The Charlotte Observer’s 2022-23 Regional girls basketball preview

Here is The Observer’s regional girls basketball preview for the 2022-23 season

Teams to Watch

Ashbrook: The Green Wave return all five starters from a team that won 20 games and was co-Big South conference champions. Kennette Bass (25 ppg) and Madison Cole (21 ppg) will lead a team trying to repeat as conference champions and go deep into the playoffs (third round last year).

East Lincoln: The Mustangs return a solid core from a team that won 28 games last season with two senior forwards -- 5-foot-11 Madison Self (12.3 ppg, 10.8 rpg), 5-foot-10, Ginny Overbay (10.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg) -- along with 6-foot-2 sophomore Hailey McFadden (10.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and 5-foot-11 senior Madison Bissinger (3.9 ppg) giving them a rare mixture of size and experience.

Newton Conover: The Red Devils have averaged 23 wins per season over the last four years. This year, Newton Conover returns four starters, led by senior point guard Cassidy Geddes (William & Mary commit, 21 ppg) and classmate Lizzie Sain (9 ppg, 8 rpg). The Red Devils have the experience to repeat at conference champions and make another playoff run.

Salisbury: The defending 2A state champions (28-1) have a veteran team back with senior point guard Kyla Bryant (17.4 ppg), classmates Jamecia Huntley (9.2 ppg), Icesis Nwafor (4.7 ppg) and junior Makayla Noble (6.8) all back in the lineup. The Hornets have experience and talent to win back-to-back titles.

Shelby: The Golden Lions will have to reload a bit with two starters back. But Shelby (22-3 last year) can lead on the senior backcourt of Brooke Hartgrove (6 ppg) and Ally Hollyfield (13 ppg) to repeat as Southern Piedmont 1A/2A conference champions.

Watauga: The Pioneers returns four starters from a 24-win team and will push the tempo with guards in sophomore Kate Sears (18.4 ppg), senior Laurel Kiker (5 ppg), junior Charlotte Torgerson (10 ppg) along with senior forward, Brooke Scheffler (7.8 ppg).

Players to Watch

Amari Baldwin, Albemarle: The 5-foot-3 sophomore point guard can fill up a stat sheet in a hurry, averaging 19 points, 4.5 assists and 7.3 steals per game as a freshman.

Kennette Bass, Ashbrook: The 5-foot-6 senior was Big South conference player of the year last season when she averaged 25 points per game as a junior.

Shalyn Bell, North Stanly: The 6-foot sophomore (13 ppg, 12 rpg) earned Yadkin Valley 1A/2A conference player of the years as a freshman, leading North Stanly (20-3) to their best season in a decade.

Kyla Bryant, Salisbury: The 5-foot-9 senior, 2A state championship most valuable player (17.4 ppg) looks to help her team to another championship season.

Cassidy Geddes, Newton Conover: The William & Mary commit (21 ppg, 7 rpg, 4 spg, 4 apg) is the two-time Catawba Valley 2A Athletic conference player of the year.

Amya Graham, South Point: The 5-foot-10 sophomore (15.9 ppg, 17 rpg) is a double-double machine for the Red Raiders.

Ally Hollifield, Shelby: The 5-foot-7 senior sharpshooter (13 ppg) can light it up from the outside, shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc as a junior.

Khalia King, Kings Mountain: The 5-foot-8 senior back (16 ppg) back to lead the defending co-Big South champions.

Maddie Lusk, Lincoln Charter: The 5-foot-8 senior guard (14 ppg) back to lead a veteran team that won 22 games a year ago.

Kate Sears, Watauga: The 5-foot-8 sophomore looking to build on a breakout freshman season where she averaged 18.4 points, 4.3 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals on her way to Northwestern 3A/4A conference player of the year honors.

Madison Self, East Lincoln: The 5-foot-11 senior forward and reigning Western Foothills’ Athletic 3A conference player of the year (12.3 ppg, 10.9 rpg) had 19 doubles, doubles as a junior.

