Boys’ Starting Five

Jamarkus Eison, Garinger, 6-0, Sr., G: All-conference star has offers from UNC-Pembroke, Mars Hill and Elizabeth City. Averaged 17 ppg, 7 apg, 4 rpg last year.

Clayton Massey, Myers Park, 6-8, Sr., F: Tied for No. 10 among N.C. seniors, Massey averaged 10 ppg, 7 rpg last season.

Luke Maye, Hough, 6-7, So. F: Coming off strong freshman season (16 ppg, 9 rpg) and could be more effective moving to PF with 6-10 C Tucker Thompson coming in from Pine Lake Prep.

Kennedy Meeks, West Charlotte, 6-9 3/4, Sr., C: UNC-bound top-20 national recruit in senior class will try to lead his team to a third straight N.C. 4A state finals appearance.

Troy Warren, Lake Norman, 6-9, Sr, C: Averaged 8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 blocks. Ranked No. 10 among N.C. seniors by national recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons.

Notes: East Meck coach Jason Grube (193-138, 14th year) needs seven wins to reach 200 for his career. ... Vance coach Will Robinson (496-119) needs four wins to reach 500. ... Independence could improve on a two-win season with nine returning varsity players, including star guard Tayon Gleaves (13 ppg). ... Lake Norman may have its best team since it won the 4A title a few years back. Coach Brandon Jolly has size with 6-9 center Troy Warren, 6-8 forward Hunter Seacat and 6-5 guard Kishawn Pritchett. ... Olympic senior guard Jevon Patton was the Gaston Gazette player of the year at Highland Tech last season.

Girls’ Starting Five

Aliyah Mazyck, Myers Park, 5-9, So., G: Has potential to become one of the county’s all-time best. Playing on deep team with stars India and Saadia Timpton and Rydeiah Rogers.

Rachel Porter, West Charlotte, 5-8, Jr., G: All I-Meck 4A performer averaged 14 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 spg and 3 apg. She’s one of five returning starters for coach Reggie Mobley.

Laquisha Taylor, Independence, 5-9, Sr., G: One of the area’s most prolific scorers, Taylor averaged 21 points per game last season.

India Timpton, Myers Park, 5-10, Sr., F: Signed with UNC-Greensboro, Timpton is a versatile star who can play multiple positions.

Erin Whalen, Ardrey Kell, 6-0, Fr, G/F: Already getting plenty of major attention, Whalen is part of a deep and talented Knights team that could compete for a state title.

Notes: Hough coach Jason Smith was an assistant at Wingate last season under Barbara Nelson. Nelson is now head coach at Myers Park. Myers Park plays at Hough Dec. 4. ... Mooresville’s Zana Tatum is one of the area’s most complete players (12.4 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 4.3 bpg last season). ... Myers Park returns four of five starters who led the Mustangs to a 31-1 record last season and an N.C. 4A semifinals appearance.

Langston Wertz Jr.