Local schools invited to NCISAA state tournament

Published 4:45 pm Sunday, February 12, 2023

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The basketball season continues for several private schools in the Roanoke-Chowan area.

The North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association released the brackets for its 2023 1A state tournament on Sunday.

Topping that list locally was Ridgecroft School’s varsity boys team. The Rams (21-1 overall) were seeded fifth in the 14-team field and will open the state playoffs at home on Thursday (Feb. 16) vs. conference foe Terra Ceia Christian School (9-13 overall).

Ridgecroft’s boys swept both the regular season and tournament titles of the Tarheel Independent Conference.

Two other TIC varsity boys teams also made the field. Lawrence Academy (19-9 overall) earned the #7 seed and will host Cape Fear Christian (13-5) on Thursday. Pungo Christian Academy (17-8) was awarded the #8 seed. The Raiders will host the winner of Tuesday’s Kerr-Vance Academy (5-15) vs. Halifax Academy (15-6) game on Thursday night.

The NCISAA awarded the top four 1A seeds to: #1 United Faith Christian Academy (29-2); #2 Northside Christian (19-14); #3 Victory Christian Center School (13-13); and #4 Crossroads Christian School (25-7). Each of those schools advanced directly to the quarterfinals where they host games on Saturday (Feb. 18).

Five varsity girls teams from the local Tarheel Independent Conference also saw their seasons extended with invitations to the state tournament.

Two of those teams will square off on Thursday, Feb. 16 when sixth-seeded Ridgecroft School (12-6 overall) hosts unseeded Northeast Academy (7-15). Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Lawrence Academy (seeded #5 with a 21-5 record) also plays on Thursday when they host the winner of Tuesday’s meeting between Lee Christian School (2-13) and Kerr-Vance Academy (3-14).

Albemarle School (12-12 overall) is the #7 seed and will host Cresset Christian Academy (9-8) on Thursday.

TIC regular season and tournament champion Pungo Christian Academy (22-3 overall) is the state tournament’s #1 seed. The remaining top four seeds were awarded to: #2 Victory Christian Center School (17-6); #3 Northside Christian Academy (20-10); and #4 Crossroads Christian School (23-3). Each of the top four seeds advanced to Saturday’s (Feb. 18) quarterfinal round where they will host games.

About Cal Bryant

Cal Bryant, a 40-year veteran of the newspaper industry, serves as the Editor at Roanoke-Chowan Publications, publishers of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, Gates County Index, and Front Porch Living magazine.

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