Aubrie Snyder, Draughn: The 6-foot senior (17.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg) is part of an experienced lineup with senior Ella Abernathy (15.6 ppg) and junior, Jenna Abernathy (7.6 ppg, 3.4 apg).

Players On the Rise

Damireona Burch, Bunker Hill: The 5-foot-11 junior (12 ppg, 8 rpg) back to lead a Bunker Hill squad with a winning tradition.

Mya Cosby, Burns: The 6-foot senior (8 ppg, 9 rpg, 2 bpg) will be a big boost to a veteran lineup (four starters back) after missing the 2021-22 season with an injury, according to Burns’ basketball coach Tommy Gates.

Sydnie Demiter, Freedom: The 5-foot-6 junior (7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2 apg) will pair with classmate Statlee McGee (5 ppg) and sophomore Peyton Caldwell (6 ppg) to lead a Patriots’ team that has a tradition of winning big. Freedom has averaged 25 victories per season over the last seven years.

Molli Harris, St. Stephens: The 5-foot-7 junior guard (12 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 spg) is key player for the Indians on both sides of the floor.

Sydney Haynes, Alexander Central: The 5-foot-8 senior (8 ppg) gives the Cougars a solid inside-outside duo with junior forward Kirstyn Herman (8 ppg).

Hadley Womack, Stuart Cramer: The 5-foot-6 sophomore (16 ppg) earned all-Big South conference honors as a freshman.

Preseason All-Charlotte Observer Girls’ Regional Basketball Team

• Kennette Bass, Ashbrook, 5-6, Sr.

• Kyla Bryant, Salisbury, 5-9, Sr.

• Cassidy Geddes, Newton Conover, 5-7, Sr.

• Ally Hollifield, Shelby, 5-7, Sr.

• Khalia King, Kings Mountain, 5-8, Sr.

• Kate Sears, Watauga, 5-8, So.

• Madison Self, East Lincoln, 5-11, Sr.

Preseason Player of the Year: Kyla Bryant, Salisbury, 5-9, Sr.

Conference Predictions

Big South Conference

1. Ashbrook; 2. Kings Mountain; 3. Hunter Huss; 4. South Point; 5. Crest; 6. Forestview; 7. Stuart Cramer; 8. North Gaston.

Catawba Shores’ 1A/2A Conference

1. 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.

Catawba Valley 2A Conference

1. Newton Conover; 2. East Burke; 3. Maiden; 4. West Lincoln; 5. Bandys; 6. Bunker Hill; 7. Lincolnton; 8. West Caldwell.

Central Carolinas’ 1A/2A Conference

1. Salisbury; 2. North Rowan; 3. Lexington; 4. West Davidson; 5. South Davidson; 6. East Davidson; 7. Thomasville.

Metrolina Athletic Conference

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

Metro 8, 1A Conference

1. Piedmont Charter; 2. Sugar Creek Charter; 3. Corvian Charter; 4. Carolina International; 5. Queens Grant; 6. Cabarrus Charter; 7. Apprentice Way.

Northwestern 3A/4A Conference

1. Watauga; 2. Freedom; 3. Hibriten; 4. Ashe County; 5. Alexander Central; 6. South Caldwell.

Rocky River 2A/3A Conference

1. Parkwood; 2. Monroe; 3. Forest Hills; 4. West Stanly; 5. Anson County; 6. Central Academy.

South Piedmont 3A Conference

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

Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference

1. Shelby; 2. Bessemer City; 3. Thomas Jefferson Academy; 4. Cherryville; 5. Highland Tech; 6. East Gaston; 7. Burns.

Western Foothills’ Athletic 3A Conference

1. East Lincoln; 2. Hickory; 3. St. Stephen’s; 4. North Iredell; 5. Fred T. Foard; 6. North Lincoln; 7. Statesville; 8. West Iredell.

Western Highlands’ 1A/A Conference

1. Draughn; 2. Mountain Heritage; 3. Rosman; 4. Mitchell; 5. Avery; 6. Owen; 7. Madison.

Yadkin Valley 1A/2A Conference

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

This story was originally published November 3, 2022 at 12:00 PM.