Gill leads Charlotte Christian

For the last decade, the Charlotte Christian boys' basketball team has won nearly 26 games per season.

This year, the Knights lived up to their reputation, going 27-6 and coming up just two points short of a N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 3A title, losing 59-57 to five-time defending champion Christ School.

United Faith Christian Academy is beginning to make a name for itself on a national level. The Falcons did not win a third-straight state title but finished 28-7 and beat nationally-ranked Oak Hill Academy (Va.).

Providence Day made big strides, winning 18 games after combining for only 15 victories in two years before. Myers Park, South Mecklenburg and East Mecklenburg all improved dramatically despite losing players to graduation the year before.

Player of the year: Anthony Gill, Charlotte Christian. When Gill steps on the basketball court, he expects to be one of the best players. This year, the 6-foot-8 Charlotte Christian senior averaged 19 points and 9 rebounds.

Gill, a two-time all-state selection, will play basketball at South Carolina next year.

Coach of the year: John Fitch, South Mecklenburg. The South Mecklenburg team won only fives games in the two seasons preceding the 2010-11 campaign.

This year, the Sabres, led by Fitch, made huge strides for the program, going 12-16 overall and 8-6 in the Southwestern 4A, good for third place in the league and a playoff bid.

This story was originally published March 16, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Gill leads Charlotte Christian."