CHARLOTTE - Four games without Emanuel Richards ’23 was four too many.
The senior from Irmo, S.C., returned to Christ School’s lineup Saturday for the first time since Jan. 5. Emanuel’s presence was needed at both ends of the floor in another win with possible NCISAA 4-A state playoff implications – 62-60 at Charlotte Christian.
Scorers for Varsity Basketball (23-2) were Keenan Wilkins '24 (25 points), Bryson Cokley '24 (13), Jamari Briggs '24 (11), Anthony Robinson '23 (seven), and Emanuel '23 (six).
"It was great to get Emanuel back and he gave us the juice we needed almost right away," Christ School coach Josh Coley said. "It's always a blessing to have a player like him. I'm excited about these next few weeks with us starting to get healthy and having our full team."
Bryson nailed a baseline 3-pointer to give Christ School its first lead of the game going into halftime, 31-28.
The margin expanded to 50-43 in the Greenies' favor after three quarters, but they had to make their free throws down the stretch to hold on. Emanuel stripped a Knights player for a steal in the final minute, with Christ School leading 58-56 at the time.
Keenan made five 3-pointers in Saturday's game. His first 3 came after the Greenies had fallen behind 7-0 to start things off.
Twenty-three wins is the most by a Christ School basketball team since the 2015-16 season. The Greenies have now won four two-point games this winter.
"We're a battle-tested group," Coach Coley said.
"We've traveled and we've seen different types of teams. We've seen gritty teams, deep teams, shooting teams. The guys are prepared for whatever and they accept the challenge. Last year we were on the other end of a lot of those type of games. I think one of the biggest things with this group is late in the game, they look around and everyone thinks we are going to win."
JV Greenies 47, Charlotte Christian 38
The JV Greenies saved their best quarter for last Saturday, scoring 23 points as a team in the fourth.
Individual scorers for Christ School (13-1) were Brewer Nitcher '25 (20 points), Will Sherrill '25 (12), Calvin Williams '24 (10), and Jimmy Jones '25 (five).