The Charlotte Observer’s 2025-26 high school basketball preview

By Langston Wertz Jr.

November 14, 2025 2:30 PM

Possible starters for the 2025 North Meck boys basketball team (Front Row L-R) Ashton Pierce and Exzavier Young. (Back Row L-R) Xavier Davis, Devonte Lindsey, Alek Lewandowski, Alex White and Wilson Estwick on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The boy's team is ranked No.1 in the preseason sweet 16. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

Welcome to The Observer’s 2025-26 high school basketball preview.

Below you’ll find complete boys’ and girls’ coverage for the upcoming season, including feature stories, rankings, predictions and preseason all-area teams.

Scroll down and tap links for content

General coverage

10 burning questions about the season

Debate heats up: Should NC add a shot clock soon?

Preseason All-Observer boys’ and girls’ teams

Boy’s Rankings

North Meck Vikings head basketball coach Duane Lewis, center and his team on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. During Lewis' career, the boys basketball teams have won four NCHSAA championships. The 2025 North Meck boys basketball team is ranked No.1 in the preseason sweet 16. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

North Meck starts out on top of Observer’s Sweet 16

Boys preseason statewide rankings

Girls’ Rankings

Cannon School’s girls basketball team and their head coach, Kelvin Drakeford, pose with their three NCISAA championship trophies on Wednesday, November 4, 2025. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com

The preseason girls Sweet 16 poll

Girls preseason statewide rankings

Girls’ coverage

Ginny Ann Duman, a junior at Providence Day School, is shown with her coach Josh Springer. — Ginny Anne Dumont, a junior at Providence Day School, is shown with her coach Josh Springer. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com

Providence Day hopes for title resurgence behind Power 4 junior guard Ginny Anne Dumont

North Meck, star Lenise Joseph, fueled by painful playoff exit

State champ Lake Norman enters season with big target on its back

No. 1 Cannon School, not afraid of losses, chases 3-peat

Mecklenburg County private school preview

Mecklenburg County public school preview

Regional schools preview: Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union counties

Boys’ coverage

Head basketball coach Beau Maye looks on during a boys varsity basketball practice at Hough High School, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, in Cornelius, N.C. Matt Kelley For the Observer

Beau Maye, Luke’s brother, takes over at Hough as one of youngest coaches in NC

Mecklenburg County public school preview

Mecklenburg County private school preview

Observer regional boys’ preview (Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Union counties)

Hunter Huss welcomes star’s return, No. 1 ranking

Davidson Day chases another state title with (big) revamped roster

Langston Wertz Jr.

The Charlotte Observer

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Langston Wertz Jr. is an award-winning sports journalist who has worked at the Observer since 1988. He’s covered everything from Final Fours and NFL to video games and Britney Spears. Wertz -- a West Charlotte High and UNC grad -- is the rare person who can answer “Charlotte,” when you ask, “What city are you from.” Support my work with a digital subscription

General coverage

Boy’s Rankings

Girls’ Rankings

Girls’ coverage

Boys’ coverage

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