Finally! Charlotte Latin back in NCISAA state championship
From 1991-94, Charlotte Latin won three N.C. Independent Schools’ state championships.
Then it won two more in 2003 and ‘04.
But, until Friday, the Hawks had not advanced to the championship round again.
Read more here:
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/preps-blog/article240514301.html#storylink=cpyThat all changed during Friday’s emotional 68-62 win over Durham Academy. A standing room only crowd, that included past Charlotte Latin basketball stars, filled the gym at Providence Day and the Hawks played like a senior-heavy team hungry to end its state title drought.
Latin (21-7) led Durham Academy (27-5) from the start, never really allowing the overall No. 1 seed to get comfortable.
“We really wanted this one,” said junior forward Graham Calton. “We weren’t nervous. We’ve got a really old group, starting four seniors and a junior and I feel like that experience makes us a lot better. It helps us treat all the games the same.”
Latin came out shooting well from the outside, building an early 22-9 lead after the first quarter. After that, Latin kept Durham Academy at bay with key buckets every time the Buccaneers got within striking distance.
“I think it’s just our heart really,” Calton said. “We’re so close together. Our chemistry’s so great and we all have one goal and we’re doing everything we can to get there.”
Up next for Latin is CISAA conference rival Cannon School. Cannon upset three-time state champion Greensboro Day 75-64.
That game will be held at noon Saturday at Charlotte Latin.
“I can’t wait,” said Latin point guard Randy Johnson. “This is probably going to be one of the biggest crowds ever at Latin. We really want to get this one for everybody.”
THREE WHO MATTERED
Calton: scored a game-high 25 points go to with six rebounds. Latin wasn’t pressed much but when Durham Academy got close, it seemed he was always around with a big 3-point shot.
Johnson: Holy Cross-bound senior point guard had 19 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
Toby Harris, Durham Academy: 6-7 junior wing showed off a pretty jump shot and really got going in the second half, allowing his team to stay in the game
WORTH MENTIONING
▪ There has not been a Charlotte state championship in the private schools’ largest (and most difficult) class since Providence Day won in 2016. Greensboro Day won the last three state titles. Before Providence Day won, the last Charlotte champ in the large class was Latin in ‘04.
▪ Durham Academy has played much of the season without national top 25 recruit M.J Rice. Rice, a 6-5 sophomore, suffered a season-ending knee injury.
▪ The crowd at Providence Day was amazing, sold-out and loud for Latin’s semifinal and then as the Latin and Durham Academy fans left, a new group of fans sold the gym out again -- for the Providence Day-Cannon girls semifinal.
THEY SAID IT
“It’s going to be tough to beat us at the crib. We can’t wait to get back.” -- Johnson, talking about playing the state final at home Saturday
CANNON UPSETS GREENSBORO DAY, ADVANCES TO NCISAA FINALS
Cannon School upset Greensboro Day 75-64 Friday to advance to Saturday’s noon state championship game at Charlotte Latin.
Cannon beat Latin 79-64 and 62-60 in two regular-season meetings. The two-point win was at Charlotte Latin Jan. 28.
Cannon will be trying to win its first state championship since 2006. On Friday, D.J. Nix had 23 points, including four made 3s in the first quarter, to lead Cannon. Jaden Bradley (16 points), Jarvis Moss (14) and Elijah Orminston (13) also hit double figures.
PROVIDENCE DAY’S GIRLS RETURN TO FINALS
Providence Day advanced to its first NCISAA championship game since it won in 2017. The Chargers, playing at home in front of a sold-out crowd, beat conference rival Cannon School 56-35.
Providence Day (22-6), the No. 2 overall seed, will play No. 1 seed Greensboro Day (27-2) in Saturday’s 10 a.m. state final at Charlotte Latin School.
In 2017, Providence Day won its eighth straight state championship and 12th in 13 years. The Chargers, who played in their 16th straight state semifinal Friday, led from start to finish and used a full-court press to cause problems for Cannon School (16-9).
Providence Day got 15 points from Andi Levitz and 13 from Morgan Kelson. Reigan Richardson had 20 for Cannon.
The Chargers will chase a 17th state championship Saturday.
Read more here:
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/preps-blog/article240514301.html#storylink=cpy 1
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Charlotte Latin celebrate as they advance to the State Final Saturday. JONATHAN AGUALLO SPECIAL TO THE OBSERVER
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