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No scientific proof can back up the superstition that walking around with one shoe on brings bad luck.
Dacen Petty ’26 gave Christ School varsity basketball a different kind of fortune Friday as well as an all-time Greenie Dome moment. And yes, in the immediate aftermath of a buzzer-beating putback dunk, Dacen lost a shoe but won a game – 66-64 over visiting Fayetteville Academy.
Many of the fans who packed Mebane Field House for the opening night of the 2025-26 season were in visible disbelief as the student section stormed the court.
“I can officially say (Dacen) gave me my first win at Christ School,” first-year Greenies head coach Erasto Hatchett said.
“He didn’t stop, he continued to compete, and that’s what it’s going to take. Every (opponent) is going to give us their best all year along. So, for our boys to come out and compete until the final horn was great. I’m proud of them.”
Dacen’s dunk, tomahawked off the right baseline, was two of his team-high 26 points. The senior from Forest City, N.C., also made three 3-pointers. The rest of the scorers for Christ School were Tyler Jones ‘26 (11 points), Kingston Whitty ‘26 (10), Trevor Manhertz ‘27 (five), Micah Goodlow ‘28 (five), Hudson Hatch ’28 (four), Dylan Twitty ’27 (three), and William Robinson ’26 (two).
Christ School (1-0) led 37-31 at the half but fell behind by as many as five points in the fourth quarter. The Eagles (1-1) turned the ball over with 11.5 seconds to go, setting up one last possession for the Greenies.
Skyler Ellis ‘27 had an open look at a 3-pointer from the left wing, with the rebound bouncing off the back of the iron to Dacen, who was in mid-flight.
“I’m glad the boys had the opportunity to play someone different besides beating each up every night,” Coach Hatchett said.
“We’re basically a new team, so we’re depending on 7-8 new guys to have a championship mentality. It’s a process, but as long as the boys are willing to work, we’ll be OK.”
The next game for the Greenies is Tuesday at Gaston Day.