A reigning state champion in girls basketball won’t defend its title.

Cresset Christian, a private school in Durham with fewer than 115 students in grades 9-12, withdrew from the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association, the association confirmed to HighSchoolOT. The Eagles won the 1A girls basketball title a year ago — its first in any sport.

NCISAA members were informed of the move on Dec. 11 with the following statement: “The NCISAA received a notice of resignation from Cresset Christian Academy today. Per the bylaws, effective immediately, Cresset Christian Academy is no longer a member of the NCISAA.”

The exact reason for the withdrawal was not provided by the NCISAA.

HighSchoolOT has reached out to Cresset via email on Friday but has not heard back yet.

Cresset was ranked No. 11 in the state by HighSchoolOT across all official state associations and classifications going into Christmas break.