Wilson Prep vs. Corvian Community: 1A Championship Preview
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Championship week and weekend has a bit of a different feel to it this season as the North Carolina High School Sports Association (NCHSAA) is staging its final matchups of the 2023-24 season at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum as…
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Continue ReadingChampionship week and weekend has a bit of a different feel to it this season as the North Carolina High School Sports Association (NCHSAA) is staging its final matchups of the 2023-24 season at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum as opposed to NC State and the University of North Carolina.
Still – championship weekend is championship weekend and the 1A boys will have their turn at the mic once the 1A girls contest between East Columbus and Cherokee has gone final.
This year’s 1A boys final will feature Wilson Prep vs. Corvian Community. Here is our look at Friday’s big get-together for all of this year’s 1A marbles.
Wilson Prep (26-5, 16-0)
The last time the Tigers of Wilson Prep were in the loss column was in early February. That was when Wilson Prep was on the receiving end of a 78-52 defeat at the hands of Greenfield.
Since then, coach Anthony Atkinson’s Tigers have reeled off 12 consecutive victories – including the five they have scored in this season’s 1A East Regional. Wilson Prep is looking to claim championships in three out of four seasons – including when they prevailed over Eastern Randolph in an 84-73 final to win it all last season.
The other championship the Tigers won occurred during the COVID year of 2020-21.
Tigers’ Road to Winston-Salem:
Feb. 27 – 72-32 win vs. Warren County
Mar. 1 – 91-35 win vs. Northside-Pinetown
Mar. 5 – 92-47 win vs. North Duplin
Mar. 8 – 54-52 win vs. Southern Wake Academy
Mar. 11 – 62-46 win vs. Bertie
Key Players
When the Tigers take to the court at Wake Forest, it will be Ben Ferguson Ben Ferguson 6'1" | CG Wilson Prep | 2024 State NC ‘s final time in a Wilson Prep uniform. The star veteran combo guard and Belmont Abbey commit has averaged 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 28 games.
Speaking of seniors, Leslie Minter (a team captain) has also done a great job fusing together his skillset with veteran instincts. Minter has averaged 12.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 25 matchups.
Teams that have been looking to score victories over the defending 1A champions have had a tough time containing Brandon Anderson Brandon Anderson 6'3" | PG Wilson Prep | 2024 State NC – also a senior. Anderson has averaged 11.4 points, 3.4 assists and 2.5 steals in 28 games.
Corvian Community (27-3, 12-2)
The Cardinals of Corvian Community have only been a NCSHAA member school for the past four seasons. It has not taken long for Ron Murphy’s team to make a splash in North Carolina’s very competitive high school basketball landscape.
In last season’s tournament, Corvian Community began in auspicious fashion with victories over Alleghany and Christ the King before suffering defeat at the hands of Mountain Heritage in the West Regional quarterfinals. Only SouthLake Christian, Lincoln Charter and Pine Lake Prep have put the Cardinals in the loss column this season.
The 27 wins Corvian Community has notched this season is the most in the program’s short history. The Cardinals want to make that 28 on Friday.
Cardinals’ Road to Winston-Salem:
Feb. 27 – 79-52 win vs. Queen’s Grant
Mar. 1 – 81-68 win vs. Swain County
Mar. 5 – 82-51 win vs. Mountain Island Charter
Mar. 8 – 63-58 win vs. Bishop McGuinness
Mar 11 – 53-41 win vs. South Stokes
Key Players
RJ Moore RJ Moore 6'4" | SG Corvian Community | 2027 State NC has firmly established himself as one of the premier 2027s across the Hoop State. He has averaged 14.9 points and 5.3 rebounds as a freshman – symbolizing the bright future that awaits Corvian Community.
Jack Hudson is looking to conclude his high school career with the best exclamation point possible – a state championship. In the 28 matchups he has played in 2023-24, Hudson has averaged 13.1 pointds, 7.5 rebounds, three assists and 1.1 steals.
The Cardinals have also greatly benefitted from the production of Doug Quarles, a junior forward who also plays at wide receiver and defensive end for the Corvian Community football team. He has averaged a double-double of 11.5 points and 10.4 rebounds plus 1.6 blocks per contest.
When and Where?
Mar. 15, 1 p.m., Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum