The nation’s No. 2 HS basketball team plays in town Tuesday. Here’s how to see IMG Academy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a lot of traditional Christmas high school events to cancel for the season, including the Hoodie’s House in Charlotte and the John Wall Holiday in Raleigh. But area fans can still get a look at one of the nation’s top teams this week.
IMG Academy, from Bradenton, Fla., will play two games at Rock Hill’s Westminster Catawba Christian School, beginning with Tuesday’s 8 p.m. game vs. Winston-Salem Christian.
Wednesday, IMG will play another N.C. power, Raleigh’s Word of God School, at 8 p.m.
Both games are part of the Carolinas Hoops-Mas event, which will have doubleheaders each day.
On Tuesday, Lake Norman Christan and five-star sophomore guard Mikey Williams will face Virginia state champion John Marshall at 6. Wednesday at 6, host Westminster Catawba will face Legion Collegiate Academy. Westminster features freshman Jahseem Felton, a top five recruit nationally in his class.
IMG — ranked No. 2 in the MaxPreps national poll — includes junior point guard Jaden Bradley, a top-10 national recruit in his class. Bradley played his first two seasons at Cannon School in Concord and led Cannon to a N.C. Independent Schools state championship in February.
IMG also has five players ranked in the ESPN Top 100 for seniors: Moussa Diabate, Efton Reid, Benny Williams, Charles Bediako and Tamar Bates. Bradley is one of four players on the team ranked among ESPN’s top 60 juniors, joining Jarace Walker, Eric Dailey Jr. and Jett Howard.
▪ Only 50 fans are being allowed in the gym and the event is sold out. The games will be streamed each day. Pricing is $15 for one game or $20 for each day’s doubleheader. A four-game package is available for $35. Click here to access the streams.
Phil Constantino will handle play-by-play and former UNC coach and player Matt Doherty will be the color analyst.
▪ There are a few other area tournaments this week: Metrolina Christian is hosting the Warrior Classic Monday; in Wake County, the Crusader Christmas Classic is at Grace Christian; and in Rock Hill, the Phenom Hoops Holiday Classic runs through Wednesday. Admission at the Rock Hill Sports & Events Center is $15. Games can be streamed for $15 per day.
Schedules below.
Monday’s #BIG5 Top Performers
BJ Freeman, Moravian Prep: 21 points in an upset win over nationally ranked Combine Academy.
Seini Hicks, Cannon School girls: freshman had 23 points, 20 rebounds in a 61-58 loss to First Baptist at the United Bank Holiday Invitational in Myrtle Beach. It was her fourth double-double in a row.
Camden Johnson, Metrolina Christian: 19 points, six rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block in a 77-71 loss to Rabun Gap.
David Lash, Charlotte Christian: Scored 16 of his 21 points in the second half of Monday’s 58-56 win over High Point Christian. The Knights won, despite trailing by 14 points with four minutes to play.
DJ NIx, Cannon School: 30 points, five rebounds, four assists in a 70-62 win over Concord Academy at the Phenom Hoops Holiday Classic.
