Kinston native, Hall of Famer Craig Dawson named Ravenscroft head boys basketball coach

Kinston native, Hall of Famer Craig Dawson named Ravenscroft head boys basketball coach

Raleigh — Ravenscroft has turned to a coach with deep Eastern North Carolina roots and a decorated basketball background to lead its program forward.

Kinston native and Lenoir County Sports Hall of Famer Craig Dawson has been named the Ravens’ new head boys basketball coach and program director, the school announced.

“I am fully committed to fielding teams on the hardwood that this community will be proud to support,” Dawson said in a statement released by the school. “It is a genuine honor to follow Coach Billerman’s legendary career. I can’t wait to get on campus and meet this group of student-athletes.”

Dawson, a former Wake Forest standout, brings both high-level playing experience and proven coaching success to Raleigh. During his collegiate career, he scored more than 1,000 points, tied an ACC record with 11 three-pointers in a game, and led the conference in three-point percentage (44%) in 2002.

On the sidelines, Dawson built a winning program at Woodberry Forest, where he became the school’s all-time wins leader. His team set a school record with 24 wins in 2023, and over a two-year stretch, compiled 42 victories — another program benchmark. He was named Virginia Prep League Coach of the Year in 2017.

Now, Dawson takes over a Ravenscroft program that went 12-12 last season but has been a model of consistency. The Ravens have not recorded a losing season since 2019 — their only one since 2006.

For Dawson, the move marks a return to his home state, bringing his journey full circle from Kinston to the ACC and now back to North Carolina’s high school ranks.

He is set to begin his role on July 1, 2026.