Off to a great restart: Lake Norman Christian spoils Charlotte Christian’s season opener
If the first three games of Lake Norman Christian’s program restart are any indication, the Lions are going to be just fine.
Tuesday was the most emphatic example of that: Lake Norman Christian went on the road and defeated Class 4A Charlotte Christian, 75-60.
“We’re grateful for the win and the kids are working hard,” said Lions head coach Tim Fields, whose team improved to 2-1. “We don’t have any really big names. But we think we’re going to surprise some people.”
With a roster that includes former players from Cannon School, Concord Academy, West Mecklenburg and Hampton, Va., the Lions ruined Charlotte Christian’s 2024-25 opener by taking charge in the second quarter, and getting stronger in the second half.
Lake Norman Christian last played in the 2020-21 season with high school sensation Mikey Williams as its star.
The host Knights scored the game’s first four points and led four times by five before the visitors took the lead for good at 29-27 with 3:35 left in the opening half.
After taking a 39-35 lead at the break, the Lions led by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter before earning the 15-point victory.
Seniors Dwan McAllister (18 points), Kobe Broome (14), B.J. Johnson (14), D.J. Todd (12) and Isaiah Frierson (11) all scored in double figures for Lake Norman Christian, which outrebounded the Knights 42-29 while also limiting them to 34 percent overall shooting (19 percent on 3-pointers).
“We realize we have to be tremendously selfless to be effective,” Fields said.
Three who made a difference
Dwan McAllister, Lake Norman Christian: In addition to his team-high 18 points, he frequently got the Lions into offensive plays and created several layups for his teammates.
D.J. Todd, Lake Norman Christian: The 6-foot-5 post player was a leader in the rebounding game and altered or blocked many Christian shots with his defensive pressure.
Adam Miller, Charlotte Christian: One of the Knights’ talented sophomores — they started four and he came off the bench — he hit a pair of 3-pointers to finish with a team-high 12 points.
Notable
▪ Lake Norman Christian, which plays again on Friday at Marvin Ridge, will play in a conference with North Hills Christian, Victory Christian Center and Woodlawn.
▪ Charlotte Christian sophomore guard Matty Carroll is the son of former Charlotte Hornets standout guard (and radio announcer) Matt Carroll, who attended Tuesday’s game at Charlotte Christian’s Lamb-Johnson Gymnasium.
▪ The Knights play again on Thursday night at Huntersville’s SouthLake Christian Academy.
They said it
“We’re a young team with a lot of promise and potential. These guys are going to keep working hard and we think they can improve. It’s a long season.” — Charlotte Christian coach Shonn Brown
Box score
Lake Norman Christian 13 26 17 19 — 75
Charlotte Christian 16 19 9 16 — 60
LAKE NORMAN CHRISTIAN 75 — Dwan McAllister 18, Kobe Broome 14, B.J. Johnson 14, D.J. Todd 12, Isaiah Frierson 11, Taylor 4, Sharif 2.
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 60 — Adam Miller 12, Marshall Nicholson 11, Matty Carroll 10, Solomon 9, Lieberman 8, Shonberg 7, Burns 2, Jackson 1.
Records: Lake Norman Christian 2-1; Charlotte Christian 0-1