NCISAA Power Rankings: Opening Week
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The NCISAA Power Rankings have arrived, taking a look at some of the top teams in the NCISAA ranks. Take a look at who made the first edition’s Top 10 and who has room to make noise still. 1. Lake…
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Continue ReadingThe NCISAA Power Rankings have arrived, taking a look at some of the top teams in the NCISAA ranks. Take a look at who made the first edition’s Top 10 and who has room to make noise still.
1. Lake Norman Christian (3-0)
Mikey Williams (40 points) and Trey Green Trey Green 5'10" | PG Link Academy | 2023 #69 Nation MO (25 points) were unstoppable against The Burlington School this past weekend to remain undefeated. With the contributions of not only Williams and Green but Jonathan Kurtas Jonathan Kurtas 6'10" | C Lake Norman Christian | 2021 State NC and A.J. Allenspach as well, the Storm are a team with depth and length that makes them a tough defensive squad. Allenspach put up 14 points and 11 rebounds as well against The Burlington School.
Up Next: Elevation Prep (11/24), Sandy Creek (11/25), Kell (11/28)
2. Carmel Christian Academy (5-0)
Carmel Christian Academy has been able to flex their depth so far in 2020-21, with three players averaging double figures scoring through the first five games. Ben Burnham Ben Burnham 6'8" | SF Carmel Christian | 2021 State NC (19.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 2.0 spg, 1.0 bpg), Justin Taylor Justin Taylor 6'3" | CG Carmel Christian | 2021 State NC (12.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.0 apg and 1.0 spg,), Glenn Bynum Jr Glenn Bynum Jr 6'3" | CG Carmel Christian | 2021 State NC . (7.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.0 apg) and Cade Tyson Cade Tyson 6'6" | SG Carmel Christian | 2022 State NC (11.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.4 apg and 1.0 spg) are a few names to watch on an exciting roster for this squad. They’re certainly a squad college coaches need to get eyes on.
Up Next: Concord Academy (11/24), Pebblebrook (11/27), Greenforest (11/28)
3. Cannon School (4-0)
The defending 4A NCISAA Champions start off at No. 3 in the power rankings, given the loss of Jaden Bradley, but they haven’t skipped a bit thus far with wins already over Davidson Day, United Faith Christian, Freedom Christian and Ravenscroft. Jarvis Moss Jarvis Moss 6'4" | SG Cannon School | 2021 State NC and DJ Nix are still consistent threats while 6-foot-5 forward Karon Boyd Karon Boyd 6'6" | PF Cannon School | 2022 State NC proves be a solid addition. He posted 14 points and 11 rebounds in a 69-65 win over Ravenscroft.
Up Next: Northside Christian (12/1), Greensboro Day (12/4), Westminster Catawba (12/5)
4. Charlotte Christian (2-0)
The Charlotte Christian Knights are off to a solid start led by Bryce Cash Bryce Cash 6'5" | CG Carmel Christian | 2023 State NC and 2021 forward David Lash. Cash is averaging 24.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 4.0 apg and 2.5 spg through their first two contests while Lash is putting up 15.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg and had 23 points and 10 rebounds against Rabun Gap this past weekend. Given what they can do on the floor, the Knights are already looking like an early favorite. They’ll be a team to keep an eye on in 4A competition.
Up Next: United Faith Christian (12/1), Victory Christian (12/3)
5. Greenfield School (2-0)
The Greenfield School Knights got two easy victories in the opening week and have some tune up games coming up before facing some talented squads in December. Jordan Vick Jordan Vick 5'11" | PG Word of God | 2025 State NC , Hampton Evans Hampton Evans 6'5" | PF Farmville Central | 2024 State NC , Aaron Murphy Aaron Murphy 6'5" | SF Greenfield | 2022 State NC and others will be tested early in Week 3 to see where they stand. Evans put up 29 points and 11 rebounds, Vick had 20 points and seven assists and Murphy had 19 points and 10 rebounds in their most recent victory.
Up Next: Pungo Christian Academy (11/24)
6. Gaston Day (4-0)
They’re at No. 7 for now but don’t sleep on Callum Richard Callum Richard 6'11" | C Gaston Day | 2023 State NC , Colin Fayed and company. They’re a young, exciting group to keep an eye on given their ability to play unselfish and defend with pressure. Look for them to make some waves this season at the NCISAA 2A level. Richard had 21 points and eight rebounds in the latest victory while Fayed had 17 points and two assists.
Up Next: Concord Academy (12/1), Gaston Christian (12/4)
7. The Burlington School (3-1)
The Spartans took their first loss of the season this past weekend to Lake Norman Christian but it’s still early, giving them a chance to bounce back. Jamarii Thomas Jamarii Thomas 6'1" | PG The Burlington School | 2021 State NC and Kuluel Mading Kuluel Mading 6'10" | C The Burlington School | 2021 State NC have been electric as have Kobe George Kobe George 6'3" | PG Winston-Salem Christian | 2023 #213 Nation NC , Shane Peterson and Ryan Roberts Ryan Roberts 6'4" | SG Moravian Prep | 2022 State NC . They’re an up-and-coming squad to keep an eye on in the 2A division.
Up Next: Forsyth Country Day (11/24)
8. Cape Fear Christian Academy (7-1)
The Eagles are already eight games into the season under first-year head coach Steve Mims and showing off their strength with Cinque Lemon Cinque Lemon 6'4" | SG Liberty Heights | 2022 State NC , Jabare Perry Jabare Perry 6'8" | C Liberty Heights | 2022 State NC and Amari Pearson Amari Pearson 6'3" | SF Cape Fear Christian Academy | 2022 State NC leading the way. They took their first loss of the season to Word of God this past week, look for them to bounce back in a big way though.
Up Next: New Life Christian Academy (12/3)
9. High Point Christian Academy (3-0)
K.J. Garrett K.J. Garrett 5'11" | CG High Point Christian | 2021 State NC leads a talented group that’s off to a 3-0 start already. He posted 20 points and five assists in a victory over Hickory Grove Christian. Junior forwards Thomas McIntosh also posted 21 points while Ethan Smith had 12 points, five rebounds and five assists. They’re a squad to keep an eye given their versatility.
Up Next: Carlisle (12/1), GRACE Christian (12/4)
10. SouthLake Christian Academy (3-0)
SouthLakeChristian Academy is led by junior 7-footer Micah Handlogten Micah Handlogten 7'1" | C Southlake Christian | 2022 State NC and it’s so far, so good as they’re 3-0 through opening week. He posted nine points and 12 blocks in a victory over Charlotte Latin and continues to show off his length and ability around the rim. A challenging schedule is ahead of them, giving him a chance to prove himself.
Up Next: United Faith Christian Academy (11/24), Woodlawn (11/28)
Honorable Mention
Greensboro Day School, Covenant Day School, Durham Academy, Calvary Day School, Salem Baptist Christian School – Teams that have yet to play a game weren’t ranked, so it explains a few glaring omissions.
Victory Christian Center (2-0)
Cape Fear Academy (2-0)
Cary Academy (2-0)
Wayne Christian (1-0)
United Faith Christian Academy (4-1)
Ravenscroft School (1-1)