Tonight, Phenom Hoops will be in attendance for the NCISAA semifinal matchup between The Burlington School and Harrells Christian. The winner will go onward and face the winner of Caldwell Academy versus Wayne Country Day. Regardless of the outcome, it’s been a terrific season for each of the four programs remaining. The Burlington School had one of the most difficult schedules amongst North Carolina programs; Harrells Christian enjoyed their best season in school history; Caldwell Academy is easily one of the most talented association schools across the state; Wayne Country Day outperformed expectations following the departure of several highly productive pieces. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect for this contest.
In looking at the Spartans, they are certainly facing some challenges. They’ve suffered several injuries throughout their lineup, including Jack Baker and Brayden Miles, and won’t have their usual amount of depth. That being said, it’s time for the veteran pieces to shine. The senior duo of Cam Flippen and Kaden Hammond will likely determine the outcome of this contest. Drew Johnson is arguably the biggest x-factor on either team. Additionally, guys like Jamyr Coleman, Asante Phillip, Kendall Hooker, and Geo Gibson will need to provide valuable minutes for the Spartans to come out victorious.
On the other side, the Crusaders look to continue their incredibly successful season. Although various guys contribute for this group, things will ultimately come down to the production of their four-headed monster in Antonio McKoy, Dashaun McKoy, Zicareian McNeil, and Amir Moore. The complementary, highly productive brotherly duo account for 55% of the scoring, over 50% of rebounds, 40% of steals, and basically all blocked shots. Beyond those two, McNeil’s scoring punch and Moore’s interior presence will be vital for this squad to win.