The Observer’s high school basketball preview for Mecklenburg Co. private schools
The Observer kicks off its boys basketball previews for the 2022-23 season with a look at Mecklenburg County’s private schools.
Throughout the week, look for additional previews, concluding with the release of The Sweet 16 preseason poll.
Teams to Watch
Carmel Christian: The defending NCISAA 4A state champions will have a much different look this season with only one starter back -- 6-foot-10 senior center Kaleb Siler. But the Cougars are loaded with talent, including three transfers that will all make an immediate impact in seniors Bryce Cash (Charlotte Christian transfer), Khamani Wertz (Providence Day transfer) and Jaeden Mustaf (DeMatha Catholic (MD) transfer) as well as senior guard Boston Smith, junior forward, Jackson Burnham and sophomore Brett Freeman (Ardrey Kell transfer). Coach Joe Badgett has the core of a team that should be state championship contenders again in February.
Charlotte Country Day: The Buccaneers were one of the most improved teams in the state going from 1-17 in 2020-21 to 17-16 last year. This season, all five starters return, led by seniors Dallas Gardner (21 ppg), Carter Alessi (9 ppg, 5 apg), Sam Turner (7 ppg, 3 spg), Fletcher Bigham (6 rpg) and junior Amare Bethel (13 ppg). Charlotte Country Day, which should continue its improvement, has the experience to get in the top half of the CISAA and back into the playoffs.
Charlotte Latin: The Hawks will have to reload a bit from a team that won 23 games and advanced to the NCISAA 4A state semifinals. But coach Chris Berger has some players to build around, like seniors Ned Hull (16 ppg), Sean Rose and Tyler Hendley. Charlotte Latin will be trying to keep up its winning tradition, one that has seen the Hawks average 20 wins per season over the last three campaigns.
Northside Christian: The Knights’ return only one starter, 6-foot-3 senior guard Antonio Perkins (11 ppg), but should benefit from senior Kamar Goudelock (6 ppg, 5 apg) and freshman Josiah Johnson-Freeman. Northside also returns juniors Josh Bullock (Lake Norman Christian transfer) and Kyrell Shaw (8.4 ppg, Mooresville transfer). Northside Christian, which has averaged 21 wins per season over the last five years, should have a chance to win 20-plus games again and contend for the Metrolina Athletic conference (MAC) title.
Providence Day: The Chargers will also have different look from the team that won 22 games and advanced to the NCISAA 4A state quarterfinals last year. But Providence Day has plenty of talent, starting with 6-foot-10 senior center Riley Allenspach (16.7 ppg, Western Kentucky commit) and 6-5 senior Trey Horton (7.8 ppg, University of Texas El Paso commit) along. with junior Jaxon Prunty (7.2 ppg). The Chargers have the experience to contend in the CISAA, which will have them battle-tested for a playoff run.
United Faith: The Falcons return three key senior starters from the NCISAA 1A state championship team -- Alex Bates (12.6 ppg, Fordham University commit), Lance Gill (9.4 ppg) and Camyl Witherspoon, all back in the lineup. But, United Faith has plenty of depth, including 6-5 sophomore Bryce Slay, junior point guard J.D. Bowden and three junior newcomers in Will Brown, Dylan Deluca and Evan Morton.
Players to Watch
Riley Allenspach, Providence Day: The 6-foot-10 senior Western Kentucky University commit (16.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg) gives the Chargers two committed Division I players in the Chargers. Allenspach pairs with senior, Trey Horton (7.8 ppg, University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) commit).
Alex Bates, United Faith: The 6-foot-5 senior is a Fordham University commit (12.6 ppg) who will play a major role as the Falcons look to defend their NCISAA 1A state championship.
Bryce Cash, Carmel Christian: The 6-foot-6 senior Charlotte Christian transfer (13.5 ppg), gives the Cougars another versatile playmaker on the wing.
Dallas Gardner, Charlotte Country Day: The 6-foot-3 all-state guard/forward can light it up, averaging 21 points per game as a junior. He has committed to UNC-Pembroke.
