Full-court pressure and shooting range are a potent combination.
Christ School varsity basketball’s defense made life uncomfortable for Covenant Day from the second the ball was inbounded Friday night. Turnovers and long rebounds led to plenty of open looks when possession changed.
Longwood recruit Emanuel Richards ’23 made five of the Greenies’ eight 3-pointers as they raced past the Lions, 71-54, in a matchup of undefeated teams in NCISAA 4-A.
Emanuel finished the evening with a team-high 19 points. Anthony Robinson ’23 and Keenan Wilkins ’24 added 13 points each and Jamari Briggs ’24 was a fourth player in double figures with 10 points.
Christ School’s homecourt advantage in Mebane Field House was reduced by the fact that many of the students went home for Thanksgiving Break at noon. The Greenies (4-0) made their own advantage with their intensity on both ends of the floor.
The lead over Covenant Day (3-1) was 20-10 after the first quarter and had ballooned to 41-20 by the half. Additional scorers were Bryson Cokley '24 (seven points), Bruce White '24 (three), Lleyton Thomas-Johnson '24 (two), Jo Ahart '25 (two), and Matthew Pethel '23 (two).
Friday was the first game in which Christ School had its full 14-man roster available due to injuries, sickness, or the football team’s participation in the NCISAA Division I playoffs. It will be a while before the Greenies’ next home game – Dec. 9 to be exact (vs. Spartanburg Day).
Christ School is part of this year’s George Lynch Invitational presented by Phenom Hoops and plays Charlotte Latin (1-0) on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Tip-off from the showcase site, Charlotte Country Day, is 1:30 p.m. There is a $10 fee to watch the livestream at this link.