2021 Spring Previews: Coastal Christian

March 3, 2021, 4:40 pm | by Tim Hower

Girls Soccer

Eight starters return from last year’s team that only played a pair of matches before the season got shut down due to COVID-19.

The Centurions went 13-7 overall and 5-1 in Coastal Rivers Conference play in 2019. They advanced to the third round of the playoffs before falling to Hickory Grove Christian School.

Coach Brian Kurtz thinks the strengths of the team are depth and fitness. He has a talented junior class, which is led by goalkeeper Betsy Wheeler.

Betsy Wheeler is one of the most talented goalkeepers in the area. [Tim Hower/Coastal Preps]

Brooke Allen, Elsa Johnson and Ariana Pacheo will anchor the midfield with Bryna Barton holding down one of the forward positions.

Joining Barton up top will be freshmen Morgan Fritz and Finley Melvin. Sara Strakhov and Audrey Shrewberry are the team’s top defenders.

Boys Track & Field

The Centurions are still the two-time defending state champions even though they haven’t raised the trophy since 2019.

With a talented group returning, Coastal Christian was the favorite to claim a third consecutive title in 2020, but COVID-19 derailed those hopes. Even with the loss of some key athletes, the Centurions will once again have a strong team.

Senior Nicholas Scrocco is one of the area’s top distance runners. He claimed the NCISAA 3A cross country state title in the fall. Joining him in the distance events will be sophomore Caleb Cottle as well as freshmen Jack Sterrett and Thad O’Neill.

Spenser Lewis will score key points in pole vault and fellow senior McKoy Graham is a gifted sprinter.

Junior Josh Keeter will compete in sprints, while Collin Kitts will be the team’s top thrower. Sophomores Ethan Shumate (sprints and hurdles) and Carter Grace (hurdles and jumps) should also be solid contributors.

Girls Track & Field

Fourteen athletes return for the Centurions, including sophomore distance runners Zoe Bos. She is coming off a terrific cross country season that saw her finish 11th at the NCISAA 3A State Championship.

Junior Sarah Holler, who is already committed to Covenant College, will compete in high jump and pole vault. Kora Beth Witzenman will join her in both events as well as sprints.

Coastal Christian should be solid in throws thanks to seniors Lindsey King and AC Fuller. Isabella Elston and Brooke McIntyre are two of the top sprinters, while Kinsey Gerow and Ava Basler will lead the mid-distance runners.

Baseball

Coach Malcom Phelps has a pretty inexperienced group, so he is really relying on the leadership of seniors Trevon Davis-Pearson and Troy Lacerte.

Coastal Christian’s Tre’von Davis-Pearson is one of the team leaders. [Tim Hower/Coastal Preps]

The Centurions were on pace to have a successful 2020 before the season was canceled. Cheeto Keeter, Gage Griffin and Connor Leach all graduated and Maguire Craddock transferred back to Hoggard.

This year’s team motto is to EATT – great effort, great attitude, great teammates and great toughness.

Boys Tennis

Junior Josh Mantague will hold down the top singles spot for a team that returns four starters.

Coastal Christian qualified for the NCISAA Division II playoffs in 2019 and reached the second round before falling to Cape Fear Academy. Getting back to the postseason this year would be a great accomplishment.