NCISAA 1A: Early Favorites, 1st Edition

<h5>We’ve taken a look at some early contenders on the public school side (NCHSAA), now we take a look at the private schools with the NCISAA Early Favorites on the 1A stage.</h5> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>United Faith Christian Academy 10-4</h5> <p>United Faith Christian Academy is off to a strong start and they made last year’s state finals before falling in the championship. They’re led by [player_tooltip player_id="932129" first="Xavier" last="McKelvy"] (Winthrop) and another talented unsigned senior in [player_tooltip player_id="1111219" first="Marcus" last="Willis"], who’s putting up 16.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg and 4.4 apg in 2021-22. 2023 prospect [player_tooltip player_id="1204932" first="Alex" last="Bates"] is another rising name to know for them as well with his ability to rebound and attack the rim. They’ve got a big conference opener coming up when they’ll face Carmel Christian. McKelvy and company should give them everything they can handle in that one.</p> <h5>Greenfield School 13-5</h5> <p>Greenfield School has quite the talented 1-2 punch led by [player_tooltip player_id="848068" first="Aaron" last="Murphy"] (Queens) and 2024 phenom [player_tooltip player_id="1076333" first="Hampton" last="Evans"]. They’ve lost some close games with their new backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id="1145483" first="CJ" last="Alston"], [player_tooltip player_id="1156048" first="Kyshon" last="Atkinson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1277989" first="Matt" last="Kirby"] but they’re a group that should be one to keep eyes on when the playoffs arrive as they gel together and find ways to win. They’ve got a solid leader in head coach Rob Salter leading the way as well.</p> <h5>Lake Norman Christian 11-5</h5> <p>Lake Norman Christian is quite the talented bunch with 2023 floor general Josh Bullock leading the way for them. He’s posted 13.6 ppg, 3.4 apg and 2.7 rpg through their first 16 games of the season. They’ve also got unsigned seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1085644" first="JP" last="Haggarty"], Ty Barbee and [player_tooltip player_id="577844" first="Shane" last="Fernald"] in their rotation. Haggarty is an underrated wing with some strength and shooting ability averaging 11.2 ppg and 4.3 rpg. Barbee and Fernald have drawn interest from the likes of a few DII colleges. They’ve got a nice blend of size and guard play to make some noise when the playoffs arrive.</p> <h5>Grace Christian School (Sanford) 17-2</h5> <p>Grace Christian School is off to a 17-2 start to the 2021-22 season and 3-0 in conference play already heading into the New Year. 2023 forward [player_tooltip player_id="1120968" first="Ma’Kyi" last="Butler"] and unsigned senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1116124" first="Jessie" last="Mitchell"] are both putting up double-figures scoring in the rotation for their squad. Butler is pouring in 21.8 ppg along with 6.1 rpg and shooting 40 percent from 3-point land and 60 percent from the floor while Mitchell is posting 18.4 ppg and 5.2 rpg and shooting 50 percent from behind the arc. <strong>Sayvion Ellis</strong> is another unsigned senior guard to keep eyes on as well that’s producing 7.1 ppg and 3.4 apg in the rotation. They’ve got some sleeper prospects that are playing well together and should make noise when the playoffs arrive.</p> <h5>Crossroads Christian School 10-5</h5> <p>Crossroads Christian School is an emerging program to know led by head coach Scottie Richardson. They’ve got a new frontcourt in [player_tooltip player_id="1059714" first="D’Markus" last="Tucker"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1154649" first="John" last="Henderson"] that are finding their way while unsigned senior guard Andres Prince is a backcourt presence to know with a knack for getting to the rim and defending at a high level. As they enter conference action, they’ll be worth keeping an eye on as an early favorite to come out on top.</p>