Christ School repeats as NCISAA 4A boys basketball champions
Christ School’s boys basketball completed its quest to repeat as the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 4A state champions with a 56-45 win over Providence Day.
The Greenies defeated Carmel Christian in last year's title game by a score of 53-48.
New-to-Christ School big man Zymicah "Mikey" Wilkins led the team with a powerful 17 points. The junior was a star at R-S Central High School before this year.
Another Wilkins - Keenan Wilkins, a senior and Mikey's cousin - pitched in 16 points.
Providence Day junior sharpshooter Trajan Thompson led all scorers with 21 points.
It was a low-scoring game early. Christ School led just 24-18 at halftime.
Christ School was able to develop a 13-point lead going into the fourth quarter, but Providence Day slowly chipped away into the lead.
A 3-pointer by Thompson cut the Christ School advantage to 44-40 with 1:50 left in the contest.
After a double dribble turnover and a timeout by Christ School, Jamari Briggs committed a foul on Providence Day's Jonah Lawrence to put the Greenies over the limit with 1:33 left. Lawrence missed both free throws and the second was rebounded by Zymicah Wilkins, who was immediately fouled by Deuce Hanes II. That was the fifth and final foul for Hanes.
On the other end of the floor, Wilkins made one of two at the line to put Christ up 45-40.
Thompson missed a quick three and Wilkins grabbed the rebound with 1:20 left. Christ School's Madden Collins made one of two shots from the line to made it a six-point game.
After another quick miss from outside by Providence Day, Christ School grabbed a rebound to force a jump ball, which was due to go to the Greenies.
Collins was fouled again. He missed the first and made the second free throw to put Christ up 47-40 with 1:02 left.
A Christ School loose ball foul put Jordan Appling of Providence Day on the line, who made both. The Christ School lead was down to 47-42 with 47 seconds remaining.
Providence Day fouled Collins once again, who made both free throws.
The Chargers quickly turned the ball over on its next possession, giving it back to Christ School with 49 seconds left.
Keenan Wilkins was sent to the line on the next Greenie possession. Wilkins made the first and missed the second to put Christ up 50-42.
Providence Day made one last cut into the lead when Nick Hailey got fouled with 33 seconds left. Hailey made one free throw, but missed the other. Christ School led 50-43.
Keenan Wilkins and Collins lived at the line in the final minute and eventually got Christ School up to 56 points.
The Greenies finished the year with a 26-5 overall record, while Providence Day wrapped things up with a 25-9 mark.
