Charlotte,NC – 2016 marked the end of an era for Northside Christian Academy basketball. After an unprecedented six-year run through the Metrolina Athletic Conference, which saw the Knights capture six conference titles and three state championships, legendary head coach Byron Dinkins resigned and accepted the head coaching job at Carmel Christian. The resignation would spark an immediate rebuild to a program that once reigned supreme on the prep hoops scene. The Knights would go on to win just seven games the following year and many wondered if Northside would ever be able to re-position itself back to greatness.
Three years removed from the seven-win season, the Knights have already matched that win total through just nine games. The team is 7-2 and has climbed back into state title contention. The private school has developed a strong nucleus of talent that is sure to keep the program relevant for years to come.
At the helm of Northside’s resurgence is head coach Erasto Hatchett, a Lexington, KY native who played in the shadows of the historic Rupp Arena. Hatchett would become a two-time All-City point guard at Henry Clay High School, which caught the attention of legendary head coach Steve Joyner at Johnson C. Smith University. Hatchett would go on to have a solid four year career at the school before leaping in the coaching realms in 2001 as a Smith assistant. 18 years later, following stops on the high school, college and professional circuit, Hatchett has quickly positioned his team for a coveted state title run in the NCISAA 2A class.
Despite receiving multiple coaching job offers in 2016, Hatchett knew he would best fit in an environment that based it’s success on faith and family. “The family culture here at Northside is exactly the way I want it,” said Hatchett. “This is what allows us to build a winning program. I was never interested in just having a good team because you can’t sustain that. But a program allows you the opportunity to invest into the personal development of kids and build great men.”
At the center of the program’s success on the hardwood is senior Jaden Seymour, a heavily recruited forward who recently tore his ACL over the summer playing AAU basketball. The 6’8 swing-man, who’s 16 points per game led the team in scoring last season, is slated to return to the court in January and will add more firepower to an already explosive offense. “Jaden has been the anchor of everything that we do here,” said Hatchett. “After only winning seven games a few years ago, he could have easily went another direction but he saw the light at the end of the tunnel and has helped turn this program around.”
With interest stemming from schools such as N.C. State, Virginia Tech and the University of South Florida, Seymour believes staying at Northside has set him up for success in the future. “I felt like it was better for me to stay at Northside because I knew this environment would get the best out of me, ” said Seymour. “The players and coaches trust each other and I know they will always put us in the best situation to succeed in life. I love the school and everything it offers.”
Once Seymour returns to the floor, he will be joined in the front-court by fellow senior Soloman Tucker. A 6’7 rim protector that has controlled the paint for the Knights, making it difficult for teams to score inside. “Not having Jaden right now, we know teams are going to attack us inside,” said Tucker. “So I knew I would have to step up to rebound and block shots at a higher rate. Coach Hatchett always preaches defense to us, so we know we have to be able to stop teams if we want to win games.”
Running the offense for the Knights is 6’3 point guard Glynn Hubbard III. A gifted junior guard who has flown under the radar, yet continues to have a breakout 2019-2020 campaign. Hubbard attributes the rise to his head coach who was once a standout a collegiate point guard. “He has been great in my development,” said Hubbard. “He has taught me how to become a better point guard and how to be a leader on the team.” Hubbard knows with hard work and patience, his time is sure to come. “I think eventually everyone will began to recognize that I am one of the top players in the state.”
Boasting a strong array of talent over the next several years, the future is bright for the Knights and Coach Hatchett is leaning on faith to carry them through it. “I take what I do very serious,” said Hatchett. “It’s much bigger than wins and losses for us here. This is ministry and as long as God is with us, I know we’ll be alright”.
