The Observer’s 2024 Iredell County girls’ high school basketball preview
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Here is The Observer’s look at girls’ high school basketball in Iredell County ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Teams to watch
Lake Norman: The Wildcats return all five starters from a team that went 26-3 last year, advancing to the 4A state quarterfinals. Lake Norman is loaded with playmakers and shooters with seniors Adason Buoniconti (5.1 assists per game), Addison Siriani (5 apg), and twin sisters Alexis (17.2 points per game) and Samantha Shehan (18.7 ppg) joining junior Kelsey Rhyne (15.7 ppg) to form one of the most potent starting fives in the state. Add in junior West Cabarrus transfers Kaiya Bond (13.6 ppg) and Rayana Minard (13 ppg) and Lake Norman has newfound depth. The Wildcats are 81-8 over the past three years, and now look to take the next step and finish as 4A state champions.
North Iredell: The Raiders return only one starter from 20-win team a year ago. However, senior forward Tatum Bradford (11 ppg, 8 rpg) is surrounded by a veteran group of players who must emerge for North Iredell to stay in the top half of the Western Foothills’ Athletic 3A conference and in the playoff position.
Players to watch
Tatum Bradford, North Iredell: The 5-8 senior (11 ppg, 8 rpg, 4 apg, 3 spg) can fill up the stat sheet in a hurry for the Raiders.
Avery Garrett, Pine Lake Prep: The 5-7 senior guard is back to play a lead role for the Pride.
Kelsey Rhyne, Lake Norman: The 5-10 junior Naval Academy commit (15.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 3.2 spg) can contribute in many ways for the Wildcats.
Alexis Shehan, Lake Norman: The 6-foot senior and Kentucky Wesleyan commit averaged 17.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a junior.
Samantha Shehan, Lake Norman: The 5-10 senior Kentucky Wesleyan commit is the reigning Greater Metro 4A conference player of the year averaging 18.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game a year ago.
Players on the rise
Kaiya Bond/Rayana Minard, Lake Norman: The Wildcats’ juniors, both West Cabarrus transfers, will add depth to an already strong lineup as Bond (13.6 ppg) and Minard (13 ppg) were solid scorers last season.
Myonna Butler, Langtree Charter: The 5-2 all-conference guard (8.7 ppg) gives Langtree Charter a solid inside-outside duo with senior all-league forward Faithful Chambers (12 ppg) also back in the lineup.
ChaRez McGee/Caylie Ward, Statesville: The Greyhound sophomores are both the leading returning scorers (3.2 ppg) for a Statesville team that should be on the rise with four starters back.
Madison Schramm, South Iredell: The 5-6 senior point guard (4.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.6 apg) is back to run the show for the Vikings.
Preseason All-County team
Tatum Bradford, North Iredell, 5-8, Sr.
Avery Garrett, Pine Lake Prep, 5-7, Sr.
Kelsey Rhyne, Lake Norman, 5-10, Jr.
Alexis Shehan, Lake Norman, 6-0, Sr.
Samantha Shehan, Lake Norman, 5-10, Sr.\
Preseason player of the year: Samathan Shehan, Lake Norman, 5-10, Sr., SG.
Notes
Iredell County is loaded with first year coaches this season, including Langtree Charter’s Chastin Massey, Pine Lake Prep’s Steven Thomas and Statesville’s Andrew Mitchell.
Pine Lake Prep senior Avery Garrett is also an all-state soccer player for the Pride.
South Iredell coach Mariah Johnson led the Vikings (9-18 last year) to their most wins since the 2019 season. South Iredell’s last winning season came in the 2014-15 campaign (21-4).
Conference predictions
Catawba Shores’ 1A/2A Conference
Community School of Davidson; 2. Lincoln Charter; 3. Christ the King; 4. Pine Lake Prep; 5. Mountain Island Charter; 6. Corvian Charter; 7. Bradford Prep; 8. Langtree Charter.
Greater Metro 4A Conference
Lake Norman; 2. Hickory Ridge; 3. Cox Mill; 4. Mooresville; 5. West Cabarrus; 6. A.L. Brown; 7. South Iredell.
Western Foothills Athletic 3A Conference
North Lincoln; 2. East Lincoln; 3. Hickory; 4. North Iredell; 5. Fred T. Foard; 6. St. Stephen’s; 7. Statesville; 8. West Iredell.
NOTE: The Observer did not receive preseason information from Mooresville, West Iredell, and Statesville Christian.
