The Ravenscroft Varsity Boys' Basketball Team delivered an impressive three-day performance to capture the John Jacobs Christmas Classic Tournament, earning three consecutive victories and sealing the championship with a decisive win on Tuesday, Dec. 30.

Following the tournament, Interim Head Coach Julian Gamble praised his team’s growth and commitment.

“The boys have been working tirelessly since Coach Billerman’s retirement to change some of our early-season results,” Gamble said. “Their performance over the three games is a small reflection of the fruits of their labor, and I couldn’t be more proud. Playing in this tournament was a big opportunity for us, and winning it was the goal we set and accomplished.”

Saturday, Dec. 27 | vs. Rocky Mount

Opening Round – 58-52 Win

Ravenscroft opened tournament play with a hard-fought 58–52 victory over Rocky Mount, fueled by a balanced offensive effort and dominance on the glass. Aayan Nathani ’28 led all scorers with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting, continuing a stretch in which he has increased his scoring output in each of his last three games. Les Carroll ’26 filled the stat sheet with eight points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

The Ravens were relentless on the offensive boards, collecting 14 offensive rebounds—marking the fifth consecutive game in which the team secured at least nine second-chance opportunities.

Monday, Dec. 29 | vs. Terry Sanford

Semifinal – 50-27 Win

Ravenscroft advanced to the championship game with a commanding 50–27 semifinal victory over Terry Sanford, extending its winning streak to three games.

Once again, the Ravens relied on contributions from multiple players. Carroll recorded eight points and eight rebounds, continuing a streak of four straight games with at least eight boards. Nathani added 11 points and seven rebounds, shooting an efficient 5-for-7 from the field as Ravenscroft pulled away early and maintained control throughout.

Tuesday, Dec. 30 | vs. West Johnston

Championship Game – 54-37 Win

Ravenscroft capped the tournament with a decisive 54–37 victory over West Johnston to claim the John Jacobs Christmas Classic title, marking the team’s fourth consecutive win.

Nathani delivered another standout performance, finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds, and three steals on 7-of-15 shooting. Bray Hubbard ’27 added 16 points on 54% shooting while pulling down seven rebounds, and Carroll continued his strong tournament play with seven points and nine rebounds.

All-Tournament Honors

Four Ravens earned All-Tournament recognition for their performances:

#25 Aayan Nathani ’28 — Tournament MVP

#35 Lee Podger ’27— All-Tournament Team

#22 Bray Hubbard ’27— All-Tournament Team

#30 Les Carroll ’26— All-Tournament Team

With the tournament title secured, Ravenscroft now turns its focus to conference play as the second half of the season begins.

“This is a crucial part of the season,” Gamble said. “Our goal is to continue building on the progress we’ve made recently. In conference play, every game will be a battle, and it’s important that we’re sharp in all areas as we compete for a conference championship.”