Prep Rewind: On Senior Night, Charlotte Latin tops rival Providence Day at home
Later this weekend, Charlotte Latin boys’ basketball coach Chris Berger will try to convince a group of his peers that the Hawks are deserving of a high seed in the playoffs.
What might constitute Berger’s sales pitch was on display Friday night in Latin’s 71-59 victory over CISAA rival Providence Day.
An experienced, cool group of veteran players? The Hawks were all of that, refusing to fall apart after the visiting Chargers had bolted to a 15-5 lead after one quarter.
Depth? Go ahead and check that box, too. Latin had nine players in the scoring column, and eight Hawks had significant roles in the victory.
Standout player? How about 6-0 senior guard R.J. Johnson, a Holy Cross commit who took over the game in the second quarter, scoring 24 of his team’s 31 points in a big surge that put Latin ahead to stay?
N.C. Independent School Athletic Association coaches will gather Sunday in Greensboro and determine seeds for the playoffs that begin Tuesday. The Hawks (20-7, 7-3) are likely to be somewhere in the No. 4 or 5 spot.
Berger would prefer 4 over 5. The top four seeds in the 4A division get byes in the first two rounds and then a home game. Seeds in the 5 through 8 spots get just a first-round bye. Charlotte Latin was 10-2 at home this season.
“Well, we’ll make our case,” Berger said. “We played a strong schedule — Ardrey Kell, some good teams in Atlanta, and our conference. I hope that helps.
“But either way, we’ll be ready for whatever happens.”
The Hawks got a good warmup for the playoffs from the Chargers (12-13, 4-6), a young team that has been streaky this season.
Providence Day led 23-13 with 5:26 left in the first half, but then Johnson took control. He was brilliant throughout the second quarter, but in the final three minutes of the half, he scored four baskets, had an assist and a steal, and then connected on a long three-pointer as the buzzer sounded.
“He has that ‘it’ factor,” Berger said of Johnson. “He’s a natural leader, and it’s been fun to see him grow over the four years. I just wish he wasn’t a senior.”
The Chargers battled back to within 45-43 late in the third quarter, but a pair of Providence Day turnovers and two Charlotte Latin baskets opened the gap. The Chargers never got close again.
THREE WHO MATTERED
R.J. Johnson, Charlotte Latin: He took over the game in the key second quarter. Johnson scored 24 of his 31 points in that period, hitting 9-of-10 from the floor, including a trio of three-pointers.
Michael Zanoni, Providence Day: Zanoni scored a team-high 17 points and grabbed six rebounds.
Bennett Smith, Charlotte Latin: Smith a senior, was the inside force for the Hawks. He had a game-high 11 rebounds along with his nine points.
Worth mentioning
▪ Providence Day is a young team. The Chargers started two sophomores and two juniors. One of those 10th-graders is Zanoni, who Latin coach Chris Berger called “a dynamite player.”
▪ It was Senior Night at Charlotte Latin, and the Hawks started five seniors.
▪ The Hawks had a strong shooting night. They hit 26-of-51 from the floor, for better than 50 percent. Providence Day connected on 17-of-37.
▪ The Hawks have won seven of their last nine games. They beat Providence Day 62-49 on Jan. 21 in the teams’ other meeting.
▪ Providence Day won the girls’ game 70-31, behind 19 points from Andri Levitz. Mary Schleusner had nine points for the Hawks.
They said it
“We’re pretty deep. We go eight, nine of 10 deep, and we try to wear out the other team.” — Charlotte Latin coach Chris Berger
What’s next?
Both teams will play in the NCISAA 4A playoffs. The first round is Tuesday, with the second round Thursday and the quarterfinals next Saturday.
Steve Lyttle on Twitter: @slyttle
First Assembly sweeps MAC conference championships
Concord’s First Assembly School won the boys and girls Metrolina Athletic Conference tournament championships.
The First Assembly girls beat Gaston day 65-23. First Assembly didn’t allow Gaston Day to score more than eight points in any quarter.
Among the leaders for First Assembly were Kaylan Daniels with 11 points and Zykia Benjamin with 14. Zaria Clark had 10 for Gaston Day.
In the boys final, First Assembly jumped to a nine-point first quarter lead in a 65-41 win over Northside Christian. The third quarter was decisive as First Assembly (32-3) outscored Northside 17-6.
First Assembly has won the MAC regular-season and tournament titles for the past two years and have gone back-to-back seasons without a conference loss.
Saturday’s #BIG5 Top Performers
Trae Benham, First Assembly: 22 points, five rebounds, three assists in the Metrolina championship game.
Isaac Boothe, First Assembly: 20 points, four rebounds, four assists in Metrolina final. Teammate Cheick Traore had 15 rebounds.
Jael Hall, First Assembly girls: game-high 20 points in the Metrolina championship game.
