senior Kyshon Atkinson stepped across midcourt and drained a heave at intermission for the biggest halftime lead of 62-32.



After three periods, the Knights needed just one more point for 100 on junior Xavier Baptiste’s 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Greenfield reached and surpassed the century mark in the opening moments of the final quarter on junior Nik Edwards 3-pointer for a 102 total. Then the nonstop clock took over.

Hampton Evans continued his scoring rampage with a game-high 30 points in just three quarters. Freshman Kobe Edwards and Cole Evans each poured in 15, followed by senior Jack Adair with 14 and Atkinson with 11. Eleven Knights scored. Baptiste led with seven rebounds, followed by senior Micah Sherrod with six.

Cape Fear’s Brock impressed with a 29-point effort, while eighth-grader Brandon Surles bucketed 14. The Eagles managed just 14 rebounds.

“We knew it was going to be rough,” Ellis said. “We knew about Greenfield.

“We have a bunch of young basketball players (four freshmen, two eighth-graders and two seniors). We are building for the future.

“We put up some points, but we couldn’t stop the 3-bomb. That was really bad; we have to work on stopping that.”

The Knights expect a sterner test Tuesday evening when they welcome Living Waters Christian of Jacksonville, projected a top contender in the North Carolina Christian Athletic Association.


CAPE FEAR CHRISTIAN (69)

Brock 29, Scarborough 8, Bolton, Dunlow, Medlin, McLamb 4, Brooks, Chestnut, Ellis 6, Solurn 14, Wilborn 8, Godwin.

GREENFIELD (115)

K. Edwards 15, N. Edwards 3, C. Evans 15, Atkins 11, Adair 14, Sherrod 8, Lucas 6, Wall 4, Baptiste 7, Tewes 2, H. Evans 30.

Score by quarters:

Cape Fear 12 20 31 6 — 69

Greenfield 30 32 37 16 — 115

We have an immediate opening for Athletic Director at Community Christian School.
Job Description:
The role of the CCS Athletic Director will be to manage all facets of an athletic program (nearly 19 sports offerings from middle and high schools), including scheduling, hiring coaches, promoting programs and events, ordering equipment, constructing budgets and facilitating operations. The Athletic Director will work alongside CCS Administration, CCS School Board, and the CCS Booster Club to ensure that our school's athletics are of excellent quality as well as God-honoring. Apply online at: https://www.ccscyclones.com/.../EmploymentApplication...
Call 252-399-1376 with any questions.

Knights tame Tigers in cross-town showdown

By Andrew Schnittker
aschnittker@wilsontimes.com


The Greenfield School and Wilson Prep boys basketball teams gave a large, boisterous crowd a compelling show Saturday evening in the final game of the Hoop State 252 Tip-Off, with the Knights pulling away in the second half for an 81-68 home victory.


The Knights led by just three at halftime but pulled away with a dominant third quarter and second half, using their transition game and ability to work the ball inside to come away with an impressive victory. Greenfield saw five players score in double figures, with Hampton Evans leading the way with 20, Micah Sherrod and Matt Kirby posting 13 apiece, Kobe Edwards putting up 12 and Kyshon Atkinson adding 11.

“We had our composure,” said Knights head coach Rob Salter. “It was physical. I thought our guys held their composure really well. I think once again, our depth got them tired at the end. Our bench was fantastic. Micah Sherrod was unbelievable. Bryson Wall (seven points) was fantastic in the second half. He showed his experience. Hampton and Kobe were great. It was a team effort. … I just thought the composure was good. They shot the cover off the ball, and we didn’t panic when they did hit the 3s to keep it a game.”

The game marked the season opener for the Tigers of the NCHSAA 1-A Tar-Roanoke Athletic Conference. Wilson Prep is trying to find its footing in the early going as the Tigers only return two starters from last year, and got a good early test with Greenfield. Foul trouble played a role in the Tigers’ second-half woes, as they were right in a three-point game at the break.

Brandon Anderson led the Tigers with 17 points.

Wilson Prep head coach Anthony Atkinson Jr. said he feels playing against a strong opponent like Greenfield will help the Tigers down the line.

“Yes, you want to win, because it’s a cross-town rivalry, but at the same time, it’s preparing us for our conference and for playoffs,” he said. “These games right here are going to help our RPI and our strength of schedule, and help us with experiences in hostile environments.”

