Iredell County Girls Basketball Preview: Top teams, players to watch, predictions
Here is The Observer’s Iredell County girls basketball preview for the 2022-23 season
Teams to Watch
Lake Norman: The Wildcats return three starters, including senior Kirsten Lewis-Williams (15.6 ppg, 9.4 rpg), sophomores Alexis Shehan (5.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and Addison Sirianni (6.6 ppg, 37 percent three-point shooter) and freshman Kelsey Rhyne (top 50 player in nation class of 2026) from a team that won 24 games, won the Greater Metro 4A conference and got to the 4A state quarterfinals last season. This season, coach McKenzie Graham’s team has the firepower to repeat as conference champions, and the experience to be a factor deep in the 4A state playoffs, where Lewis-Williams gives them the playmaker to be a championship contender.
Mooresville: The Blue Devils (11-13) had their most wins last year since the 2017-18 campaign (14-12). This year, coach Jay Clark has some pieces with seniors Seraiah Davis (14 ppg, 5 rpg) and Brooke Piper (8 ppg, 8 rpg) to try and build on their success, get back above .500 and into the playoff picture again.
North Iredell: The Raiders won only nine games combined between 2019-21, before going 13-12 last year. This season, coach Brandon Jolly (former Lake Norman boys’ head coach) should help North Iredell carry their momentum with seniors Jewell Allen (11 ppg) and Lily Ward (3.8 ppg) back to help the Raiders stay in the mix in the Western Foothills’ Athletic 3A conference and in the 3A state playoffs for a second straight season.
Players to Watch
Jewell Allen, North Iredell: The 6-foot senior forward/center (11 ppg, 5.7 rpg) will play a lead role for a North Iredell team on the rise.
Seraiah Davis, Mooresville: The 5-foot-7 senior point guard (14 ppg, 5 apg, 3 spg) can make plays for herself and her teammates and will have the ball in her hands often for the Blue Devils.
Kayden Johnson, South Iredell: The 5-foot-11 junior nearly averaged a double-double (9 ppg, 8 rpg) as a sophomore and pairs with 6-foot-2 classmate Daria Fink (7 ppg, 6 rpg) to give the Vikings an imposing front line.
Kirsten Lewis-Williams, Lake Norman: The reigning Greater Metro 4A conference and Iredell County player of the year has a major impact on both sides of the court, averaging 15.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3.1 steals last season.
Players on the Rise
Adriana Ferriell, Statesville: The 5-foot-6 junior (4 ppg) will team with sophomore point guard Saniah Davidson to give the Greyhounds experience in the backcourt.
Brooklyn Gibson, West Iredell: The 5-foot-9 senior all-conference guard will team with classmate Sierra Bridges to give West Iredell the backcourt to get back in the win column.
Brooke Piper, Mooresville: The 5-foot-8 senior forward (8 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 bpg) gives the Blue Devils a good inside compliment to Davis.
Kelsey Rhyne, Lake Norman: Wildcats’ 5-foot-9 freshman guard ranked amongst the top 50 recruits in her class (2026) in the nation, will make an immediate impact for Lake Norman, according to coach McKenzie Graham.
Preseason All-Iredell Girls’ Basketball Team
Jewell Allen, North Iredell, 6-0, Sr.
Seraiah Davis, Mooresville, 5-7, Sr.
Kayden Johnson, South Iredell, 5-11, Jr.
Kirsten Lewis-Williams, Lake Norman, 5-11, Sr.
Alexis Shehan, Lake Norman, 5-11, So.
Preseason Player of the Year: Kirsten Lewis-Williams, 5-11, Sr.
Interesting Notes
Former, Lake Norman boys’ basketball coach Brandon Jolly brings a winning pedigree (180 career wins) to a team with only 22 wins in the last four years.
West Iredell has lost 27 straight games, including 0-24 overall last season, but coach Ryne Cooper’s team should benefit from returning 12 of 14 varsity players, including all five starters this season.
Conference Predictions
Catawba Shores’ 1A/2A Conference
Lincoln Charter; 2. Community School of Davidson; 3. Pine Lake Prep; 4. Langtree Charter; 5. Christ the King; 6. Mountain Island Charter; 7. Bradford Prep.
Foothills Athletic Conference
Davidson Day; 2. University Christian; 3. Hickory Christian; 4. Statesville Christian.
Greater Metro 4A Conference
Lake Norman; 2. Hickory Ridge; 3. Cox Mill; 4. West Cabarrus; 5. Mooresville; 6. South Iredell; 7. A.L. Brown.
Western Foothills Athletic 3A Conference
East Lincoln; 2. Hickory; 3. St. Stephen’s; 4. North Iredell; 5. Fred T. Foard; 6. North Lincoln; 7. Statesville; 8. West Iredell.
This story was originally published November 2, 2022 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Iredell County Girls Basketball Preview: Top teams, players to watch, predictions."