Myles Hunter, Ben Burnham, Carmel Christian: team-high 22 points in a 70-63 win over York Prep. Kory Davis had 23 for York Prep.
Ja’el Miller, Central Cabarrus girls: 25 points, seven assists against AL Brown. Teammate Aniyah Tate added 16 points, nine rebounds and sophomore Mariah Battie had 11 points, 10 rebounds. Central faces Cox Mill Tuesday for the South Piedmont conference championship.
Saturday’s Scores
Carmel Christian 70, York Prep 63
Central Cabarrus girls 71, AL Brown 33
First Assembly 65, Northside Christian 41
First Assembly girls 65, Gaston Day 23
Friday’s Elevator
↑Cole Callaway, Pine Lake Prep: freshman had a game-high 18 points in a 81-32 win over Bradford Prep.
↑Covenant Day defense: The Lions (16-12, 5-5 CISAA) held Country Day (8-19, 0-10) to just 12 points in the first half of a 64-34 win. Covenant Day has its first winning season since 2016 and has more wins this season than the past three combined. Covenant Day was 12-59 in the past three years. On Friday, Thomas Hailey led the Lions with 15 points.
↑Loren Boyette, Queens Grant: Scored his 1,000th career point in a 58-38 win over Community School of Davidson.
↑Sarah Nelson, South Iredell girls: scored 16 points in a loss to East Rowan, but scored her 1,000th career point on Senior Night.
Weather forces heavy postponements Friday
A series of storms pushed through the area Friday, bringing at least one tornado and leaving thousands without power. Several school systems in the area, including Charlotte-Mecklenburg, were closed Friday, which meant athletic events were also postponed.
A full list of rescheduled games is below. CMS moved its games to Monday.
Friday’s #BIG5 Girls Top Performers
Kenzley Dunlap, Forestview: 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists in a 39-30 win over Hunter Huss. Teammate Jimena Vazquez added 14 rebounds, six points and three blocks.
Kennedy Grier, Charlotte Country Day: 26 points in a 66-29 win over Covenant Day. Country Day is 19-7. Country Day has its first winning season since 2010.
Jordan Latter, Providence Day: career-high seven steals plus 10 points in a 70-31 win over Charlotte Latin. Andi Levitz (19 points) and El Ferguson (14) had strong games for the Chargers (21-6, 10-0 CISAA).
Jade Taylor, Lake Norman Charter: game-high 22 points in a 48-32 win over Lincolnton.
Hannah Wilkerson, North Rowan: 23 points, 10 rebounds in a 62-56 win over Gray Stone Day. Teammate Kamora Cannie had 13 points, 10 steals. Gray Stone Day was previously unbeaten.
Friday’s #BIG5 Boys Top Performers
Zeek Biggers, West Rowan: 20 points, 16 rebounds in a 84-60 win over North Iredell. Teammates Chaz McCombs (21 points, 12 rebounds) and Marcari Allison (24 points, five 3s) had big games.
Sam Cogan, Lincoln Charter: 31 points, seven rebounds, four assists in a 86-65 win over Christ The King.
Randy Johnson, Charlotte Latin: scored 31 points on Senior Night to lead the Hawks to a 71-59 win over Providence Day.
Cal Reed, Lake Norman Charter: hit game-winning free throw with three seconds left in a 62-61 win over Lincolonton. Reed tied Jackson Porter for a team and game-high 17 points.
Albert Wilson, Davidson Day: freshman had 20 points, eight rebounds in a 80-16 win over Statesville Christian.