Saturday marked the third straight year Greenfield and Wilson Prep have met in nonconference play, and the fifth all-time meeting, with Greenfield winning all five, though the two have sparked a strong local rivalry.

The game featured a raucous, standing-room only crowd, with fans of both teams packing the Knights’ gym and creating a lively atmosphere.

The crowd was large enough to necessitate occasionally opening a side door to let some chilled night air into Greenfield’s warm gym.

“It’s great for the city,” Atkinson Jr. said. “I wish all of the public schools around here did this. It would be like this every night because people want to see this action. It’s in town, the kids know each other. It’s spicy. It’s a fun environment to be in. It’s just great to be a part of, it really was.”


The players also enjoyed getting to play in front of the large local crowd.

“It’s really fun,” Evans said. “Everybody loves the crowd. Anything can happen in a rivalry game. It was just a great environment, I love playing in environments like that.”

After the Knights brought a three-point lead into halftime, Greenfield started to pull away as the third quarter went along, out scoring the Tigers 23-13. Holding a narrow 45-43 lead, the Knights ripped off a 12-2 run to take the first double-digit lead of the game at 55-45 with 2:21 left in the third frame, including seven straight points on a 3 from Edwards, steal and layup from Sherrod and layup from Sherrod off a full-court pass from Kirby.


The Knights continued to pull ahead the rest of the third frame with their zone frustrating the Tigers’ shooters and by working the ball inside on offense, taking a 62-49 lead heading into the final frame.

“We made them take shots off the dribble,” Salter said. “They were hitting 3s but we wanted them to put it on the floor. And then I thought we missed a lot of easy shots in the first half. We missed a lot of layups. I thought we made a lot in the second half, which let us push it up. The experience of being in big moments showed. That’s why we play in the big games, and I thought our experience came through in the second half.”

The Knights kept pushing away to open the fourth quarter, extending their lead to 16, but the Tigers’ outside shooting continued to keep them in it, with Anderson knocking down a corner 3 to make it a 10-point game with about five minutes left.

“That’s one thing that we’ve put an emphasis on in practice,” Atkinson Jr. said. “That’s where the basketball game is going today — 3-point shooting. If you don’t have good 3-point shooting, I think it’s going to be tough for you to score. I was very proud of the guys and how well we shot the ball.”

That was as close as it got, however, as a couple quick steals and buckets allowed the Knights to push their advantage back to 16 with 3:26 to play, and they closed out the victory.

“We just made too many turnovers at the wrong time,” Atkinson Jr. said. “There were times we were in the game and making runs, and we would come down and commit three straight turnovers, and they would go down and punish us, draw fouls on us and get to the free-throw line.”

Greenfield will host Cape Fear Christian on Monday while Wilson Prep will visit Farmville Central on Tuesday.

WILSON PREP (68)

Anderson 17, Hicks 9, Brown 8, Newby 6, Minter 5, Ellis 4, Newsome 3, Eatmon 2.

GREENFIELD (81)

Evans 20, Sherrod 13, Kirby 13, K. Edwards 12, Atkinson 11, Wall 7, N. Edwards 5.

Score by quarters:

Wilson Prep 20 16 13 16 — 68

Greenfield 23 16 23 19 — 81

CHARLOTTE LATIN 58, METROLINA CHRISTIAN 40
Metrolina Christian 10. 11. 9. 10. -- 40
Latin 7. 16. 20. 15. -- 58
METROLINA CHRISTIAN 40 -- Honeycutt 9, Griffin 8, King 8, Sorentino 7, Harter 6, Carlson 2
CHARLOTTE LATIN 58 -- Charlotte Tune 27, Hume 9, Fisher 8, Vandiver 7, Archibald 3, Poole 2, Malone 2 Record: Latin 1-0
Notable: Freshman Charlotte Tune scored 27 in her Varsity debut.

