NCISAA: TISAC Preview 2023-2024
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The Triangle Independent Schools Athletic Conference (TISAC) is a staple of the NCISAA-4A class. The conference has been dominated by head coach Kevin Billerman and the Ravenscroft school as conference champions 16 of the last 17 seasons. With that being said, the TISAC is coming up on one of its most competitive seasons yet. While the Ravens are still on top of the conference, there is a lot less room at the bottom as one might expect. Senior departures, in-conference transfers, and summertime team play have reshuffled the deck as we head into the 2023-2024 season. Let’s preview the ins and outs of the TISAC conference ahead of its most anticipated season yet.
Ravenscroft:
As the consensus preseason favorite to take home their 17th TISAC championship in the last 18 seasons, Ravenscroft has their sights set on more than a conference title. The Ravens capped off 2022-2023 with an improbable run to the NCISAA-4A state playoff semifinals as the #6 overall seed. Ravenscroft cruised past in-conference rival Durham Academy in the second round with a 68-42 win at home. A win against the Cavaliers sent the Ravens down I-40 to face the #3-seeded Cannon School. A 71-64 upset win propelled Ravenscroft to the state semifinals in the Blue Ridge Mountains to take on the Christ School Greenies. In a pound-for-pound, dogfight of a matchup, the Raven’s season ended with a 52-50 loss. The Christ School won the state championship a week later.
The 2023-2024 Ravenscroft Ravens will be a new-look team that has a ton of talent on both ends of the floor. With three of the Ravens 2022-2023 starters out the door, Dakota Gordon and Brian Corrigan in the backcourt, and Harrison Poole down low, there are holes to fill. Luckily, Ravenscroft has already started to fill in the gaps. Just this month, the Ravens landed class of 2025 combo guard Chance Gladden Chance Gladden 6’4″ | CG Ravenscroft | 2025 State NC . All signs point toward Gladden running the point for coach Billerman this upcoming season. While depth is still an issue Ravenscroft will have to navigate, there is comfort in knowing Gladden will be alongside class of 2024 Alex Olander and Jackson Rein. There’s a new big 3 on Falls of Neuse Rd, and they’re already in action in summertime team play.
Chemistry was something that initially worried me with Gladden joining the Ravens. I was foolish. When Kevin Billerman is the first guy on the bench, chemistry is not an issue. Gladden looks like he’s been wearing Green and Gold his whole life. His ability to learn and adjust in a few short weeks is a good sign for things to come. Gladden is learning how to play Ravenscroft basketball, developing chemistry with the guys on the roster, and working on his game to get this team back to where it was last season.
Highlights
McCoy Williams
McCoy Williams
Cary Academy:rn2022-2023 was a difficult year for Cary Academy. The Chargers finished the season with an 11-12 record and first round exit in the NCISAA-4A state playoffs. With their #1 option Chance Gladden Chance Gladden 6’4″ | CG Ravenscroft | 2025 State NC now with Ravenscroft, Cary Academy has a lot of work to do to give the Ravens a run for their money. Their best chance is class of 2025 guard McCoy Williams.
Williams puts on a show every time he steps out on the floor. Seeing this guy play in person is just different. One of the most gifted scorers in the class of 2025. Sharp shooter from behind the arc, uses all his 6’2″ frame to attack the basket, and is consistent from the foul line. Real vocal on defense. Leader on that side of the ball as well. Can guard 1-5 when need be. One of the things that stands out the most about his game is his energy. It’s infectious on the other four guys on the floor and gets the entire lineup in unison. Excited to see the leap this guy takes next season.
Amare Burrus
Amare Burrus
Durham Academy:rnDurham Academy is just one of those teams. Despite an up-and-down 2022-2023 capped off with a 15-9 regular season record, the Cavaliers always had one foot in the door every time they touched the hardwood. Durham Academy is a hard place to play and an even harder place to win. Just ask Coach Billerman, he’ll set you straight. The Cavalier’s success this season came on their home floor, putting up a respectable 11-3 record in Durham. However, a lot of this team’s overall success had to do with class of 2023 guard Jake Chisholm. The Roanoke commit gave Durham Academy a spark on offense and closed out games when they needed it. With Chisholm on the move, the Cavaliers need to find the next man up. That guy is class of 2025 guard Amare Burrus.
At 6’2″, Burrus is a strong, physical combo guard whose size allows him to be versatile on both ends of the floor. He’s an excellent competitor and communicator on defense. Burrus is an underrated rebounder who is able to get boards and make plays. He’s a reliable defender who can match up with and lockdown opposing teams’ number 1 option in the clutch. 2022-2023 did not see an offensive emphasis in Burrus’s style of play. With Jake Chisholm hanging it up, expect Burrus to use his size and speed to take on more of a scoring role for the Cavaliers. Despite a couple of key departures, most notably Jake Chisholm, Durham Academy will find a way to post a roster together to be a competitive team.