The Observer’s Mecklenburg County girls’ public high school basketball preview
▪ The Observer’s preview for girls public school basketball in Mecklenburg County
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Teams to watch
Ardrey Kell: The Knights’ return four starters from a team that went 16-11 last season.. That quartet includes senior point guard Molly Burns (14.4 ppg) and sophomore forward Autumn Washington (10 ppg, 8 rpg).
Charlotte Catholic: The Cougars might be one of tallest teams in the state with 6-foot-5 center Blanca Thomas (16.6 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 4.2 bpg, University of North Carolina commit) and 6-4 Gracyn Gough (15.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, Holy Cross University commit) headlining a team that returns all five starters. Seniors Olivia Fava (5.4 ppg) and Kate McArdle are back as well as junior Maggie Kernodle.
Garinger: The Wildcats could be one of the most intriguing teams in the county with three starters back, led by sophomore point guard Misa Garris (17.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 spg), The Observer’s freshman of the year in 2022-23. Garris is joined by senior forwards Hawah Donzo (8.3 ppg) and Janaviah Dillard (4 ppg) as returning starters. But, 6-1 senior center Raziah Mitchell-Williams, a transfer from New York’s Longwood Prep, should make an immediate impact.
Independence: The defending Southwestern 4A champions return four starters back, including All-Observer junior Kamryn Kitchen (13.8 ppg), seniors Chloe Moss (10 ppg) and Jessica Worthey (10 ppg) and sophomore Hannah Moss (9 ppg). Also back in the 2021-22 conference player of the year, Kaylee Carson,who missed last season with injury.
Mallard Creek: After struggling from 2021-23, the Mavericks returned to form last season, going 24-5 overall. This season, Mallard Creek gets four starters back with juniors Elle Stone (19 ppg) and Olivia Robertson (11 ppg) headlining the group. Cannon School transfer Lili Booker (14.4 ppg, Longwood University commit) is the point guard the Mavericks think they need to make a state title run.
Myers Park: The Mustangs’ return four starters from a 21-win team that was SoMeck 4A runner-up last season. Those starters back including 5-9 senior forward Jerin Truesdale (13.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg), the reigning conference player of the year. Also back are seniors Reese Wilson (5.2 ppg), Raven LeXander (8.8 ppg) and junior Chayla McDaniel (6.6 ppg).
North Mecklenburg: The Vikings return two starters from a 27-win team that won the Queen City Athletic conference title: senior guard Boston Bates (12.4 ppg) and junior forward Sahley Reid (4.8 ppg). An impact player could be 6-foot freshman Lenise Joseph, who already has four Division I offers.
South Mecklenburg: The Sabres return only one starter, 6-foot senior Camryn Williams (6 ppg). However, South Mecklenburg has plenty of talent coming in with Catawba Ridge (SC) transfer Makailah Davis (15.9 ppg), a junior, and freshman guard Kyliah Brown, who holds a Gardner-Webb offer. Davis is the sister of Providence Day star QB Jadyn Davis, who has committed to Michigan.
Players to watch
Boston Bates, North Mecklenburg: The 5-7 senior combo-guard (12.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg) will be the go-to player on the perimeter for the Vikings.
Molly Burns, Ardrey Kell: The 5-7 senior point guard (14.4 ppg) can make plays for herself or her teammates.
Makailah Davis, South Mecklenburg: The 5-7 junior (15.9 ppg) Catawba Ridge transfer brings in some much needed scoring punch for a team with just one starter returning in senior Camryn Williams (6 ppg).
Misa Garris, Garinger: The 5-5 sophomore point guard (17.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 spg) looks to build on a breakout freshman season, where she was all over the floor on both ends.
Delanie Hill, Providence: The 5-7 senior (14.4 ppg, 4.3 apg), a University of Albany commit, is a welcome return to the Panthers’ lineup after playing a season for LaMelo Ball’s 1-of-1 team. She’ll join senior center Lindsay Nolan (13 ppg, 10 rpg), who averaged a double-double as a junior.
Kamryn Kitchen: The 5-9 junior was Southwestern 4A player of the year (13.8 ppg) last season and leads a loaded Patriots’ backcourt with senior Kaylee Carson, who was the 2021-22 league player of the year.
Brooklyn Sanders, Butler: The 5-5 junior point guard averaged 14.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 4.5 steals per game as a sophomore.
Elle Stone, Mallard Creek: The 5-11 junior shooting guard (19 ppg, 5 rpg) gives Mallard Creek a dynamic inside-outside duo with 6-3 junior power forward Olivia Robertson (11 ppg, 6 rpg).
Blanca Thomas, Charlotte Catholic: The 6-5, University of North Carolina commit (16.6 ppg, 9.6 rpg and 4.2 bpg) can dominate a game on both ends of the court.
