NCISAA: Checking the Regular Season Pulse

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">With just one week left in regular season action in the NCISAA, PH takes a look at a few teams and storylines to keep an eye on heading into the playoffs.</h3>   <p class="has-text-align-center"><em>There's no better time to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get 30% OFF payment on your first billing cycle with offer code: <strong>JAYANDERSON30</strong>, sign up <a href="https://prephoops.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>TODAY</strong></a>!</em></p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Who's the favorite in the 1A ranks?</h4>   <p>There are a few teams to keep an eye on in the NCISAA 1A State Title hunt as Northside Christian Academy looks to defend their crown. They're still well within the race this season with 21 wins on the season already but there are a few teams hot on their heels. United Faith Christian Academy is probably the biggest favorite with a 21-6 record currently. They've played well heading into the final week of the season as they've won nine straight games led by the exploits of [player_tooltip player_id='1968872' first='JD' last='Bowden'] in the backcourt and [player_tooltip player_id='1076353' first='Dylan' last='Deluca'] in the frontcourt and on the wing. Unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='1180893' first='DJ' last='Boyce'] is one to watch as well, currently averaging 13.8 PPG.</p>   <p>Don't count out Victory Christian Center! They're 23-7 on the year and have won four straight games with Legacy Early on the schedule tonight. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2305995' first='Justyn' last='Whitfield'] has climbed onto the radar while unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='1608360' first='Xavier' last='Perry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1975441' first='Alius' last='Bowser'] show off what they can do in the backcourt. Junior big man [player_tooltip player_id='2276225' first='Abdulai' last='Kabba Fanta'] has been a double-double machine in the painted area as well with 10.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG and 1.4 BPG for the Kings.</p>   <p>Crossroads Christian School is probably the biggest darkhorse in the NCISAA 1A Playoff picture. They're 19-5 on the season behind unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='2283233' first='Ben' last='Gladieux']. He's a wiry 6-foot-7 wing-forward who's produced 16.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.3 SPG, 1.5 BPG and 1.3 APG on 52 percent shooting from the field. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2268826' first='Elyjah' last='Phillips'] is averaging 12.8 PPG, 2.7 RPG and 2.0 SPG as well in his varsity debut.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">A lot of talent in the NCISAA 2A</h4>   <p>The Burlington School is currently at the top of a lot of SOS rankings but there's still plenty of talent in the NCISAA 2A ranks that could contend for the state crown. Fayetteville Academy has been tough to beat this season with a record of 23-4. They've won 11 straight games with [player_tooltip player_id='1959683' first='Xavier' last='Johnson'] leading the charge at floor general with 12.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.7 APG and 1.0 SPG and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1365506' first='Jossiah' last='Johnson'] holding things down at the wing-forward spot with 15.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 1.3 APG. Unsigned senior big man [player_tooltip player_id='2046230' first='Derrick' last='Green'] has held things down in the paint with 11.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG and 1.1 BPG. [player_tooltip player_id='1428458' first='Jadyn' last='Cooper'] has probably been their biggest stock riser in averaging 10.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.5 APG and 2.4 SPG in his junior campaign.</p>   <p>Greenfield School is starting to peak at the right time as they've won six straight games and are 25-6 on the season. They're coming off a big win over Wayne Country Day School this past Friday that saw [player_tooltip player_id='1280938' first='Kobe' last='Edwards'] finish with 20 points and six assists while [player_tooltip player_id='1277989' first='Matt' last='Kirby'] continues to be relentless in his attack with a team-high 22 points. Kirby makes the game look easy with his strength and abilities getting to the paint while Edwards continue to sharpen his skillset as a point guard. </p>   <p>Davidson Day School is probably the biggest darkhorse in the 2A ranks with a 17-6 record. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1990411' first='Isaiah' last='Denis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2077352' first='Levon' last='Jacobs'] are their unsigned names to watch while Mercer commit [player_tooltip player_id='2043210' first='Mason' last='Smith'] continues to hold things down at the stretch forward spot. They've dropped some close games to the likes of TBS, Christ School and Combine Academy this season. They've got three games in the final week to close out their schedule before the playoffs start. Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2055540' first='Will' last='Stevens'] is another name to track well. </p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">High Point Christian Academy playing well in the NCISAA 3A ranks</h4>   <p>High Point Christian Academy has some big games coming up this week as they look to continue their stellar season. They're currently on a five-game winning streak with The Burlington School on the schedule this Tuesday followed by Greensboro Day on Friday to close out their regular season schedule. [player_tooltip player_id='1864069' first='Isaiah' last='Sanders'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2232851' first='Elijah' last='Cathcart'] are their unsigned senior names to know though they've got some young talent as well with JaiQuan Clay, [player_tooltip player_id='1635130' first='Adam' last='Grier'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1907233' first='Max' last='VanWeerdhuizen']. They defeated Greensboro Day School on the road back on Jan. 16 as well.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Wide open race in the NCISAA 4A</h4>   <p>Christ School is last year's defending state champions and this year's road to the state final won't be an easy one. Cannon School is right in the mix with a 21-9 record, Covenant Day School is 18-6, Providence Day is 20-7 and Charlotte Country Day School lurks with a 17-8 record. Unsigned senior guard Elijah Green has fared well in the backcourt for Covenant Day with 10.2 PPG, 2.5 APG and 1.6 RPG. Big man [player_tooltip player_id='1338305' first='Michael' last='Marcus Jr']. has held things down in the painted area with 14.2 PPG and 6.7 RPG and should make a solid addition at Appalachian State. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1410267' first='Chris' last='Rivens'] is also playing well for them.</p>   <p>Providence Day has won three in a row as [player_tooltip player_id='1276940' first='Jonah' last='Lawrence'], [player_tooltip player_id='1336430' first='Nick' last='Hailey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1487712' first='Trajan' last='Thompson'] seem to be finding their stride at the right time. They've got Cannon School on Tuesday night and then Charlotte Country Day School on the road on Friday to close out their schedule.</p>   <p>Even at 14-10, Carmel Christian seems like a team you shouldn't sleep on. They've won nine in a row and got a big victory over Cannon School back on Jan. 27 thanks to the heroics of unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='1730959' first='Kameron' last='Taylor']. He's a name for DI and DII programs in the region to get eyes on given his ability to operate on both ends of the floor. He's producing 25.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.7 APG and 1.1 BPG. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1226598' first='Bryce' last='Slay'] is having a productive year as well with 18.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG and 3.7 APG. [player_tooltip player_id='2699174' first='Chandler' last='Kennedy'] is one to keep on the radar as well.</p>   <p></p>