McKoy-led Crusaders prime for banner season

Harrells Christian has talent to contend for league title

HARRELLS – Harrells Christian Academy plays elite basketball teams in the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association. The Crusaders more than held their own last season in going 20-6, even while charting a 2-4 mark in Big East conference play. The league has changed, but coach Clayton Hall’s club will still be a factor this winter. HCA is off to a 5-3 beginning. The Crusaders return every valuable piece of their puzzle, sans point guard Ethan Spell. “We’re young and we have to improve,” Hall said. “The biggest problems are 3-point shooting and defensive rebounding. We can overcome those, but they are points of emphasis. “I’m not over the moon about our play right now, but I’m also not down in the dumps.” There’s plenty of room for optimism in the Cru’s house. It starts with 6-foot-2 Antonio McKoy, who averaged 17.4 points and 6.5 rebounds last season, but has upped his production to 22.4 through seven games. “He’s a special player,” Hall said of his shooting guard/small forward. “Offensively, I’ve never had such a talented player. He’s got Division 1 offers and is probably going to explode a little this season. He plays at CP3’s (NBA great Chris Paul’s) camp and that in itself says a lot.” Look for the offers to pile up for McKoy as he’s only a sophomore. His cousin, Dashaun McKoy, might be HCA’s second-best scoring threat. And the 6-4 sophomore can rebound, too. He averaged 13.7 points and 8.5 boards last season. “He’s an incredible athlete,” Hall said. “Sometimes I just want to see him play instinctually and just play hard, which he does. He can really get after it.” Another returnee is Zicareian McNeil, who has raised his average from 10.0 points to 14.3 this season. Yet the junior is a bull on the defensive end. “He’s probably our best onball defender,” Hall said. “He’s got a good motor and helps on offense.” Seniors B.J. Bennett and Samir Gibbs bring more experience to the court. “Samir understands the game better than anyone on our team,” Hall said. “He can be a special player and make a big difference if he shoots the ball well. “B.J. is a role player that means so much to us. He fills a void being our fourth or fifth scorer.” HCA is waiting for forward J’Kaeshi Brunson to return to form after an ACL injury in football. When healthy the sophomore provides additional muscle. Other key contributors include forwards Jonathan Fillyaw and Hakeem Murphy and guards Coley Sasser and Collin Cole. “We had some tough early games,” Hall said. Indeed, HCA’s losses were against quality foes, and close — Trinity 56-53, New Life Chrisitan, a 44-42 and Greenfield 69-66. Only in its opener did the Crusaders not fight hard and to their potential, a 91-63 setback to Cape Fear Christian on Nov. 14. Look for HCA to show its fire power when league play begins. The rest of the conference includes Faith Christian (Fayetteville), Rocky Mount Academy, Oakwood (Greenville), Halifax (Roanoke Rapids), powerhouse Fayetteville Academy, and KerrVance Academy (Henderson).