The Mighty Warriors

Mt. Zion Christian Academy has a unique prep basketball program. Players come from across the United States to Durham, North Carolina to play basketball. The team lives together in a house with Coach Joel Hopkins and his family. Players share dorm-style rooms with bunk beds, and have one bathroom. They also have a basement where they hang out and watch their only television set. This season, Mt. Zion was ranked as one of the top high school teams in the nation and finished the season with a 26-2 record. Their season finale against Oak Hill Academy was played in the Dean Smith Center at UNC-Chapel Hill. On top of the team's other recognitions, senior Tracey McGrady announced that he will head straight to the NBA instead of playing in college. The eight other seniors all plan to play NCAA basketball next season.



Copyright © 1997 Erin Wall
If you have comments or questions, e-mail the photographer ewall@tribune.com