The Observer’s high school basketball preview for Iredell County public schools
The Observer continues its boys basketball previews for the 2022-23 season with a look at Iredell County schools.
Throughout the week, look for additional previews, concluding with the release of The Sweet 16 preseason poll.
Teams To Watch
Lake Norman: Last season, the Wildcats (17-11 last year) enjoyed their most wins since the 2016-17 campaign. This season should be even better with all five starters back, led by seniors Cole Calloway (17 ppg), Alex Gruber (5 ppg, 4 apg) and Henderson Williams (7 ppg, 7 rpg) plus sophomores Tre McKinnon (13 ppg) and Trent Steinour (7 ppg, 6.5 rpg). The Wildcats have the experience to contend for the Greater Metro 4A conference and will be motivated in the postseason after a first round exit last year.
Mooresville: The Blue Devils won 21 games last year after 15 victories combined from 2017-21. This year, the Blue Devils return two starters with senior guard Evaan Ezhilan (7 ppg) and junior point guard A.J. Parsley (6 ppg, 3 apg). Xavion White, a 6-foot-5 senior forward, should also be a key contributor. Coach Armard Moore’s team will look to stay in the top half of the Greater Metro 4A conference standings and reach the playoffs for the second straight season.
North Iredell: The Raiders lost seven seniors from a team that won 19 games and finished third in the Western Foothills’ Athletic 3A conference a year ago. This year, 6-foot-8 senior Beckham Tharpe (14 ppg, 8 rpg) and senior point guard Cole Saunders (6 ppg) will lead a younger team that will try to stay in middle of the conference race and get into the playoff picture.
Players to Watch
Kobe Brown, Statesville: The 6-foot junior helps set the tone with constant defensive pressure that makes the Greyhounds a difficult matchup.
Cole Calloway, Lake Norman: The 6-foot-4 senior plays a lead role (17 ppg, 6 rpg) on a veteran, Wildcats’ team.
Evaan Ezhilan, Mooresville: The 6-foot-2 senior guard (7.5 ppg) will have to play a bigger role as the Blue Devils’ leading returning scorer.
Robert Magner, Pine Lake Prep: The 6-foot-4 junior (8 ppg) will team with sophomore Ethan Morgan (6 ppg) and juniors Julien Evering and Lucas Strickfaden (4 ppg) try to get Pine Lake Prep back on track after going 3-22 last year.
Tre McKinnon, Lake Norman: The 6-foot-5 sophomore (13 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 bpg) looks to build on a breakout freshman season.
Beckham Tharpe, North Iredell: The 6-foot-8 senior (14 ppg, 8 rpg, 1.4 bpg) is a force inside on both sides of the floor for the Raiders.
Players on the Rise
Julien Evering, Pine Lake Prep: The 6-foot-2 junior should have an immediate impact for the Pride, according to coach Tony Dunbar.
Cole Saunders, North Iredell: The 6-foot senior point guard (6 ppg) will have the ball in his hands a lot for the Raiders’ offense
Tatum Tucker, South Iredell: The 6-foot-4 junior guard/forward (7 ppg, 4 rpg) will play a lead role as the lone returning starter for the Vikings.
Jackson Weatherman, Statesville Christian: The Lions’ sophomore guard is part of an experienced backcourt with seniors Kyle Holland and J.P. Shadoui.
Xavion White, Mooresville: The 6-foot-5 senior will be a key player inside for the Blue Devils.
Preseason All-County team
Kobe Brown, Statesville, 6-0, So.
Cole Calloway, Lake Norman, 6-4, Sr.
Evaan Ezhilan, Mooresville, 6-2, Sr.
Robert Magner, Pine Lake Prep, 6-4, Jr.
Tre McKinnon, Lake Norman, 6-5, So.
Beckham Tharpe, North Iredell, 6-8, Sr.
Preseason Player of the Year: Cole Calloway, Lake Norman, 6-4, Sr.
Conference Predictions
Catawba Shores’ 1A/2A Conference
Lincoln Charter; 2. Community School of Davidson; 3. Pine Lake Prep; 4. Christ the King; 5. Mountain Island Charter; 6. Langtree Charter; 7. Bradford Prep.
Foothills Athletic Conference
Davidson Day; 2. Statesville Christian; 3. Hickory Christian; 4. University Christian.
Greater Metro 4A Conference
Cox Mill; 2, Lake Norman; 3. Mooresville; 4. Hickory Ridge; 5. West Cabarrus; 6. A.L. Brown; 7. South Iredell.
Western Foothills Athletic 3A Conference
Hickory; 2. East Lincoln; 3. North Iredell; 4. North Lincoln; 5. St. Stephens; 6. Statesville; 7. Fred T. Foard; 8. West Iredell.
This story was originally published November 10, 2022 at 6:30 AM with the headline "The Observer’s high school basketball preview for Iredell County public schools."