Dwelling Water Christian College basketball is “right here to remain.”
That's what all-area senior Bo Koebbe mentioned Saturday evening after the Warriors beat Hilltop Christian 76-63 within the N.C. Christian College Affiliation 2-A boys basketball event at Calvary Christian College close to Winston-Salem.
“Whenever you have a look at our energy of schedule, we have been No. 2 or No. 1 in Onslow County and we have been nonetheless capable of come away with a successful document and a state championship,” Koebbe mentioned. “We've proven that on the subject of basketball, we are able to hold with the very best of them. Each time we have been on the court docket, we confirmed it.”
The win marked the Warriors' third consecutive event championship. Reside Water received its first NCCSA title final 12 months in its first season within the affiliation. This system additionally received the NC Christian Athletic Convention event title in 2022 earlier than transferring to the extra aggressive NCCSA.
After their final championship, the Warriors at the moment are 19-10 having received their final 12 video games.
“It feels nice due to all of the arduous work they put into it,” first-year coach Chanda Corridor mentioned. “It required quite a lot of focus. There have been quite a lot of robust occasions, however we caught collectively and centered on getting the job executed.”
The title meant so much to Koebbe as a result of his household constructed the non-public college in Jacksonville and since he helped elevate the basketball program to a championship.
“As seniors, we tried to determine a tradition right here,” Koebbe mentioned. “We had a objective going into this season and there's no higher feeling than successful a state championship.”
The championship additionally meant so much to senior Savion Pepper, who was a key addition to the Warriors after a profitable particular person stint at Northside Excessive.
“There have been quite a lot of bumps and bruises within the first half of the season, however we acquired these out of the way in which,” Pepper mentioned. “After that, every part took care of itself. All of the hate for Dwelling Water about not enjoying aggressive is de facto not true. I really feel like all these rumors have gone out the window.”
Koebbe led Dwelling Water within the championship sport with 18 factors, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Freshman Dwight Hooker had 18 factors, 4 assists and two rebounds, whereas Pepper added 14 factors, 5 assists and 4 rebounds.
Sophomore Jaiden Cooper had six factors, 12 rebounds and one help, junior Elijah Mabry contributed seven factors, 5 rebounds and one help and Ireione Seright had six factors, three assists and two rebounds.
Dwelling Water led 13-9 within the first quarter, however fell behind 20-19 within the second quarter. The Warriors have been by no means capable of draw back from Hilltop Christian of Fuquay-Varina (28-5), however they led 31-26 at halftime.
However then Živá voda acquired sizzling within the third quarter and took a 58-41 lead into the fourth quarter.
“There was quite a lot of emotion at halftime,” Corridor mentioned. “We inspired the blokes to not fear about issues on the surface and lock in on protection. After we get stops, it's arduous to cease our fastbreak.”
Koebbe mentioned the Warriors simply wanted to quiet down within the second half.
“We needed to play our sport,” he mentioned. “After we went into the second half, we calmed down and acquired pumped up.
And the Warriors have been on their strategy to their second win of the season over the Hilltop. Dwelling Water beat Hilltop 63-54 on Feb. 2. Hilltop reached the finals with a half-court shot, defeating Triad Baptist Christian Academy of Kernersville 63-62 on Friday evening.
Dwelling Water superior to the finals with a 79-67 win over Tabernacle Christian of Hickory on Friday after a 96-47 victory over Vandalia Christian of Greensboro on Thursday.
Koebbe was named to the NCCSA All-State crew, whereas Seright and Pepper have been named All-Area.
“The important thing to being profitable this weekend was enjoying protection and getting stops,” Corridor mentioned. “We performed some groups that might shoot the ball, however we locked down and acquired stops. We will beat anyone if we play collectively and play arduous.”
Chris Miller could be reached through electronic mail at cmiller@jdnews.com. Comply with him on X, previously Twitter, @jdnsports.
