Ardrey Kell Knights boys basketball: Kings of the Castle Crazies
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mike Craft has coached the Ardrey Kell basketball team for 15 years, but this past season was unlike any other. At the beginning of the year, he and his players were left wondering if they’d even have a season.
“We wanted a season, but we also wanted everyone to be safe,” Craft said.
In the end, they did get to play, but it didn’t look the same. One of the most noticeable differences was the size of the crowd cheering them on, which was limited to 25 people. Usually, the student section, dubbed “the Castle Crazies,” adds an electricity to game nights, but these games were noticeably quieter.
“Each game felt more like a scrimmage, but the kids created their own energy,” Craft said.
He was impressed with his team’s resilience and positive attitude despite the challenges.
“We wore masks on the court the whole season, and I didn’t hear a single complaint,” Craft said. “They just said ‘tell us what we have to do to play.’”
Play they did. For the second time in Ardrey Kell history, and the first time for this particular group, the basketball team made it all the way to the state championship game.
“We played a great game and wound up a little short, but I’m so proud of what they accomplished, and how they did it with such class and dignity,” Craft said.
We recently caught up with Peyton Gerald, Knoah Carver, and Evan Smith, three of the team’s star players. Not only are they dominating forces on the court, they are all-around upstanding young men, and all boast GPAs of 3.0 and higher. Here, they open up about themselves and give us a firsthand account of what it’s like to be a part of this dynamic team.
What does “team” mean to you?
Peyton Gerald: When I think team, I think “family.” My AK team is my second family. We’re there for each other, encouraging one another but also holding one another accountable. I’m a captain, so it was a responsibility to lead by example.
Knoah Carver: Family. With the team we have, we’re really close. Coach Craft does a lot to help us build that team atmosphere. We have team meals, spend a lot of time bonding outside of games and practice… We want to give one another our best. It makes you want to play your hardest.
Evan Smith: Team to me is everything. We go by this saying, “TCC;” Trust, Care, Commitment. We’re all close—close enough to tell each other when we need to step it up. It’s a tight bond here.
What’s your favorite team memory?
Gerald: Winning against North Meck in the Regional Championship game. They’re one of the best teams in the nation.
Carver: The West Charlotte game at Vance my sophomore year. It was a crazy game, packed to the walls. There were lines of people outside waiting to get in! It was cool playing in that atmosphere.
Smith: Definitely the North Meck game in the regional championship. The game came down to the wire, and we pulled it out in the end. The crowd was going wild. We went back to the locker room and went ballistic!
What’s your pre-game ritual?
Gerald: It’s kind of simple, but I always eat two packs of fruit snacks real quick before I go out. It’s gotta be the Mott’s fruit snacks.
Carver: I pray before every game by myself. And I always make sure I’m wearing two pairs of socks! One pair has always been the NCU East/West socks. That’s been my goal to get to that game, and this year I’ll get to play in it.
Smith: We usually shoot in the aux gym, then I’ll go and sit down in the locker room and pray and listen to music. I keep my head down and spend a few minutes to myself, not talking to anyone. It’s my way of locking in.
Who’s your favorite athlete? Favorite team?
Gerald: Jayson Tatum. And I like the Hawks because I was born in Atlanta, and my dad also likes them too.
Carver: Jrue Holiday or Bradley Beal. My favorite team is probably the Nets; I like Kyrie.
Smith: I like Sharife Cooper—he goes to Auburn. I like his game, so I watch him all the time. For team, I like the Grizzlies. I’ve loved watching them in the NBA playoffs.
What do you like doing outside of basketball?
Gerald: I’m usually just playing video games with friends. Call of Duty is my favorite right now.
Carver: This summer I’m looking for a mechanical engineering internship, I’m looking forward to getting some hands-on experience in that field.
Smith: If I’m not playing basketball, I’m usually chilling with friends, listening to music. I’m planning on making money by training kids this summer. And I can rap a little bit.
What are your plans after high school?
Gerald: June 9th I’m headed to Catawba College.
Carver: I’ll repeat senior year at Brewster Academy, where I’ll work on getting stronger and faster, then I’ll go on to play in college. [He’s gotten several inquiries already and is projected to be a D1 athlete]
Smith: I’ve got one more year of high school, but I definitely want to be playing basketball in college. I’ve gotten an offer from the Naval Academy.
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