The 2021-22 Mecklenburg County girls basketball preview
Teams to Watch
Charlotte Catholic: The Cougars return all five starters, led by 6-foot-5 sophomore center Blanca Thomas (18.3 ppg, 13.6 rpg) and senior Imelda McMenamin (11.7 ppg, Vassar commit).
Community School of Davidson: The Spartans’ perfect season (14-1) ended abruptly with a second round loss to Murphy. However, all five starters return led by seniors Mackenzi Delay, Allison O’Donnell and Marianna Soares.
Independence: The Patriots lost the core of a team that won 28 games in the last two years, including a trip to the third round of the 4A state playoffs last year. However, sophomores Kaylee Carson (13 ppg), Chloe Moss and freshman Kamryn Kitchens should keep the Patriots in the Southwestern 4A title hunt.
Julius Chambers: The Cougars’ lost most of the core of a team that has won back-to-back, 4A state championships, going 38-5 in that span. But, Chambers has reloaded quickly with senior center Trinity Moreland (8.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg) being joined by transfers Zoe Henderson (9.3 ppg, North Mecklenburg), Seini Hicks (8.6 ppg, 10 rpg, Cannon School) and Mila Holloway (15.3 ppg, Covenant Day).
Myers Park: The Mustangs return a veteran group with junior point guard Mia Xerras (14 ppg) and senior shooting guard Janey Thompson leading a team with plenty of motivation as their only loss came in a first round playoff loss to Lake Norman. This year, Myers Park should have a balanced lineup with senior Anna Giannopoulou, junior Ava Davis, and sophomores Jerin Truesdale and Reece Wilson (7.3 ppg) all returning.
North Mecklenburg: The Vikings return four starters that had 38 wins combined in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. The backcourt of juniors Nevaeh Farmer (15.6 ppg), Dearia Page (9.1 ppg) and senior Taylor Dunn (6.9 ppg) gives North Mecklenburg a chance to compete in the Queen City Athletic conference.
Providence: The Panthers had a season to remember last year as their first and only loss came to Julius Chambers in the 4A state semifinals. This year, Providence returns four starters from that team led by sophomore point guard Delanie Hill (10.5 ppg) and senior shooting guard Eva Butler (6.8 ppg) in the backcourt with senior Madison Skinner (7.3 ppg) and sophomore Lindsey Nolan (6.8 ppg) returning in the frontcourt.
South Mecklenburg: The Sabres’ have been consistent winners, averaging 20 wins per season (2016-2020) and look to continue that trend with four starters back, including three seniors and a junior. Seniors Katie Houpt (6 ppg), Reece Johnston and Senali Moss (15.8 ppg) and junior Anastasia Sinclair (12 ppg) give South Mecklenburg the balance, experience and talent to contend for the SoMeck 4A conference title and be a factor deep into the 4A state playoffs.
Players to Watch
Jada Brigman, Olympic: The 5-foot-9 UNC Asheville commit (14 ppg, 5 rpg) gives the Trojans a dynamic one-two punch with Aniya Scales (13 ppg, 5 rpg).
Kaylee Carson, Independence: The 5-foot-7 sophomore guard (13 ppg, 7 rpg, 4 apg) looks to build on a breakout freshman season as the lone returning starter from last season.
Nevaeh Farmer, North Mecklenburg: The 5-foot-4 junior point guard (15.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.1 apg, 3.9 spg) is all over the court for a North Mecklenburg team on the rise.
Delanie Hill, Providence: The 5-foot-6 sophomore point guard (10.5 ppg) takes over as the Panthers’ primary playmaker and already has Division I interest, according to Providence basketball coach Jennifer Bean.
Mila Holloway, Julius Chambers: The 5-foot-6 sophomore point guard and Covenant Day transfer (15.3 ppg) will have the ball in her early and often for a Chambers’ team with championship expectations.
Maleigha Jackson, Berry: The 6-foot-1 senior forward (12 ppg, 8 rpg) nearly averaged a double-double last year, and should be even more productive this year.
Trinity Moreland, Julius Chambers: The 6-foot-3 senior center (8.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2 bpg) will have a big impact on the Chambers’ offense and defense with her size and talent.
Senali Moss, South Mecklenburg: The 5-foot-8 senior (15.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg) is the daughter of NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss.
Haley and Megan Seymour, Bradford Prep: The Bears’ twin sisters are senior forwards who combined to average 27 points, 13 rebounds and nine steals per game last season.
Blanca Thomas, Charlotte Catholic: The 6-foot-5 sophomore center (18.3 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 6.8 bpg) can dominate a game on both sides of the court, and she is also the No. 6 prospect in the country in her class (2024).
