Greenfield quartet earns NCISAA 1-A all-state acclaim
By Tom Ham hammer@wilsontimes.com | 265-7819
En route to a North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A-leading 29 victories, the Greenfield School varsity boys basketball team piled up the accolades in attempting to repeat as state champions.
The Knights’ title defense ended in the final four or state semifinals but, along the way, a trio of seniors was proclaimed NCISAA 1-A all-dtate and the five starting seniors were each named All-Coastal Plain Independents Conference.
Topping the list of achievements for veteran head coach Rob Salter was 6-foot-5 senior Dji Bailey, who signed with Wake Forest University before the start of the 2019-20 season, reigning as 1-A/2-A CPIC Player of the Year.
Joining Bailey from Greenfield on the all-state team were 6-1 senior Creighton Lebo and 6-7 senior Trey Pittman. Lebo and Pittman were each cited for the second year.
Also landing all-state acclaim for Greenfield was 5-9 1/2 senior Kaelyn Wall of the varsity girls team that posted a 15-12 record and reached the third round or final eight for the second consecutive year. Wall received all-state basketball recognition for the first time after also being selected all-state in volleyball.
Bailey, Lebo and Pittman were accompanied by senior teammates Colin Guilford and Jordan Lynch as All-CPIC selections.
A GOAL SOMEWHAT
The CPIC’s No. 1 distinction was especially gratifying to Bailey, who missed nearly 20 games his junior year.
The Wake Forest recruit averaged 17 points, nine rebounds and eight assists per game and drained 37% of his attempts from 3-point range.
“Since I missed much of last season, (CPIC Player of the Year) was somewhat of a goal,” Bailey said. “I left everything on the floor, played my hardest and have no regrets. I really had a lot of fun.”
Bailey declared his decision to sign with the Deacons of the Atlantic Coast Conference before the season was the right one.
“That relieved a lot of pressure,” he declared. “I tried to be a leader on the court for my team, come out every night and play my hardest and help us try to get another championship.”
Salter acknowledged he saddled Bailey with many responsibilities.
“He deserved (player of the year),” Salter said. “He had a terrific year. We were asking him to be a scorer, facilitator and rebounder. He needed to step up his final year — and he really did. He had a really great year.”
POINT BOUND
Salter expects Bailey to transition to point guard with Wake Forest.
“His IQ is off the charts,” Salter contended. “He sees the floor really well and makes everyone better. His teammates really liked playing with him; he is going to get you the basketball exactly where you need it. His Wake Forest teammates are really going to enjoy with playing with him, too.”
Bailey evaluated his senior year as his most productive.
He reasoned he was most valuable in that “I made everybody around me better, and I could score the ball if I needed to.”
In regards to playing the point in NCAA Division I, Bailey responded: “I’m ready for the job. I’m a bigger guard than usual guards, and I have the IQ to play that position. I’m ready for it.”
Added the son of Hart and Sharon Bailey: “I’m ready to be at Wake Forest.”
ALL-STATE, ALL-CPIC
Lebo, the son of former East Carolina University head coach Jeff Lebo, contributed 16 points, six rebounds and four assists per contest. He blistered the nets at a 56% clip from 3-point range.
“Just fantastic!” Salter reviewed Lebo’s season. “He’s one of the best shooters in the state and was a typical coach’s son — so smart, so solid. Creighton was one of the best leaders I’ve ever had; he was not afraid to get on (his teammates) when they needed it. He handled everything well, never forced stuff, was very patient and trusted his teammates.”
Pittman continued his impressive development with numbers that included 16 points, nine rebounds and 1.5 blocks per tilt. He was on target 41% of his 3-point attempts.
“He has grown so much,” Salter commended. “He got everything out of his ability. Trey was great all year but, after Christmas, he was just fantastic. He played at a different level; his versatility was terrific. I am so proud of Trey; he worked his tail off.”
Lebo announced Wednesday evening on his social media accounts that he will walk on at North Carolina where his father played point guard for legendary Tar Heels head coach Dean Smith.
Guilford not only scored at a clip of 15 points per game but paced the Knights with seven assists per outing. He swished 43% of his shots from beyond the 3-point arc.
Lynch surfaced with norms of 14 points, four assists and three steals per tilt.
PACES ALL-STATE
With its three selections, Greenfield paced the 12-member all-state elite. Champion Northwood Temple, runner-up The Burlington School, Trinity Christian and United Faith Christian each claimed a pair of all-state performers.
“I still think we had the best 1-A team in the state,” Salter reflected. “But the best team doesn’t always win. There were years when we were not the best team — but we won.
“In no way can I say it was a disappointing season because we didn’t win the state championship. We played an extremely tough schedule and had a great year. I just hate it for the (six) seniors (Bailey, Lebo, Pittman, Guilford, Lynch and Nick Sessoms).”
Noted Bailey: “It definitely hurt a lot. But we put our all on the floor. We can’t dwell on it. We have to cherish the moments we had as a team.”
WALL DAZZLES
Easily the Lady Knights’ most experienced player, Wall dazzled with marks of 18 points, 14 rebounds, three steals, four assists and three blocks per contest. She posted 16 double-doubles.
Bruce Wall, her father and head coach, reports her academic prowess is perhaps overshadowing her athletic feats. Kaelyn has already been accepted at Barton College, Appalachian State, North Carolina State, North Carolina and Wake Forest. She anticipates a collegiate volleyball career and possibly walking on as a basketball player.
“We’re excited,” Bruce Wall said. “We are so proud of her. This is just another accolade she deserves for all the hard work she’s done.”
