Two heavyweights battled it out at Christ School, as Asheville School hit the road and packed the house as they went up against one of the top teams in Christ School. Both teams that look to contend for a championship went at it and traded baskets early on. Christ School was with Emmanuel Richards and Asheville School was able to take advantage with their inside-out game. Asheville School came out hot from three, as they jumped out to a double-digit lead towards the end of the first quarter (22-11).
Being down by 14 points, Christ School started to pick up its defense and knock down shots, as they quickly erased the lead and got it down to two points by halftime. Bryson Cokley was incredible with his outside shooting, leading the team with 15 first-half points, while Michael Mora and Ryan Soulis led the charge for Asheville School.
Early in the third, Christ School was able to take back the lead since it was 3-0 but Asheville School was able to answer right back. 2023 Derin Saran started to get going as well, as it was a one-possession game for much of the court. As time was winding down, '23 Anthony Robinson was able to get the putback at the buzzer to take the 43-42 lead for Christ School at the end of the third.
In what was a seesaw battle throughout the fourth, it was coming down to the final seconds to ultimately determine this rivalry game. Keenan Wilkins stepped up big for an And-1 basket with 40 seconds to go, and Cokley took an offensive charge to get the ball back. Jozohn Price, who is back with Christ School hit two free throws, but Kaden Holdbrook answered right back with a huge three. With Christ School leading 58-57 with 10 seconds to go, Wilkins was able to hit two late free throws and Asheville had one chance left but turned the ball over late, giving Christ School the victory in the end.
Final: Christ School 61 – Asheville School 57
Stats:
Christ School: Bryson Cokley 25pts, Jamari Briggs 13pts, Keenan Wilkins 12pts
Asheville: Derin Saran 17pts, Michael Mora 14pts, Ryan Soulis 12pts
Standouts:
2024 Bryson Cokley (Christ School): One of the best games I've seen him play, as Cokley stepped up when his team needed him to and led the charge with 25 points. He shot the ball extremely well from behind the arc, getting to his spots and calmly knocking down threes. But he also made critical plays for his team defensively, used his size when needed, and played with a ton of confidence for the Wake Forest commit.
2024 Jamari Briggs (Christ School): Briggs continues to play strong for this team. He was strong at times, was able to get downhill and make plays, but also did a nice job in showing more of his perimeter game, hitting some big threes but also finishing strong through contact and getting to the line.
2024 Ryan Soulis (Asheville School): If a program is looking for a big, I would be looking at Soulis. Great size and length, moves well and is always active, nice instincts on the boards, fluid offensively with touch around the basket, and does a nice job in beating his defenders and playing with a motor.
2023 Derin Seran (Asheville School): It was a slow start for Saran but that was mostly because Christ School was double-teaming and looking to get the ball out of his hands. But what is so intriguing about his game is that when he isn't scoring, he is facilitating and setting up his teammates extremely well; on-target passes for easy buckets. But the second half, he started to show more of his playmaking and scoring ability, displaying terrific craft in making plays off the dribble, scoring strong, and putting pressure on the defense.