ALBEMARLE 60 NORTHEAST AIR & TECH 36
NAT : 4-12-13-7---36
ALB : 15-18-11-1—60
NAT—Lovejoy 4, Farley 9, Edwards 6, Johnson 9, Weems 5, Robinson 2, Commmander 1
ALB—Ethan Mercer 26, Chase Wentz 10, Larabee 0, Hassell 7, James 8, Wooten 2, Lowry 7
ALBEMARLE 1-2

Bethel Christian Academy is excited to announce the hiring of Walt Eubanks to be BCA’s Varsity Football Coach.
Coach Eubanks has 14 years of experience coaching high school football and 20 years total football coaching experience. His first job coaching at the high school level was at North Lenoir High School. Coach Eubanks spent a total of six years coaching at North Lenoir High school, one year as the Varsity Linebacker’s coach and the last five years as the Varsity Defensive Coordinator.
Starting in 2015, Coach Eubanks became the Defensive Coordinator for the return of football at Bethel Christian Academy. During 2015, he was the Defensive Coordinator of the JV football team. With the addition of varsity football in the fall of 2016 at Bethel, he became the Varsity Defensive Coordinator. During his time at Bethel, the Trojans won two state championships and only suffered one losing season. He has coached five all-state players and has had several more all-conference players selected from his defense.
BCA’s Athletic Director, Ashley Stroud said, “We are excited about Coach Eubanks becoming our head coach. I believe there is no one who is more qualified to be the head of our football program than Coach Eubanks. With his level of knowledge, his passion for football, his love for this academy and our students/players, Coach Eubanks is clearly the right man for the job. He has been Coach Crowder’s lead assistant since 2015 and is known by our students and a familiar face and voice for our football players.”
During chapel today, Coach Eubanks said, “I am excited to be your new Head Varsity Football Coach. I have some big shoes to fill with quite a bit of success, but we will move forward and continue that tradition”. BCA has already begun scheduling for the 2023-2024 season and is looking forward to the “Friday Night Lights.” “Go Trojans!

APA defeats John Paul II, wins second title in three years


years
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Arendell Parrott may have lost two catalysts on the field, but weren’t losing their lead in the season’s most important game.

The Patriots held on to defeat John Paul II 32-29 to win their second state title in three years and fourth under head coach Matt Beaman. Arendell Parrott (11-1) won 66-60 against John Paul II (10-2) in the regular-season finale Oct. 28 and had control in this contests before losing standouts Ashton Brinson and Thomas Grady in a three-play span.

It didn’t matter as the Patriots picked up a fourth gridiron championship in eight years and fifth overall in school history.

“Coming into this year, nobody gave us a chance,” Beaman said. “I think this team overachieved more than any team I’ve ever coached. I’m so proud of these guys, they just left it all on the field.”

APA went down the field easily on its first possession, going 50 yards in four plays, capped off by a long Brinson run. After forcing a turnover on downs inside Saints territory, the Patriots extended the margin to 12 after another Brinson touchdown score.

The teams traded possessions and John Paul II responded with a 12-play, 63-yard drive ending with Brody Mitchell’s 27-yard touchdown run on a bootleg facing fourth-and-8. The Saints cut the deficit to five, but the Patriots fought back with a 10-play, 69-yard drive highlighted by a 35-yard connection from Caleb Sanderson to Jaylen Solomon. Solomon would score on a 3-yard pass as Brinson faked a run and threw him a jump pass as time expired, putting APA up 18-7 going into the break.

“I’ve never thrown a pass before — quarterback was the only position I hadn’t played in my entire football career,” Brinson said. “For Jaylen to catch it was amazing and it felt great.”

After the teams traded possessions to start the third quarter, John Paul II’s Rion Roseborough got going. After being bottled up for 45 yards on 16 carries, the Saints’ star running back had 45 yards on two plays of the drive to cut the deficit to three. APA countered with a 13-play, 61-yard march which covered more than seven minutes, but it was a costly drive.

First, Brinson was lost for the remainder of the game to injury after an 8-yard carry to end the third placed the ball at the Saints 9. Two plays later, Grady was injured, leaving the Patriots without an integral piece on the offensive line.

Still, on fourth-and-goal, Daniels scored to give the Patriots a 25-15 advantage with 9:51 left.

“I just needed to step up,” Daniels said. “Ashton and Thomas are two big components of this team and we just had to keep our composure to get the win. Nick Fell and Cole Smith just did a great job, and I just ran behind them without Thomas.”

On the next play, Cade Mixon recovered a John Paul II fumble at the Saints 15, followed by Sanderson throwing a pass to Paxton Riley, who was under heavy duress from the defensive back to make the match in the end zone and seemingly put the game out of reach at 32-15 with 9:30 to play.

John Paul II scored on their ensuing drive, forced an APA three-and-out, then Mitchell scored again to cut the deficit to three with 3:41 to play. APA went for it on fourth-and-2 at the opposing 43 but fell short, giving it back to John Paul II with 1:51 to play.

