It’s a 3-peat! Christ School stops Carmel Christian’s upset bid, wins NCISAA state title
Asheville Christ School knew it had beaten Carmel Christian earlier this season in convincing fashion — by 32 points.
But Carmel Christian star Bryce Slay didn’t play in that contest — and the Nov. 16 game was more than three months ago.
“Bryce didn’t play the first time we played them,” Christ School star and N.C. State commit Zymicah Wilkins said. “And they came out with more energy this time.”
While Carmel Christian kept the game close early, it wasn’t enough to prevent Christ School from winning their third consecutive N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 4A title.
In front of a capacity crowd at Providence Day School, Wilkins scored all 19 of his points in the first half of a 73-50 victory.
“They’re a great team,” said Christ School head coach Josh Coley, who has previously coached at Garinger, Carmel Christian and United Faith Christian in Mecklenburg County. “Bryce is a great player. We played well and we’re happy to win.”
The 6-9 Wilkins led the Greenies (26-2), in addition to a talented supporting cast that included junior guard Dacen Petty (18 points), freshman forward Mason Collins (18 points), American University signee Madden Collins (8 points) and junior guard Tyler Jones (6 points).
Slay picking up two quick fouls didn’t help matters for Carmel Christian (18-9), but the Cougars did score the game’s first five points and trailed 16-14 after one quarter and 34-26 at halftime before the Greenies pulled away.
“We fought tooth and nail as long as we could,” said Carmel Christian coach Tamar Slay, Bryce Slay’s father and a member of the inaugural 2004-05 NBA Charlotte Bobcats as part of his 12-year professional playing career. “They’re just taller and bigger. We knew we’d have to play a perfect game to win.”
Bryce Slay had 20 points to lead Carmel Christian.
Three who made a difference
Zymicah Wilkins, Christ School: The N.C. State signee closed out his career with 19 points (all in the first half) then helped facilitate his team’s offense with multiple assists, rebounds and defensive plays in the second half.
Bryce Slay, Carmel Christian: Drawing frequent double-teams and man-to-man defensive attention from three different Christ School defenders, he still converted eight of 11 shots in his 20-point performance.
Dacen Petty, Christ School: With Carmel Christian focusing its defense on Wilkins in the post, Petty hit three 3-pointers in the third quarter to spark the Greenies’ 23-point quarter and finished with 18 points overall.
Notable
▪ Earlier in the NCISAA boys state championship games at Providence Day this weekend, Greensboro’s Caldwell Academy won the 2A title on Friday night with a 73-51 victory over the Burlington School, Charlotte’s Victory Christian Center won the 1A title on Saturday afternoon with a 70-42 victory over Henderson Crossroads Christian and Greensboro Day won the 3A title on Saturday with a 46-39 victory over Concord Academy.
▪ Tyler Jones, Dacen Petty and Mason Collins were regular Greenies’ defenders on Bryce Slay.
▪ Christ School’s title was its third in a row and ninth overall against just two defeats in NCISAA championship games. Carmel Christian fell to 3-4 in state title games.
They said it
“I’m proud of my guys. Nobody expected us to be here.” Carmel Christian head coach Tamar Slay
Box score
Carmel Christian 14 12 12 12 — 50
Christ School 16 18 23 16 — 73
CARMEL CHRISTIAN 50 — Kennedy 9, Bryce Slay 20, Little 3, Bowman 3, Leaks 3, Miller 3, Barrett 5, Guandolo 2, Griffin 3.
CHRIST SCHOOL 73 — J. Jones 2, Maddon Collins 8, Dacen Petty 18, T. Jones 6, Mason Collins 18, Ahart 2, Zymicah Wilkins 19.
Records: Christ School 26-2; Carmel Christian 18-9
This story was originally published February 22, 2025 at 10:40 PM.
