NCISAA: 2024-2025 Dark Horse Watchlist

Happy fourth, Prep Hoops Family.   The NCISAA is home to some of the most prominent prospects and programs in North Carolina. The 2023-2024 season ended with four teams crowned as their class state champion. But that was in March. And if you know anything about the NCISAA, you know you've got to have a short memory. The 2024-2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet. Let's meet four programs, one from each class, that are dark horses to take the title.   1A: Crossroads Christian   Crossroads Christian, centered in the heart of Henderson, N.C., has been one of the most successful programs in the history of the NCISAA-1A division. An annual 20-win-a-season program, the Colts finished the 2023-2024 regular season 20-5, earning the fourth overall seed in the NCISAA-1A state playoffs. A 39-point win over fifth-seeded New Garden Friends School (16-10) propelled Crossroads Christian to a state semifinal matchup against one-seed United Faith Christian Academy (24-7) for a second consecutive year. Redemption was not in the cards for the Colts in 2024 as their season ended with an 86-60 loss to UFCA.    Crossroads Christian is a program that is ready to take that next step. With the bulk of their roster returning, along with a couple of new pieces that are expected to contribute from day one, the pieces are in place for the Colts to bring a state championship home to Henderson this March. Senior guard Nik Brown (C/O 25) will play an integral part in that mission. At 6'3”, Nik Brown is a strong, physical guard who plays with toughness and grit. Brown is a gifted scorer, and uses his muscular frame to finish through contact at all three levels. He is an elite ball handler and high IQ guy who makes the right reads with the ball in his hands. Brown is a scrappy defender who utilizes his lateral quickness and length to create turnovers and get his team into the break. In 27 games played at 17 mpg, he averaged 7 ppg, 3 apg, and 2 rpg. With four key departing seniors from last year's squad, I expect Brown to take on a larger role leading this team's backcourt in 2024-2025. While Nik Brown does not currently have a spot in our updated North Carolina class of 2025 rankings, he'll find his way there soon as he sits in the wake of a highly anticipated senior season.   2A: Caldwell Academy   As we evaluate the best coaching and talent in the NCISAA-2A, Caldwell Academy in Greensboro, N.C., is in that top tier of programs. A 22-9 regular season finish earned the Eagles the seventh seed in the NCISAA-2A state playoffs. A 34-point win against Westminster Catawba Christian slotted Caldwell in a tough quarterfinal matchup against the second-seeded Greenfield School (29-6). In a back and forth, pound for pound matchup in the first half, Greenfield was able to extend and maintain its lead to double digits in the third quarter. Caldwell's 2023-2024 campaign ended in a 66-56 loss.   There is no doubt Caldwell Academy will enter 2024-2025 with a vengeance. They were right there. In a highly competitive NCISAA-2A, with a plethora of talent right in their backyard in the triad, Caldwell Academy looks to get past the hump and make their way to a state title. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2844990' first='Mac' last='Atkinson'] (C/O 26) can help them get there. At 6'5”, [player_tooltip player_id='2844990' first='Mac' last='Atkinson'], is a long, athletic guard who's a highly consistent shooter. Atkinson plays well off the ball and is a knock-down three-point guy when his team needs a bucket. His athleticism and length allows him to get to his spots and hit contested shots off ball screens and pin downs. Atkinson is a crafty scorer who does not need the ball in his hands to create space. With a Caldwell team that will look to fill the shoes of a couple key departures from last year's squad, I think a guy like Atkinson could step up and provide quality minutes and consistent three-point shooting to a team that will need it. Caldwell has been playing well so far with Caldwell Academy this summer in team camp and has proven he is committed to becoming a more versatile scorer. Caldwell Academy is right there. If they want to bring a championship back to Greensboro, they'll need to get everything they can out of [player_tooltip player_id='2844990' first='Mac' last='Atkinson'] in 2024-2025. I think he's up for it.   3A: Calvary Day   It is fair to say that Calvary Day School, one of the staples of Winston Salem, N.C., underperformed in 2023-2024. The Cougars finished their 30-game regular season 12-18, their worst in four years. Despite a tough regular season, Calvary Day advanced to the second round after a favorable matchup against Raleigh's St. Davids (7-18). They squeaked by Southlake Christian (18-15) in the second round with a 65-62 which is when they met red hot second-seed Forsyth Country Day (24-6). A 6-point loss to the eventual NCISAA-3A state champions ended Calvary Day's season. There is no question Calvary Day believes they can get back to competing with the best of the NCISAA next season. Junior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='1694957' first='Dane' last='Cassada'] (C/O 26) can help them get there.   [player_tooltip player_id='1694957' first='Dane' last='Cassada']'s standout sophomore year for the Cougars elevated him to a household name in the triad region and one of our top-25 ranked players in the class of 2026. He's still got a lot to prove. At 6'3”, [player_tooltip player_id='1694957' first='Dane' last='Cassada'] is one of , if not the, best shooters in the class of 2026. He's got a smooth stroke that makes him a legit threat from behind the 3-point line when he's got the ball in his hands. He's a strong, stocky guard who plays with a ton of energy on both sides of the court. More importantly, he's a fundamentally sound guard who's got a good feel for the game and excels in his role as a go-to scorer. What impresses me most about Canada's game is his maturity. He's been able to evolve his game into being an elite floor general while maintaining his ability to score. There's a lot to like about Cassada's game. He's long, athletic, a gifted shooter, and one of the best teammates there is. With a Calvary Day squad ready to compete for a state championship, I expect [player_tooltip player_id='1694957' first='Dane' last='Cassada'] to be front and center in their pursuit.   4A: Ravenscroft   Ravenscroft, minutes outside of downtown Raleigh, N.C., is basketball royalty in the NCISAA. That is largely due to iconic head coach Kevin Billerman and the type of basketball he and his staff teach. Ravenscroft plays physical, disciplined basketball with an emphasis on unselfish play and excelling in individual roles. In its first season since the departure of 4 starters, Ravenscroft finished the regular season an uncharacteristic 16-11. They got through the first round in an 18-point win against familiar opponent Charlotte Latin (14-13) which matched them up against second-seeded Covenant Day. In a sloppy, low scoring second round battle, Ravenscroft's season ended with a 7-point loss. Luckily for them, head coach Kevin Billerman will be back alongside senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1665791' first='Chance' last='Gladden'] (C/O 25).   [player_tooltip player_id='1665791' first='Chance' last='Gladden'] is a highly regarded prospect in the class of 2025. There's no question about that. Similar to [player_tooltip player_id='1694957' first='Dane' last='Cassada'], I see a lot of room for growth with Gladden, too. In a season where he will have to be Ravenscroft's go-to guy, Gladden has no choice but to elevate his game to meet that demand. Gladden is an excellent scorer with a 6 foot 3 frame that allows him to get to his spots and make things happen. He's a proven bucket-getter who has shown he can play off the ball and be just as effective. Ravenscroft will need him to step up, and I think he's the right guy to take that challenge head on. Be on the lookout for Gladden's stock to rise even higher as he becomes the man at Ravenscroft in 2024-2025.

Happy fourth, Prep Hoops Family.