The Saints couldn’t register a first down, giving the ball back to the Patriots with 48 seconds left and spurring a wild celebration in the stands and on the sideline.

Brinson said he wasn’t worried about the team failing to win the game despite the injuries.

“I had no doubt,” Brinson said. “These boys have had my back since Day 1 and we did this as a family. No one person won this game — we won it together.”

Where has the year gone ? Already football state championship time. Last week I was 5-1 missing the Trinity Christian-Covenant Day game setting my season record at 145-27..84%




8 MAN

JOHN PAUL 11-1 @ ARENDELL PARROTT 10-1

APA won the first meeting between these two 66-60 at John Paul. The Patriots have a ten game winning streak on the line after falling to Harrells in an 11 man contest in their season opener and have outscored their opponents 556-376. John Paul’s only loss was to APA and you know will be out for revenge. They have bettered their opponents 537-209 this year.
My pick..Arendell Parrott


D-1

PROVIDENCE DAY 11-1 vs CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 10-2
Christian won the regular season contest coming from 1s points down and scoring on a last second field goal to win 38-37 for the Chargers only loss.CCS losses were to Weddington HS & Rabun Gap. CCS has outscored the opposition 492-244. Providence Day was the preseason favorite and has rolled by their foes to a tune of 511-177.
My pick..Providence Day

D-II

COVENANT DAY 8-3 @ ASHEVILLE SCHOOL 7-3

Covenant Day after a first round bye knocked off Trinity Christian 21-18 last week to reach the finals. Asheville School routed High Point Christian 47-3 after also receiving a 1st round bye. Covenant Day has outscored opposition 348-204 while Asheville School has a 403-251 mark . Asheville School won the regulat season tilt 49-24.
My pick..Asheville School

252 Tip-Off first of 2 Hoopstate showcases at WPA

After waiting out COVID, Rod Bridgers’ attempts to bring a Hoop State Network showcase to his hometown of Wilson experienced further difficulties last season. With the Hoop State Wilson Prep Showcase set to debut Jan. 22, a snowstorm first delayed and ultimately forced the cancellation of the event.

Now Bridgers and Hoop State are back with not one, but two events at Wilson Prep this season, including the inaugural 252 Tip-Off this Friday and Saturday. Twelve boys teams will play nine games, three on Friday and six on Saturday, culminating with the host Tigers taking on Greenfield.


That will be followed less than a month later by the Wilson Prep Hoop State Showcase, which will include Tiger girls and boys tangling with Farmville Central on Dec. 10.

“I think the biggest thing for us was just trying to move the dates up earlier,” Bridgers said. “Like last year, the Wilson Prep event it was good to go, but just the weather. If it weren’t for the weather.”

The two showcases are part of Hoop State’s 2022-23 schedule of events, something the media company that Bridgers helped found is getting pretty good at. The early season blitz continues next weekend with the Hoops and Dreams Showcase at Fayetteville State’s Capel Arena followed by the Good Guys Vs. Cancer event at First Flight High in Kill Devil Hills on Dec. 2-4. After the Wilson Prep Hoop State Showcase on Dec. 10, the focus will be on the John Wall Holiday Invitational at the end of the year.

One more event in early 2023, the MLK Day showcase at Farmville Central on Jan. 14, will wrap up another busy year – weather permitting, of course. But there should be no snow anywhere near Wilson on Friday and Saturday when a host of quality teams and some high-profile players descend on Wilson Prep’s “Tiger’s Den.”

In addition to Greenfield, the NCISAA 1-A runner-up last season, and Wilson Prep, an NCHSAA 1-A semifinalist, reigning NCISAA 2-A champion Burlington School will play two games. Crossroads Christian, an NCISAA 1-A semifinalist in February, will be the first opponent, opening the 252 Tip-Off on Friday before taking on Millbrook and highly regarded sophomore post Colt Langdon, who Bridgers described as a top 50 player in the country.

Then there’s Pittsboro Northwood senior Drake Powell, who has verbally committed to Hubert Davis’ top-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. Bridgers said Northwood Temple, an NCISAA 2-A program from Fayetteville, has four players 6-foot-10 or taller.

“So it’s just going to be a great event for the city of Wilson to kind of give people a different look,” he said. “Not to say people are tired of seeing the same teams, but I think it’s a blessing for me to be able to just bring those high-level teams and players into the city.”

