The 2021-22 Cabarrus County girls basketball preview

Teams to Watch

Cannon School: The defending NCISAA 4A state champions lost most of the core of the team that won it all last year. But a group transfers like sophomore Lili Booker (Providence Day), Ashley Fowler (Davidson Day) and Samyha Suffern (Mallard Creek) will join sophomores Jamyrah Cherry, Maya McCorkle (10.5 ppg) and junior Trinity Mathis (9 ppg) in the lineup. The Cougars will need time to gel, but have the talent to make a run at repeating as state champions.

Concord Academy: The defending NCISAA 3A state champions return three starters -- juniors McKenzie Taylor (10.5 ppg), Zoey Ward (14.6 ppg) and sophomore Raven LeXander. The Eagles will need some younger players to step up, but expect to be playing for championships (Metrolina Athletic conference and state titles) again this season.

Hickory Ridge: The Ragin’ Bulls have been consistent winners, averaging 22 victories per season over the last six years. This year, Hickory Ridge has four starters back in the lineup with junior shooting guard Alyssa Lewis (13 ppg), senior forward Jasmine Fearne (11 ppg) and sophomore forward Sheree Gidney (10 ppg) providing a solid scoring punch. Hickory Ridge has the pieces to contend in the new Greater Metro 4A conference.

Jay M. Robinson: After going 4-43 from 2018-20, Robinson nearly doubled that win total last season going 7-5. This year, the Bulldogs returns key starters: sophomore Ella Hobbs (21.3 ppg) and senior Nasya Walker (11.1 ppg). That duo should help Robinson contend in the Yadkin Valley 1A/2A conference and return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-18 season.

Northwest Cabarrus: The Trojans return three starters from a South Piedmont 3A conference championship team, led by senior point guard Chaunesse Barringer (12 ppg). Northwest has a veteran group (eight varsity players return) and the experience to contend for another league and will have plenty of motivation going into the postseason after a first-round loss to Hickory ended last season.

Players to Watch

Mariah Barrie, Central Cabarrus: The 5-foot-9 senior (14.6 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 3.6 spg) is a playmaker on both sides of the court.

Chaunesse Barringer, Northwest Cabarrus: The Trojans’ senior point guard (12 ppg, 5 spg) will set the tone for Northwest Cabarrus’ quest to repeat as SPC 3A champions.

Ella Hobbs, Jay M. Robinson: The 6-foot-4 forward averaged 21.3 points per game as a freshman, and looks to be even better as a sophomore. She’s a top 20 national recruit by ESPN.

Alyssa Lewis, Hickory Ridge: The 5-foot-8 junior shooting guard (13 ppg) leads a veteran team that is used to winning and has a new challenge in the Greater Metro 4A conference.

Ariana Perry, Cox Mill: The 5-foot-7 junior (12.3 ppg) makes up an all-conference backcourt with senior Leah Hines that should help Cox Mill be a factor in the Greater Metro 4A conference.

Ashlee Shaw, West Cabarrus: The 5-foot-10 sophomore forward averaged 24.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.2 steals per game as a freshman on a first-year team last year.

Samyha Suffern, Cannon School: The 5-foot-7 junior Mallard Creek transfer has scholarship offers from Charlotte, East Carolina, Elon, Georgia, Marquette and Virginia Tech, according to Cannon School basketball coach Kelvin Drakeford.

Zoey Ward, Concord Academy: The 5-foot-8 junior (14.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg) will have to step into an even bigger role for Concord Academy to be legitimate threat to repeat as NCISAA 3A state champions.

Players On the Rise

Sheree Gidney, Hickory Ridge: The 5-foot-11 sophomore had a breakout year last season (10 ppg, 5 rpg), and should be even stronger in the paint as a sophomore.

Amiyah Jones, Central Cabarrus: The 5-foot-10, Concord transfer (13 ppg, 10 rpg) is a much needed addition inside for the Trojans.

Trinity Mathis, Cannon School: The 5-foot-10 junior forward (9 ppg, 6 rpg as a freshman) should have an immediate impact after missing most of last year with an injury, according to Cannon School coach Kelvin Drakeford.

Addison Kluttz, Mount Pleasant: The Tigers’, all-conference senior forward (8.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg) will be a key player if Mount Pleasant is going to be in newly-organized Yadkin Valley 1A/2A conference.

Kaylee Yow, A.L. Brown: The 6-foot senior forward (5 ppg, 7 rpg) will be one of the go-to players for the Wonders.

Preseason All-Cabarrus County Team

• Chaunesse Barringer, Northwest Cabarrus, 5-5, Sr.

• Ella Hobbs, Jay M. Robinson, 6-4, So.

• Alyssa Lewis, Hickory Ridge, 5-8, Jr.

• Ashlee Shaw, West Cabarrus, 5-10, So.

• Samyha Suffern, Cannon School, 5-7, Jr.

• Zoey Ward, Concord Academy, 5-8, Jr.

Preseason Player of the Year: Samyha Suffern, Cannon School, 5-7, Jr.

Notes

• Cabarrus County has three first-year, head coaches in Mount Pleasant’s Alyssa Allende, Cox Mill’s Scott Parkin and Jay M. Robinson’s Jon Weavil.

• Hickory Ridge girls’ basketball coach, Jupiter Wilson is a busy guy as he also serves as the Ragin’ Bulls’ head coach in football and outdoor track.

• Coach Tolonda Simmons and the West Cabarrus girls’ basketball team more than held their own in year one of the program last year and look to build on that success in 2021-22.

Conference Predictions

CISAA Conference

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

Greater Metro 4A Conference

1. Lake Norman; 2. Hickory Ridge; 3. Cox Mill; 4. West Cabarrus; 5. Mooresville; 6. South Iredell; 7. A.L. Brown.

Metrolina Athletic Conference

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

South Piedmont 3A Conference

1. Carson; 2. Northwest Cabarrus; 3. West Rowan; 4. Central Cabarrus; 5. Lake Norman Charter; 6. East Rowan; 7. South Rowan; 8. Concord.

Yadkin Valley 1A/2A Conference

1. Jay M. Robinson; 2. North Stanly; 3. Mount Pleasant; 4. Union Academy; 5. South Stanly; 6. Gray Stone Day; 7. Albemarle.

This story was originally published November 4, 2021 at 6:05 AM.