Greensboro has been one of the most dominate teams in the state of North Carolina for years. They are coming off of back to back state championships and now with new private school 4A division added, we think they will stake claim to it.

Greensboro Day School remains the powerhouse in the NCISAA and on the national level. Coming off back to back state championships (and 3 of the last 4 years), this Bengals’ team will look to make history by becoming the first GDS basketball team to win 3 consecutive state championships.

The Bengals graduated 6 players (5 playing in college in 18-19) from the 17-18 team, but still return experience with 5 players who played significant minutes in 17-18 and the influx of 3 new players with an abundance of talent! Sophomores Carson McCorkle ’21, Cam Hayes ’21, and Josh Taylor ’21 are all nationally ranked players.

Five returning seniors will play pivotal roles for the Bengals during the 18-19 year: Austin Inge, Noah Dunn, Mike Fowler, Nicholas Evtimov, and Banks Handy, *Player Rankings as of September 2018 6-1 Guard, Austin Inge ’19, is a tenacious defender. He is the leader of this team and he has continued to improve year after year. Austin will be pivotal in leading this team to 3-peat. Austin is receiving interest from the Citadel, Liberty, East Carolina, and USC-Upstate. 

6-9 Forward, Mike Fowler ’19, is a stretch four, committed to play at James Madison University on September 21, 2018. Mike is a cerebral player that has excellent instincts around the rim. His overall skill set is advanced. 

6-8 Forward, Nicholas Evtimov ’19, is a highly skilled power forward that will impress you with his passing and nifty moves around the rim. Nick holds offers from UNC-Greensboro, Appalachian State, Iona, Bucknell, Campbell, Columbia, Lehigh, Towson, University of Arkansas-Little Rock, and Colgate. He has basketball in his pedigree as his father played at UNC-Chapel Hill and his uncle played at NC State University. 

6-5 Wing, Noah Dunn ’19, may not be the flashiest guy on the court, but simply goes about his work. He’s your typical blue-collar lunch pail guy who will make winning and hustle plays throughout the course of the game. Noah has an offer from Winston Salem State University. He is also hearing from Tennessee State University. Noah will miss the first part of the season as he continues to recover from a torn ACL in May of 2018. 

Hoops. 6’0 SG, Banks Handy ’19, is one of the best 3-point shooters in the state. He will see increased minutes this year and has improved on the defensive end.

Adding to the seniors are the following players who return and will provide critical minutes for the Bengals:

6-3 Guard, Carson McCorkle ’21, a University of Virginia commit, is a highly touted young guard. As a freshman, he averaged 10.7 points, 4, rebounds and 1.9 assists. Carson was named to the 2018 US Youth Olympic Games Basketball Team in April. On September 21, 2018, Carson committed to play at the University of Virginia after receiving offers from Virginia, NC State, Baylor, Florida, Clemson, Iowa, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, and Wichita State. 

#1 in NC in the class of ’21 alongside teammate, Cam Hayes. 

6-7 Forward, Cason Pierce ’20, will provide quality minutes. He moves well without the ball and is definitely a player to keep an eye out for. He’s fundamentally sound and will provide quality depth for this talented roster. Cason is hearing from Presbyterian, East Carolina, and VMI. 

The Bengals have 3 newcomers who will see significant minutes this year:

6-3 Guard, Camren ‘Cam’ Hayes ’21, will jump right into the fold. Cam averaged 11.4 ppg and 6.7 apg last year and shot 40% from 3. Cam has good length and athleticism. He is good in transition and goes inside and out. Cam plays with CP3 on the EYBL. Cam has received offers from NC State, Wake Forest, Tennessee, North Florida, Western Carolina, IUPUI, and Hampton. He is also receiving interest from Clemson, Virginia, Louisville, Providence, Oklahoma State, East Carolina, an

6-8 Forward, Josh Taylor ’21, played last season at Columbia High School in Georgia where he averaged a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. He also averaged 3 blocks a game and was named 1st team All-Region. He plays on CP3 in the EYBL. Josh participated in the Underclassman All-American Game in Atlanta in March of 2018. Josh has attended the Nike Elite 100 Camp the past two summers. Josh has received offers from LSU, TCU, Texas Tech, St. Johns, Rutgers, University of South Florida, Georgia State, Southern University, and Western Carolina. He is currently receiving interest from Georgia Tech, University of Georgia, Florida, Clemson, Auburn, Rice, West Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio State, Lipscomb, and College of Charleston. 

6-5 Wing, Christian Bailey ’20, played his last 2 seasons at Statesville Christian and scored over 1,000 points prior to the end of his sophomore season. As a sophomore, he averaged 13.3ppg, 5.3rbg and shot 59%. He was selected to the All-Iredell County First Team and was All-SPAA Conference for the 2nd straight year. Christian played for Team United on the EYBL.

Greensboro Day School is once again playing a tough schedule with scheduled games that include arch-rival Wesleyan Christian, Cox Mill, Carmel Christian, Providence Day, and Christ School. They start the season at the Phenom National High School Showcase. Two games that everyone should have marked on their calendars are December 22nd vs. Cox Mill and January 10th vs. Carmel Christian. After Christmas, the team will go for their 8th consecutive HAECO Invitational Championship in Greensboro, NC. This team looks to 3-peat as state champions. Another trip to the GEICO National Tournament would be the ideal finish to the season.

'Tradition' and ‘culture’ are two words often associated with Greensboro Day School basketball. Each year, GDS graduates players who go to compete at the next level. Over 60 players have gone on to play at the collegiate level including 22 of 30 (73%) graduates since 2013. 5 of 6 graduates from 2018 are playing college basketball during the 2018-19 season. In total, there are 15 alumni on college or professional rosters for the 2018-19 season. They have won the PACIS conference 25 times and have made the NCISAA state championship games 18 times, wining it a record 10 times in the short 48-year history of the school.

Coach Freddy Johnson is entering his 42nd season as Head Coach of the Varsity Boys' Basketball team at Greensboro Day School. Coach Johnson has amassed 1,019 wins in his career at GDS and has won a record 10 NCISAA state championships in 18 appearances. In May 2016, Coach Johnson was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Coach Johnson was named the 2017 National Coach of the Year by BallisLife.

Expect the Greensboro Day School Bengals to stay at the top of the state and national rankings throughout the 18-19 year.

Experience and leadership will keep this year’s team on par with past seasons of success!