That might be true but the local fans are more likely to be interested in the final matchup of the night, pitting Greenfield (1-1) against Wilson Prep in the Tigers’ season opener. WPA head coach Anthony Atkinson Jr. will be coaching against his former high school coach in the Knights’ Rob Salter. With both teams holding state championship expectations of their own, fans should find get their money’s worth.


Bridgers said that it’s not always easy to put together great matchups like this one, given that some teams are hesitant to jump in against highly regarded opponents early in the season.

“It’s kind of difficult because a lot of teams, honestly, don’t really want to play one another, you know, so it’s just trying to find the best matchups, not only for teams but the fans will enjoy as well,” he said. “But some of these teams will play because they know it helps their playoff seeds, especially the small 2-A, 1-A schools like Wilson Prep. They play these games – win or lose – it helps their seeding.”

Hoop State 252 Tip-Off
Friday, Nov. 18


Burlington School vs. Crossroads Christian, 5:30 p.m.
First Flight vs. Millbrook, 7 p.m.
Greenfield vs. Cape Fear Academy, 8:30 p.m.


Saturday, Nov. 19

Northwood Temple vs. Camden County, noon
Crossroads Christian vs. First Flight, 1:30 p.m.
Wayne County Day vs. Pittsboro Northwood, 3 p.m.
Millbrook vs. Burlington School, 4:30 p.m.
Farmville Central vs. Cape Fear Academy, 6 p.m.
Greenfield vs. Wilson Prep, 7:30 p.m.

METROLINA CHRISTIAN GIRLS

: The Warriors look to build on their first winning season (16-10 last year) since the 2015-16 season. Metrolina has a veteran team with four starters back, including seniors Allie Huneycutt (9 ppg, 10 rpg), Hannah Sorrentino (12 ppg), Deja White (9 ppg, 11 rpg and freshman Alaina Griffin (8 ppg, 5 rpg). The team will also benefit from the return of senior Lilly Reynolds (10 ppg in 2020-21 season), who didn’t play last year. The Warriors have the pieces to contend for the Metrolina Athletic Conference title and to go deep into the NCISAA 4A state playoffs after advancing to the third round last season.

Colts outlast Henderson Collegiate in rivalry matchup
By Bryant Baucom bbaucom@hendersondispatch.com; 252-436-2840 Nov 16, 2022 Updated 12 hrs ago

HENDERSON — With the high school basketball season underway for many programs across Vance and Granville County, one of the biggest rivalry games in Henderson transpired on Tuesday night.

Crossroads Christian moved to 4-0 on the season, defeating Henderson Collegiate 83-70 at Aycock Recreation Center.

With the first quarter featuring a 22-22 tie after eight minutes, Crossroads used a 27-15 advantage in the second period to distance itself from the Pride.

Both defenses improved to limit the scoring in the second half, as neither team was able to make much headway on the scoreboard.


A pesky full-court press and tenacious defense forced 16 Henderson Collegiate turnovers in the contest, many of which led to high-percentage looks in the paint and beyond the arc for the Colts.

Senior guard Shane Anthony continued his hot start from three to begin the season, while big men Ben Gladieux and John Henderson Jr. dominated on the glass for Crossroads.
For the Pride, the inability to grab rebounds, particularly on the defensive end, led to second-chance points for the Colts and kept them from getting closer than 6 in the second half.

Henderson Collegiate pulled down just 23 total rebounds and were charged with 16 personal fouls, a combination that did not bode well for the 1A program. Nine steals helped mitigate the mistakes, but it ultimately was too much to overcome in the team’s first home game of the season.

On the offensive end, senior guard Ellis Williams led the team in scoring for the first time this season, pouring in 29 points to improve his scoring average to 23.5 points per game.

As Coach Paul Murray’s team shot 52% from the field, juniors Dillion Baskerville (13 points) and Josh Branche (11 points) assisted Williams in the score column, while Baskerville also added in five rebounds and six assists.

A neutral site contest for the Colts awaits on Friday, as they take on former Henderson Collegiate head coach George Marshall and The Burlington School. They will close out the week with a Saturday matinee against First Flight.

As for Henderson Collegiate, the Pride will travel to Browns Summit on Friday to take on 5-0 Piedmont Classical in a non-conference matchup.

