Private school boys basketball capsules

Gaston Day

Last year: 22-13, 5-3 Southern Piedmont Athletic Association

Coach: John Whitley (second season, 22-13)

Assistant: Casey Field

Returning starters: none.

Key players: Corey Raley, so. G (12.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg); Hjalti Fridrikkson, sr. F; Terrone Steffey, jr. G; Pet Sumner, so. G

Outlook: The Spartans figure to have one of the better inside-outside combinations in the conference with Raley and Fridrikkson. Raley, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, averaged 12 points per game last year and will get most of the shots in the offense. He’s able to create off the dribble very well and has a high basketball IQ.

Fridrikkson, a 6-foot-7 transfer from Iceland, is the top inside presence, although he has a nice mid-range jumpshot and can run the floor pretty well, too. The Spartans need him to be a strong rebounder and interior defender above all else. His ability to rebound and make the outlet pass is key to the team’s running game.

Sheffey is a raw prospect, but athletically gifted and can score from the point guard spot (he had 25 against Oak Hill Academy). Sumner won’t break down many defenses off the dribble but is one of the area’s top outside shooters and can score in bunches (he had 20 against Oak Hill).

The Spartans aren’t very deep, but the first four players in the lineup should give them a chance to win nearly every night.

“We’re very quick and have a pretty good shooting team,” Whitley said. “It’s important for us to push the ball and get easy baskets.”

Cramerton Christian

Last year: 17-6, 9-1

Coach: Kenneth Dillard (second season, 17-6)

Returning starter (1): Ryan Morrison, jr., F (9.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg)

Other key players: Spencer Owens, so, G (6.9 ppg); Drew Bowen, sr., PG; Daniel Bowen, sr., G; Josh Firkins, jr., F; Chris Pate, sr., C; Nate Brown, jr.

Outlook: The Eagles were the big dog in the Carolina Christian Conference last season, winning nine of 10 games. However, the team lost four starters and its top player off the bench, so a repeat performance will be much more of a challenge.

Dillard says that what his group lacks in experience, it makes up for in team chemistry and balance. He’s also confident that the talent level is not as low as some would expect considering the heavy offseason losses.

“We should be a balanced team with the ability to score down low and from the outside,” he said.

Morrison is the team’s lone returning starter and should build on last year’s scoring average of nearly 10 points per game. At 6-foot-3, he’s also a presence on the boards and will be counted on to provide leadership and toughness.

Spencer Owens averaged nearly seven points a game last year as a freshman, and could end up being a top offensive threat this season.