252 HoopState TipOff: Southern Wake/Trinity Christian Recap
In this article:
Southern Wake Academy put Trinity Christian School to the ultimate test at the 252 HoopState TipOff. Take a look at the game recap and standouts. There’s no better time to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get 30% OFF payment on your first billing…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingSouthern Wake Academy put Trinity Christian School to the ultimate test at the 252 HoopState TipOff. Take a look at the game recap and standouts.
There’s no better time to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get 30% OFF payment on your first billing cycle with offer code: JAYANDERSON30, sign up TODAY!
The Trinity Christian School Crusaders took home the opening tip against the Southern Wake Academy to kick things off. Justin Caldwell Justin Caldwell 6'9" | PF Trinity Christian | 2026 State NC would set the early tone with the first five points for TCS but SWA would secure an early lead with some early 3-pointers from Alex Rechetnikov Alex Rechetnikov 6'4" | SG Southern Wake Academy | 2024 State NC .
Devaughn Brown Devaughn Brown 6'2" | PG Trinity Christian | 2025 State NC and Linwood Rowe Linwood Rowe 6'6" | SF Trinity Christian School | 2024 State NC would soon get going as SWA held an early 8-5 lead before going on a run of their own and leading 16-10 with two minutes left in the first frame. After one, TCS held the lead over SWA 18-12.
TCS would hold a six-point lead throughout the second quarter thanks to their defense but the offense would stall in the second quarter. They would only score eight points as a team and SWA used it to their advantage to go on a run to close out the half.
Seung Surmons Seung Surmons 6'1" | CG Southern Wake Academy | 2025 State NC knocked down a 3-pointer to spark a run with 3:19 left in the first half. After that, they would go on a 12-4 run to close out the half thanks for a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Rechetnikov to take a 28-26 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Rechetnikov would continue his hot streak as he scored six straight points to push the lead to 34-26 before TCS would respond. Brown would explode for his best quarter to keep TCS in it as SWA led by just two with 1:45 left in the third quarter. A fastbreak layup would make it 44-40 from Surmons before a quick surge from TCS would make things 46-44 in SWA’s favor heading into the third quarter.
A 3-pointer from Chris Crudup Chris Crudup 6'3" | PG Southern Wake Academy | 2024 State NC would push the SWA lead to 49-44 with 6:20 to go in to game before a 10-0 run from TCS would flip things completely around. Caldwell, Brown and Rowe started to find their rhythm and with 3:11 left in the game, they led 54-49.
Things were stuck on 55-49 as both offenses stalled amid stifling defensive displays from both squads. TCS would find their bearings with two minutes left to hold onto the lead until the very end.
Final – Trinity Christian 60 – Southern Wake Academy 56
Rowe was impressive in setting the tone in the painted area on both ends of the floor. He finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and two assists to lead the way for the Crusaders with his all-around presence. He’s a strong, athletic forward prospect who continues to show his development in the TCS lineup.
Brown was impressive at the lead guard role as he knocked down timely shots for TCS when needed. He showed he could take command of the offense and find spots to make his presence felt while also keeping his frontcourt duo of Linwood Rowe Linwood Rowe 6’6″ | SF Trinity Christian School | 2024 State NC and Justin Caldwell Justin Caldwell 6’9″ | PF Trinity Christian | 2026 State NC involved. He finished with 16 points along with two 3-pointers.
Highlights
Caldwell put together a solid performance and really separated himself in the second half with his play to boost TCS. He put together 22 points (11 in each half) to show off his consistency around the painted area and beyond. He even stepped out and knocked down a 3-pointer on the perimeter. He’s a 2026 with a bright future in the state.
Highlights
Crudup showed off his ability to score in a variety of ways as he finished with 26 points and knocked down three 3-pointers to lead the offensive surge. He’s a crafty lead guard who can fill up the stat sheet and also had three rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block. As he learns to stay in the moment and finish with consistency in the painted area, he’s an unsigned senior prospect for DII and DIII programs in the region to get to know.
Highlights
Rechetnikov was dialed in from the perimeter in the first half, but he cooled in the second half. He continues to show off his ability to create for himself off the catch and off the bounce as an unsigned senior prospect. He finished with 14 points and four made 3-pointers.
Surmons provided quite the spark for SWA off the bench with his energy and prowess as a scoring threat. He finished with 11 points, three rebounds and two steals to show off what he could do on the hardwood. He’ll continue to develop as a spark off the bench with this group this season.