NCISAA 4A Preseason Power Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the season just around the corner, we've neglected to spend time covering the independent conferences under the NCISAA. These classes hold a wealth of talent for fans and college coaches to keep an eye on. In this article I'm going to be breaking down some of my top teams in the conference, checking out their roster composition and what we should look forward to from them. Let's take a look at the NCISAA 4A class first!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Christ School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners - [player_tooltip player_id='1076360' first='Bryson' last='Cokley'], [player_tooltip player_id='951365' first='Keenan' last='Wilkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='865287' first='Jamari' last='Briggs'], [player_tooltip player_id='1211774' first='Joseph' last='Ahart']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newcomers - [player_tooltip player_id='1239543' first='Madden' last='Collins'] (Irmo), [player_tooltip player_id='1164550' first='Mikey' last='Wilkins'] (R-S Central)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These guys are the odds on favorites to capture another state title, even with the loss of two high-major forwards in the frontcourt. The Greenies reload with transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1164550' first='Mikey' last='Wilkins'] who will be a high major forward when all is said and done, and [player_tooltip player_id='1211774' first='Joseph' last='Ahart'] is continuing to improve and mature and is a potential breakout star this winter. What's even better is that this group returns all three of their dynamic guards who carried the scoring load and made coaches suffer. Briggs, Cokley and Wilkins will be joined by [player_tooltip player_id='1239543' first='Madden' last='Collins'], the out of state transfer who can shoot it and drive it equally well. Their combination of top line talent and depth should give them a huge leg up on the rest of the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Providence Day</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners - [player_tooltip player_id='1487712' first='Trajan' last='Thompson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1336430' first='Nick' last='Hailey'], [player_tooltip player_id='1487713' first='Osvaldo' last='Haynes II'], Jordan Appling</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newcomers - [player_tooltip player_id='1276940' first='Jonah' last='Lawrence'] (East Meck), [player_tooltip player_id='1454557' first='Julian' last='Johnson'] (Lake Norman Charter)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group both returns all of their key pieces and gets a lot better at a few choice spots. Having a frontcourt of Haynes and Johnson will help match up better with elite teams, giving them some real size on the boards and around the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='1487712' first='Trajan' last='Thompson'] was a stockriser this summer as a long wing who can attack the basket in the half court as well in transition. Appling, Lawrence and Hailey will fill out the rest of the backcourt, and they're an intriguing combination of talent if Hailey can get healthy in the wake of his untimely injury this summer. This is a group with the upside to win the title, but may not quite be on the level on Christ School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Cannon School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners - [player_tooltip player_id='1030010' first='Austin' last='Swartz'], [player_tooltip player_id='1226605' first='Isaiah' last='Henry'], [player_tooltip player_id='1105008' first='Jaylen' last='Claggett'], Max Murash</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newcomers - [player_tooltip player_id='2144777' first='Matthew' last='Sancho']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cannon boasts what is probably the top duo in the state in Swartz and Henry, who are both on track to be high major players. They'll hold down the wing spots, and [player_tooltip player_id='1105008' first='Jaylen' last='Claggett'] will be expected to handle the ball and keep shooting it on the outside like he has. Max Murash is an under the radar big who is still thin but has good tools as a D3 level forward. Newcomers and additions may be harder to come by for this group, but hopefully some younger players or returning varsity guys can step up and play impact supporting roles for this group. They're not the favorites, but their duo of high level talent can keep them in any game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Carmel Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners - Jackson Burnham</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newcomers - [player_tooltip player_id='1730959' first='Kameron' last='Taylor'] (Olympic), [player_tooltip player_id='1226598' first='Bryce' last='Slay'] (UFCA)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a turbulent time at Carmel Christian with the departure of many seniors and transfers, including coach Joe Badgett. Former Marshall assistant Tamar Slay returns to the coaching ranks and will bring in talent with him, including his son Bryce. [player_tooltip player_id='1730959' first='Kameron' last='Taylor'] is an important wing transfer that will provide transition offense and slashing ability, but depth will be harder to find. Jackson Burnham is a nice big forward piece that should be back for the Cougars, but from there they will rely on JV call ups and new players. This team will win lots of games, but a state title is probably not quite the ceiling for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Covenant Day</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners - [player_tooltip player_id='1410267' first='Chris' last='Rivens'], Elijah Green, Patrick Penosky</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newcomers - [player_tooltip player_id='1338305' first='Michael' last='Marcus Jr']. (Carmel Christian)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions bring back all three of their guard tandem and leading scorers, in Rivens, Green, and Penosky. The latter two are local talents that could be playing D3 or small college ball next year, while Rivens has become a dynamic wing with [program_tooltip program_id='2225832' first='Team' last='Curry'] over the course of this summer. [player_tooltip player_id='1338305' first='Michael' last='Marcus Jr'] is the big transfer in from Carmel, as his pure strength and rebounding ability will let the App State commit dominate frontcourts all night long. With a supporting cast that basically all returns, look for this group to be very plucky in the later rounds of the state tournament this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6. Cary Academy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners - [player_tooltip player_id='1076331' first='Wyatt' last='DeGraaf'], [player_tooltip player_id='2055527' first='McCoy' last='Williams'], Aidan Rosseau</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a group that just feels snakebitten the past few years, but finally is starting to trend upwards and begin to compete in the 4A class. DeGraaf is one of the better centers in the state, as he's got massive size and an improving ability to play out of ballscreens and in the post. Williams is a smooth two way guard, and Rossseau is a younger name to get eyes on with floor stretching ability and a 6'7 frame. With multiple younger guys and incoming transfers also expected to support these three, CA should have an ability to capture a top 8 seed and conference title if all goes to plan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->