The 2021-22 Cabarrus County boys high school basketball preview

Teams to Watch

Cannon School: The defending NCISAA 4A state champion Cougars return two starters in seniors Karon Boyd (8 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and D.J. Nix (23 ppg), but have a wealth of talent joining them -- from sophomore point guard Austin Swartz (top five player in class of 2024), newcomer 6-foot-9 sophomore Mason Hagedorn and 6-foot-3 freshman Isaiah Henry, who are both already high-major recruits. Cannon School might need some time to gel, but has the pieces to win the CISAA conference and three-peat as state champions in 2022.

Central Cabarrus: The Vikings are 29-12 in the last two years, winning the South Piedmont 3A Conference (SPC) title and their first home playoff game in a decade last season. This season, Central Cabarrus returns the core of that team including four starters in juniors Gavin Bullock (7.3 ppg), Jaiden Thompson and sophomores Carson (7.9 ppg) and Chase Daniel (12 ppg), which gives them the experience to repeat as conference champions. The Vikings’ uptempo, full-court pressure approach also makes them a difficult playoff matchup in a one-and-done scenario.

Concord Academy: The Eagles have averaged 27 wins per season over the last five years, including three straight Metrolina Athletic conference (MAC) titles. Concord Academy returns only one starter in 6-foot-5 senior Tucker Johnson. However, the Eagles will have plenty of talent in the lineup with 6-foot-4 point guard Langston Boyd (major Division I recruit), classmate and 6-foot-9 forward Kanny Tchanda (Division I interest) also expected to play big roles.

Cox Mill: The Chargers are 37-6 in the last two years under Coach Tyler Johnson. This year, Cox Mill takes on a new challenge in the Greater Metro 4A conference (up from class 3A). Coach Johnson will look to senior point guard Marcus Morgan (12.8 ppg) to team with junior forward Titus Ivy, and A.L. Brown transfer, guard C.J. Wilson (all-conference last year), to help the Chargers contend for a league title.

Hickory Ridge: The Ragin’ Bulls struggled last year going 5-8 overall. This year, former assistant Scott Fortune takes over with two starters back in senior Landis Fredericks (11.6 ppg) and sophomore Cayden Haywood (4.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg), while sophomore Miles Beard (6.9 ppg) is also expected to have play a big role.

Jay M. Robinson: The Bulldogs take on a new challenge in the Yadkin Valley 1A/2A conference. Robinson has plenty of firepower with juniors in Daevin Hobbs (24 ppg), Zikei Wheeler (10 ppg) and senior Samarion Hughes (12 ppg, 5 apg) back to lead the team. Coach Lavar Batts and company expect to contend for a conference title, and will be a dangerous playoff team with a backcourt that can take over late in games with their playmaking abilities.

Players to Watch

Langston Boyd, Concord Academy: The 6-foot-4 sophomore point guard already has offers from Purdue, Texas A&M and Wake Forest, according to Concord Academy coach Frank Cantadore.

Jadon Carnes, Mount Pleasant: The 6-foot-5 senior wing (18.4 ppg, 5 apg) gives the Tigers a dynamic backcourt, teaming with 6-foot-3, classmate Brady Duke (20 ppg).

Johnakin Franklin, Concord: The 5-foot-11 senior point guard (15 ppg, 4 apg) is equally as capable of making plays for himself or his teammates.

Landis Fredericks, Hickory Ridge: The 6-foot-1 senior (11.6 ppg) is ready for “breakout season,” according to Hickory Ridge coach Scott Fortune.

Daevin Hobbs, Jay M. Robinson: The 6-foot-5 junior looks to build on a monster sophomore season when he averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds per contest.

Marcus Morgan, Cox Mill: The 6-foot-2 junior point guard (12.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.9 apg) will have the ball in hands early and often to lead the Cox Mill offense.

D.J. Nix, Cannon School: The 6-foot-7, all-state senior guard/forward can fill it up, averaging 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists per game as a junior.

Austin Swartz, Cannon School: The 6-foot-4 sophomore point guard is already ranked amongst the top players in the state in the class of 2024.

Jaiden Thompson, Central Cabarrus: The 6-foot-1 junior point guard (12.9 ppg. 3.2 apg) leads a veteran, Vikings’ squad.

Players On the Rise

Ja’Lan Chambers/Koby Scott, A.L. Brown: The Wonders’ senior duo will have to be productive for A.L. Brown to be competitive in the new, Metro 4A conference.

Titus Ivy, Cox Mill: The 6-foot-5 junior returns from an injury, and should provide an immediate impact as a player who can finish at and above the rim, according to Cox Mill coach, Tyler Johnson.

Ricky Minnard, III, West Cabarrus: The 6-foot-1 junior (10 ppg) is the leading returning scorer

Kimman Power, Carolina International: The 6-foot-2 junior (9 ppg) gives the Comets a solid one-two punch in the backcourt with classmate, Jermayne Brewton (7 ppg).

Kanny Tchanda, Concord Academy: The 6-foot-9 sophomore already has interest from Charlotte, Tennessee and Wake Forest, according to Coach Cantadore.

Preseason All-County Team

• Langston Boyd, Concord Academy, 6-4, So.

• Jadon Carnes, Mount Pleasant, 6-5, Sr.

• Johnakin Franklin, Concord, 5-11, Sr.

• Daevin Hobbs, Jay M. Robinson, 6-5, Jr.

• Marcus Morgan, Cox Mill, 6-2, Sr.

• D.J. Nix, Cannon School, 6-7, Sr.

• Austin Swartz, Cannon School, 6-4, So.

• Jaiden Thompson, Central Cabarrus, 6-1, Jr.

Cabarrus County Boys’ Basketball Preseason Player of the Year: D.J. Nix, Cannon School, 6-7, Sr.

Interesting Notes

• Cabarrus County has two first-year coaches in A.L. Brown’s Jonathan Efird and Hickory Ridge’s Scott Fortune.

• Cannon School basketball coach Che Roth is 23 wins away from his 200th career victory, and should have a good chance to hit the milestone as his team attempts to defend its NCISAA 4A state championship this season.

• Central Cabarrus basketball coach Jim Baker is 17 wins from 400 career wins. Baker earned 344 victories at Catawba College and has 39 wins at Central Cabarrus.

• West Cabarrus basketball coach Jabarr Adams led the Wolverines to a more than respectable 6-7 record in their first season as a school/team. Adams has plenty of experience as a 17-year veteran, with 13 seasons coming as Division II, college basketball assistant, two as the head coach at Mallard Creek and enters his second year at West Cabarrus.

Conference Predictions

CISAA Conference

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

Greater Metro 4A Conference

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

Metrolina Athletic Conference

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

Metro 8, 1A Conference

1. Apprentice Academy; Bradford Prep. 3. Cabarrus Charter; 4. Carolina International; 5. Corvian Community; 6. Piedmont Charter; 7. Queens Grant; 8. Sugar Creek Charter.

South Piedmont 3A Conference

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

Yadkin Valley 1A/2A Conference

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

--JAY EDWARDS