NCISAA 2A: 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 2A stage.</h5> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>The Burlington School 17-3</h5> <p>Last year’s 2A Champions are back and better than ever with [player_tooltip player_id="577836" first="Kheni" last="Briggs"] (Charleston Southern) and [player_tooltip player_id="854890" first="Kobe" last="George"] leading the backcourt and [player_tooltip player_id="577871" first="Avion" last="Pinner"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1217074" first="Michael" last="Nwoko"] leading the way in the frontcourt. [player_tooltip player_id="1098355" first="Zion" last="Walker"] and Myles Hooker are a few other names to keep an eye on for them as well. The Burlington School has won four games in a row and counting including the Devonte Graham Bracket title in the John Wall Holiday Invitational. Look for them to be a top seed in this year’s playoff field. They’re a well-coached group with a ton of depth that should carry them far into March.</p> <h5>Wayne Country Day School 16-3</h5> <p>Wayne Country Day School is another squad with top-seed potential in this year’s state playoffs. They’re off to a 2-0 start already in conference action as they enter the New Year led by 2023s [player_tooltip player_id="848089" first="Collin" last="Tanner"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1113673" first="Jordan" last="Cooper"] and 2024s [player_tooltip player_id="1338306" first="Carlos" last="Vasquez"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1120961" first="Kayleb" last="Coles"]. They’re a talented bunch that shares the ball and does a good job of playing together on both ends of the floor to find success. Tanner leads the way with 22.8 ppg and 6.8 rpg. Cooper has shown poise at the point while Vasquez and Coles have done their thing in the paint and on the boards.</p> <h5>Gaston Day School 14-1</h5> <p>Gaston Day School has won 10 games in a row since taking their first loss of the season to United Faith Christian back on Nov. 26. Since then, [player_tooltip player_id="574463" first="Chris" last="Britt"], [player_tooltip player_id="1155694" first="Colin" last="Fayed"], [player_tooltip player_id="993656" first="Evan" last="Montanari"], Chase Owens and [player_tooltip player_id="854914" first="Callum" last="Richard"] have hit a different gear and it’s shown as they’re 14-1 and 3-0 currently in conference action. They’re another squad with depth that shares the ball and plays a strong brand of basketball on both ends of the floor. </p> <h5>Trinity Academy Raleigh 10-2</h5> <p>Trinity Academy of Raleigh is off to a 2-0 conference start and 10-2 entering 2022 with [player_tooltip player_id="848082" first="Noah" last="Ross"] (UNC-Wilmington), [player_tooltip player_id="838046" first="Sam" last="Perez"] (High Point) and 2023 floor general Kevon Vonderhorst leading their group. They’ve got a few more non-conference matchups coming up, including a big rematch against Wayne Country Day on Jan. 13. They’ll be a squad to keep eyes on for the state playoffs.</p> <h5>Northside Christian Academy 12-5</h5> <p>Northside Christian Academy is an intriguing group with junior [player_tooltip player_id="854920" first="Wesley" last="Tubbs III"] and unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id="1117609" first="Daniel" last="Lubamba"] leading g the charge. [player_tooltip player_id="1278076" first="Antonio" last="Perkins"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1328199" first="Mychael" last="Mitchell"] are two other prospects in the backcourt/wing area to keep eyes on as well. Perkins is posting 10.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 2.2 apg while Mitchell is posting 11.1 ppg, 4.8 apg and 3.1 spg. They’re an active group that gets after it on both ends of the floor and should make some noise when the playoffs arrive. </p>