Monday’s Boys Boxscores
BULL CITY NATIONAL 98, TPLA CHRISTIAN 31
TPLA 31 - Skinner 2, Graverly 2, Mays 5, Munnerlin 7, James 8, Vincent 5
BULL CITY 98 -- Derrick Butelr 20, DonDre Watson 11, Leach 9, Byrd 4, Jackson 9, Shawn Wilson 12, Abrahm Driver 14, Luc Therrien 11, Okpukpara 2, Harris 7
BULL CITY PREP 101, FRANKLIN PREP 50
BULL CITY PREP 101 -- Thomas 9, Byrd 8, Adam Omar 14, Smith 7, AD Driver 18, Mazi Jackson 17, Leach 7, Chinedum Okpokora 13, Leathers 8
FRANKLIN 50 -- Witcher 1, S. Blackwell 16, Graham 4, Russell 7, Williams 3, J. Hogan 19
CANNON SCHOOL 70, CONCORD ACADEMY 62
CANNON 70 -- Swartz 3, Rolle 6, Jarvis Moss 13, DJ Nix 30, Karon Boyd 17
CONCORD ACADEMY 62 -- Cannady 4, Johnson 6, Trae Benham 24, Fearne 8, Logan Threatt 16, Cvetkivc 2
CARMEL CHRISTIAN 68, CALVARY DAY 60
Calvary Day 13 6 14 25 -- 60
Carmel 17 21 18 12 -- 68
CARMEL CHRISTIAN 68 -- Arias 3, Kyle Bean 18, Taylor 9, Cade Tyson 10, Ben Burnham 16, Mike 3, Coffey 2, Pisacano 3, Bynum 2, Smith 3
CALVARY DAY 60 -- James Wilkins 21, Gibson 7, Donovan Robinson 12, Johnson 3, Gulledge 3, Kunkel 2, Bryson Burton 4, Rodelia 4
Notable: Kyle Bean had 18 points, 8 rebounds, Burnham had 16 points and 11 rebounds. Point guard Justin Taylor scored his 1,000th point on a dunk off the opening tip.
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 58, HIGH POINT CHRISTIAN 56
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 58 (6-0)
HIGH POINT CHRISTIAN 56 (9-2)
Charlotte Christian 14 4 11 29 -- 58
High Point Christian 19 4 21 12 -- 56
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 58 -- Bryce Cash 13, David Lash 21, TJ Hardy 12, Cade Nicholson 12,
HPCA 56 -- Garrett 22, Sanders 8, Underhill 4, Mcintosh 4, Smith 14, Pagano 2, Archie 2.
Notable: Sophomore Bryce Cash hit a game-winning baseline jump shot over 2 defenders with 2 seconds left in the game to win it for Charlotte Christian at the Phenom Hoops Holiday Classic in Rock Hill. The Knights, down by 14 with 4 minutes left, battled back by using a full-court press to force turnovers. Senior David Lash was huge with 21 points (16 in the second half) and 8 rebounds. 2023 trio of guards Cash (13 pts, 4 assists) Cade Nicholson (12 points, 4 assists), and TJ Hardy (12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) were big in the victory. The Knights play Tuesday vs. Hickory Grove Christian at 3:30 pm in Rock Hill.
Records: Charlotte Christian 6-0; HP Christian 9-2
CHARLOTTE LATIN 80 CHRIST SCHOOL 51
CL 18 23 15 24--80
CS 8 15 21 7--51
CL--Chase Montgomery 17, Jaylen Jones 13, Ned Hull 13, Calton 9, Hirsch 8, Haughton 8, Lavitt 5, Morgan 5, Pence 2
CS--Donavon Fitzgerald 14, Drew Redmond 12, Handy 6, Myers 5, Fender 3, Cancel 3, Berardi 2, White 2, Dixon 2, Stone 2
Records: Charlotte Latin 6-2, Christ School 1-4
Game Notes: Chase Montgomery led a balanced Hawks attack on Monday afternoon scoring 17 pts/8 rebs. Jaylen Jones and Ned Hull both chipped in 13 points for Latin. The Hawks will play Rabun Gap on Tuesday afternoon at Metrolina Christian. The Greenies will play Tuesday against Metrolina.
COMBINE REGIONAL 73, FRANKLIN PREP 68
GREENSBORO DAY 62, NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN 61
GREENSBORO DAY 62 -- Tyler Lundblade 14, Michael Zanoni 221, Graves 3, Jaydon Young 15, Noble 3, Collins 8
NORTHSIDE 61 -- Lumumbu 6, Mitchell 3, Wesley Tubbs 19, Glenn Hubbard 14, Mattocks 4, Homonen 4, A. Wall 11
MORAVIAN PREP 68, COMBINE ACADEMY 57
MORAVIAN PREP 68 -- Cedric Patterson 10, English 1, BJ Freeman 21, Holt 5, Brooks 4, Raekwon Horton 12, Ellis 6, Ray Bellamy 11
COMBINE 57 -- Curry 7, AJ Smith 10, Dudley 9, Dillingham 7, Alfino 3, Baucom 2, Bodrick 9, Hamlin 2, Robinson 6, Owens 1, Grant 2
RABUN GAP 77, METROINA CHRISTIAN 71
METROLINA CHRISTIAN 8 20 14 29 = 71
RABUN GAP 16 14 28 19 = 77
MCA: Johnson 19, Crumbie 19, Wilson Jr. 9, Harold 6, Deluca 6, Clark 5, Harrist 5, Maul 2
Notable: Metrolina - Sr. Camden Johnson 19pts, 6rbs, 6asts, 3stls, 1blk; Jr. Blair Crumbie 19pts, 11rbs (5 off.), 3asts, 3stls; Metrolina Christian (5-3) hosts Christ School in the 1st Annual 4A Warrior Classic on Tuesday, December 21st at 4pm.
