RT @elijahagray: Thankful to receive an offer from App State! #TakeTheStairs https://t.co/xyVzRnWQEB
The 2018-2019 Ardrey Kell Men's Basketball team saw their season come to a close in the fourth round of the NCHSAA playoffs, losing to West Charlotte 69-53.
Yet, the team has much to be proud of. The Knights finished with a record of 23-6 for the second straight season and clinched their fifth sectional title. The Knights also won the SoMeck 7 tourney for the second consecutive season.
Luke Stankavach, Christian Pickens, and Kameron Flynn were named All-Conference. Additionally, Stankavage was named 3rd team All-District.
There were many signature moments along the way. The hard fought victory over Olympic in the conference tournament was a milestone win in back to back fashion. The victory over Independence, the defending state champs, was a miraculous win on the road. The team proceeded to win 11 out of 12 down the stretch before falling to West Charlotte.
Unfortunately, the season came down to one game -- an Elite 8 game played at Vance High School. The Knights battled and only trailed by 2 going into the fourth quarter in a highly contested matchup. Points were traded back and forth, but the Knights eventually lost in the fourth quarter.
One thing is for certain -- the future for Ardrey Kell basketball continues to be bright!
Royce Jarrett Sinks Game Winner
Royce Jarrett hit a buzzer beating three-pointer (see below) to propel the Knights to the win vs. defending state champions Independence. The Knights will play vs. West Charlotte at Vance on Tuesday night. AK is now 23-5 on the year.
The Ardrey Kell Knights won the SoMeck 7 tournament championship on Friday night! This is the second year in a row that the Knights have won the tournament.
AK will open up as the #7 seed in the NCHSAA tournament on Thursday.
2019 SoMeck 7 Tournament Champions!
TCC: TRUST CARE COMMITMENT
The Knights currently have nine players playing college basketball. AK is represented by D1, DII, and DIII's!
Ardrey Kell will open the season on Tuesday, November 20 vs. Weddington in the Kastle. AK returns nine players from last year's 23-6 team, including four talented seniors.
RT @elijahagray: Thankful to receive an offer from App State! #TakeTheStairs https://t.co/xyVzRnWQEB
Many colleges have visited the Kastle to take a look at the talent on the 2018-2019 AK basketball team. Seniors Kameron Flynn, Royce Jarrett, Christian Pickens, and Steven Sherrill are on many colleges' radar. Juniors Luke Stankavage, Anthony Testa, and Davidson Hubbard continue to impress the scouts as well. Sophomore Knoah Carver and freshman Evan Smith are talented young Knights that scouts are following. UNCW, Elon, Western Carolina, and Lipscomb are just a few that have visited this fall!
2018 GRADUATION! HARPER HENDRICKS AND DAVID KASANGANAY
KASANGANAY WITH "THE SHOT HEARD 'ROUND CHARLOTTE"
The AK men's basketball team flew under the radar all year to a 23-6 record. Let by seniors David Kasanganay and Harper Hendricks, the Knights made a magical run to the Sweet Sixteen. It was the Knight's fifth time making the Sweet Sixteen and the first time the Knights did not advance to the Elite Eight when making it this far.
The Knights won the conference tournament in an epic game on a buzzer beater by David Kasanganay. The shot set off a frenzy in the Kastle in which the students stormed the court and celebrated the championship.
AK won 20 games for the 6th time in school history, and the fourth time in six years (2013, 2014, 2015, and 2018). The Knights will return 11 players next year.
2019-4th round (Sectional Champions-Elite 8)
2018-3rd round (Sweet 16)
2017-1st round
2016-2nd round
2015-4A State Runner-up, Western Regional Champions, sectional champions
2014-4th round (Sectional Champions-Elite 8)
2013-2nd round
2011-1st round
2010-4th round (Sectional Champions-Elite 8)
2009-4th round (Sectional Champions-Elite 8)
2008-1st round
THE KASTLE IS THE HOME OF THE KNIGHTS!
MIKE CRAFT IS IN HIS 13th YEAR AS COACH OF THE KNIGHTS!
1. Kevin Davis (Presbyterian/Lenoir Rhyne)
2. Miguel Cardona (UNC JV)
3. Kendall Smith (UNC JV)
4. Alex Watkins (Lenoir Rhyne)
5. Jusin Cheek (High Point/Newberry)
6. Cameron McQueen (Wofford)
7. TJ Cox (Covenant)
8. Tate Small (Queens)
9. Markel Pollard (Belmont Abbey)
10. Steven Santa Ana (Elon)
11. Devin Cooper (Radford/Catawba)
12. Josh Freund (Randolph/Roanoke)
13. Rhyle Scott (Randolph)
14. Seth Davis (Lenoir Rhyne)
15. Luke Lawson (Army)
16. Wes Morgan (N. Florida/Lees McRae)
17. Jeremy Littlejohn (Roanoke)
18. Jared Carrier (Augusta)
19. Anthony Turnbow (College of New Rochelle)
20. David Kasanganay (Navy)
Head Coach
Steven Edwards (Head JV and assistant coach)
Tyler Epperley (Assistant coach)
Russell Miller (Assistant to the Head coach)
Chris Wilcox (Assistant coach, social media coordinator)
Nate Mauney (Assistant JV coach)
Mark Lanoue (Director of analytics)
Miguel Cardona (Assistant coach)
Justin Cheek (Assistant coach)
Steven Santa Ana scored over 1700 points in his career! Scored a state championship game record 44 points!
Justin Cheek is in the 1,000 point club!
Josh Freund named All-American at Roanoke!
Locker room pre-game talk
ONE HEARTBEAT!
"The Shot Heard 'Round North Carolina." Steven Santa Ana's winning shot in the regional finals in 2015.
SMITH FAMILY LOCKER ROOM
Check out the "Decade hi lite film" below. Coach Craft wants to thank everyone for their contributions during the first decade of AK basketball!
You can watch all the highlights of the 2014-2015 season including the state championship game in the Dean Dome. Just click play below!
WELCOME TO THE CASTLE!
Thank you to Brad Smith for all his support over the years!
Thank you to Barry McAllaster and Chick fil a at Blakeney!
AK basketball would like to thank Eric Smith for all his support over the years!