The 2021-22 Iredell County girls basketball preview

Teams to Watch

Lake Norman: The Wildcats’ return all five starters from a team that went 10-2, finishing as I-Meck 4A conference runner-up to eventual 4A state champion Julius Chambers. Lake Norman takes on a new challenge in Greater Metro 4A conference with seniors Madison Saunders (13.1 ppg), Aly Wadkovsky (13.2 ppg) and junior Kirsten Lewis-Williams headlining a team that has the pieces to win the league title and make a deep playoff run with the experience and talent.

Mooresville: The Blue Devils struggled of late, going 17-44 in the last three seasons. This year, Mooresville should benefit from the move to a new conference (Greater Metro 4A) as they return all five starters.

Seniors Grizz Callejas (12.3 ppg), Lilly Davis (10.2 ppg) and Chloe Harris will team with juniors Seraiah Davis (10 ppg) and Brook Piper (12 rpg) to give Mooresville a lineup that should be able to finish in the top half of the league and putting the Blue Devils in the playoff picture for the first time since the 2016-17 season.

Statesville Christian: The Lions returns four starters from a team that went 10-13 and advanced to the second round of the NCISAA 2A state playoffs. This year, the backcourt of Brenna Rae Bentley (12.6 ppg) and junior Ansleigh Sherrill (13.5) join junior forwards Grace Cole (6 ppg) and Jordan Vaughn (2 ppg) to give Statesville Christian a team that has the balance, depth and experience to contend in the Foothills Athletic conference and return to the playoffs.

Players to Watch

Bailey Barzee, North Iredell: The 5-foot-9 senior will play a big role in the Raiders’ offense.

Brenna Rae Bentley, Statesville Christian: The 5-foot-6 senior (12.6 ppg) gives the Lions a dynamic backcourt with Ansleigh Sherrill.

Grizz Callejas, Mooresville: The 5-foot-7 senior can fill up a stat sheet, averaging 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game as a junior.

Emily Hapes, South Iredell: The 5-foot-6 senior is the Vikings’ leading returning scorer (6 ppg) and will need to be even more productive for South Iredell to improve this season.

Maddie Hiteshue, Pine Lake Prep: The 5-foot-7 junior (10 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 spg) leads a veteran group with seniors Reagin Luby, Allie Mullen and Niki Mullen, all back in the starter lineup.

Aly Wadkovsky, Lake Norman: The 6-foot-3 senior Elon University commit (13.2 ppg, 11.3 rpg) can dominate a game on both ends of the floor.

Nakayla White-Connor, Statesville: The 5-foot-6 senior (13.9 ppg) will have to provide scoring, leadership as the lone returning starter on a young Greyhounds’ team.

Preseason All-County Team

• Bailey Barzee, North Iredell, 5-9, Sr.

• Brenna Rae Bentley, Statesville Christian, 5-6, Sr.

• Grizz Callejas, Mooresville, 5-7, Sr.

• Maddie Hiteshue, Pine Lake Prep, 5-7, Jr.

• Aly Wadkovsky, Lake Norman, 6-3, Sr.

• Nakayla White-Connor, Statesville, 5-9, Sr.

Preseason Player of the Year: Aly Wadkovsky, 6-3, Sr.

Coach of the Year: McKenzie Graham, Lake Norman.

Notes

• New Conferences: Eight of the nine, Iredell County teams are in new conferences with Lake Norman, Mooresville and South Iredell in the Greater Metro 4A, North Iredell, Statesville and West Iredell in the Western Foothills’ Athletic 3A, and Langtree Charter and Pine Lake Prep in the Catawba Shores 1A/2A.

• South Iredell girls’ basketball coach, Kaylee Johnson returns to her alma mater to lead the same team she played from 2010-2014. She also played college softball at Greensboro College.

• Former West Iredell assistant, Ryne Cooper, takes over for David Parsons, who led the Warriors for the past eight seasons.

Conference Predictions

Catawba Shores’ 1A/2A Conference

1. Community School of Davidson; 2. Lincoln Charter; 3. Pine Lake Prep; 4. Mountain Island Charter; 5. Christ the King; 6. Langtree Charter.

Foothills Athletic Conference

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

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.

Western Foothills Athletic 3A Conference

1. Hickory; 2. East Lincoln; 3. North Iredell; 4. Fred T. Foard; 5. Statesville; 6. North Lincoln; 7. St. Stephens; 8. West Iredell.

This story was originally published November 5, 2021 at 1:55 PM.