NCISAA basketball rewind: No. 6 Cannon gets scare, runs past Cary Academy to semifinals

Cannon School, No. 6 in The Charlotte Observer’s Sweet 16 poll, has won two of the past four N.C. Independent Schools’ 4A state championships.

Saturday afternoon, the Cougars got a big scare from Cary Academy but put themselves in position to win a third in five years.

Cannon won 103-75 to advance to the semifinals Tuesday at home against Carmel Christian or Providence Day.

“I thought our intensity was really good,” Cougars coach Che Roth said. “I don’t think we guarded very well but offensively I thought we were incredible. The ball moved, we got open looks and I thought our guys did a good job attacking.”

The Cougars were led by 6-foot-5 guard Austin Swartz, who had 28 points. Swartz, an ACC recruit at Miami, made six 3-pointers and had 12 of his team’s 34 points in the first quarter.

“We had to come out ready to play,” Swartz said. “You’ve got to punch them in the mouth early. A team that can score like that and shoot like that, you have to get them behind early so they can’t sit back in that zone. We were able to run, gets some transition threes in there. Once you hit one (3-pointer), you never know how many you’re going to hit after that.”

Despite Cannon’s hot start, Cary Academy cut the Cougars’ lead to just four points a few minutes into the third quarter. But just as quickly the Cougars — and Swartz — got going again.

“I thought we allowed (Cary Academy) to kind of dictate the pace for those first few minutes (of the third quarter),” Swartz said. “We were able to get it back to our pace and get a couple shots to go back in. We were able to get a few rebounds and get a few transition dunks in there as well.”

Roth said either Providence Day or Carmel will present a big challenge in the semifinals.

“Providence Day plays slow and methodical,” Roth said. “Carmel (Christian) has two guys who can really score the basketball. Carmel is really tough to beat at home and Providence Day is a really good defensive team. We are going to have to bring it on Tuesday night. I like the fact that it’s (at home). But, we’ve got to guard and rebound a whole lot better.”

THREE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE

Austin Swartz, Cannon: The 4-star Miami recruit started off 3 for 3 from behind the arc and did a lot more than score. He was able to find his teammates for open shots as well as cutting to the basket.

Jaylen Claggett, Cannon: The junior guard had four 3-pointers in the game, including three in the second quarter. Roth was also happy with the defense Claggett played in the third quarter, which helped to stop Cary Academy’s run. Claggett finished with 17 points.

Isaiah Henry, Cannon: Henry was able to get out in transition a lot and finished several tough shots at the rim. He finished with 24 points.

WORTH MENTIONING

▪ There were 27 combined 3-pointers made in this game — 12 by Cary Academy and 15 by Cannon.

What’s Next?

Cannon (25-9) advances to the semifinals of the NCISAA 4A basketball tournament. Cary Academy finishes the season 14-10.

Covenant Day 48, Raleigh Ravenscroft 41: Second-year coach Michael Laney has Covenant Day in the semifinals after the win. Covenant Day limited Ravenscroft to 13 first half points.

Michael Marcus Jr. had 15 for Covenant Day, which will host Christ School or Wesleyan Academy Tuesday.

This is Covenant Day’s second winning season since 2015-16.

Cannon School girls 77, North Raleigh 28: Cannon (21-7) advanced to the semifinals behind 21 points from Madison Drayton and 19 from Maya McCorkle. Cannon led 22-7 after the first quarter and 39-17 at halftime.

Boys’ NCISAA box scores

CALDWELL ACADEMY 88, WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 54

Westminster Catawba 8 14 18 14 — 54

Caldwell Academy 21 22 23 22 — 88

WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 54 — Stephen Quinn 21, Kenyon Addie 6, Nikayle Hodge 2, Brycen Redmon 12, Michai Booker 5, Justin Rushin 8

CALDWELL ACADEMY 88 — O’Neil 4, Ayden Johnson 16, Jaylen Cross 17, Workman 4, Harris 2, Neal Swindell 11, Atkinson 3, Ahmed Jawd 10, J. E. Swindell 22

Notable: Westminster won the most games in a single season in school history and Coach Ed Addie finished with his second 20-win season in his fifth season at the school.

Record: Westminster Catawba 21-12

CANNON SCHOOL 103, CARY ACADEMY 75

Cannon 34 22 24 23 — 103

Cary 24 18 22 11 — 75

CANNON SCHOOL 103 — Austin Swartz 28, Isaiah Henry 24, Jay Claggett 17, Lincoln Vinson 17, Ingram 6, Elnaggar 5, Murash 4, King 2

CARY ACADEMY 75 — Aidan Rausseau 25, Preston Moore 15, DeGraaf 9, Lando 9, Williams 8, Ward 7, Joof 2

Records: Cannon 25-9; Cary 14-10

Notable: Cannon had four players with at least 17 points. The win advances the Cougars to the NCISAA Final Four.

CONCORD ACADEMY 60, GRACE CHRISTIAN 51

Concord Academy 14 16 9 21 — 60

Grace Christian 14 13 9 15 — 51

GRACE CHRISTIAN 60 — Oden 19, Kyritasis 5, Tate 2, Mcleod 6, Couse 2, Phillips 17

CONCORD ACADEMY 60 — Ian Howard 13, Serod McCormick 13, Lincoln Raper 4, Sean Birmingham 18, Alek Kornacki 2

Notable: No. 3 Concord Academy advances to the semifinal game at No.2 Forsyth Country Day Tuesday at 6 p.m..

