The Observer’s 2024 Mecklenburg County girls’ private high school basketball preview
Here is The Observer’s look at girls’ high school private school basketball in Mecklenburg County ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Teams to watch
Charlotte Country Day: The Buccaneers were one of the state’s most improved teams last season, going 17-11 after an 11-22 record in the 2022-23 campaign. This year, reigning Observer girls’ basketball coach of the year Kory Bridges looks to build on that success with four starters back in the lineup.
The Buccaneers will lean on an experienced backcourt where senior Margaret Blythe (13.2 ppg) and juniors Evelyn Turner (3.2 ppg) and Sam Vanderhave (12.9 ppg) return. Meanwhile, 6-foot junior forward Olive Bigham (11.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg) gives the team size inside as Country Day looks to continue its ascent up the CISAA conference standings.
Charlotte Latin: The Hawks have won 47 games in the past three years, earning a winning record in each of those seasons. This year, new coach Giavonni Mack, a former local high school basketball star, looks to build on that success with a strong backcourt, including juniors Charlotte Tune (15 ppg) and Lanie Edwards, a Marvin Ridge transfer, as well as senior point guard Alison Archibald.
Providence Day: The Chargers expect to be playing for state and conference championships every year and they came up one win short last February, falling to Cannon School in the state finals.
This season, Providence Day has an experienced roster with nine players being juniors or seniors. Coach Josh Springer returns four starters, including juniors Layla Clark (6 ppg), Katelyn Ramsden (5 ppg) and Jane Updyke (3 ppg) and 6-5 senior center Ellie Fyans (5 ppg, 5 rpg). But sophomore guard Ginny Anne Dumont is expected to play a big role as one of the top players in the state in the class of 2027. She already has several Division I offers, including one from the Charlotte 49ers.
Players to watch
Margaret Blythe, Charlotte Country Day: The 5-foot-7 senior all-state guard (13.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.5 apg) plays a lead role in balanced Buccaneers attack.
Alex Dix, Covenant Day: The 5-9 senior had a breakout junior season averaging 23 points per game.
Ginny Anne Dumont, Providence Day: The 5-11 sophomore is one of the top players in the state in the class of 2027, and looks to prove it in her first season for the Chargers.
Ellie Fyans, Providence Day: The 6-5 senior (5 ppg, 5 rpg), a Western Carolina commit, gives the Chargers an inside presence most teams cannot match.
Charlotte Tune, Charlotte Latin: The 5-7 all-state junior guard (15 ppg, 2.8 apg, 2.8 spg) powers a guard-dominant Charlotte Latin team.
Sam Vanderhave, Charlotte Country Day: The 5-4 junior (12.9 ppg) gives the Charlotte Country Day a strong one-two punch with Blythe in the backcourt.
McKenzie Williams, Hickory Grove: The 5-7 junior all-conference shooting guard (11 ppg) made 65 3-pointers as a sophomore.
Players on the rise
Lanie Edwards, Charlotte Latin, Jr.: The 5-11 junior point guard, a Marvin Ridge transfer. should have an immediate impact for the Hawks.
Egypt Maxwell-Wright, Sr./Jenna Parascand, Charlotte Christian: The Knights’ senior backcourt duo will provide leadership on a freshmen heavy roster.
Preseason all-county team
Margaret Blythe, Charlotte Country Day, 5-7, Sr.
Ginny Anne Dumont, Providence Day, 5-11, So.
Ellie Fyans, Providence Day, 6-5, Sr.
Charlotte Tune, Charlotte Latin, 5-7, Jr.
Sam Vanderhave, Charlotte Country Day, 5-4, Jr.
McKenzie Williams, Hickory Grove, 5-7, Jr.
Preseason player of the year: Ginny Anne Dumont, Providence Day, 5-11, So.
Notes
Ambassador Christian starts its program as an NCISAA independent school this season under coach Jennifer Temple.
Carmel Christian, Davidson Day, Northside Christian and United Faith will not have teams this season.
The Covenant Day team returns to full-time varsity play this season after playing only seven non-conference games and four junior varsity CISAA conference games because the team only had five players on the roster.
Providence Day coach Josh Springer is one of the most accomplished coaches in the state in any classification with 415 career wins, including 10 state championships on his resume.
Conference predictions
CISAA Conference
Cannon School; 2. Providence Day; 3. Charlotte Country Day; 4. Charlotte Latin; 5. Charlotte Christian; 6. Covenant Day.
Metrolina Athletic Conference (MAC)
Concord Academy; 2. Westminister Catawba; 3. Gaston Christian; 4. Metrolina Christian; 5. Hickory Grove; 6. SouthLake Christian; 7. Gaston Day.
