Carmel Christian escapes against 2A state champ Burlington School
BY LANGSTON WERTZ JR.
Carmel Christian had a few chances Tuesday afternoon to pull away from The Burlington School, the reigning N.C. Independent Schools 2A state champions, in the first round of the Anthony Morrow Shootout at Charlotte Latin School.
But when the Spartans, down 10 points several times, kept fighting back -- and even briefly took a late lead -- Carmel coach Joe Badgett wasn’t surprised.
“That’s the way our season has gone,” Badgett said after watching Khamani Wertz, Bryce Cash and Jaeden Mustaf cement a 60-55 win at the free throw line. “We’re telling the kids that the type of schedule we’re playing is to get you ready for February (when the NCISAA playoffs are held) and that the teams you are playing are not going to quit. They’re going to play hard. They are well-coached and they’re not backing down. You have to finish the game.”
Carmel (13-2) advanced to Wednesday’s tournament semifinals by knocking off the private school 2A state champions with patience and balance. Mustaf had 19 points, 10 rebounds. Cash had 17 points, four rebounds, and Wertz added 16 points and three rebounds.
That offset a brilliant performance from Burlington School junior Zion Walker, a 6-2 guard who had 25 points, nine rebounds and a steal.
Next up for Carmel, the reigning NCISAA 4A private school champion, is a semifinal date Wednesday night with NCHSAA 2A public school state champion Robinson High of Concord. Robinson beat Charlotte Latin its first round game Tuesday.
Badgett said he expects the semifinal game to be similar to what his team got in Round One. “The more you can win these tough, battle-tested games, it just helps you,” Badgett said. “You get used to it, and if you’re fortunate enough to get to the state final, you’re not worried about it being a state final. You’re used to that stage. And that’s our goal.”
BY LANGSTON WERTZ JR.
Carmel Christian had a few chances Tuesday afternoon to pull away from The Burlington School, the reigning N.C. Independent Schools 2A state champions, in the first round of the Anthony Morrow Shootout at Charlotte Latin School.
But when the Spartans, down 10 points several times, kept fighting back -- and even briefly took a late lead -- Carmel coach Joe Badgett wasn’t surprised.
“That’s the way our season has gone,” Badgett said after watching Khamani Wertz, Bryce Cash and Jaeden Mustaf cement a 60-55 win at the free throw line. “We’re telling the kids that the type of schedule we’re playing is to get you ready for February (when the NCISAA playoffs are held) and that the teams you are playing are not going to quit. They’re going to play hard. They are well-coached and they’re not backing down. You have to finish the game.”
Carmel (13-2) advanced to Wednesday’s tournament semifinals by knocking off the private school 2A state champions with patience and balance. Mustaf had 19 points, 10 rebounds. Cash had 17 points, four rebounds, and Wertz added 16 points and three rebounds.
That offset a brilliant performance from Burlington School junior Zion Walker, a 6-2 guard who had 25 points, nine rebounds and a steal.
Next up for Carmel, the reigning NCISAA 4A private school champion, is a semifinal date Wednesday night with NCHSAA 2A public school state champion Robinson High of Concord. Robinson beat Charlotte Latin its first round game Tuesday.
Badgett said he expects the semifinal game to be similar to what his team got in Round One. “The more you can win these tough, battle-tested games, it just helps you,” Badgett said. “You get used to it, and if you’re fortunate enough to get to the state final, you’re not worried about it being a state final. You’re used to that stage. And that’s our goal.”