NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. - Mix a proven track record of coaching success with a once-proud basketball program that had become a sleeping giant?
Neither Josh Coley nor anyone at Christ School could have foreseen the marriage being this perfect back when he was hired in 2021.
The Greenies gave Coach Coley his 100th win in four seasons Thursday at the Nike Invitational Postseason Tournament.
“That’s an awesome accomplishment and a testament to our players. We’ve had really good players and really good families,” Coach Coley said.
“Guys have bought in – whether they play 32 minutes or two minutes – they’ve all bought in to what we’re doing. And I can’t be more proud or thankful for them. It’s an honor.”
Coach Coley is the fastest coach in school history to 100 wins (his career record here is 100-19), which is indicative of the success he brought here after winning with programs in the Charlotte area and the number of games that teams play in the modern era. Christ School is a Nike Elite program that was invited by the shoe brand to this week’s tournament being held near the South Carolina/Georgia border.
Thursday’s game at the Riverview Activities Center – heavily branded in Nike swooshes from the backboards to giant banners on the gym walls – came after nearly a two-week layoff for the three-time defending NCISAA 4-A state champions. They didn’t show much rust and couldn’t afford to against a SoCal Academy (Calif.) team that shot the lights out early, before going cold in the second half of a 62-60 game.
Two late free throws from Tyler Jones ’26 proved to be the deciding points and the Greenies (27-2) carried a 54-50 lead into the final quarter largely on the back on Mikey Wilkins '25. The N.C. State recruit had to play more on the perimeter than usual, and he seized the game's momentum with 10 points (including back-to-back 3-pointers) in the third quarter. The game was tied, 34-34, at the half.
Final scorers for Christ School were Mikey with 19 points, Dacen Petty ‘26 (10), Madden Collins ‘25 (nine), Mason Collins ’28 (nine), Thomas Vickery ‘27 (eight), and Tyler (seven).
Friday night’s semifinal game between Christ School and Utah Prep (18-10) tips off at 7 p.m. and will be live-streamed on the NBA YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/nba. Utah Prep’s roster includes the top-rated senior in the country, BYU recruit AJ Dybantsa.