How The Sweet 16 Boys Teams Fared
| Rk. | School (Cl) | Rec | Friday |
| 1. | North Mecklenburg (4A) | 20-1 | idle |
| 2. | Davidson Day (IND) | 26-1 | d. Statesville Christian 80-16 |
| 3. | First Assembly (IND) | 31-3 | d. Metrolina Christian 84-54 |
| 4. | Cannon School (IND) | 24-6 | d. Charlotte Christian 58-55 |
| 5. | Carmel Christian (IND) | 21-5 | d. Calvary Day 75-59 |
| 6. | Freedom (3A) | 20-1 | d. Alexander Central 83-65 |
| 7. | Forest Hills (2A) | 21-0 | idle |
| 8. | Vance (4A) | 18-4 | idle |
| 9. | Olympic (4A) | 16-5 | idle |
| 10. | Charlotte Catholic (3A) | 16-3 | idle |
| 11. | Cox Mill (3A) | 18-3 | idle |
| 12. | Ardrey Kell (4A) | 16-6 | idle |
| 13. | Myers Park (4A) | 15-6 | idle |
| 14. | Shelby (2A) | 16-3 | vs. Kings Mountain, late |
| 15. | Lincoln Charter (1A) | 20-2 | d. Christ The King 86-65 |
| 16. | Hunter Huss (3A) | 17-3 | vs. Forestview, late |
Friday’s Boys Scores
Friday’s Boys Scores
Bessemer City 86, Piedmont Charter 69
Carmel Christian 75, Calvary Day 59
Cannon School 58, Charlotte Christian 55
Charlotte Latin 71, Providence Day 59
Covenant Day 64, Charlotte Country Day 34
Davidson Day 80, Statesville Christian 16
East Lincoln 78, Maiden 40
First Assembly 84, Metrolina Christian 54
Freedom 83, Alexander Central 65
Lake Norman Charter 62, Lincolnton 61
Lexington 62, South Rowan 47
Lincoln Charter 86, Christ The King 65
North Lincoln 57, Newton-Conover 48
Northside Christian 66, Hickory Grove 62 OT
North Rowan 68, Gray Stone Day 40
Patton 57, East Burke 44
Pine Lake Prep 81, Bradford Prep 32
Queens Grant 58, Community School of Davidson 38
Statesville 77, Carson 71
West Rowan 84, North Iredell 60
How The Sweet 16 Girls Team Fared
| Rk. | School (Cl) | Rec | Friday |
| 1. | Freedom (3A) | 21-0 | d. Alexander Central 77-46 |
| 2. | Vance (4A) | 17-4 | idle |
| 3. | Mallard Creek (4A) | 18-2 | idle |
| 4. | East Burke (2A) | 19-3 | d. Patton 53-33 |
| 5. | Salisbury (2A) | 20-1 | d. East Davidson 52-20 |
| 6. | Providence (4A) | 18-2 | idle |
| 7. | Cuthbertson (2A) | 20-2 | idle |
| 8. | Shelby (2A) | 17-1 | d. Kings Mountain 74-30 |
| 9. | West Rowan (3A) | 18-3 | d. North Iredell 68-48 |
| 10. | Carson (3A) | 18-3 | d. Statesville 54-27 |
| 11. | North Mecklenburg (4A) | 16-4 | idle |
| 12. | South Mecklenburg (4A) | 15-4 | idle |
| 13. | Charlotte Catholic (3A) | 16-4 | idle |
| 14. | Newton-Conover (2A) | 18-2 | d. North Lincoln 89-46 |
| 15. | Providence Day (IND) | 21-6 | d. Charlotte Latin 70-31 |
| 16. | East Rowan (3A) | 17-5 | d. South Iredell 69-37 |
Friday’s Girls Scores
Bandys 49, West Lincoln 27
Carson 54, Statesville 27
Charlotte Country Day 66, Covenant Day 29
Community School of Davidson 65, Queens Grant 35
Davidson Day 61, Statesville Christian 27
East Burke 53, Patton 33
Forestview 39, Hunter Huss 30
Freedom 77, Alexander Central 46
Lake Norman Charter 48, Lincolnton 32
Lexington 53, South Rowan 43
Maiden 60, East Lincoln 45
Newton-Conover 89, North Lincoln 46
North Rowan 62, Gray Stone day 56
Piedmont Charter 56, Bessemer City 47
Providence Day 70, Charlotte Latin 31
Salisbury 52, East Davidson 20
Shelby 74, Kings Moountain 30
United Faith 51, North Hills 46
West Rowan 68, North Iredell 48
Upcoming Schedule
SATURDAY, FEB. 8
MAC Championships at Hickory Grove
Gaston Day vs. First Assembly, 4:30 p.m.
First Assembly vs. Northside Christian, 6 p.m.
South Piedmont 3A
A.L. Brown at Central Cabarrus, 2
Cox Mill at Concord, 5:15
Northwest Cabarrus at JM Robinson, 6
MONDAY, FEB. 10
I-Meck 4A
Hopewell at Mooresville, 6
Lake Norman at Vance, 6
North Mecklenburg at Mallard Creek, 6
West Charlotte at Hough, 6
SoMeck 7 4A
Berry Academy at Ardrey Kell, 6
Harding at Providence, 6
Olympic at West Mecklenburg, 6
Southwestern 4A
Butler at Hickory Ridge, 6
East Mecklenburg at Myers Park, 6
Independence at Garinger, 6
Porter Ridge at Rocky River, 6
PAC 1A
Carolina International at Langtree Charter, 6
Rocky River 2A-3A
Mount Pleasant at Montgomery Central, 6
TUESDAY, FEB. 11
Southern Carolina 3A
Charlotte Catholic at Monroe, 6:15
Parkwood at Cuthbertson, 6
Sun Valley at Marvin Ridge, 6
Weddington at Piedmont, 6
Rocky River 2A
Anson Senior at West Stanly, 6
Forest Hills at Central Academy, 6
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12
PAC 1A
Union Academy at Mountian Island Charter, 6
Sandhills 4A
Richmond Senior at Lumberton
Non-Conference
Anson at Marvin Ridge, 6
This story was originally published February 7, 2020 at 11:01 PM.
