Meet the All-Observer 2021-22 high school boys and girls basketball teams
After another memorable season that produced multiple state champions, the Observer today announces the top high school basketball players in its 17-county, 163-school coverage area.
The All-Observer team is made up of players nominated by coaches and ultimately selected by the cast of the Observer’s streaming talk show, Talking Preps.
▪ The boys player of the year is Carmel Christian’s Cade Tyson, a 6-foot-7 Belmont signee who was also named Mr. Basketball in North Carolina. Tyson led his team to a No. 2 finish in the Observer’s Sweet 16 poll, one spot behind unbeaten Weddington as well as a N.C. 4A private school state championship upset of nationally ranked Greensboro Day.
Tyson scored 33 points in the final and averaged 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists. He finished his career with 2,052 points.
▪ The girls player of the year is Charlotte Catholic’s Blanca Thomas, who led her team to the N.C. 4A state semifinals. A finalist for N.C. Ms. Basketball, Thomas is a 6-5 sophomore ranked top 10 in the nation. This season she averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.
She has scholarship offers from schools like Louisville, North Carolina, N.C. State, Tennessee and Wake Forest.
Quick Links
Weddington, Chambers win Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 polls
Cade Tyson, Inyda Nivar named Mr., Ms. Basketball in North Carolina
NCISAA state championship recap
NCHSAA state championship recap
All-Observer Boys Basketball Team
FIRST TEAM
Jordan Crawford, North Mecklenburg, 6-2, Sr., G: College of Charleston signee was all-district for the second straight season. Led Vikings to N.C. 4A regional finals.
Paul McNeil, Richmond Senior, 6-6, Soph, F: N.C. Gatorade player of the year averaged 24.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Scored 661 points this season.
Chase Lowe, Weddington, 6-5, Sr., G: N.C. 4A finals MVP led Weddington to back-to-back NCHSAA state titles. Averaged 18 points, eight rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals. Three-time conference POY.
Daniel Sanford, Chambers, 6-7, Sr., F: South Carolina Gamecocks recruit was a finalist for Mr. Basketball in North Carolina and was District 9, Queen City conference player of the year. Averaged 16 points., eight rebounds for N.C. 4A quarterfinalsist.
Cade Tyson, Carmel Christian, 6-7, Sr., F: N.C. Mr. Basketball averaged 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists for N.C. state champion.
SECOND TEAM
Xavier McKelvy, United Faith, 6-2, Sr., G
Jaylen Curry, Chambers, 6-1, Jr., G
Isaiah Evans, North Meck, 6-7, So., F
Kany Tchanda, Concord Academy, 6-9, So., F
Daevin Hobbs, Robinson, 6-5, Jr, F
HONORABLE MENTION
DJ Nix, Cannon School, 6-6, Sr, G/F
Sir Mohammed, Myers Park, 6-5, So., G
Landon King, West Charlotte, 6-0, Sr., G
Elijah Strong, Myers Park, 6-8, Jr, F
Jaiden Thompson, Central Cabarrus, 6-1, Jr., G
Bishop Boswell, South Meck, 6-4, So., G
Wesley Tubbs, Northside Christian, 6-7, Jr., F
Riley Allenspach, Providence Day, 6-10, Jr., C
Evan Smith, Ardrey Kell, 6-3, Sr., G
KC Shaw, Mooresville, 6-4, Sr., G
POY: Cade Tyson, Carmel Christian
COY: Gary Ellington, Weddington
All-Observer Girls Basketball Team
FIRST TEAM
Blanca Thomas, Charlotte Catholic, 6-5, So., F: Averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks for N.C. 4A state semifinalist. Top 10 national recruit in her class.
Maraja Pass, Shelby, 5-4, Jr., G: Averaged 15.9 points, 5.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 4.2 steals for a N.C. 2A state power.
Senali Moss, South Mecklenburg, 5-8, Sr., G: Averaged 19 points, six rebounds, six steals and four assists per game. A three-time all-conference, two-time all-district selection
Cassidy Geddes, Newton-Conover, 5-7, Jr., G: Averaged 21.2 points, seven rebounds, five steals and four assists. A three-time all-conference pick and a two-time league player of the year.
Kaylee Carson, Independence, 5-7, So., G: Southwestern 4A player of the year averaged 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.5 steals. She made 43 3-point shots and shot 41 percent from distance.
