The 2021-22 Mecklenburg County girls basketball private school preview

Teams to watch

Charlotte Country Day: The Buccaneers are 30-14 in the last two years combined, after suffering eight straight losing seasons previously (2011-19). Charlotte Country has the experience to carry on with that momentum with four starters back, led by seniors Hudson Rixham (12.1 ppg) and Mary Holland Waters (12.4 ppg).

Davidson Day: The defending NCISAA state champions lost the core of their team and their head coach. Now, first-year coach Jason Snow looks to help Davidson Day reload rather than rebuild with junior guards Schuyler Moore and Callie Pestana as well as senior forward Hannah Higbea, giving the team the experience to contend in the Foothills’ Athletic conference and beyond into the postseason.

Providence Day: The Chargers have been one of the most consistent winners in the state, averaging 26 wins per season over the last decade. This year, Providence Day has the pieces to continue to win big with junior guards Chandler Brooks, Jordyn Latter, and Lauren Jensen, giving the Chargers the experience to be legitimate contender for championships (CISAA conference/state) again.

Victory Christian: The Kings have won 60 games in the last three years, winning two NCISAA 1A state titles (2020, 2021) with another state runner-up (2019) in that span. This year, the goal is the same as all-state senior guard Bethel Ekperigha (16 ppg) will look to lead Victory Christian to a third straight state title.

Players to watch

Olivia Boyce, Carmel Christian: The 5-foot-8 junior (13.7 ppg) is back to lead a young Carmel Christian team.

Chandler Brooks, Providence Day: The 5-foot-11 junior all-state point guard (6 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg) is also a defensive standout. She was third in the state in charges taken last year.

Bethel Ekperigha, Victory Christian: The 5-foot-7 all-state junior guard (16 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2 spg) hopes to lead her team to a state championship three-peat.

Schuyler Moore, Davidson Day: The 5-foot-6 junior (3.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg) must step into a bigger role.

Taylor Parker, Hickory Grove: The 6-foot-1 All-MAC junior returns to lead a team looking to build on a 9-9 season.

Hudson Rixham, Charlotte Country Day: The 6-foot-1 all-state senior guard/forward (12 ppg, 8 rpg) is versatile player that can be productive inside and outside for the Buccaneers.

Maddie Shannon, Charlotte Latin: The 5-foot-11 senior (9.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg) gives the Hawks a strong one-two punch in the frontcourt with classmate Mary Schleusner (7 ppg, 9 rpg).

Ryan Swilling, Charlotte Christian: The 5-foot-8 all-state senior guard is the go-to player on a veteran Knights’ team.

Private School Players On the Rise

Eseosa Imafidon, Covenant Day: The 6-foot-5 senior (6.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg) had a great summer of AAU play, and is on the verge of breakout season, according to Covenant Day coach Terence Jordan.

Mary Schleusner, Charlotte Latin: The 6-foot-1 senior (7 ppg, 9 rpg) is one of the most versatile athletes in the area, as she also is a standout for the Charlotte Latin girls’ cross country and soccer teams.

Camryn Williams, United Faith: The 5-foot-11 sophomore South Mecklenburg transfer will have an immediate impact in the Falcons’ lineup.

Neiel Young, Westminster Catawba: The 5-foot-2 junior point guard (11.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg) sets the tone for the Indians’ offense and defense.

Preseason All-Mecklenburg County Private School Girls’ Basketball Team

• Chandler Brooks, Providence Day, 5-11, Jr.

• Bethel Ekperigha, Victory Christian, 5-7, Sr.

• Taylor Parker, Hickory Grove, 6-1, Jr.

• Hudson Rixham, Charlotte Country Day, 6-1, Sr.

• Maddie Shannon, Charlotte Latin, 5-11, Sr.

• Ryan Swilling, Charlotte Christian, 5-8, Sr.

Preseason player of the year: Chandler Brooks, Providence Day

Notes

• Charlotte Latin girls’ basketball coach, Eric Smith is in his second stint with the Hawks having previously held the same position from 1995-2004, leading the Latin to a state championship in 1997.

• The Mecklenburg County girls’ private school landscape is packed with first-year head coaches, including Olivia Gregory (Westminster Catawba), Kevin Holt (United Faith), Terence Jordan (Covenant Day), Leah Metcalf (Charlotte Christian), Mark Pollard (Lake Norman Christian), Dwayne Robinson (Hickory Grove) and Jason Snow (Davidson Day).

• The Providence Day girls’ basketball team has made it to the state semifinals or better for 20 straight seasons. Chargers’ head coach, Josh Springer has 351 wins in 15 years, including 10 state championships in that span.

Conference Predictions

CISAA Conference

1. Cannon School; 2. Providence Day; 3. Charlotte Country Day; 4. Charlotte Christian; 5. Charlotte Latin; 6. Covenant Day.

Foothills Athletic Conference

1. Davidson Day; 2. Statesville Christian; 3. University Christian; 4. Hickory Christian.

Metrolina Athletic Conference

1. Concord Academy; 2. Metrolina Christian; 3. Hickory Grove; 4. Gaston Day; 5. Westminster Catawba; 6. SouthLake Christian; 7. Northside Christian; 8. Gaston Christian.

South Piedmont Athletic Association

1. Victory Christian; 2. United Faith; 3. North Hills Christian; 4. Lake Norman Christian.