COVENANT DAY 48, RALEIGH RAVENSCROFT 41

Covenant Day 14 8 13 13 — 48

Ravenscroft 7 6 16 12 — 41

COVENANT DAY 48 — Green 5; Rivens 8; White 4; Penosky 3; Haggarty 13; Marcus Jr 15

RAVENSCROFT 41 — Gladden 24, Rein 17

Girls’ NCISAA box scores

CANNON SCHOOL 77, NORTH RALEIGH CHRISTIAN 28

Cannon School 22 17 28 10 — 77

North Raleigh Christian 7 10 6 5 — 28

CANNON SCHOOL 77 — Madison Drayton 21, Maya McCorkle 19, Kierra Morrow 13, Brooke Busby 11, Thompson 6, Love 4, Nakamura 3

Records: Cannon School 21-7; North Raleigh 15-17

NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN 82, LAWRENCE ACADEMY 17

Northside 19 27 17 19 — 82

Lawrence Academy 2 5 2 8 — 17

NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN 82 — Womack: 4, Jakaila Gaskin; 23, Carelock: 9, Chambers: 7, Golphin: 5, Courtney Ashford: 23, Toscano: 7, Fields: 4

Notable: For Northside, Jakaila Gaskin had 23 points, 10 rebounds, five steals, two assists and two blocks. Courtney Arnold added 23 points, four steals and three rebounds.

PROVIDENCE DAY 54, RALEIGH RAVENSCROFT 36

Providence Day 14 17 12 11 — 54

Ravenscroft 5 13 10 8 — 36

PROVIDENCE DAY 54 — Jaida McClure 15, Layla Clark 10, Updyke 8, Stuart 6, Swinson 6, Levine 4, Dennison 3, Fyans 2

RALEIGH RAVENSCROFT 36 — Cronin 7, Nargassans 2, Carter 6, Mason 3, Mitchell 2, Adams 7, Campbell 5

Notable: Providence Day advances to the NCISAA state semifinals and will host Rabun Gap at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The Chargers have won at least 20 games in 20 of the last 21 seasons.

Record: Providence Day 20-9

PHOTOS: Cary Academy at Cannon

Saturday’s Private schools’ playoffs

BOYS

CLASS 4A

Saturday’s quarterfinals

Cannon School 103, Cary Academy 75

Providence Day 56, Carmel Christian 45

Christ School 55, Wesleyan Academy 49

Covenant Day 48, Ravenscroft 41

Tuesday’s semifinals

Providence Day (24-8) at Cannon (25-9), 7

Christ School (24-5) at Covenant Day (22-7)

CLASS 3A

Saturday’s quarterfinals

High Point christian 72, Cape Fear Academy 47

Gaston Christian 65, Greensboro Day 58, 2 OT

Concord Academy 60, Grace Christian 51

Forsyth Country Day 81, Calvary Day 75

Tuesday’s semifinals

Gaston Christian (18-15) at High Point Christian (26-3)

Concord Academy (20-14) at Forsyth Country Day (25-6)

CLASS 2A

Saturday’s third round

The Burlington School 83, Berean Baptist 50

Burlington Christian 74, Gaston Day 70

Trinity Christian 69, Trinity Academy 47

Davidson Day 81, Westchester Country Day 35

Fayetteville Aademy 77, Harrells Christian 60

Wayne Country Day 89, Northwood Temple 66

Caldwell Academy 88, Westminster Catawba 54

Greenfield School 81, Wayne Christian 46

Tuesday’s quarterfinals

Burl. Christian (21-6) at Burlington School (23-11)

Trinity Christian (24-5) at Davidson Day (20-7)

Fay. Academy (27-4) at Wayne Country Day (26-10)

Caldwell (23-8) at Greenfield School (29-6)

CLASS 1A

Saturday’s quarterfinals

United Faith 97, Pungo Christian 46

Crossroads Christian 55, New Garden Friends 53

Northside Christian 98, Lee Christian 31

Victory Christian 82, Cape Fear Christian 44

Tuesday’s semifinals

Crossroads Christian (22-5) at United Faith (23-7)

Northside Christian (22-10) at Victory Christian (25-8)

GIRLS

CLASS 4A

Saturday’s quarterfinals

Cannon School 77, North Raleigh Christian 28

High Point Wesleyan 61, Charlotte Country Day 56

Rabun Gap 52, Charlotte Latin 34

Providence Day 54, Raleigh Ravenscroft 36

Tuesday’s semifinals

Wesleyan Christian (22-10) at Cannon (21-7)

Rabun Gap (17-9) at Providence Day (20-9)

CLASS 3A

Saturday’s quarterfinals

Sanford Grace Christian 87, Forsyth Country Day 31

Concord Academy 60, John Paul II 26

High Point Christian 69, Asheville School 43

Greensboro Day 66, St. David’s 33

Tuesday’s semifinals

Concord Academy (20-3) at Grace Christian (28-0)

High Point Christian (21-4) at Greensboro Day (28-4)

CLASS 2A

Saturday’s quarterfinals

The O’Neal School 65, Freedom Christian 14

Caldwell Academy 60, Wayne Christian 58

Wayne Country Day 63, Trinity Christian 48

Rocky Mount Academy 49, Trinity Academy 40

Tuesday’s semifinals

Caldwell Academy (9-10) at The O’Neal School (28-1)

Wayne Country Day (18-7) at Rocky Mount (22-2)

CLASS 1A

Saturday’s quarterfinals

Victory Christian 74, Pungo Christian 17

Cresset Christian 60, United Faith Christian 32

Crossroads Christian 58, Ridgecroft School 49

Northside Christian 82, Lawrence Academy 17

Tuesday’s semifinals

Cresset Christian (17-2) at Victory Christian (17-11)

Crossroads Christian (16-5) at Northside Christian (15-10)