MATTHEWS - Deep in the recesses of a gym that could not legally hold another person Tuesday night, Christ School players rapped and danced to “Take Over Your Trap,” the 2016 hip-hop song that has become an anthem for winning road teams in sports.
The music fit the mood. And it was a nice postgame moment, but only a moment before the tone in the locker room shifted to what’s next.
The Greenies (25-5) have played their way into a state-championship basketball game for the 10th time in school history. They have a chance to go back-to-back as NCISAA 4-A champs Saturday in a matchup with Charlotte Providence Day (25-8).
Tip-off is 4 p.m. at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh.
Tuesday’s 64-59 semifinal win at Covenant Day was every bit the uphill battle that Christ School expected and more. The Lions were the last team to beat the Greenies (63-57 on Jan. 20) and Tuesday’s fan turnout was so strong that the gym was at fire-code limits early in the first half.
“It’s an honor and a good feeling to be one of the last two teams,” Christ School coach Josh Coley said.
“And this was tough. When I saw the bracket and knew there was a possibility that we’d have to come up here (to Covenant Day) on a school day, I knew how this gym would be. Our boys responded, they did their jobs, and I’m very happy for them. They really showed toughness. This was the culmination of all of our practices, playing in a hostile environment against a really good team. The boys stepped up and got it done. I’m very proud of them. We challenged them during the game, they challenged each other. They kept a cool head and got it done. It means something.”
Indeed, the Lions might have squeezed a fan in nearly every square inch Tuesday, but the Greenies filled the gym with their effort. Keenan Wilkins ’24 (14 points), Mikey Wilkins ’25 (12), and Bryson Cokley ’24 (12 points) finished in double figures.
There were too many clutch moments to count, however, a few stand out.
Keenan knifed through the Covenant Day defense for a runner that broke a 37-37 tie in the third quarter. Bryson drained a deep 3-pointer just before the third quarter horn that made the score, 48-42, and another three came from Cole Boyer ’24 on Christ School’s first possession. Cole was directly in front of the Covenant Day student section when he caught and shot.
Team manager Henry Stuart ’24 kept the scorebook Tuesday night and astutely pointed out to everyone afterwards that the Greenies never trailed.
“At the beginning of the season, all of the seniors got together and had a little meeting,” Keenan said.
“We said to each other, ‘What’s the goal this year, do we want to go back-to-back?’ That’s what everyone wanted and it’s amazing to make it back.”
“It’s lovely. It’s all I ever could have asked for as a senior,” Bryson said.
“We just wanted one more game.”
Virginia Tech sent a coach to Tuesday’s game to scout Mikey, who has solidified his case as one of the top juniors in North Carolina.
“When we got here, we were locked-in,” he said.
“We were locked-in on the bus. We took care of business. It’s pretty cool (to be going to a state-championship game). Everyone wishes for something like that. But if you get there, you don’t want to lose though.”
The rest of Tuesday’s scorers for Christ School were T.J. Hamilton ’24 (nine points), Jamari Briggs ’24 (seven), Lleyton Thomas-Johnson ’24 (five), and Cole (five).
Covenant Day had been 12-0 at home this season before Tuesday's playoff game.
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