By Tom Ham hammer@wilsontimes.com | 265-7819
En route to a North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A-leading 29 victories, the Greenfield School varsity boys basketball team piled up the accolades in attempting to repeat as state champions.
The Knights’ title defense ended in the final four or state semifinals but, along the way, a trio of seniors was proclaimed NCISAA 1-A all-dtate and the five starting seniors were each named All-Coastal Plain Independents Conference.
Topping the list of achievements for veteran head coach Rob Salter was 6-foot-5 senior Dji Bailey, who signed with Wake Forest University before the start of the 2019-20 season, reigning as 1-A/2-A CPIC Player of the Year.
Joining Bailey from Greenfield on the all-state team were 6-1 senior Creighton Lebo and 6-7 senior Trey Pittman. Lebo and Pittman were each cited for the second year.
Also landing all-state acclaim for Greenfield was 5-9 1/2 senior Kaelyn Wall of the varsity girls team that posted a 15-12 record and reached the third round or final eight for the second consecutive year. Wall received all-state basketball recognition for the first time after also being selected all-state in volleyball.
Bailey, Lebo and Pittman were accompanied by senior teammates Colin Guilford and Jordan Lynch as All-CPIC selections.
A GOAL SOMEWHAT
The CPIC’s No. 1 distinction was especially gratifying to Bailey, who missed nearly 20 games his junior year.
The Wake Forest recruit averaged 17 points, nine rebounds and eight assists per game and drained 37% of his attempts from 3-point range.
“Since I missed much of last season, (CPIC Player of the Year) was somewhat of a goal,” Bailey said. “I left everything on the floor, played my hardest and have no regrets. I really had a lot of fun.”
Bailey declared his decision to sign with the Deacons of the Atlantic Coast Conference before the season was the right one.
“That relieved a lot of pressure,” he declared. “I tried to be a leader on the court for my team, come out every night and play my hardest and help us try to get another championship.”
Salter acknowledged he saddled Bailey with many responsibilities.
“He deserved (player of the year),” Salter said. “He had a terrific year. We were asking him to be a scorer, facilitator and rebounder. He needed to step up his final year — and he really did. He had a really great year.”
POINT BOUND
Salter expects Bailey to transition to point guard with Wake Forest.
“His IQ is off the charts,” Salter contended. “He sees the floor really well and makes everyone better. His teammates really liked playing with him; he is going to get you the basketball exactly where you need it. His Wake Forest teammates are really going to enjoy with playing with him, too.”
Bailey evaluated his senior year as his most productive.
He reasoned he was most valuable in that “I made everybody around me better, and I could score the ball if I needed to.”
In regards to playing the point in NCAA Division I, Bailey responded: “I’m ready for the job. I’m a bigger guard than usual guards, and I have the IQ to play that position. I’m ready for it.”
Added the son of Hart and Sharon Bailey: “I’m ready to be at Wake Forest.”
ALL-STATE, ALL-CPIC
Lebo, the son of former East Carolina University head coach Jeff Lebo, contributed 16 points, six rebounds and four assists per contest. He blistered the nets at a 56% clip from 3-point range.
“Just fantastic!” Salter reviewed Lebo’s season. “He’s one of the best shooters in the state and was a typical coach’s son — so smart, so solid. Creighton was one of the best leaders I’ve ever had; he was not afraid to get on (his teammates) when they needed it. He handled everything well, never forced stuff, was very patient and trusted his teammates.”
Pittman continued his impressive development with numbers that included 16 points, nine rebounds and 1.5 blocks per tilt. He was on target 41% of his 3-point attempts.
“He has grown so much,” Salter commended. “He got everything out of his ability. Trey was great all year but, after Christmas, he was just fantastic. He played at a different level; his versatility was terrific. I am so proud of Trey; he worked his tail off.”
Lebo announced Wednesday evening on his social media accounts that he will walk on at North Carolina where his father played point guard for legendary Tar Heels head coach Dean Smith.
Guilford not only scored at a clip of 15 points per game but paced the Knights with seven assists per outing. He swished 43% of his shots from beyond the 3-point arc.
Lynch surfaced with norms of 14 points, four assists and three steals per tilt.
PACES ALL-STATE
With its three selections, Greenfield paced the 12-member all-state elite. Champion Northwood Temple, runner-up The Burlington School, Trinity Christian and United Faith Christian each claimed a pair of all-state performers.
“I still think we had the best 1-A team in the state,” Salter reflected. “But the best team doesn’t always win. There were years when we were not the best team — but we won.
“In no way can I say it was a disappointing season because we didn’t win the state championship. We played an extremely tough schedule and had a great year. I just hate it for the (six) seniors (Bailey, Lebo, Pittman, Guilford, Lynch and Nick Sessoms).”
Noted Bailey: “It definitely hurt a lot. But we put our all on the floor. We can’t dwell on it. We have to cherish the moments we had as a team.”
WALL DAZZLES
Easily the Lady Knights’ most experienced player, Wall dazzled with marks of 18 points, 14 rebounds, three steals, four assists and three blocks per contest. She posted 16 double-doubles.
Bruce Wall, her father and head coach, reports her academic prowess is perhaps overshadowing her athletic feats. Kaelyn has already been accepted at Barton College, Appalachian State, North Carolina State, North Carolina and Wake Forest. She anticipates a collegiate volleyball career and possibly walking on as a basketball player.
“We’re excited,” Bruce Wall said. “We are so proud of her. This is just another accolade she deserves for all the hard work she’s done.”
