NCISAA State Playoffs: First Round Preview

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at a breakdown and preview of some of the first-round matchups on the PH radar in the NCISAA State Playoffs as they begin on Tuesday.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>USE CODE</em><strong><em> anderson30</em></strong><em> for 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION!</em><a href="http://www.prephoops.com/subscribe/?coupon=anderson30"> Subscribe</a> today!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the 1A side of things #1 Victory Christian Center (18-10) took the top seed with #2 Crossroads Christian (17-10), #3 New Garden Friends (13-12) and #4 Cape Fear Christian Academy (15-10) taking home byes in the first two rounds. [player_tooltip player_id='2305995' first='Justyn' last='Whitfield'] leads Victory Christian with 22.1 points, 3.9 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2539148' first='Carlos' last='Marshall'] has been on a tear with 11.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Crossroads has been led by sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2303320' first='Kobe' last='Edgerton'] (17.5 points per game) and [player_tooltip player_id='2268826' first='Elyjah' last='Phillips'] (11.0 points per game). Despite their youth, they look prime for a run in the state playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep a close eye on #5 Lee Christian and #6 Southeastern Christian Academy who have a first-round bye. Unsigned seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2099458' first='Justin' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2100650' first='Danny' last='Rumbold'] have been quite the duo to stop. Brown is averaging 18.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.6 blocks per game. Rumbold is putting up 15.2 points, 4.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 2.0 steals per contest. Southeastern Christian has rising sophomore star [player_tooltip player_id='2746455' first='Ziyon' last='Smith'] playing well with 16.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per contest. There's talent across the board to upset higher seeds in their matchups as long as they handle business when they're in action on Thursday. Top four seeds will be in action on Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top four seeds in the NCISAA 2A Bracket are: #1 Caldwell Academy (23-9), #2 The Burlington School (17-11), #3 Harrells Christian (29-2) and #4 Greenfield School (27-7) and all won't be in action until Saturday as they await their opponent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Westminster Catawba @ Freedom Christian</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1365507' first='Karsten' last='Swinney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2268803' first='Bryce' last='West'] are the dynamic duo to know in the Freedom Christian backcourt in this one as they can fill it up in a hurry. Then there's unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='2276718' first='Haidyn' last='Bell'] who's shown he can operate inside and do some of the dirty work in the painted area with his length. They'll be playing with a lot to prove with a potential matchup with Wayne Country Day on the horizon in the second round on Thursday so long as they both handle business on Tuesday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">St. Thomas More @ Berean Baptist</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After falling short in the Conference Championship, Berean Baptist will have a new tone to set in the first round of the 2A NCISAA State Playoffs. It will be interesting to see how they handle St. Thomas More with their talented list of prospects led by [player_tooltip player_id='1280903' first='King' last='Sanders'], [player_tooltip player_id='1900239' first='Justin' last='Caldwell'], [player_tooltip player_id='1365506' first='Jossiah' last='Johnson'] and others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hickory Christian Academy @ Burlington Christian Academy</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2287864' first='Charles' last='Chienggen Pur'], [player_tooltip player_id='2676860' first='Manny' last='Vanhook'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2626034' first='Karon' last='Watlington'] have had a strong outing for Burlington Christian Academy (18-9) and it's interesting they didn't get a top-seed in the final bracket. They'll have something to prove in the opening two rounds of things. If BCA handles business, they're on a collision course to face Berean Baptist on Thursday in the second round, which should be an intriguing matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top four seeds in the NCISAA 3A bracket aren't too surprising. #1 Concord Academy (29-3) has won 10 games in a row heading in. #2 Greensboro Day School have found their stride at the right time with a young core of Marty Giant and [player_tooltip player_id='2194791' first='Micah' last='Gunter'] leading the backcourt. #3 Davidson Day School (21-12) returns with renewed firepower in [player_tooltip player_id='2290394' first='Lincoln' last='Vinson'] to defend their title. #4 Asheville Christian Academy could surprise people with point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1672480' first='Ian' last='Bailey'] and bigs [player_tooltip player_id='2093824' first='Zach' last='Peterson'], Keath Skjoldager and [player_tooltip player_id='2093882' first='Liviu' last='Anton']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cape Fear Academy @ Trinity Academy Raleigh</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not a foregone conclusion that the home team will always win, especially given Trinity Academy Raleigh's record (16-7). Cape Fear sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2232905' first='Kareem' last='Anderson'] is producing 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game and looks to peak at the right time against a talented TAR squad. They're led by American commit [player_tooltip player_id='1076337' first='Kamran' last='Prince'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2349878' first='Zion' last='Wells'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hickory Grove Christian @ Asheville School</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hickory Grove Christian doesn't have much to lose given their sophomore leaders of [player_tooltip player_id='2146830' first='Tristan' last='Nelson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2770675' first='Micah' last='Bradley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2538058' first='Kevin' last='Powell']. They could pull off the upset against Asheville School though, they'll have their hands full with unsigned senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2351027' first='Miki' last='Gacic']. He's dishing out 9.6 assists to go along with 12.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 steals per contest coming in. 2026 wing/forward [player_tooltip player_id='2420076' first='Heimir' last='Helgason'] has been tough to contain with 20.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.2 assists as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#1 Christ School (23-2) looks to defend their crown in the NCISAA 4A State Playoffs. #2 Carmel Christian (16-8), #3 Providence Day (26-4) and #4 Covenant Day (16-13) will all look to dethrone the Greenies this season, which could be a tough task given their depth and talent. #5 Forsyth Country Day is definitely set to play with a chip on their shoulder given their record at 25-5. They'll host Durham Academy (15-9) in the opening round on Tuesday. Top four seeds will all get a first-round bye and be in action on Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Charlotte Country Day @ Ravenscroft</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ravenscroft (19-10) has ridden the wave of [player_tooltip player_id='1665791' first='Chance' last='Gladden'] all year long but they could have their hands full on Tuesday when Charlotte Country Day (16-13) comes to town on Tuesday. [player_tooltip player_id='2700752' first='DJ' last='Lindsey'] has come on strong in his freshman season, leading the way with 14.6 points with senior Nick Diaz right behind him with 13.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Don't be surprised in the road team comes out on top in this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->