THALES/APEX 79 LEE CHRISTIAN 66
LCS : 14-23-17-12---66
TAA : 17-19-27-16---79
TAA—Cannon Parker 34, Nathan Purvis 17, Bandholz 8, Cannon 8, Hazard 2, Cockerman 5, Racmuth 2, Shay 0, Dettmer 3
6’3 8TH grader Griffin Cockerman had 13 rebounds for Thales
LCS 0-3 THALES 1-1

THALES/APEX 56 LEE CHRISTIAN 21
LCS : 7-2-3-9---21
TAA : 16-17-13-10---56
TAA—Keena Sproul 20, Anna Shay 12, Stack 2, Lockhart 2, Ellis 4, Fullom 8, Bandholz 6, Kumar 2
THALES 1-1 LCS 0-3

Wildcats split with Hickory Christian
• Michael Lindsay | Enterprise Sports Writer
Westchester Country Day had enough to rally from down double digits once, but it couldn’t quite do it twice.
The Wildcats rallied from 10 down to lead in the third quarter but fell behind 11 in the fourth before falling 62-54 against Hickory Christian in nonconference girls basketball Tuesday in Westchester’s Brooks Gym.
In the girls game, Westchester scored the first 25 points of the game and cruised to a 36-19 victory in its season opener.
“I thought we played hard,” Wildcats boys coach Brook Patterson said. “We missed a lot of shots, especially in the first half. That’s to their credit because they sped us up.
“We knew going in they wanted to create that chaos and they did. Our shots were a split-second too quick, and we normally shoot the ball a lot better than that.”
MJ Edwards scored 26 points to lead Westchester (1-1), coming off a buzzer-beater win last week to open its season. Jalen Umstead, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound newcomer, added 14 points while Joshua Bayne had six points.
After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Wildcats fell off the pace in the second as the Knights (1-0) used an 11-4 run to lead by 10 with 42 seconds left in the quarter and carried a 28-20 lead into halftime.
Westchester, working the ball inside-out to pull in the defense, opened the third with a 17-6 run to lead 37-34 with 3:14 left in the quarter. But Hickory Christian answered with eight straight points to close the quarter and extended its lead to 11 with two minutes left, thanks to a 12-4 run in the fourth.
The Wildcats – looking to make an impact against a fellow NCISAA 2A opponent – had glimmers of hope in the fourth, pulling within three with seven minutes left and trimming their double-digit deficit to five with 28 seconds left. But they couldn’t quite pull even.
“We came all the way back, and we just couldn’t get over the hump

Two years ago, when Charlotte Country Day was looking to rebuild its basketball program, the school conducted a nationwide search that included nearly 100 candidates and eight finalists.

Finally, the school picked somebody familiar: a former state championship coach at rival Providence Day named David Carrier. At the time, Carrier had won 434 games, including going 227-93 at Providence Day in a 11-year stretch that included four straight state finals appearances from 1996-2000. And before Carrier got to Country Day, he had only coached one team that didn’t finish above .500.

His first team at Country Day? It went 1-17. But Carrier, who turned 58 Nov. 1, didn’t panic and didn’t seek to revamp his roster. He just built. And built. Last season, Country Day was 17-16 and won a game in the state playoffs. After Tuesday’s 72-62 win over Metrolina Christian, this year’s Bucs are 3-0 and thinking just about anything is possible.

“I love these guys,” Carrier said, “and I’ve had them working for three years now, and we’ve got a lot of seniors, and it’s just been fun seeing them grow up, and seeing them become a family. “It’s been fun for this old man.

” Tuesday, Carrier said his team played about as good a first half as any team he’s ever coached, running out to a 45-18 lead. Metrolina made a second half comeback behind senior Michael Wilson (22 points, seven rebounds, three assists), but the Bucs’ lead was too much.


Country Day had four guys in double figures, led by Amare Bethel’s 17 points. Joining him were Carter Alessi (15), UNC-Pembroke recruit Dallas Gardner (14) and AJ Hewitt (10).

This was the kind of team -- and the kind of win -- that Carrier was envisioning, even when his first Bucs team could barely win a game.
“I tell you, man we’re enjoying the ride,” Carrier said. “We had a slow build, and we played a lot this summer. We worked out a lot this fall. We had most everybody back on our team and we’re just enjoying the moment. We feel we’ve got a lot of potential and I just love these guys.

“I feel like we are a family and it’s a lot of fun and I’m very blessed.”