The Observer’s Mecklenburg County boys’ public high school basketball preview
The Observer’s boys public school basketball preview for Mecklenburg County:
Teams to watch
Ardrey Kell: The Knights return two starters from a team that went 17-12 a year ago: seniors Delani Hammonds (13.1 ppg) and Caden Caskey (11.2 ppg). The Knights will also feature a pair of junior forwards — 6-6 Owen Wacker, and 6-9 Jake Weckerle.
Charlotte Catholic: The Cougars return two starters from a 24-win squad that won the Southwestern 4A conference (SW4A) and advanced to the 4A state quarterfinals a year ago: 6-foot senior point guard Liam Gates (4 ppg, 3 apg) and 6-8 junior forward Chris Eagan (6 ppg, 4 rpg).
Independence: The Patriots return all five starters from a team that was 14-11 last season: Tosh Alberga (9.8 ppg), Zion Bosley-Slade (6.3 ppg), Kameron Jasper (8.3 ppg), Kolbe Johnson (6.8 ppg) and Charles Thomason (8.5 ppg). The Patriots, a two-time state champion, are hungry to get back into contention in the SW4A and get back into playoffs, after missing the postseason in the past two years.
Julius Chambers: The Cougars have won 20-plus games in four of the past five seasons. This year, Chambers is loaded with talent, including seniors like 6-7 Maurio Hanson (14.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg), and 6-4 Jordan Patton (12.6 ppg). A pair of transfers will add to the talent poll. Junior Jaydon “JD” Terrell, the son of former West Charlotte star JT Terrell, averaged 12 points per game at Olympic last year. Markus Kerr average nine for West Charlotte’s 3A regional finalist.
Myers Park: The defending 4A state champions return the core of a team that won 28 games last season. Myers Park will be led by seniors Bishop Boswell (12 ppg, Tennessee commit) and Sir Mohammed (14 ppg, 5 apg, Notre Dame commit) along with junior Sadiq White (11 ppg, 6 rpg). All three are ranked in the top 100 recruits nationally.
North Mecklenburg: The Vikings return three starters in Duke commit Isaiah Evans (26 ppg, 11.7 rpg), senior Trey Maxwell (16 ppg) and sophomore Ashton Pierce from a team that went 29-3 last season. Add in West Charlotte transfer, 6-4 junior guard, Chadlyn Traylor (15.4 ppg), and Vikings have the players to win another conference title, and be a legitimate 4A state championship contender. They lost to Myers Park in the regional final last season.
Players to watch
Tosh Alberga, Independence: The 6-6 senior forward (9.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg) is the leading returning scorer and rebounder for a Patriots squad with all five starters back.
Bishop Boswell, Myers Park: The 6-4 University of Tennessee commit (12 ppg, 5 apg, 4 rpg, 2 spg) is a key piece on the defending 4A state champions.
Isaiah Evans, North Mecklenburg: The 6-7 all-state Duke University commit (26 ppg, 11.7 rpg) is one of the top scorers in the country. He won the state’s biggest individual award last season, Mr. Basketball.
Delani Hammonds, Ardrey Kell: The Knights’ 6-foot senior point guard (13.1 ppg, 6.4 apg) can make plays for himself or his teammates.
Maurio Hanson, Julius Chambers: The 6-7, 220-pound senior forward (14.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.5 bpg) gives the Cougars a presence in the paint.
Trey Maxwell, North Mecklenburg: The 6-3 senior guard (16 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg) is another big part of a loaded Vikings backcourt.
Sir Mohammed, Myers Park: The 6-6 senior, a University of Notre Dame commit (14 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg, 2 spg), has the length to impact play on both sides of the court.
Peter Moye, South Mecklenburg: The 6-3 senior (20 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg) will play a lead role on Sabres’ team trying to get back into conference contention.
Quay Watson, Hopewell: The 6-foot senior point guard averaged 23.7 points, 4.5 assists, four rebounds and 2.7 steals per game as a junior.
Sadiq White, Jr., Myers Park: The 6-9 junior forward (11 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.5 bpg) is a major Division I recruit with multiple offers.
Rassell Young, Mallard Creek: The 6-2 sophomore (10.8 ppg) looks to build on a breakout freshman season and is starting to get major Division I offers.
Players on the rise
Zymiere Chester, Berry: The 6-2 senior forward (7.2 ppg) is the Cardinals’ leading returning scorer.
