Last year, it was something special to watch Moravian Prep cut down the nets and claim the title as the top team in the state of North Carolina with their championship win at the Phenom Hoop State Championship. They were led by several big-time players, including Josh Hall, Shakeel Moore, Jamahri Harvey, and others that are all playing at the next level.
But there was a ton of transition from last year’s team to this year. Honestly though, the work that head coach Jeremy Ellis has done this year with this group needs more national recognition. It didn’t start out on the highest note, suffering a few losses and adjusting to a few roster changes, but this is a program that is clicking now at an extremely high level.
They have their leaders on the court but when you watch the entire team on the floor, this is a program that plays unselfish basketball, that plays to their strengths, and absolutely loves to compete. 2021 BJ Freeman has been a star for this team and should have college coaches all over him with how he has played. He plays extremely strong, can operate on so many levels and in so many ways, and this is a young man that plays with something to prove every night on the floor. They also were able to have 2021 Raekwon Horton come in and provide a missing piece early on and is now part of a dynamic senior duo for Moravian Prep; Freeman and Horton play extremely well on the floor together.
Then you talk about the players that fill their role, know their role, and players that aren’t afraid to step up when needed. Players like 2022 Juansee Gorosito, 2022 Jackson Holt, 2025 Eli Ellis, 2021 Raymond Bellamy, and others, all bring terrific energy on both ends, know their gams and where they like to operate, and is just part of the full puzzle for this team.
They have had a few narrow losses this season but also have racked up some impressive wins against schools like Combine Academy, Liberty Heights, The Burlington School, Winston-Salem Christian, York Prep, TLAP, Lincoln Charter, and a few others.
Coming into this season though, many may have thought Moravian would have taken a step back with the talent lost from last season, but we all need to give credit when it is deserved, as Coach Ellis has this team right back in the national spotlight and looking for another championship run.