VICTORY CHRISTIAN 91, LEGION COLLEGIATE 51
LEGION 51 -- Shane Blakeney 20, Turner 2, K. Nelson 2, Isaac Hawkins 14, Marcus Kell 11, N. Nelson 2
VICTORY 91 -- McCullum 2, Tajuan Simpkins 14, Takai Simpins 20, Rossi 1, Coleman 9, Mitchell 2, Duarte 7, Thompson 4, Ovalle 8, Demar Anderson 11, Stone 8
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 69, PROVIDENCE DAY 48
Westminster: 14 - 21 - 19 - 15 - 69
Providence Day: 17 – 15 - 10 - 6 - 48
Westminster: J. Felton 7, M.J. Collins, 13, R. Black 13, A.Hoyle 2, L. Heckaman 12, D. Johnson 2, A.J. Hamrick 9, W. Jenkins 6, D. Hammonds
Providence Day: Quave Propst-Allison 16, Khamani Wertz 16, C. Culbs 3, A. Asraf 2, Bryce Scott 10, Z. Villegas 1
Notable: Westminster Catawba improves to 6-1 on the year. Lead by back to back double figure games in scoring by 2022 CG M.J. Collins. Next game Tuesday DEC 22 vs Calvary Day School (Phenom Holiday Classic)
Monday’s Girls Boxscores
FIRST BAPTIST 61, CANNON SCHOOL 58
Cannon School 14 8 14 16 6- 58
First Baptist 16 10 16 10 9- 61
Cannon School 58- Seini Hicks 23, Olivia York 14, McCorkle 6, Wood 5, Thompson 5, Brooks-Manning 3, Cherry 2
First Baptist School 61- Lexi Grant 26, Mia Wysong 15, Tiana Spann 13, Arigo 6, Jones 1
Cannon School 6-4
Lake Highland Prep 7-1
Notes: Freshman Seini Hicks records another double double with 23 points and 20 rebounds. Her fourth game double double in a row. Junior Olivia York made 4 three’s in her first game back since meniscus surgery. Cannon School plays again Tuesday at 9:30am against Northwood Academy at the United Bank Holiday Invitational in Myrtle Beach, SC.
This week’s schedule
MECKLENBURG COUNTY AREA
MONDAY
Warrior Classic
(at Metrolina Christian)
Charlotte Latin vs. Charlotte Christian (girls), 10 a.m.
Charlotte Latin vs. Christ School (boys), noon
Metrolina Christian vs. Carmel Christian (girls), 2
Metrolina Christian vs. Rabun Gap, GA (boys), 4
Crescom Invitational (girls)
(at Myrtle Beach)
(consolation bracket)
Northwood-St. Francis loser vs. Hebron-New Hope Christian loser, 10 a.m.
Camden-Trinity Collegiate loser vs. Cannon School-Lake Highland Prep loser, 11:45 a.m.
(winners bracket)
Northwood-St. Francis winner vs. Hebron-New Hope Christian winner, 1:30
Camden-Trinity Collegiate winner vs. Cannon School-Lake Highland Prep winner, 3:15
Phenom Hoops Classic (boys)
(at Rock Hill Sports and Event Center)
(main court)
Bull City Prep National vs. TPLA Christian, 11 a.m.
