Christ School is back to being Elite in the NCISAA basketball playoffs.
The Greenies have reached at least the quarterfinal round of the postseason, or the “Elite Eight,” 19 out of the past 20 years.
It took some work Thursday night. But the combined forces of Bryson Cokley ’24 (22 points and eight rebounds), Emanuel Richards ’23 (13 points), Zack Myers ’24 (13 points), and Anthony Robinson '23 (11 points and 11 rebounds) were ultimately too much for visiting Charlotte Country Day.
The Greenies (16-10) fell behind by as many as seven points in the first half and overcame a 24-23 halftime deficit to survive and advance, 63-51. Ty Besses ’22 and Matthew Pethel '23 added two points each in what will likely be the final home game of the season for Christ School.
The eight-seeded Greenies travel to No. 1 Carmel Christian (23-3) next. Saturday's game time is 4:30 p.m.
Thursday was Bryson’s birthday and he helped inject some life into an offense that had been stagnant through the first two quarters. Bryson, Emanuel, and Zack accounted for all 20 of Christ School’s third-quarter points, mostly with drives through the Buccaneers' defense.
The Greenies closed out the third quarter with a 9-2 run and did not relinquish the lead from there. The team is now 12-0 this season when it scores 60 or more points.
Christ School and Charlotte Country Day had met earlier this year, with the Greenies winning 47-37 on Nov. 19 in Charlotte.
Under the direction of first-year coach Josh Coley, Christ School remains one of the most-improved teams in NCISAA basketball, regardless of classification. Last year’s three-win team lost in the first round of the state playoffs.