Tim Hall, Westminster Catawba: The 6-foot-7 senior forward will have an immediate impact for Westminster Catawba as a Division I recruit, according to coach Ed Addie.
Ned Hull, Charlotte Latin: The 6-foot-3 senior (16 ppg, 3.5 apg) will team with senior forward Sean Rose (12.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg), to lead a Latin team that won 23 games last year.
Christian Monroe, SouthLake Christian: The 6-foot-3 senior sharpshooter (19 ppg) is back to lead a SouthLake Christian team that will benefit from the return of four starters.
Jaeden Mustaf, Carmel Christian: The 6-foot-6 junior, DeMatha Catholic (MD) transfer is a top 40 national recruit in the class of 2024.
Antonio Perkins, Northside Christian: The 6-foot-3 senior was all-MAC performer last season averaging 11 points, four rebounds and two assists per game.
Players On the Rise
Derek Bradley, Westminster Catawba: The 6-foot-2 senior (12 ppg) gives the team an experienced backcourt with classmate Jalen Booker.
Armani Henderson, Hickory Grove: The 6-foot-1 junior (14.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg) leads a guard-heavy team that will put pressure on their opponents with an uptempo pace.
John Lash, Charlotte Christian: The 6-foot-6 sophomore looks to build on a breakout freshman season, where he averaged 12 points and eight rebounds per game.
Chris Rivens, Covenant Day: The 6-foot-2 sophomore (5 ppg) is the lone returning starter for the Lions in a backcourt that will also get help from newcomers Elijah Green (Combine Academy transfer) and Patrick Penosky (Legion Collegiate transfer).
Anthony Rogers, Davidson Day: The 5-foot-10 sophomore point guard (5.1 ppg, 2.6 apg) is one of four starters back in the Patriots’ lineup.
Isaiah Sutherland, United Faith: The 6-foot-9 junior forward already has offers from East Tennessee State, Florida International, UNC Greensboro and Radford, according to United Faith coach Darrion Holloway.
Preseason all-county team
Riley Allenspach, Providence Day, 6-10, Sr.
Alex Bates, United Faith, 6-5, Sr.
Bryce Cash, Carmel Christian, 6-6, Sr.
Dallas Gardner, Charlotte Country Day, 6-3, Sr.
Ned Hull, Charlotte Latin, 6-3, Sr.
Christian Monroe, SouthLake Christian, 6-3, Sr.
Jaeden Mustaf, Carmel Christian, 6-6, Jr.
Antonio Perkins, Northside Christian, 6-3, Sr.
Preseason Player of the Year: Jaeden Mustaf, Carmel Christian, 6-6, Jr.
Interesting Notes
Carmel Christian senior Boston Smith is the son of former Carolina Panthers’ wide receiver Steve Smith, and will play a key role for the Cougars this season.
First-year, Covenant Day coach Michael Laney is eager to lead the Lions’ program after having a lot of success in AAU basketball.
Hickory Grove has three college baseball commits on their basketball roster: senior Trig Browning (Limestone University commit), senior Kam Miller (Appalachian State commit), and junior Cole Nelson (UNC Wilmington commit).
Conference Predictions
CISAA Conference
Cannon School; 2. Providence Day; 3, Charlotte Country Day; 4. Charlotte Latin; 5. Charlotte Christian; 6. Covenant Day.
Foothills Athletic Conference
Davidson Day; 2. Hickory Christian; 3. Statesville Christian; 4. University Christian.
Metrolina Athletic Conference
Concord Academy; 2. Northside Christian; 3. Gaston Day; 4. Gaston Christian; 5. Westminster Catawba; 6. Metrolina Christian; 7. SouthLake Christian; 8. Hickory Grove.
South Piedmont Athletic Association (SPAA)
1. United Faith; 2. Victory Christian; 3. Lake Norman Christian; 4. North Hills Christian; 5. Covenant Classical; 6. Woodlawn School.
This story was originally published November 6, 2022 at 6:30 AM.