Legion Collegiate vs. Victory Christian, 12:30
Carmel Christian vs. Calvary Day, 2
Westminster Catawba vs. Providence Day, 3:30
Greensboro Day vs. Northside Christian, 5
Cannon School vs. Concord Academy, 6:30
Combine Academy National vs. Moravian Prep National, 8
(Court 1)
Franklin Prep National vs. Combine Academy Regional, 12:30
Cape Fear vs. TPLA, 2
Charlotte Christian vs. High Point Christian, 3:30
Bull City Prep-Durham vs. Franklin Prep Regional, 5
Nonconference
Covenant Day at Wesleyan Christian
TUESDAY
Warrior Classic
(at Metrolina Christian)
Carmel Christian vs. Charlotte Latin (girls), 10 a.m.
Charlotte Latin vs. Rabun Gap, GA (boys), noon
Charlotte Christian vs. Metrolina Christian (girls), 2
Christ School vs. Metrolina Christian (boys), 4
Crescom Invitational (girls)
(at Myrtle Beach)
7th-place game, 10 a.m.
5th-place game, 11:45 a.m.
3rd-place game, 1:30
Championship game, 3:15
(Cannon School in the field)
Phenom Hoops Classic (boys)
(at Rock Hill Sports and Event Center)
(main court)
Northside Christian vs. High Point Christian, 11 a.m.
Westminster Catawba vs. Calvary Day, 12:30
Concord Academy vs. Greensboro Day, 2
Charlotte Christian vs. Hickory Grove Christian, 3:30
Carmel Christian vs. Bull City, 5
Cape Fear vs. Cannon School, 6:30
Combine Academy Regional vs. Combine National, 8
(Court 1)
Gaston Day vs. Charlotte Country Day, 2
Franklin Prep Regional vs. Moravian Prep Regional, 3:30
Providence Day vs. Legion Academy 5
Combine Regional vs. Victory Christian 6:30
Bull City Prep National vs. Franklin Prep National, 8
Nonconference
South Charlotte Thunder at Charlotte Elite Academy (boys)
Woodlawn School at Greenfield School (boys), 3
CAROLINA HOOPMAS AT WESTMINSTER CATAWBA
John Marshall (VA) vs. Lake Norman Christian, 6
Winston-Salem Christian vs. IMG, 8
WEDNESDAY
Phenom Hoops Classic (boys)
(at Rock Hill Sports and Event Center)
Bull City Prep-Durham vs. Franklin Prep National, 9:30 a.m.
Cape Fear Christian vs. Franklin Prep Regional, 11 a.m.
Hickory Grove Christian vs. Covenant Day, 12:30
United Faith Christian vs. Winston-Salem Christian, 2
Carmel Christian vs. Providence Day, 3:30
Concord Academy vs. Victory Christian, 5
Westminster Catawba vs. Cannon School, 6:30
Combine National vs. Bull City Prep National, 8
Carolina Hoop-mas at Westminster Catawba
Westminster Catawba vs. Legion Collegiate, 6
Word of God vs. IMG, 8
WAKE COUNTY AREA
(all are girls-boys doubleheaders unless noted otherwise)
MONDAY
Crusader Christmas Classic (boys)
(at Grace Christian, Sanford)
Mount Zion Christian vs. GRACE Christian, 2
Thales Academy-Apex vs. Fayetteville Christian, 4
South Wake Sabres vs. Sanford Grace Christian, 6
TUESDAY
Crusader Christmas Classic (boys)
(at Grace Christian, Sanford)
Second-round games; schedule TBA (Mount Zion Christian, GRACE Christian, Thales Academy-Apex, South Wake Sabres competing)
Nonconference
Berean Baptist at Wake County Homeschool
WEDNESDAY
Crusader Christmas Classic (boys)
(at Grace Christian, Sanford)
Final-round games; schedule TBA (Mount Zion Christian, GRACE Christian, Thales Academy-Apex, South Wake Sabres competing)
This story was originally published December 21, 2020 at 2:19 PM.
