The Observer’s Iredell County boys’ high school basketball preview
The Observer’s boys basketball preview for Iredell County:
Teams to watch
Lake Norman: The Wildcats return the core of their team, including four starters, from a 19-win squad that won the Greater Metro 4A conference title.
This year, Lake Norman will have a balanced attack with 6-foot-10 junior Trent Steinour (11 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 bpg) inside, with a wealth of talent on the perimeter, including sophomore guard Nick Arnold (7 ppg, 4 apg, 5 rpg), juniors Josh Yates (8 ppg, 5 apg) and Tre McKinnon (15 ppg) along with Myers Park transfer, Santana Lynch (7 ppg).
North Iredell: The Raiders return three starters from a 17-10 team a year ago. North Iredell feature three seniors: point guard Avery Cloer, shooting guard Cade Kidd (10 ppg) and power forward, Greyson Kerr (12.1 ppg, 8 rpg). Seniors Kade Pierce and Cody Robinette also provide experience to the lineup for a team on the rise. North Iredell is 48-22 in the past three seasons combined.
Pine Lake Prep: The Pride return four starters from a team that was up and down at 14-12 last season. This year, Pine Lake Prep should be improved with three seniors returning: 6-6 Robert Magner (14 ppg, 8 rpg), 6-4 Lucas Strickfaden (13 ppg) and 6-3 Wes Statzer (10 ppg). Also back is 6-3 junior Ethan Morgan. Lincoln Charter transfer Joseph Bruce, a 5-10 junior, will also be a welcome addition to a team with the experience to compete for the Catawba Shores’ 1A/2A conference title.
Players to watch
Kobe Brown, Statesville: The 6-foot junior all-conference guard is back to lead a Greyhounds’ team looking to move up the Western Foothills’ Athletic conference standings.
Jermaine Cornelius, West Iredell: The 5-11 junior all-conference guard (11.6 ppg) is the leading returner scorer for the Warriors.
Greyson Kerr, North Iredell: The 6-5 senior power forward (12.1 ppg, 8 rpg) is the Raiders’ go-to player inside.
Robert Magner, Pine Lake Prep: The 6-6 senior all-conference wing (14 ppg, 8 rpg) is the leading returning scorer and rebounder for the Pride.
Santana Lynch, Lake Norman: The 6-5 senior Myers Park transfer (7 ppg) gives the Wildcats another weapon with state championship experience.
A.J. Parsley, Mooresville: The 5-9 senior gives the Blue Devils an experienced backcourt with 6-3 classmate Jalen Chambers.
Tre McKinnon, Lake Norman: The 6-5 junior guard (15 ppg, 6 rpg) looks to build on an all-region, all-District sophomore season.
Trent Steinour, Lake Norman: The 6-10 junior forward, the reigning Greater Metro 4A conference player of the year (11 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 bpg), is getting major Division I recruiting interest, according to Lake Norman coach Grant Hodges.
Players on the rise
Joseph Bruce, Pine Lake Prep: The Lincoln Charter transfer, a 5-10 junior, gives the Pride another scoring option on a balanced team.
Dylan Clark, Mooresville: The 6-8 sophomore forward gives the Blue Devils a high-motor player inside.
Cade Kerr, North Iredell: The 6-foot senior shooting guard (10 ppg) is part of an experienced backcourt with classmate and point guard Avery Cloer.
Preseason All-Iredell County team
Kobe Brown, Statesville, 6-0, Jr.
Jermaine Cornelius, West Iredell, 5-11, Jr.
Greyson Kerr, North Iredell, 6-5, Sr.
Robert Magner, Pine Lake Prep, 6-6, Sr.
Santana Lynch, Lake Norman, 6-5, Sr.
A.J. Parsley, Mooresville, 5-9, Sr.
Tre McKinnon, Lake Norman, 6-5, Jr.
Trent Steinour, Lake Norman, 6-9, Jr.
Preseason player of the year: Trent Steinour, Lake Norman, 6-9, Jr., PF
Notes
The Mooresville basketball team will be younger this season with four sophomores on the varsity roster.
North Iredell basketball coach Jeff LeVan is 10 wins away from earning his 100th career victory (90-52 overall), while Pine Lake Prep basketball coach Tony Dunbar is 11 victories from the same career mark. He’s 89-63 in his career.
First-year South Iredell coach John (JP) Culp is looking to turn around a Vikings’ program that is 22-62 in the past four years. South’s last winning season was in 2018-19 (16-9). South Iredell has had four head coaches in the past four years.
Conference predictions
Catawba Shores 1A/2A Conference
Pine Lake Prep; 2. Lincoln Charter; 3. Christ the King; 4. Corvian Charter; 5. Community School of Davidson; 6. Bradford Prep; 7. Mountain Island Charter; 8. Langtree Charter
Greater Metro 4A Conference
Lake Norman; 2. Cox Mill; 3. Mooresville; 4. Hickory Ridge; 5. West Cabarrus; 6. A.L. Brown; 7. South Iredell.
NCISAA Foothills’ Athletic Conference
Davidson Day; 2. Hickory Christian; 3. Salem Baptist; 4. Statesville Christian; 5. University Christian.
NCISAA Southern Piedmont Athletic Association
United Faith; 2. Victory Christian; 3. North Hills Christian; 4. Woodlawn School.
Western Foothills Athletic 3A Conference
Hickory; 2. North Lincoln; 3. East Lincoln; 4. North Iredell; 5. St. Stephen’s; 6. Statesville; 7. Fred T. Foard; 8. West Iredell.
