Any basketball team with championships in mind better have a sense of urgency as February approaches.
Christ School looked ready for postseason mode throughout a two-game homestand Friday and Saturday.
The Greenies cleared their biggest remaining hurdle to a Carolinas Athletic Association title with Friday night’s 81-61 win over Asheville Christian Academy. And they had plenty in reserve for a game less than 24 hours later with Durham Academy.
Mikey Wilkins ’25 was a menace everywhere on the floor Saturday, dunking and raining in shots for 31 points – his highest total yet in a Christ School jersey. A 101-65 win was never in doubt with the balanced scoring of Keenan Wilkins ’24 (17 points), Mason Collins ’28 (17), and George Mason recruit Bryson Cokley ’24 (10).
Saturday was Win No. 20 on the season and the first 100-point game for the Greenies (20-5) since 2019.
“I thought it went well. We’re about as close to 100 percent (health-wise) as we’re going to be,” Coach Josh Coley said.
“Madden (Collins) got kneed in the thigh last night, but he’s fine. I can live with that, it’s not the flu, COVID, or whatever else we’ve had to deal with. Offensively, I think we’re starting to find our rhythm. Just because we’re having everyone. Everybody is in practice. The practices are getting tougher, but (the players) are getting tougher, too. They’ve got a next play mentality and I think it’s showing. They kept their foot on the gas and kept working (against Durham Academy) and I’m proud of them for that.”
Durham Academy (14-12) made a rare trip to the Asheville area to play Carolina Day on Friday night and the Greenies the next afternoon. The Cavaliers shot well, but Christ School was on a whole other level.
Keenan made three early 3-pointers and he and Mikey each had 16 points at the half. Christ School led 58-38 at the time following a 3-pointer from Mason, who played his way into the starting lineup as an eighth grader.
The lead was stretched to 82-57 at the end of the third quarter. Cornell football recruit T.J. Hamilton ’24 beat the buzzer, scoring on an inbounds play with just 2.3 seconds remaining.
A short turnaround from Bruce White ’24 (four points) with exactly a minute to play put the Greenies over the century mark.
Christ School’s other scorers were Lleyton Thomas-Johnson ’24 (eight points), Jozohn Price ’24 (five), USC Upstate recruit Jamari Briggs ’24 (five), Cole Boyer ’24 (one), and Calvin Williams ’24 (one).
Coach Coley was also pleased with the defensive intensity he saw Friday and Saturday and the overall conditioning of his team.
“They’re in the weight room lifting every day. (Associate Athletic Director Duncan Parham) does such a good job with them and their bodies are starting to withstand some bumps and bruises,” Coach Coley said.
“They’re not getting knocked off their base, which is right where we should be this time of year. I think it’s showing, paying off, and winning us some games.”
Christ School finishes out the conference portion of its schedule Tuesday at home against Rabun Gap (Ga.) and Thursday at home against Asheville School.