How a historic game for North Meck’s Isaiah Evans pushed Vikings to regional finals
An incredible team and individual performance led North Mecklenburg’s boys basketball team into Saturday’s regional finals.
On Tuesday, the Vikings beat rival Chambers, 105-92, in double overtime to advance to their fourth consecutive regional finals. Evans had a school-record 62 points, just one off the Mecklenburg County record set by Cam Hamilton in 2017.
Chambers seemed to have the game won — in regulation and in the first overtime — before Evans hit difficult 3-point shots to keep the game going. Now, the Vikings will play in their fourth straight N.C. 4A Western Regional final Saturday. Up next: Myers Park.
“At the end of the day, Isaiah Evans is special,” North Meck coach Duane Lewis said. “It isn’t just his scoring. He is a leader. He doesn’t let (his teammates) believe that we are going to lose. He never lost his composure. He never thought that we were losing. He does that every day in practice and he does that every game. That permeates through the rest of the team.”
For Evans, Tuesday’s game was kind of personal. Chambers had beaten North Meck twice in overtime a season ago. This season, Evans had noted earlier this year, was all about “get back” for his former teammates who have graduated.
“It feels good,” Evans said. “I Facetimed my guys from last year; Jordan Crawford, Davion (Cunningham) because I wanted that for them. I know it hurt (last season) so it feels good to get (Chambers) back.”
The 62 points are Evans’ career high, and he was just a points shy of tying the county record (63) held by Cam Hamilton of Chambers. Evans feels that this is hard work paying off.
“This means a lot,” Evans said. “I put in so much work. Nights I don’t want to get shots up – I get shots up. Some days I don’t want to get up – but I get up. But, this is what we practice for.”
Lewis noted several other Vikings who played critical roles in the win.
“Greg Murray and Carson Evans did a great job off the bench as 10th-graders,” Lewis said. “Ashton Pierce might have missed a free throw but he hit a big 3-pointer and made other free throws. (Christian) Foy went to the bench after fouling out and Demoris (Jenkins) did a really good job.”
Lewis has led the Vikings to four consecutive regional final appearances and has one co-champion banner as well.
“I am just happy for our team,” Lewis said. “To get back to the Final Four again, these guys believe in our coaching staff and they believe in North Meck basketball. We are happy that we are playing again Saturday.”
Lewis – much like after surpassing 500 career wins a few games ago – doesn’t get caught up in accolades.
“I move on quickly to the next game,” Lewis said. “I am glad for the wins, that’s great, but that isn’t what it is all about. It is all about. I love those kids and they love me. We won’t even talk about this (the regional semifinal win) tomorrow. We have to get ready for Myers Park.”
The appreciation of the season as a whole will come after the Vikings’ season ends.
“It is a special run,” Lewis added. “I will appreciate it probably more when it is over with. But, right now, in the moment, we are just so dialed in. Sometimes when you let off the gas and reflect a little, you don’t want that. We want them to stay focused and I want to stay focused. But, it has been special.”