Cabarrus County Girls Basketball Preview: Top teams, players to watch, predictions
Here is The Observer’s Cabarrus County girls basketball preview for the 2022-23 season
Teams to Watch
Cannon School: The Cougars return all five starters from a team that won 21 games, including going 10-0 in CISAA conference play last year. Cannon School will feature a loaded backcourt with seniors Samyha Suffren (17.3 ppg, Va. Tech commit), Ashley Fowler (9.7 ppg) and juniors Lili Booker (13.5 ppg) and Maya McCorkle (7.4 ppg). Meanwhile, sophomore Jamyrah Cherry (6.2 ppg, 6.9) and Davidson Day transfer, junior Kierra Morrow (13.2 ppg), give the Cougars key players inside. Cannon School has all the pieces to win the NCISAA 4A state championship.
Concord Academy: The Eagles have been a consistent winner, averaging 23 victories over last eight seasons. This season, coach Bill Middlebrooks returns four starters: seniors, Zoey Ward (18 ppg and McKenzie Taylor (12 ppg) and juniors Samantha Myers (10 ppg) and Janina Byrd (6 ppg). Concord Academy, a 3A state semifinalist last season, has the experience and talent to win repeat at Metrolina Athletic conference (MAC) champions and be legitimate state championship contenders.
Hickory Ridge: The Ragin’ Bulls have averaged 22 wins over the last seven seasons. In 2022-23, Hickory Ridge will be a Greater Metro 4A conference contenders again with seniors Alyssa Lewis (13.5 ppg) and Erica McClary (8.5 ppg) back with junior Sheree Gidney (11 ppg) back to lead the way for a team with the experience to be a dangerous playoff matchup.
Northwest Cabarrus: The Trojans believe they can contend for the South Piedmont conference with juniors Kennedy Hilsenroth (8.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and Re’ale Walton (7 ppg, 3 apg) leading a veteran squad. Coach Jarmaine Spruill will need some younger players to grow into bigger roles to win the league.
West Cabarrus: The Wolverines have started 15-22 in their first two seasons as a program, which is more than respectable given the school started during the pandemic. Now, with four starters back, led by senior Jade Clowney (13.3 ppg) and Emonie Hicks (6.3 ppg), coach Tolonda Simmons and her team should be able to finish in the top half of the Greater Metro 4A conference and make the playoffs for the first time.
Players to Watch
Li’Ara Batts, Jay M. Robinson: The 5-foot-7 junior forward (14 ppg, 5 apg, 4 rpg) gives the Bulldogs a strong one-two punch with senior guard Ravin Brooks (13.8 ppg, 4 rpg).
Jade Clowney, West Cabarrus: The 5-foot senior point guard (13.3 ppg) sets the tone for her team.
Kennedy Hilsenroth, Northwest Cabarrus: The 6-foot-1 junior forward (8.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg 1.7 bpg) had a breakout sophomore season, now looks to keep Northwest Cabarrus in contention in the South Piedmont conference race.
Alyssa Lewis, Hickory Ridge: The 5-foot-7 senior (13.5 ppg) is back to lead Hickory Ridge, building on her all-Greater Metro 4A conference and All-District honors last season.
Kyra Lewis, Central Cabarrus: The Vikings 5-foot-7 junior forward is a key playmaker (11.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg) for a team that is freshmen and sophomore heavy.
Arianna Perry, Cox Mill: The 5-foot-8 senior guard (8.8 ppg) is an Alabama State commit. She is also the Chargers’ only player with more than one year of varsity experience.
Samyha Suffren, Cannon School: The 5-7 all-state guard is a Virginia Tech commit. She averaged 17.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3.5 spg last season.
Zoey Ward, Concord Academy: The 5-foot-9 senior (18 ppg, 6 rpg) plays a lead role on a team that expects to compete for championships (conference/state).
Players On the Rise
Lauren Farrell, Cox Mill: The 5-foot-10 sophomore forward (6.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg) will provide production inside for a younger, Cox Mill team.
Kaci Haywood, Mount Pleasant: The Tigers’ junior guard pairs with sophomore center Sarah Acetunio to give Mount Pleasant experience back in the lineup.
Kierra Morrow, Cannon School: The Davidson Day transfer (13.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg) adds another weapon to a team that returned all five starters.
Regiya Smith, Jay M. Robinson: 6-foot junior forward and Hendersonville High transfer should have an immediate impact on Bulldogs’ front line.
Jada Steele, Concord Academy: The 5-foot-9 forward (8 ppg) gives the Eagles another weapon inside.
Preseason all-county team
Li’Ara Batts, Jay M. Robinson, 5-7, Jr.
Jade Clowney, West Cabarrus, 5-0, Sr.
Kennedy Hilsenroth, Northwest Cabarrus, 6-1, Jr.
Alyssa Lewis, Hickory Ridge, 5-7, Sr.
Kyra Lewis, Central Cabarrus, 5-7, Jr.
Arianna Perry, Cox Mill, 5-8, Sr.
Samyha Suffren, Cannon School, 5-7, Sr.
Zoey Ward, Concord Academy, 5-9, Sr.
Preseason Player of the Year: Samyha Suffren, Cannon School, 5-7, Sr.
Notes
The Carolina International girls’ basketball team is back with first-year coach Megan Kennedy leading the way after not having a varsity squad last season.
Jay M. Robinson coach Lavar Batts is doing double duty as both the Bulldogs’ varsity boys and girls’ head coach.
West Cabarrus freshmen twin sisters, Alayja and Rayana Minard, give the Wolverines’ program a family feel, as their older brother, Trey Minard, also plays for the boys’ varsity team.
Conference Predictions
CISAA Conference
Cannon School; 2. Providence Day; 3. Charlotte Latin; 4. Charlotte Country Day; 5. Charlotte Christian; 6. Covenant Day.
Greater Metro 4A Conference
Lake Norman; 2. Hickory Ridge; 3. Cox Mill; 4. West Cabarrus; 5. Mooresville; 6. South Iredell; 7. A.L. Brown.
Metrolina Athletic Conference
Concord Academy; 2. Metrolina Christian; 3. Northside Christian; 4. Hickory Grove; 5. Gaston Day; 6. Gaston Christian; 7. SouthLake Christian; 8. Westminster Catawba.
South Piedmont 3A Conference
West Rowan; 2. Northwest Cabarrus; 3. Lake Norman Charter; 4. Central Cabarrus; 5. South Rowan; 6. Carson; 7. East Rowan; 8. Concord.
Yadkin Valley 1A/2A Conference
Albemarle; 2. North Stanly; 3. Jay M. Robinson; 4. Mount Pleasant; 5. Union Academy; 6. Gray Stone Day.
This story was originally published November 1, 2022 at 6:30 AM with the headline "Cabarrus County Girls Basketball Preview: Top teams, players to watch, predictions."