NCISAA State Championships – Second Round Standouts
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The independent school championships are underway this week as teams begin their road to Ravenscroft, where the state championship games will be held next weekend. While almost every team won’t make it to that final game, I still want to…
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Continue ReadingThe independent school championships are underway this week as teams begin their road to Ravenscroft, where the state championship games will be held next weekend. While almost every team won’t make it to that final game, I still want to highlight guys who are going off in each round of the playoffs. Read below for the best performances from Thursday night’s second round games, with the winners playing over the weekend.
Dane Cassada Dane Cassada 6'3" | CG Calvary Day School | 2026 State NC – Calvary Day
21 points and the game winning stepback three is an ideal performance to top the standouts list, and Cassada looked great all game long last night. The big point guard has the talent and heart to bring another big performance and upset Forsyth Country Day this weekend.
Isaiah Smith Isaiah Smith 6'5" | CG Burlington Christian Academy | 2025 State NC – Burlington Christian
Smith had 22 points to lead all scorers in an easy 65-39 win over Friendship Christian. BCA has exceeded expectations with their young core, and have a winnable game on the road at Gaston Day to potentially setup a cross town rivalry quarterfinal. with TBS
Addison Newkirk Addison Newkirk 6'6" | SF Greensboro Day | 2025 State NC – Greensboro Day
20 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals for the junior as the Bengals outlasted Asheville School in a gritty OT game yesterday. He continues to be an X factor on both ends of the floor as his energy and toughness brings another dimension to his team.
MJ Edwards MJ Edwards 5'11" | PG Westchester Country Day | 2024 State NC – Westchester Country Day
27 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists against Hickory Christian made his group sail along smoothly to the last 16. His leadership at the point guard position will continue to help elevate his teammates like Jalen Umstead Jalen Umstead 6'6" | PF Westchester Country Day | 2024 State NC and Joshua Bayne Joshua Bayne 6'1" | PG Westchester Country Day | 2024 NC to a level where they may be able to upset Davidson Day.
Zacch Wiggins Zacch Wiggins 6'5" | SF Wesleyan Christian | 2025 State NC – Weslayan Christian
19 points in a wire to wire win over Durham Academy shows how Weslayan is looking to get rolling. Wiggins and company will have to take on Christ School, a difficult matchup in itself. However, with an individual talent like Wiggins, I’d imagine he tries to do everything he can to keep his boys from going home.
Noah Kyritsis – Grace Christian (Raleigh)
20 points in a win over Grace Christian (Sanford) where the Eagles jumped on them from the beginning and didn’t let up. Another great defensive effort from Kyritsis too, showing why they will be a tough an out as anyone when they’re playing together.