Best of Coastal Christian: Boys No. 6, 5 and 4
In an effort to determine the best 10 male and female athletes at each Wilmington school (Ashley, Cape Fear Academy, Coastal Christian, Hoggard, Laney, New Hanover and Wilmington Christian Academy), I selected a panel of qualified individuals to vote. The participants included: former and current coaches, administrators and ADs, media members and even fans. Each individual voted anonymously with their No. 1 athlete receiving 10 points, No. 2 athlete receiving 9 points and so on.
The first school up is Coastal Christian. A total of 11 people voted and the results will be released throughout the week.
Monday, June 22: Boys and Girls 10, 9, 8 and 7 as well as honorable mention (anyone else who received votes)
Tuesday: June 23: Boys 6, 5 and 4
Wednesday, June 24: Girls 6, 5 and 4
Thursday, June 25: Boys 3, 2 and 1
Friday, June 26: Girls 3, 2 and 1
Boys Honorable Mention
- Marquise Dark (11 points)
- Brian Cooke and Jackson Garrett (10 points)
- Miles Butler and Richard Wetherill (8 points)
- Brian Howell and Tommy Murphy (7 points)
- Ricardo Jones (5 points)
- Dylan Smith (4 points)
- Cheeto Keeter (2 points)
Boys No. 10 (tie)
Walker Henderson (19 points)
Class of 2018
Photo by Tim Hower
Click here to read more about Walker
Ben Schram (19 points)
Class of 2015
Photo courtesy of Coastal Christian
Click here to read more about Ben
Boys No. 9
Skyler Davies (24 points)
Class of 2020
Photo by Tim Hower
Click here to read more about Skyler
Boys No. 8
Justin Lehn (25 points)
Class of 2014
Photo courtesy of Justin Lehn
Click here to read more about Justin
Boys No. 7
Isaiah Arnold (46 points)
Class of 2022
Photo by Tim Hower
Click here to read more about Isaiah
No. 6
Tafari Croom (50 points)
Class of 2020
Photo by Tim Hower
Croom helped the Centurions claim three state titles (one in soccer and two in track & field) during his outstanding career. As a senior, he scored a team-best 24 goals and dished out five assists to lead the soccer program to its first NCISAA state title. He had seven two-goal games as well as a hat trick against Wilmington Christian Academy. On the track, Croom finished third in the state in the 400-meter dash in both 2018 and 2019. He was also on three relays that finished either first or second. He is second in school history in the 400 (52.19) and is part of the fastest 4×200 relay (1:32.01) and 4×400 relay (3:29.76).
“Tafari is the example of what it means to out work and out compete. I’m incredibly proud of who he has become. He seized his opportunities at Coastal and now owns three rings. He’s the only athlete in program history to win three team state championships.” – Anonymous voter
No. 5
Nick Chase (57 points and 1 first-place vote)
Class of 2013
Photo courtesy of Coastal Christian
A standout four-year member of the basketball team, Chase still holds multiple school records. His 1,256 career points has yet to be topped. He’s also first in career field goals made (472) and field goals made in a season (152). He’s tied for the school record in points in a single game (30) and field goals made in a single game (12). Chase went on to have a successful playing career at Hampden-Sydney, making 36 starts and finishing with 459 points.
“Nick is one of the most competitive basketball players ever to play at Coastal. He never backed down from a challenge from the other team and would always fight until the end.” – Anonymous voter
No. 4
Michael Parker (60 points)
Class of 2018
Photo courtesy of Coastal Christian
Parker helped the Coastal Christian basketball program win 67 games during his outstanding four-year career, including a school-record 23 games as a senior. He scored nearly 1,300 points and grabbed almost 800 rebounds while shooting 53 percent from the field. He holds the program record in points in a season (423), free throw made in a season (128) and free throw made in a career (307) and is tied for most points in a single game with 30. Parker began his collegiate career at Salisbury before transferring to Butler, where he sat out last season to fulfill NCAA transfer obligations.
“One of the hardest working athletes I have ever seen come through CCHS. Mike had a drive that was unparalleled by nearly anyone else.” – Anonymous voter
