NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – Down by eight at halftime Saturday, there could have been a temptation to pack it in, settle for fourth place, and start daydreaming about Spring Break.
The reigning three-time NCISAA 4-A state champions did not want to be remembered that way.
Christ School summoned all the ability and heart it took to fight past Iowa United on the third and final day of the Nike Invitational Postseason Tournament, 63-60.
The Greenies went 2-1 against teams (much like them) who were hand-picked by Nike for the event, finishing in third place. Scorers for the final game of the 2024-25 season were Madden Collins ‘25 (15 points), Mikey Wilkins ‘25 (14), Mason Collins ‘28 (13), Dacen Petty ‘26 (12), and Tyler Jones ‘26 (nine).
“We’re fighters not quitters and that our message to them at halftime,” Christ School coach Josh Coley said.
“We’ve talked a lot about that all year. You keep fighting until the end, and we did. We made some adjustments, made a run, and I couldn’t be prouder for the way they responded. To play like this here is a testament to who we are as a team, as a program, the program they’ve helped build. Everybody is together, there is real selflessness among them. One of the biggest compliments we receive at events like this is how we play as a team.”
Mikey scored 12 of his points in the second half and Madden had nine throughout the comeback. They also accounted for the final two field goals of the game – Madden with a fadeaway baseline jumper that just beat the 30-second shot clock and Mikey with a 12-foot shot. Mikey’s 3-pointer from the top of the key broke a 56-56 tie with 2:00 to go.
Christ School completes the season with a 28-3 overall record and is currently ranked No. 22 in the country by MaxPreps. Coach Coley’s voice was slightly hoarse from three consecutive days of games, but he had not problem expressing his admiration for the team’s five seniors – Madden, Mikey, Jo Ahart ’25, Henry Chapman ’25, and Jimmy Jones ’25.
“They’ve been tremendous, all five of them in their own way,” Coach Coley said.
“All of them brought so much to our program and our team. I’m just so thankful for them, their families and what they sacrificed. They were in it for the greater good, and it made us a better program and a better school for it.”