Concord, NC – The Northside Christian Knights picked up a huge win on the road Monday night as the team used its superb defense and timely baskets to take down Concord Academy, 63-60. The Knights were without star forward Wesley Tubbs III who appears to still be recovering from a hamstring injury suffered against Combine Academy nearly two weeks ago. Northside has since gone 4-0 since dropping it’s season opener and provides one of the more balanced rosters in the area. Concord Academy falls to 2-5 as the Eagles have played a brutal schedule to start off the year. Here are a few of our impact players from Monday night’s game.
2023 guard Mychael Mitchell (Northside Christian)– There is a standard for point guards that run the offense in this system. You’ll need to be lightening quick, an elite defender, a quick decision-maker and the list goes on. Mitchell brings all of this to the table. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better on-ball defender in the area than the 6’1 Mitchell. A kid who works relentlessly on both ends of the floor and is not afraid to go inside against bigger defenders. Despite only finising with 8 points, his tenacity on defense is what truly impacted the game.
2023 guard Antonio Perkins (Northside Christian) – The 6’3 guard has been a huge addition to the Knights this season as he continues to light it up with his permiter game, stretching the floor for the offense. Perkins finished with a team high 14 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 4 assist in the win. What’s more impressive is his willingness to rebound, defend and stick his nose in the paint when he needs to. His overall development as a player has been incredible to watch.
2022 guard Sam Cogan (Northside Christian) – The recent addition of Cogan to this Northside team appears to be a match made in Heaven. In Cogan, the Knights have another multi-faceted guard capable of stretching the floor while also providing the high level of defense Coach Hatchett demands from his players. Cogan oozes confidence and seems to look forward to hitting the big shots that quiet the crowds down. With under a minute left in the game, the 6’3 guard hit a huge 3 pointer to put the Knights up for good. Cogan finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds in the win.
2022 forward Jalen Mattocks (Northside Christian) – Mattox quietly had a big night for the Knights as he took control of the paint and defended the basket well all night. The 6’7 big man was highly efficient and made things happen inside everytime he got the ball in his hands. Mattocks finished with 11 points and 5 boards.
2022 guard Daniel Lubamba (Northside Christian) – There’s not a lot of players who can routinely put up numbers without having plays called for them. Lubamba is the type of player that can will his way to a double-digit night offensively while still leading the charge on defense using his length, speed and quickness to cause havoc for opponents. Lubamba finished with 11 points and 7 reoubds on the night.
