NCISAA 1A Final 4 – X Factors
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We’re down to 4 teams in every classification except 3A, and it’s time to check out the four teams left in the 1A classification. Read below for our impact players and matchup predictions on the two matchups Tuesday night. Crossroads…
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Continue ReadingWe’re down to 4 teams in every classification except 3A, and it’s time to check out the four teams left in the 1A classification. Read below for our impact players and matchup predictions on the two matchups Tuesday night.
Crossroads Christian (26-7) @ United Faith Christian (30-2)
The Colts of Crossroads Christian will need a big performance if they want to play spoiler to a dominant UFCA team. The Colts are led by a veteran group that starts with wing John Henderson John Henderson 6'6" | PF Community Christian | 2023 State NC . D’Markus Tucker D’Markus Tucker 6'4" | PF Crossroads Christian | 2023 State NC will be key to winning the interior battle for them as a big post player, and Ben Gladieux and Shane Anthony will have to have big nights of their own on the scoreboard to keep up with the UFCA firepower. Anthony in particular will need to showcase the three point shooting ability he has in order to shoot them back into a game or keep them in the game. UFCA has such a balanced attack that it’s hard to say who ISN’T a key guy. Senior wings 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 are the leaders both scoring and leadership wise, but guys like Evan Morton Evan Morton 6'2" | CG Moravian Prep | 2024 State NC , Logan Johnson Logan Johnson 6'3" | CG United Faith Christian Academy | 2026 State NC , and Bryce Slay Bryce Slay 6'5" | SG Carmel Christian | 2025 State #276 Nation NC are all guards who contribute different things on offense. Isaiah Sutherland Isaiah Sutherland 6'8" | C United Faith Christian Academy | 2024 State NC and Dylan Deluca Dylan Deluca 6'7" | SF United Faith Christian Academy | 2025 State NC are more interior oriented, slashing guys that make big plays on defense and on the boards as well. Every man in the rotation is a talented player in his own right, and that depth makes UFCA a very difficult matchup for anybody. UFCA is a clear favorite, but it will be interesting to see how long the Colts can fight them for.
Victory Christian (17-6) @ Northside Christian (20-14)
The other matchup is one that should be a tight one, with key guys on both sides. Victory Christian is led by junior Jordan Floyd, who’s a slasher at heart. He’s joined by 8th grader Ethan Daniel, who continues to get better each year and is a name to watch when he hits high school. Caleb Dixon and Micah Rayfield will also contribute additional scoring pop for the Patriots, who will need a lot of it to keep up with Northside. The Knights are a hot shooting team, and it starts with point guard Kyrell Shaw. He and Antonio Perkins Antonio Perkins 6'3" | SG Northside Christian Academy | 2023 State NC both shoot over 50% from behind the arc. Josh Bullock finds them when they’re open, and shoots it really well from deep himself. Arael Jones Arael Jones 6'1" | CG Northside Christian Academy | 2025 State NC and unsigned senior Kamar Goudelock will provide defensive pop and complementary scoring support when those three need a break. I like the Knights here, but it should be a fun game throughout.