GIRLS SECOND TEAM
Nevaeh Farmer, North Mecklenburg, 5-5, Jr., G
Mia Xerras, Myers Park, 5-6, Jr., G
Kate Sears, Watauga, 5-9, Fr., G
Samyha Suffren, Cannon, 5-8, Jr., G
Mila Holloway, Chambers, 5-9, So., G
HONORABLE MENTION
Saniya Wilson, Kings Mountain, 5-6, Sr., G
Chandler Brooks, Providence Day, 5-11, Jr., G
Ruby Williams, Cuthbertson, 6-1, Sr., F
Delanie Hill, Providence, 5-7, So, G
Aly Wadkovsky, Lake Norman, 6-3, Sr., C
Kyla Bryant, Salisbury, 5-8, Jr., G
Jamecia Huntley, Salisbury, 5-10, Jr., G
Zoey Ward, Concord Academy, 6-0, Jr., G/F
Ally Hollifield, Shelby, 5-5, Jr., G
Kate Hollifield, Shelby, 5-10, Sr., G
POY: Blanca Thomas, Cuthberson
COY: Donnell Rhyne, Chambers
Previous Girls Winners
ALL OBSERVER GIRLS
2020-21: Reigan Richardson (Cannon School); Donnell Rhyne (Vance)
2019-20: Chyna Cornwell (Newton-Conover); Donnell Rhyne (Vance)
2018-19: Nia Daniel (Hickory Ridge); Clarence Johnson (Mallard Creek)
2017-18: Ahlana Smith (Mallard Creek); Clarence Johnson (Mallard Creek)
2016-17: Janelle Bailey (Providence Day); Josh Springer (Providence Day)
2015-16: Erin Whalen (Providence Day); Josh Springer (Providence Day)
2014-15: Aliyah Mazyck, Myers Park and Stephanie Watts, Weddington; coach Barbara Nelson (Myers Park)
2013-14: DD Rogers (Myers Park) and Jatarie White (Providence Day); Barbara Nelson (Myers Park)
2012-13: Jatarie White (Providence Day); Ina Thompson (Porter Ridge)
2011-12: Tiffany Mitchell (Providence Day); Anthony Jones (Harding)
2010-11: Cierra Burdick (Butler): Chris McNeil (Salisbury)
2009-10: Cierra Burdick (Butler); Stephanie Butler (Butler)
2008-09: Christal Caldwell (West Charlotte); Reggie Mobley (West Charlotte)
2007-08: Christal Caldwell (West Charlotte); Angela Morton (Concord)
2006-07: Tiffany Whiting, South Iredell; Barbara Nelson (Providence Day)
2005-06: Joy Cheek (South Meck); Troy Gaston (South Meck)
2004-05: Joy Cheek (South Meck); Larry Ross (East Rutherford)
2003-04: Kyria Buford (Victory Christian); Jennifer Shoaf (Salisbury)
2002-03: Ivory Latta (York, S.C.); Gary Richmond (Vance)
2001-02: Ivory Latta (York, S.C.); Jamie Smith (Freedom)
2000-01: Natasha Brackett (Providence Day); Barbara Nelson (Providence Day)
1999-00: Natasha Brackett (Providence Day); Bob Angley (Charlotte Christian)
1998-99: Alicia Abernathy (Hickory); David Elder (Hickory)
1997-98: Alicia Abernathy (Hickory); David Elder (Hickory)
ALL-OBSERVER BOYS
2020-21: Robert Dillingham (Combine); Jeff McInnis (Combine)
2019-20: Jaden Bradley (Cannon); Duane Lewis (North Mecklenburg)
2018-19: Wendell Moore (Cox Mill); Joe Badgett (Carmel Christian)
2017-18: Wendell Moore (Cox Mill); Preston Davis (Independence)
2016-17: Jairus Hamilton (Cannon); Jody Barbee (Cox Mill)
2015-16: Grant Williams (Providence Day); Brian Field (Providence Day), Mike King (Charlotte Catholic)
2014-15: Steven Santa Ana (Ardrey Kell), Grant Williams (Providence Day); Mike Craft (Ardrey Kell)
2013-14: Gabe DeVoe (Shelby); Byron Dinkins (Northside Christian)
2012-13: Kennedy Meeks (West Charlotte); Ty Baumgardner (Olympic)
2011-12: Braxton Ogbueze (United Faith); Baronton Terry (West Charlotte)
2010-11: Terry Whisnant (Cherryville); Ron Bray (Hunter Huss)
2009-10: Ian Miller (United Faith); Johnny Sowell (Monroe)
2008-09: Ian Miller (United Faith); Aubrey Hollifield (Shelby)
2007-08: Malik Stith (East Meck); Jason Grube (East Meck)
2006-07: Dee Bost (Concord); Andy Poplin (Concord)
2005-06: Jeremy Goode (Providence Day); Duane Lewis (North Meck)
2004-05: Jamie Skeen (North Meck); Gosnell White (W. Charlotte)
2003-04: Anthony Morrow (Char. Latin); John Smith (Great Falls, S.C.)
2002-03: Anthony Morrow (Char. Latin); Kurt Wessler (Vance)
2001-02: Donte Minter (W. Rowan); Mike Gurley (W. Rowan)
2000-01: Curtis Withers (W. Charlotte); Larry Dixon (Garinger)
1999-00: Scooter Sherrill (W. Rowan); Scott Brewer (Central Cabarrus)
1998-99: Jason Parker (W. Charlotte); Gosnell White (W. Charlotte)
1997-98: Jason Parker (W. Charlotte); Terry Rogers (Freedom)