Damani Day, West Charlotte: The 6-foot senior guard (8 ppg) will have to play a much larger role on a team without any starters back from last season.
Chris Eagan, Charlotte Catholic: The 6-8 junior forward (6 ppg, 4 rpg) must step into a bigger role if the Cougars are going defend their Southwestern 4A title; already has a few college offers, according to Catholic basketball coach Mike King.
Zion Foreman, Providence: The 6-5 senior forward will be a key player inside as Providence looks to build on their best season (11-13) since 2009-10.
Cole Galombeck, Hough: The 6-2 senior guard (7.9 ppg) is the only rotational player back for the Huskies from last season.
Aidan Gatewood, Sugar Creek Charter: The 6-2 junior point guard (10 ppg, 5 apg) is the Wildcats’ leading returning scorer and assist man from a year ago.
Ahmari Hicks, East Mecklenburg: The 6-2 junior combo guard (9 ppg) is the Eagles’ only returning starter.
Jack Hudson, Corvian Charter: The 6-3 senior (8 ppg, 4.5 rpg) gives the Cardinals a solid core with juniors A.J. Jackson (6 ppg, 4.2 apg) and Doug Quarles III (7 ppg, 6 rpg) all back in the starting lineup.
Shamari Johnson, Rocky River: The 6-5 senior forward is the leading returning scorer and rebounder (12.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg) for the Ravens.
Jay Morgan, Lake Norman Charter: The 6-3 junior (6 ppg, 3 rpg) in the lone returning starter for the Knights.
Brian Ngo, Palisades: The 5-10 senior (8.7 ppg) is the leading returning scorer for the Pumas as they begin year two of the program.
Tyler Showalter, Butler: The 6-6 senior (10 ppg, 5 rpg) looks to build on an all-Southwestern 4A season from a year ago.
Chadlyn Traylor, North Mecklenburg: The West Charlotte transfer, a 6-4 junior (15.5 ppg), gives the Vikings another major scoring weapon.
Preseason All-Mecklenburg County team
Bishop Boswell, Myers Park, 6-4, Sr.
Isaiah Evans, North Mecklenburg, 6-7, Sr.
Delani Hammonds, Ardrey Kell, 6-0, Sr.
Maurio Hanson, Julius Chambers, 6-7, Sr.
Trey Maxwell, North Mecklenburg, 6-3, Sr.
Sir Mohammed, Myers Park, 6-6, Sr.
Peter Moye, South Mecklenburg, 6-3, Sr.
Quay Watson, Hopewell, 6-0, Sr.
Sadiq White, Myers Park, 6-9, Jr.
Rassell Young, Mallard Creek, 6-2, So.
Preseason player of the year: Isaiah Evans, North Mecklenburg, 6-7, Sr., SG.
Notes
Ardrey Kell basketball coach Mike Craft is one win away from his 300th career victory (299-158) which he will attempt to gain in the opener at Providence on Nov. 17.
East Mecklenburg sophomore forward Jordan Buzzard grew fives inches, from 6-2 to 6-7, and should have an immediate for the Eagles. Buzzard, the son of East Meck coach Jason Buzzard, was on junior varsity for most of the season a year ago before being called to varsity for the playoffs.
North Mecklenburg basketball coach Duane Lewis has 505 career wins in 24 years as the Vikings’ head coach.
The Palisades’ basketball team should benefit from a junior varsity program that went 15-5 last season, including a nine-game win streak.
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.
Metro 7, 1A Conference
Carolina International; 2. Queens Grant; 3. Sugar Creek Charter; 4. Piedmont Charter; 5. Valor Prep; 6. Apprentice Way.
Queen City Athletic 3A/4A Conference
North Mecklenburg; 2. Julius Chambers; 3. Hopewell; 4. Mallard Creek; 5. West Charlotte; 6. Hough; 7. Harding; 8. West Mecklenburg.
SoMeck 4A Conference
Myers Park; 2. Ardrey Kell; 3. South Mecklenburg; 4. Olympic; 5. Palisades; 6. Berry.
South Piedmont 3A Conference
Central Cabarrus; 2. Jay M. Robinson; 3. Northwest Cabarrus; 4. Concord; 5. Lake Norman Charter; 6. West Rowan; 7. Carson; 8. East Rowan; 9. South Rowan.
Southwestern 4A Conference
Independence; 2. Charlotte Catholic; 3. Rocky River; 4. East Mecklenburg; 5. Butler; 6. Providence; 7. Garinger.
