The 2021-22 Union County girls basketball preview
Teams to Watch
Cuthbertson: The Cavaliers have been consistent winners, averaging 19 wins per season over the last five years. Now, coach Joel Allen will have to reload, but returns 6-foot senior point guard Ruby Williams (13 points per game (ppg)) to help lead a team that will try to remain a contender in the Southern Carolinas’ conference.
Forest Hills: The Yellow Jackets have dominated the Rocky River conference over the last past three seasons, winning 29 consecutive league contests with 45 wins overall in the same span. This year, Forest Hills will look to a dynamic backcourt -- senior Anaya Bush (7.8 ppg, 4.5 assists per game (apg)) and Jamyah Blakeney (20.4 ppg) -- to lead a team that looks to four-peat as league champions.
Marvin Ridge: The Mavericks have been up and down of late, going 55-55 in the last five years. This season, Marvin Ridge returns all five starters, led by senior Kyndall Shivers (12 ppg) and junior Zahra Douglas (14 ppg, 8 rpg), who give the Mavericks the experience and firepower to contend for the SCC title.
Metrolina Christian: The Warriors’ return four starters from a team that went 10-10 last season. Senior Ella Mc’Clain (8 ppg, 12 rpg) and junior Lilly Reynolds give Metrolina Christian the inside-outside tandem to be a factor in the top half of the Metrolina Athletic Conference (MAC) and return to the playoffs.
Parkwood: The Wolfpack should benefit from a return to the Rocky River conference (from the SCC). Parkwood will depend -- senior Shimiya Taylor (7.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and Jade Washington (14.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg) -- to help them contend for the conference title and get back in the playoffs.
Weddington: The Warriors have been solid with 57 victories in the past four years under coach Aaron Brown. This year, Weddington will have to reload a bit with only one starter returning: point guard, Brooke Strong (7 ppg). Weddington needs Strong and junior guard Isabella Sarcona and Hannah Tse to step into bigger roles if they are going to remain a factor in the top half of the SCC.
Players to Watch
Jamyah Blakeney, Forest Hills: Two-time reigning Rocky River conference player of the year (20.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg)
Zahra Douglas, Marvin Ridge: The 5-foot-7 junior forward (14 ppg, 8 rpg) is part of a Marvin Ridge team that has the experience to make a run at the SCC title.
Lilly Reynolds, Metrolina Christian: The 5-foot-8 junior guard (9.5 ppg, 6 apg, 5 rpg, 3 spg) will be expected to make big plays on both sides of the court for Metrolina Christian to be a factor in the MAC.
J’yana Salton, Porter Ridge: The 5-foot-9 senior (15 ppg, 7 rpg) will play a lead role for a Pirates’ team taking on a new challenge in the all-Union County SCC.
Jade Washington, Parkwood: The 5-foot-5 all-conference guard (14.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.5 spg) is back to fill up the stat sheet for a Parkwood team eager to prove it can contend in the Rocky River conference.
Ruby Williams, Cuthbertson: The 6-foot senior point guard (13 ppg) will have to set the tone for younger, Cuthbertson team eager to prove it can keeping winning big.
Players On the Rise
Lindsay Avant, Sun Valley: The 5-6 junior all-conference (SCC) guard (10 ppg) is a key part of an experienced backcourt with senior Kingly Turriff (9 ppg) and sophomore Tyra Robinson (7.5 ppg) that should give Sun Valley a chance to a much improved team this season.
Shelby Brooks, Union Academy: The 5-foot-5 sophomore (5 ppg, 5 rpg) will have to be more productive if the Cardinals are going to finish in the top half of the newly constructed Yadkin Valley 1A/2A conference.
Natalie Evans, Piedmont: The 5-foot-9 senior guard will have to play a bigger role this season as the Panthers’ only returning starter from two-win team last year.
Dynastee Parker, Monroe: The 5-foot-8 junior forward (10.3 ppg, 9.9 rpg) nearly averaged a double-double as a sophomore, and will have to be even better if Monroe is going to win more games after going 2-35 in the last two years.
Brooke Strong, Weddington: The 5-foot-3 senior point guard (7 ppg) is the Warriors’ lone returning starter, and will team with juniors Isabella Sarcona (5.6 ppg) Hannah Tse to give Weddington a strong backcourt.
Shannon Studer, Central Academy: The Appalachian State soccer commit also will also play a key role (7 ppg, 3 spg) with junior Sarah Gamble (6 ppg) in a Cougars’ backcourt that will be a key to their success.
Preseason All-County Team
Jamyah Blakeney, Forest Hills, 5-8, Jr.
Zahra Douglas, Marvin Ridge, 5-7, Jr.
J’yana Salton, Porter Ridge, 5-9, Jr.
Jade Washington, Parkwood, 5-5, Jr.
Ruby Williams, Cuthbertson, 6-0, Sr.
Preseason Player of the Year: Jamyah Blakeney, Forest Hills, 5-8, Jr.
Notes
Central Academy went 9-88 from 2015-19, but has turned things around going 15-20 in the last two years -- and with three starters back this season the Cougars have a chance to be even better this year.
Porter Ridge basketball coach Collin Brandon moves into the lead role for the Pirates after serving as an assistant on the team since 2018.
The Sun Valley girls’ basketball team also has a familiar face in his first year in charge as current athletic director Troy King will lead the Spartans’ girls’ basketball program.
Conference Predictions
Metrolina Athletic Conference
Concord Academy; 2. Metrolina Christian; 3. Gaston Day; 4. Hickory Grove; 5. Westminster Catawba; 6. SouthLake Christian; 7. Northside Christian; 8. Gaston Christian.
Rocky River 2A/3A Conference
Forest Hills; 2. Parkwood; 3. West Stanly; 4. Central Academy; 5. Anson County; 6. Monroe.
Southern Carolinas’ 4A Conference
Marvin Ridge; 2. Weddington; 3. Cuthbertson; 4. Porter Ridge; 5. Sun Valley; 6. Piedmont.
Yadkin Valley 1A/2A Conference
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 5, 2021 at 6:00 AM.