CHARLOTTE – Most of the fans filing into Myers Park’s gym on Saturday night were there to see a different basketball game and caught some of Christ School-Chambers incidentally.
The Greenies gave them a show all the same.
Attendance was at capacity by the time the boys closed out a 74-65 win, making 11 of their 12 free throws in the fourth quarter.
Keenan Wilkins ’24 (24 points, five rebounds), and Mikey Wilkins ’25 (19 points, nine rebounds, and three assists) combined for 43 points and Christ School (4-1) got 10 apiece from USC Upstate recruit Jamari Briggs ’24 and Lleyton Thomas-Johnson ’24. Other scorers were George Mason recruit Bryson Cokley '24 (six), Madden Collins '24 (three), and Mason Collins '28 (two).
Saturday was by far the highest-profile moment of the season so far for the defending NCISAA 4-A state champions.
MaxPreps released its top-100 national rankings earlier this week with the Greenies (No. 59) and Chambers (No. 83) both making the list. Myers Park checked in at No. 8 and played Combine Academy in the nightcap, thus the Phenom Hoops George Lynch Invitational had no trouble at all moving tickets.
Christ School thrived in the frenzied environment, at least early on. The offense was clicking to the tune of 24 points in the first quarter which led to a 36-28 halftime lead. The Cougars (0-1) made a big run at the Greenies in the third and fourth quarters, but never got any closer than three points. A late dunk by Lleyton took the wind of Chambers' final comeback attempt.
“I was worried coming in,” Christ School coach Josh Coley said.
“We had a long, spirited walkthrough (Saturday morning). I knew we were either going to be tired or play well. We were worried about (Chambers) scoring, but we scored well, too, and everyone responded at a high level.”
The Greenies’ next game is Nov. 25 against Concord Academy (2-2) in the Charlotte Hoops Challenge at Harding High School.
“I think our defense is well ahead of schedule. It gives our offense a chance to catch up,” Coach Coley said.
“The boys have been battle-tested and I think they are very sure of themselves after what they’ve seen. We won’t play a team much better than the one we saw tonight.”