NCISAA 3A & 4A Final Four Preview

Jay Anderson February 21, 2022 @ 11:00 AM

Cary Christian pulled off an upset of No. 1 seed Asheville School in the second round, 63-62, as they look to continue their run in the NCISAA 1A State Playoffs. For reference, Asheville School defeated them on 11/12 by a score of 79-47. Unsigned seniors Logan Dukes, Seth Cullen and Luke Harvey have been some of their experienced marquee names while Zach Cullen Zach Cullen 6'3" | SG Word Of God | 2025 State NC , Andrew Neal Andrew Neal 5'9" | PG Apex | 2024 State NC and George Bechara George Bechara 6'0" | PG Cary Christian | 2023 State NC have been some younger names to know for them. They’ve won seven games in a row coming into the game.

High Point Christian comes into Tuesday’s meeting with Thomas McIntosh Thomas McIntosh 6'7" | PF High Point Christian | 2022 State NC (Lees-McRae), unsigned forward Ethan Smith, Darius Kane Darius Kane 6'2" | CG High Point Christian | 2023 State NC and Connor Salyer Connor Salyer 6'1" | PG Forsyth Country Day | 2024 State NC as a few names to keep an eye on for them. They defeated Calvary Day School handily 93-63 in their quarterfinals victory. They’re a group that likes to play fast and will give Cary Christian all they can handle in the semifinals.

#3 Concord Academy (15-16) vs. #2 Cape Fear Academy (19-3)

Concord Academy pulled off a buzzer-beating victory thanks to Carson Cooke over Southlake Christian Academy to stake their claim in this year’s group of Final Four squads. They’ve used an all-around attack led by unsigned senior D.J. Cuttino D.J. Cuttino 6'1" | SG Concord Academy | 2022 State NC , sharpshooter Noah van Bibber and young hybrid forward Kany Tchanda Kany Tchanda 6'9" | C Sunrise Christian Academy | 2024 #295 Nation NC as well as Cooke’s shooting ability. They’ll give Cape Fear Academy a game, that’s for sure.

Unsigned seniors K.J. Kernan and Chatham Lambiotte Chatham Lambiotte 6'6" | PF Cape Fear Academy | 2022 State NC as well as athletic wing Vytas Nausedas Vytas Nausedas 6'5" | SF Cape Fear Academy | 2023 State NC are a few names to watch for the Hurricanes. They come into the game on a 13-game winning streak that dates back to Dec. 22 as they look to continue their run to the NCISAA 3A State title.

4A: #1 Carmel Christian School (24-3) vs. #4 Charlotte Latin School (23-3)

Carmel Christian has won seven games and counting as they look to win the NCISAA 4A State crown, something that eluded them in 2020-21. They did away with Christ School, 80-39, in the quarterfinals as they’ll meet a tough Charlotte Latin School group in their semifinal meeting. Cade Tyson Cade Tyson 6'6" | SG Carmel Christian | 2022 State NC and Nyles Howard Nyles Howard 6'4" | CG Davidson Day | 2022 State NC are their primary faces in the backcourt while Luke Krawczyk Luke Krawczyk 6'7" | PF Carmel Christian | 2022 State NC has done his thing in the paint. They’ve got a trio of unsigned seniors on a tear as they look to cap things off with a state crown.

Charlotte Latin is led by the ever-energetic Brandon Lavitt Brandon Lavitt 6'5" | SF Charlotte Latin | 2022 State NC (Shenandoah) and the playmaking of ability of guard Ned Hull Ned Hull 6'2" | PG Charlotte Latin | 2023 State NC and wing prospect Sean Rose Sean Rose 6'6" | PF Charlotte Latin | 2023 State NC . They’re a well-coached group with some depth in their wheelhouse as well as they look to make it 5 wins in a row with a victory in the semifinals.

#6 Cannon School (15-14) vs. #2 Greensboro Day School (31-3)

Cannon School has gone 10-5 since their COVID shutdown as they found their health and their stride at the right time in the NCISAA 4A State Playoffs. Their rough start was full of adversity but it’s prepared them to face in-state power Greensboro Day in the semifinals. They grinded out an overtime victory over top-seed Providence Day School as Austin Swartz Austin Swartz 6'5" | SG Cannon | 2024 State #40 Nation NC comes on strong along with unsigned senior Karon Boyd Karon Boyd 6'6" | PF Cannon School | 2022 State NC and DJ Nix DJ Nix 6'7" | SF Cannon | 2022 State #211 Nation NC (Cornell). They’ll give Greensboro Day School all they can handle as they look to avenge a 53-46 loss back on Dec. 3.