Jerin Truesdale, Myers Park: The reigning SoMeck 4A conference player of the year averaged 13.7 points and 7.5 rebounds last season.
Players on the rise
Anani Delgado, Bradford Prep: The Bears’ junior point guard will play a lead role on what should be a much improved team with four starters back.
Celeste Domenech, East Mecklenburg: The 5-8 senior shooting guard (5 ppg, 4 rpg) is part of more experienced Eagles team with three starters back, including junior Ava Stallings and sophomore Mackenna Weisner.
Chloe Galombeck, Hough: The Huskies’ 5-6 junior point guard (13 ppg, 3 apg) will have ball in her hands this season.
Chakira Generette, West Charlotte: The Lions’ junior guard (8 ppg) leads an senior-laden team with backcourt mate Paige Bowman.
Lenise Joseph, North Mecklenburg: The 6-foot freshman center has four Division I offers before playing in her first high school game.
Reece Long, Lake Norman Charter: The 5-8 sophomore (11.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg) is the lone returning starter from a 15-win team a year ago.
Zahnia Long, Berry: The 5-5 junior point guard (11.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.2 apg) will be the primary playmaker for the Cardinals.
Raziah Mitchell-Williams, Garinger: The 6-1 senior is a Longwood Prep (NY) transfer and should have an immediate impact in the post for the Wildcats.
Kennedy Parker, Sugar Creek Charter: The 5-5 sophomore guard will play a big role on a Sugar Creek Charter team with three starters back.
Tynilla Simpkins, Palisades: The Pumas’ 5-5 junior (10.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg) had a breakout sophomore season in Palisades’ first year as a program.
Taylor Simpson, Julius Chambers: The 5-10 junior is the Cougars leading returning scorer (9.2 ppg) for the Cougars.
Olivia Stewart, Community School of Davidson: The 5-10 junior forward (12 ppg, 5 rpg) is part of an experience lineup with classmate Regan Downey (11 ppg) and seniors Tyler Baughn (9 ppg) and Molly Feighery (8 ppg) all back in the lineup.
June Wallace, Hopewell: The 6-2 sophomore will play a big role for the Titans on the inside.
Preseason All-Mecklenburg County team
Boston Bates, North Mecklenburg, 5-7, Sr.
Kaylee Carson, Independence, 5-8, Sr.
Makailah Davis, South Mecklenburg, 5-7, Jr.
Misa Garris, Garinger, 5-5, So.
Gracyn Gough, Charlotte Catholic, 6-1, Sr.
Delanie Hill, Providence, 5-7, Sr.
Kamryn Kitchen, Independence, 5-9, Jr.
Olivia Robertson, Mallard Creek, 6-3, Jr.
Elle Stone, Mallard Creek, 5-11, Jr.
Blanca Thomas, Charlotte Catholic, 6-5, Sr.
Jerin Truesdale, Myers Park, 5-9, Sr.
Preseason player of the year: Blanca Thomas, Charlotte Catholic, 6-5, Center.
Notes
Former Harding coach Shonice Pettaway, takes over a Palisades’ program with four starters back in its second year of existence.
Independence basketball coach Lauren Galvani starred at North Mecklenburg High, where her father, Duane Lewis, is in his 25th year as head coach.
Myers Park basketball coach, Barbara Nelson has 765 career victories in her coaching career in both high school and college basketball, with stints at Providence Day and Wingate University.
Conference predictions
Catawba Shores’ 1A/2A Conference
Community School of Davidson; 2. Lincoln Charter; 3. Pine Lake Prep; 4. Christ the King; 5. Corvian Charter; 6. Bradford Prep; 7. Langtree Charter; 8. Mountain Island Charter.
Metro 7, 1A Conference
Piedmont Charter; 2. Sugar Creek Charter; 3. Carolina International; 4. Valor Prep; 5. Queens Grant; 6. Apprentice Way.
Queen City Athletic 3A/4A Conference
Mallard Creek; 2. North Mecklenburg; 3. Hough; 4. Julius Chambers; 5. West Charlotte; 6. Hopewell; 7. Harding; 8. West Mecklenburg.
SoMeck 4A Conference
Myers Park; 2. South Mecklenburg; 3. Ardrey Kell; 4. Palisades; 5. Berry; 6. Olympic.
South Piedmont 3A Conference
West Rowan; 2. Jay M. Robinson; 3. Northwest Cabarrus; 4. Central Cabarrus; 5. East Rowan; 6. Lake Norman Charter; 7. Carson; 8. South Rowan; 9. Concord.
Southwestern 4A Conference
Independence; 2. Charlotte Catholic; 3. Providence; 4. Garinger; 5. Butler; 6. East Mecklenburg; 7. Rocky River.
