NCISAA Games of the Week – Week 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High school basketball is officially back this week in the Hoop State, with independent and non-football playing public schools beginning games. With plenty of impressive private schools teams getting off to quick starts, we'll be interested in catching a few of these games during the week. Check out who's playing and who's going to star below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Grace Christian @ Greensboro Day</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greensboro Day opens up a new season with a new look team against a plucky Grace Christian squad that is looking to make some noise this year. For the Eagles, all eyes are on [player_tooltip player_id='2092926' first='Michael' last='Phillips'] II as he begins a "prove-it" season after an impressive summer. He's got elite two-way potential in his future, and still acts a smooth shotmaker in the here and now, and [player_tooltip player_id='854906' first='Quasim' last='Oden'] will be able to guard opposing guards with aggression and great instincts on the ball. These guys have both the depth and defensive talent to disrupt Greensboro Day, but the Bengals will be well prepared.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Johnson and GDS will rely on lots of new production this year, but their best holdover in [player_tooltip player_id='854907' first='William' last='Otto'] will be essential to their chances, as the kind of high IQ, steady guard with plus positional size that coaches love. [player_tooltip player_id='1284842' first='Addison' last='Newkirk'] will be a secondary scorer and asked to be a leader and steady wing presence heading into his junior season, and [player_tooltip player_id='2055661' first='Kohi' last='Strickland'] is an athletic wing who will ply his trade mostly on the defensive end this upcoming season with length and vertical pop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is going to be an intriguing clash between two 3A contenders this season, and I'll be interested to see whether the hype out of Wake County surrounding Grace Christian is real. I like GDS to play their brand of basketball well for all 32 minutes and take home the win in the end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Southern Wake Academy @ Cary Academy</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cary Academy will start their first season being TISAC favorites in over a decade by taking on revamped 1A powerhouse Southern Wake Academy Wednesday evening, and it's a stern test for the Chargers. Coach Quintin Austin has reloaded this group with plenty of incoming transfers, with one of the most impressive being [player_tooltip player_id='1385670' first='Chris' last='Crudup']. He's been a three level scorer for years, but is continuing to show off improved playmaking chops and may be able to take ball handling duties this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1086990' first='Alex' last='Rechetnikov'] is one of the best shooters in the 919 area code and can shoot it from all over as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1761257' first='Jalen' last='Sheppard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2123684' first='Se' last='Surmons'] will be able to guard the ball all 94 feet and make plays with the ball in their hands as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Cary Academy, their advantage will come through [player_tooltip player_id='1076331' first='Wyatt' last='DeGraaf'], one of the most intriguing post prospects in the state. He has the potential to be a terror around the rim at the D1 level, but is still developing in skill and touch due to multiple injuries suffered in the last two years. [player_tooltip player_id='2055527' first='McCoy' last='Williams'] is in line to pick up the scoring load and be a viable two way threat for the Chargers, and [player_tooltip player_id='2055526' first='Aidan' last='Rousseau'] can stretch the floor as a space-creating forward. I'd be surprised if this group doesn't finish top two in the TISAC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wednesday night will be a tough test for the Chargers, but I believe they have enough talent and will have a home court advantage to start the year, giving them the win at home.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Davidson Day @ Cannon</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cannon is one of the favorites for a 4A state title, but will have to contend with a new look Davidson Day team that should make much more noise this season than last. Cannon's dynamic duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1030010' first='Austin' last='Swartz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1226605' first='Isaiah' last='Henry'] will lead the group this year, with Swartz as a wing bucket-getter from the perimeter and Henry as as a combo guard who can really put pressure on the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='1105008' first='Jaylen' last='Claggett'] will also shine as a scorer and playmaker at the point guard spot, and Max Murash is a thin big who is good around the rim with his touch and provide some rebounding and rim protection as well. Coach Che Roth will have his guys ready to play, and the home atmosphere should give them an added boost.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davidson Day is almost an entirely new this year, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1990411' first='Isaiah' last='Denis'], the incredibly athletic sharpshooting point guard that will handle the rock for them this year. Mercer commit [player_tooltip player_id='2043210' first='Mason' last='Smith'] will continue to show off his extreme shooting skills in a 6'7 frame. [player_tooltip player_id='2077352' first='Levon' last='Jacobs'] is a transfer in that plays hard and is switchable at 6'9. [player_tooltip player_id='2055540' first='Will' last='Stevens'] is a 2026, 6'10 big who plays with his back to the basket and shows off good passing and post chops every time the ball goes into him, and [player_tooltip player_id='2238223' first='Brady' last='Kester'] will rotate minutes with these other two bigs and should be headed for the D2/D3 level next year. This will be a well-coached, dangerous group for many opponents this year, but I believe they come up just short against Cannon Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->