NCISAA State Championships – Third Round Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the middle weekend of games in the books, the championship fields are starting to shape up. With 8 teams left in the 3A class, and 4 teams left everywhere else, it's time to crown a champion this week. Read below for some top performers from Saturday's games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1665791' first='Chance' last='Gladden'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2290092' first='Jackson' last='Rein'] - Ravenscroft</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Normally losing teams don't get the spotlight, but these two were the only Ravens to show up in the scorebook in their 56-41 loss to Covenant Day. Gladden had 24 and Rein had 17, showing off impressive shotmaking displays when it wasn't their day. Gladden is an elite scorer that should be a coveted get next season for a college program, while Rein should tear it up in the NESCAC next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='982144' first='James' last='Swindell III'] - Caldwell Academy</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swindell led all scorers for Caldwell Academy in their dominant win today over Westminster Catawba with 22 points, continuing to show a blend of three level scoring that makes it difficult to understand why he hasn't gotten more college traction yet. He continues to be a shotmaker on the wing that is a difference maker for Caldwell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1976853' first='Jahon' last='Foster'] - Forsyth Country Day</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Foster continues to be an impact guard in the backcourt for FCDS as they withstood a very gritty Calvary Day team 81-75. 19 points led his team today, and he also dished out 4 assists. With [player_tooltip player_id='1556663' first='Q' last='Williams'] manning the point guard spot primarily, Foster acted great as a secondary playmaker and hit some big shots when the Furies needed it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1164550' first='Mikey' last='Wilkins'] - Christ School</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilkins had 20 to lead Christ School to a 55-49 win on a day where they struggled to generate consistent offense and just had to be tougher than Weslayan Christian. His second quarter dunk (seen below) ignited the Greenie crowd and brought energy to his team when they were on the ropes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/greeniesports/status/1758999060902449321?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/greeniesports/status/1758999060902449321?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1809464' first='Makoi' last='Mabor'] - Gaston Christian</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>23 points and 7 rebounds are impressive, especially when you're playing in a slow, gritty game like Greensboro Day made their quarterfinal matchup today. However, the Eagles outlasted them in double OT, and Mabor's interior presence on both ends made the key difference. He's an unsigned senior to watch with some impressive basketball being played right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1105008' first='Jaylen' last='Claggett'] - Cannon</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17 points didn't lead all scorers considering the Cougars scored 103 in 4 quarters, but Claggett hit 4 threes and played defense that his coach Che Roth said was key to his team weathering Cary Academy's push in the third quarter. A guy who doesn't get as much recognition with two HM prospects in front of him on the wing, he's someone D1 coaches will pursue this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->