NCISAA 1A & 2A Final Four Preview

Jay Anderson February 21, 2022 @ 10:30 AM

Greenfield School looks to win another 1A state crown after falling in last year’s playoffs. Now as a top seed, they’re sporting a 13-game winning streak following an easy victory over Lawrence Academy in the quarterfinals. They’re peaking at the right time with Aaron Murphy Aaron Murphy 6'5" | SF Greenfield | 2022 State NC (Queens) and guards Kyshon Atkinson Kyshon Atkinson 5'11" | CG Greenfield | 2022 State NC , Matt Kirby Matt Kirby 5'11" | PG Greenfield | 2024 State NC and CJ Alston CJ Alston 6'1" | PG NC GBBA | 2024 State NC leading the way for them. They’re a well-coached group that’s found their chemistry as they look to cap things off with the 1A State title.

Crossroads Christian is another squad that’s peaking at the right time led by unsigned seniors Drew Rogers Drew Rogers 6'5" | SF Crossroads Christian | 2022 State NC and Andres Prince, big man John Henderson John Henderson 6'6" | PF Community Christian | 2023 State NC and sharpshooter Shane Anthony. They’ve gelled at the right time as they look to make a splash after defeating Ridgecroft School, 82-34.

#3 Grace Christian School (27-4) vs. #2 United Faith Christian (16-7)

Grace Christian School (Sanford) has been on a tear this season led by unsigned senior Jesse Mitchell and 2023 wing Makyi Butler as their leading names. Both are averaging 20+ ppg as the primary attackers as they’re riding a 27-4 record and a 6-game winning streak heading into Tuesday’s meeting.

It’s no surprise United Faith Christian Academy is in the Final Four given they were in last year’s championship game. They’re led by Top 10 in-state prospect Xavier McKelvy Xavier McKelvy 6'2" | CG United Faith Christian | 2022 State NC (Winthrop), unsigned senior Marcus Willis Marcus Willis 6'0" | PG United Faith Christian Academy | 2022 State NC and juniors Alex Bates Alex Bates 6'5" | SG United Faith Christian Academy | 2023 State NC and Lance Gill Lance Gill 6'3" | CG United Faith Christian Academy | 2023 State NC as they’ve won five games and counting and continue to peak at the right time.

2A: #1 The Burlington School (21-6) vs. #2 Wayne Country Day School (25-7)

The Burlington School is the "team to beat" as they’re last year’s NCISAA 2A State champion in this year’s field. They’re deep squad led by the scoring intangibles of Kheni Briggs Kheni Briggs 6'4" | CG The Burlington School | 2022 State NC (Charleston Southern). Avion Pinner Avion Pinner 6'9" | PF Concord Academy | 2023 State NC and Michael Nwoko Michael Nwoko 6'10" | C Prolific Prep | 2023 #142 Nation CA-N are a few names to watch down low while Kobe George Kobe George 6'3" | PG Winston-Salem Christian | 2023 #213 Nation NC , Zion Walker Zion Walker 6'2" | PG The Burlington School | 2024 State NC and unsigned senior Shane Peterson Shane Peterson 6'0" | CG The Burlington School | 2022 State NC are names to watch in the backcourt. They’re a well-coached and deep team

Wayne Country Day School makes their fourth straight appearance in the NCISAA 2A Final Four as they look to get over the hump and get into the title game. They’re led by 2023s Nayshin Waller Nayshin Waller 6'3" | CG Wayne Country Day | 2023 State NC , Collin Tanner Collin Tanner 6'6" | SF Combine Academy | 2023 State NC and Jordan Cooper Jordan Cooper 6'1" | CG Wayne Country Day | 2023 State NC in the backcourt and Carlos Vasquez and Kayleb Coles Kayleb Coles 6'6" | PF Wayne Country Day | 2024 State NC in the frontcourt as they look to use their balanced attack to overcome a talented TBS group.

#1 Trinity Academy (25-3) vs. #2 Gaston Day School (27-3)

This is another contest that should be a good one as both teams are riding their own respective winning streaks. Gaston Day School has won six games in a row coming in led by unsigned point guard Chris Britt Chris Britt 5'10" | PG Ashbrook | 2022 State NC and sharpshooting juniors Colin Fayed Colin Fayed 6'1" | SG Gaston Day | 2023 State NC and Evan Montanari Evan Montanari 6'2" | SG Gaston Day | 2023 State NC as they’ve been a top squad to watch all season long.