After consecutive region-winning seasons in SCISA 3A play, the Northside Christian basketball team is preparing for its toughest challenge in program history. 

The Crusaders moved up a classification this season and are now in a conference with some of SCISA’s best boys basketball teams. Northside aims to build on its 3A success and prove it belongs among new 4A opponents like Cardinal Newman, Hammond, Heathwood Hall and Augusta Christian, all of which advanced to the 2024 state semifinal. 

“In terms of high school basketball, it doesn't get much better,” Northside head coach Peter Wilkerson said. “I think this group is really excited to compete every night in region and to always know they're going to play a team that is talented and well-coached and has tradition.” 

Wilkerson is confident his team can compete in 4A. Last season, Northside went 18-6 and undefeated in region play to win the region championship for the second year in a row. Many of that team’s top players are returning this year but more developed and experienced. 

“Really like our group, have a lot of senior leadership on our team this year,” Wilkerson said. “I think we're going to surprise a lot of people.”

Last season’s 3A Region 4 Player of the Year, Cade McNeil, is back. He averaged over 10 points per game last season and shot over 40% from three-point range. 

Hilton Dessausure is another returning player expected to be a leader this season. Dessausure is committed to play college ball at Maryville College in Tennessee and averaged over 13 points per game last season. 

Northside will also lean on a handful of newcomers who are in their first season as a member of the team. Two notable additions include Ridge View transfers Jaylan Weaver and Dalton Gadson.

“They're going to have a really big impact on our team this year,” Wilkerson said. 

While the team this year is similar to last year’s group, there are some notable differences in how this version of Northside will play. The returning players have had an offseason of training to get faster, stronger and grow more. This is a change Wilkerson expects to see on the court. 

“Our athleticism has increased a lot,” he said. “We're not necessarily bigger, but we are faster, stronger for sure and longer. We have a lot of length. We're not one of those teams that's got multiple, or any, six-eight guys, but we can put lineups on the floor that are all over six foot, which we haven't been able to do in years past.”

Wilkerson added that this version of Northside can shoot the ball well and score a lot of points in a hurry. 

“We're going to shoot the ball at a high level and play really fast this year, which is a lot of fun,” he said. 

The team’s high-powered offense was on full display last week as the Crusaders opened their season against Camden Military on Nov. 19. Northside won the contest 81-30, beating the Spartans by over 50 points. 

McNeil led the way with 18 points. He was lights-out shooting the ball, finishing six for eight from the floor and four for five from three. 

Weaver added 17 points on eight for 10 shooting, with most of his work coming inside the arch. Dessausure added 13 points on six-for-eight shooting as the third player in double-figures for the team. Freshman Jason Epps also made contributions, scoring six points, two assists, two steals and leading the team with six rebounds.

What made the win even more impressive was the Crusaders had just one full practice together before playing. A few players on the roster missed earlier practices as they were part of the historic Northside football team that set a program record in wins and advanced to the SCISA 3A state semifinals.

“We have not had a lot of practice with the whole group, so I told them the one mistake that we could make was not playing hard, and they played extremely hard, which I'm really proud of, you,” Wilkerson said. “They played very hard, very aggressive, very physical. We got to continue to get better and clean some things up. But that was something that was really good to see.” 

Northside played a few more games before the Thanksgiving holiday and after the Chronicle’s press deadline. The team will look to continue playing at a high level in its out-of-region season, so it can be as successful as possible in region play. 

While winning a third consecutive region title would be nice, Wilkerson said this season is more about proving they belong and building a culture of excellence in their new classification. 

“A successful season for us is that we begin a legacy and a tradition of Northside of being successful in 4A. We set the tone that Northside Christian Academy belongs in 4A,” Wilkerson said. “We're here to stay. What that looks like in terms of wins and losses, I'm not entirely sure. I definitely think competing for a region championship and competing for a playoff spot are on the table. They're both attainable. We have a group that can do that. But I think the main thing is continuing to play to our standard of excellence.”