N.C. Independents Crown Champs

Tar Heel recruit Candace Wood led Victory Christian Center of Charlotte, N.C., as all the preseason favorites claimed independent-school state titles in North Carolina.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - While the season brought some interesting twists and turns, all preseason favorites won their respective divisions for the NCISAA’s independent-school state championships.

Mid-year, Victory Christian Center of Charlotte, N.C., was 9-15 and struggling, having lost North Carolina commit Candace Wood to a dislocated ankle and starting point guard Ariel Sturdivant to a knee injury. But with mid-season transfers Alexus Byrd (Hopewell High School) and Renelle Wyke, the Lady Kings righted the ship. They finalized their run to the 2A championship by beating the top three seeds, ending with a 59-47 win over Asheville Christian Academy.

Wood led the Lady Kings with 22 points, six steals, five assists and five rebounds, with Wyke adding 19. Lydia Johnson, a Charleston Southern recruit, paced Asheville Christian Academy with 20 points. This was Victory Christian’s second title in a row.

The daughter of former UNC great and NBA player Al, Wood averaged 26.5 points during the tournament, with a high of 31 points.

In the 1A (smallest school) division, Gaston Day School (Gastonia, N.C.) defeated Cape Fear Christian (Fayetteville, N.C.) 51-26. Gaston Day was led by senior twins Kisha (19 points) and Nisha (15 points) Long and used its fullcourt pressure and uptempo game to win its third straight state title. Forward LeWanda Heney led Cape Fear with 18 points. Gaston Day has beaten both larger division champions during the regular season.

Providence Day School and Forsyth Country Day split their two regular-season matchups, so the 3A final held out a lot of promise. That promise was smashed when the Chargers opened the game with a 13-0 run, on their way to a 60-38 victory. This was Providence Day’s third straight championship.

Three all-state players led the way for Providence Day of Charlotte, N.C. Britny Edwards had 18 points, Epiphany Woodson (Miami signee) had 13 points and 11 assists and Whitny Edwards chipped in with 12. Alena Voronina, an Old Dominion signee, led Forsyth Country Day with 13 points.

Harry Ball is a former AAU coach and director for the Wake County Sting, in Raleigh, N.C.

---

Discuss This on Our Message Board:

Click Here