2023 In Review – NCISAA 1A Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the calendar year winding down, it's time to take a look back at the action we've already seen so far in the season. With Northside Christian taking home the title last year, many expected them to repeat. However, we've seen some new names burst onto the scene and new teams poised to contend. Check out some top storylines and players below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Victory Christian - Title Favorites?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Victory Christian is much improved from last year, with the addition of new names and transfers key. [player_tooltip player_id='2305995' first='Justyn' last='Whitfield'] is much improved and is the teams leading scorer, while [player_tooltip player_id='2276225' first='Abdulai' last='Kabba Fanta'] has become an anchor in the paint with his transfer from 1 of 1 Academy. [player_tooltip player_id='1975441' first='Alius' last='Bowser'] continues to impress as well as a scoring guard, while [player_tooltip player_id='1608360' first='Xavier' last='Perry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1916752' first='Myles' last='Smith'] continue to round out a balanced group at the wing slots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They've played a difficult schedule so far, facing almost all the top teams in the Charlotte area. With an 11-4 record including wins over Christ School, Winston Salem Christian, and Providence Day, it's a group to take notice of. They have multiple college level prospects, and will be in contention right up to the end of the season. Take notice of this group now!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Northside Christian on the Hunt for a Repeat</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Northside Christian, they graduated multiple college level players from their squad a year ago, but return with [player_tooltip player_id='1869285' first='Kyrell' last='Shaw'] leading the show. He's averaged over 21 points a game on 45% shooting from deep, and is looking like he will be a steal for a D2 program. [player_tooltip player_id='2268833' first='Josiah' last='Johnson-Freeman'] is another name to get to know, as he's had some big performances this season and is their second leading scorer. [player_tooltip player_id='2235113' first='Arael' last='Jones'] is an all-around glue kind of guard that does the dirty work on the wing for them, and [player_tooltip player_id='854883' first='Joshua' last='Bullock'] is also a scholarship level guard who runs the show with the ball in his hands and makes good decisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Northside doesn't boast quite the record that other schools do, their difficult SOS plays a part. 10-6 has come with two wins over Carmel Christian, a victory over 1 of 1 Prep and a tight loss to top 4A power Weddington. Coach Ed Cooke has retooled a roster and has a group ready to compete, with some talented guards that can make winning plays in Feburary and March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">UFCA - Still Competitive</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While not as heralded as other schools this year, United Faith Christian Academy has still put together an 11-4 start and has multiple Division 1 level players for coaches to look at. Chief among them is [player_tooltip player_id='1968872' first='JD' last='Bowden'], a stud table setting PG who is averaging 16 PTS and 7 AST per game. However, their leading scorer has been [player_tooltip player_id='1180893' first='DJ' last='Boyce'], an elite shooter for regional schools to get eyes on as he's knocked down 54 threes at a 48% clip. Other standouts include [player_tooltip player_id='1046670' first='Isaiah' last='Sutherland'], a rim protecting forward that will be ideal at a LM level, and [player_tooltip player_id='1076353' first='Dylan' last='Deluca'], who is a scoring wing with elite size for the collegiate level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group has beat who they were expected to beat and lost who they've been expected to lose to. Gaston Christian, Carmel Christian, and Covenant Day are all solid to good teams that the #FaithBoys have taken down, but haven't quite got over the hump versus an elite team like Cannon School or Combine Academy. With Coach Darrion Holloway at the helm, this UFCA team is well-coached and has plenty of talent to put together a deep run in the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Names to Monitor</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2283233' first='Ben' last='Gladieux'] is a forward for D3s, NAIAs and JuCos to get to know out of <strong>Crossroads Christian</strong>. The Colts graduated multiple seniors but look like the clear 4th best team in the class... <strong>North Hills Christian</strong> will likely only win a game or two in the state tournament, but its time for coaches to take note of the leading scorer in the class [player_tooltip player_id='2114978' first='Champion' last='Hayden'] with 33.3 PPG and over 10 RPG... Same goes for undersized dynamo [player_tooltip player_id='854881' first='Zeke' last='Brock'] who should receive a next level opportunity somewhere in the region... <strong>New Garden Friends</strong> is much improved from a year ago as they're back into the NCISAA, beating Calvary Day and staying competitive with GDS and UFCA. [player_tooltip player_id='2305706' first='Jeffery' last='Clark'] is a name to know as a wing with multiple JuCo offers so far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->