Mia Xerras, Myers Park: The 5-foot-6 junior point guard averaged 14 points, 3.2 assists and 2.5 steals as a sophomore.
Players On the Rise
Latayshia Andrews/Jaylah Henderson, West Charlotte: The Lions’ backcourt duo (both averaged 6.2 ppg last year) will have to play bigger roles to help West Charlotte (0-6) get back on track.
Kalieah Black, Butler: The Bulldogs’ 5-foot-9 junior guard/forward (4.4 ppg) will have to provide leadership as one of two starters back (sophomore, Ava Williams) on a team without any seniors.
Cayla Digsby, Mallard Creek: The 5-foot-7 senior shooting guard is lone returning starter and will have to step up her game with promising freshmen Olivia Robertson (6-foot-2) and Laylah Toscano (5-foot-9).
Sarah Evans, Ardrey Kell: The 5-foot-11 junior (6.3 ppg, 4 rpg) will play a key role for the Knights as the top returning scorer and rebounder on a younger, Ardrey Kell team.
Madison Gibson-Blackwell, Hopewell: The 5-foot-3 senior all-conference guard (8.1 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 spg) will have to be even more productive this season for the Titans to keep pace in the Queen City Athletic conference.
Elle Gorman, Christ the King: The Crusaders’ junior point guard can fill up the stat sheet, She averaged 10 points, five rebounds and five assists as a sophomore.
Kamryn Kitchens, Independence: The 5-foot-7 freshman point guard should make an immediate impact in the Patriots’ lineup.
Samantha Louthan, Hough: The Huskies’ senior (7 ppg) is top returning scorer on a younger team that should also get immediate help from freshmen Chloe Galombeck and Sophia Zoerb.
Morgan Marcus, Harding: The 5-foot-8 senior looks to help get the Rams back in the win column.
MyKenzie Morris, East Mecklenburg: The Eagles’ 5-foot-7 senior point guard sets the tone for her team.
Marissa Sorvillo, Lake Norman Charter: The Knights’ senior forward (11.5 ppg) returns to the lineup after missing the 2020-21 season with an ACL injury, according to Lake Norman Charter coach Michael Porter.
Preseason All-County Team
Jada Brigman, Olympic, 5-9, Sr.
Kaylee Carson, Independence, 5-7, So.
Nevaeh Farmer, North Mecklenburg, 5-4, Jr.
Mila Holloway, Julius Chambers, 5-6, So.
Senali Moss, South Mecklenburg, 5-8, Sr.
Trinity Moreland, Julius Chambers, 6-3, Sr.
Blanca Thomas, Charlotte Catholic, 6-5, So.
Mia Xerras, Myers Park, 5-6, Jr.
Preseason Player of the Year: Blanca Thomas, Charlotte Catholic, 6-5, So.
Notes
East Mecklenburg girls’ basketball coach Troy Gaston returns to the bench after 12 years away from high school basketball and believes he has one of the best coaching staffs in the state with former Rocky River coach Donnie Taylor and his son, Jared, amongst his assistants.
Mallard Creek’s first-year head coach Karlyn Dixon takes over for former legendary coach, Clarence (C.J.) Johnson).
Myers Park girls’ basketball coach, Barbara Nelson is an 721-283 in her coaching career, as she has won a staggering 72 percent of her games in high school and college basketball.
West Mecklenburg did not have a team last year, but the Hawks are back with first-year coach Cortni McKenzie leading the way.
Conference Predictions
Catawba Shores’ 1A/2A Conference
Community School of Davidson; 2. Lincoln Charter; 3. Pine Lake Prep; 4. Mountain Island Charter; 5. Christ the King; 6. Langtree Charter.
Metro 1A Conference
Bradford Prep; 2. Piedmont Community Charter; 3. Corvian Community; 4. Apprentice Academy; 5. Cabarrus Charter.
Queen City Athletic Conference 3A/4A
Julius Chambers; 2. North Mecklenburg; 3. Mallard Creek; 4. Hough; 5. Hopewell; 6. West Charlotte; 7. West Mecklenburg.
SoMeck 4A Conference
Myers Park; 2. South Mecklenburg; 3. Olympic; 4. Ardrey Kell; 5. Berry; 6. Harding.
South Piedmont 3A Conference
Carson; 2. Northwest Cabarrus; 3. West Rowan; 4. Central Cabarrus; 5. Lake Norman Charter; 6. East Rowan; 7. South Rowan; 8. Concord.
Southwestern 4A Conference
Charlotte Catholic; 2. Independence; 3. Providence; 4. Butler; 5. Rocky River; 6. Garinger; 7. East Mecklenburg.
--JAY EDWARDS