These are the top private high school teams and players in the Triangle this fall
Even though the state’s public high schools are not yet playing, there are still sports this fall.
The N.C. Independent Schools are moving forward with fall sports, and football teams can begin play Sept. 25. We’ll be back with a look at private school football in the area, but we wanted to provide a quick preview of some of the top teams and players in the area this fall.
Every day, you can check our website for the latest scores and upcoming schedules (go ahead and bookmark it now). We’ll also have player of the week voting that begins each Sunday (with results posted on Thursdays). Also, writer Alex Bass will host a Raleigh version of the Charlotte Observer’s popular online show, “Talking Preps”.
Here’s a look at fall sports in the Triangle.
Teams to watch
Cary Academy boys cross country: The Chargers return five of their top seven runners from a team that finished fourth at the NCISAA 4A state championships in 2019. Two-time all-state performer Kenny Eheman, a senior who has committed to Davidson, headlines a deep team that also features classmates Ryan Chen, Matt Crow, Xavier deSouza and Kyle Murphy, along with junior, Sebastian Polge, and sophomore Arran Swift.
Durham Academy boys soccer: The defending Triangle Independent School Athletic Conference (TISAC) champions have a solid core in seniors Walker Benjamin, Charlie Robb, junior Diego Pastor-Valverde and sophomore Collin Thornburg. They were 4A semifinalists last season.
Neuse Christian boys soccer: The Lions have 211 goals in the past two seasons, with a NCISAA 1A state runner-up (2019) and state championship (2018) to show for it. This year, Neuse Christian moves to Class 2A with plenty of experience back, including seniors Felipe DaSilva (16 goals last year) and Bryce Teller (11 goals, 16 assists) and junior,Caleb Mocnik (10 goals, four assists).
North Raleigh Christian volleyball: The Knights have won the last five NCISAA 4A state championships, while averaging 28 wins per season. This year, preseason All-American Riley Buckley, a junior setter who has committed to Missouri, headlines a talented team. Buckley had 260 kills and 451 assists last year. Also back is senior middle hitter, Arica Davis, an Ohio State commit who led the state with 76 blocks last season. North Raleigh Christian, ranked as high as No. 26 in the nation last year, will play at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Tampa Oct. 2-3.
Trinity Academy girls tennis: The NCISAA 2A defending state champions return their entire starting lineup, led by sophomore No. 1 Molly Williams, who was undefeated in the postseason last year.
Players to watch
Julieanne Amick, Wake Christian, girls tennis, senior: The Bulldogs’ senior captain and No. 1 player is also the reigning Miss Triangle Area Teen USA.
Ryann Aycock, Cary Christian, girls cross country, sophomore: The 2019 NCISAA 3A state champion won the state title by 58 seconds as a freshman.
Kiera Bartholomew, North Raleigh Christian, girls golf, sophomore: Knights’ newcomer has provided an immediate impact to the lineup, tying a school-record shooting a 34 in her first match (nine holes).
Allison Hall, Durham Academy, girls cross country, freshman: The Cavaliers’ standout was NCISAA 4A state individual champion two years ago as a 7th grader. She was fourth at states last year, while leading her team to back-to-back state titles.
Katherine Lantzy, Durham Academy, field hockey, senior: The Middlebury College commit and all-state midfielder had 13 goals, nine assists, and three game-winning goals for a state semifinalist in 2019.
Ona Lukes, Durham Academy, girls golf, sophomore: All-state performer is continuing the family tradition of excellence for the Durham Academy golf program (her three older brothers were all key contributors to the Durham Academy boys team).
Leslie Meadowcroft, Trinity Academy, cross country, senior: The Tigers’ senior was the team manager in 5th grade, and has been the team’s top runner since seventh grade. She was 10th at the NCISAA 2A state championships last year.
Anna Richard, St. Thomas More Academy, girls cross country, junior: The 2019 NCISAA 2A state individual champion beat the field by 24 seconds in her title run.
Jay Shanahan, Durham Academy, cross country, senior: The Davidson College commit was TISAC 4A conference runner-up last season and was eighth at the 4A state meet. He ran a school-record 15:44.30, at the Great American Festival. Shanahan was also recently picked as one of the top 20 NCISAA runners of the decade.
Oliver Sheikhli, Ravenscroft, boys soccer, senior: The Ravens’ all-state forward led the NCISAA 4A ranks with 60 points (26 goals, eight assists) last year.
Cole Tucker, Thales Academy Rolesville, boys soccer, senior: The Knights’ star had 24 goals and 16 assists for a team that averaged nearly five goals per game last year.
This story was originally published September 18, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
