Here are the girls’ basketball teams, players to watch in Mecklenburg public schools

The 2025-26 N.C. girls’ high school basketball season tipped off Monday when Queen’s Grant beat Victory Christian 56-36 in a game where both teams have legitimate state championship hopes.

Most of the state’s public schools begin play on Nov. 14.

The Observer will continue its look at girls’ high school basketball in the area with a focus on Mecklenburg County public and private schools. Also, don’t miss our preview of The Observer’s regional schools.

Later this week, the annual Sweet 16 girls’ basketball poll will also be released.

Here’s what to know about this season’s area girls’ basketball teams and players, along with predictions.

Teams to watch

Ardrey Kell: The Knights’ return three senior starters from a 17-win team a year ago. They include 5-foot-7 guard Layla Mapp (9.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg), 6-1 forward Imani Shelton (8.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg) and 5-9 forward Kayla Adarwah (6.1 ppg). The Knights get back 6-foot senior guard Autumn Washington (15.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg), who was out last year with an injury.

South Mecklenburg: The Sabres return all five starters from a 25-win team a year ago. They include 6-1 senior NyKira Arrington (10.4 ppg, 11.4 rpg), 6-2 senior Chloe Grant (8.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg) junior guard K.B. Brown (9.3 ppg, 4 apg) and senior guards Kaitlyn Hensley (8.9 ppg) and Skylar Young (10 ppg). West Charlotte transfer, 6-2 junior Bri’Asia Rowe (12 ppg, 8 rpg), should also have an immediate impact.

Mallard Creek: The Mavericks return the core of a team that has won 75 games in the last four years with four starters back in the lineup. The senior trio of 5-6 point guard Kiara Anderson (16.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.6 apg, 5.3 spg, Georgia Southern commit), 5-8 shooting guard Jazmeen Stone (16.6 ppg), and 5-10 forward, My’Asia Young (12.3 ppg, 7 rpg, Western Carolina commit) gives Mallard Creek multiple options. Add in 6-2 all-state guard/forward Camri Hobbs, a Jay M. Robinson transfer, and junior guard Sydney McGuire (3.8 ppg) and the Mavericks have the experience and talent to be an 8A state contender.

Myers Park: The Mustangs’ begin a new era without legendary coach Barbara Nelson, who retired with more than 800 wins. Former assistant Jaylaan Dillard takes over a team looking to contend for a conference title. The Mustangs will feature to 5-10 junior Amani Barner (15.5 ppg, 6 rpg, SoMeck 4A conference player of the year), senior guard Summer Thomason (6.9 ppg) and 5-10 junior Arianna Shaw (8 ppg).

North Mecklenburg: The Vikings return three starters from a team that won 25 games last season, including 6-2 all-state forward Lenise Joseph (21.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 3.7 bpg, Division I recruit), 5-6 senior point guard Stephanie Mobley (5.1 ppg, 5.2 apg) and 5-8 junior guard Morgan Knox (8.5 ppg, 4.2 apg). North Mecklenburg is also adding even more firepower with 5-8 junior transfer SaRuan Newton (17 ppg), who is moving to Charlotte from Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Also back are 5-6 junior KeLeiya Jones (6.7 ppg), 6-1 freshman forward Autumn Lacey (multiple Division I offers) and 5-6 freshman guard Kaitlyn Trotter, who are all expected to have an immediate impact.

Queens Grant: The Stallions are looking to build on the best season in school history, after finishing 22-5 a year ago and making a deep playoff run. This season, Queens Grant takes on a new challenge in the Catawba River conference and class 2A, moving up from 1A. The Stallions will have one of the area’s most dynamic backcourts in 5-9 sophomore Za’Miya Bynum (31 ppg, 7.5 spg), and 5-4 senior point guard Misa Garris (22.3 ppg, 6.7 apg). Also expected to play big roles are 6-1 senior center Casey Smith (10.6 ppg) and Panther Creek transfer, 5-foot-11 Malone Hicks (11.3 ppg).

Players to watch

Jade Bell, Rocky River: The 5-8 sophomore did everything well as a freshman, when she averaged 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks per game for the Ravens.

Kate Breault, Hough: The 5-8 senior guard (10 ppg, 4 rpg) is part of a strong Huskies’ backcourt, with juniors Blair Haynes (10.2 ppg, Watauga transfer) and Alexis Otto (4 ppg).

Jurnee Darling, East Mecklenburg: The 5-9 senior (10.6 ppg) will pair with 5-10 senior guard Mackenna Weisner to lead the Eagles.

Emma Fuller, Providence: The 6-4 senior center averaged a double-double as a freshman (10 ppg, 10 rpg, 2.5 bpg) and already has Division I offers from Elon, Texas Southern and Virginia Tech, according to Providence girls’ basketball coach, Rachael Petre.

Molly Howe, Hopewell: The 5-8 sophomore point guard (15.5 ppg) looks to build on a breakout freshman season for an improved Titans’ squad (6-18 last year).

Chaya James, Olympic: The 6-3 junior center, forward returns to lead the Trojans, after averaging a double-double at 10.1 points and 10.2 rebounds to go with 2.7 blocks per game as a sophomore.

Reece Long, Lake Norman Charter: The 5-8 senior guard (19.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg) pairs with junior Abby Courtney (13.8 ppg, 5.3 apg) to give the Knights one of the Catawba Shores’ 2A/3A/4A conference’s most productive backcourts.

Hannah Moss, Butler: The Bulldogs’ senior (16.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg) will play a lead role for the Bulldogs as the team’s lone returning starter.

Megan Shea, Charlotte Catholic: The 5-10 junior guard is back to lead the Cougars after a breakout junior season, where she averaged 11 points and seven rebounds per game.

Players on the rise

Eriyanna Anthony, Sugar Creek Charter: The 5-6 junior guard (8.4 ppg) hopes to improve on a solid sophomore season.

Avery Brisseaux, Bradford Prep: The Bears’ junior forward (5.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg) will play a bigger role this season as the leading returning scorer and rebounder.

Kaiya Dodson, Ballantyne Ridge: The 5-4 junior guard (9.4 ppg, 3.6 spg) looks to lead one of the youngest teams in the state with no seniors and only two juniors.

Kenya Grier, West Charlotte: The 5-10 senior guard (7.5 ppg) will team with 5-5 shooting guard Paris Reaves (6.5 ppg) in an experienced Lions’ backcourt.

Lacie Grovner, Julius Chambers, Sr.: The 5-9 senior guard (11.2 ppg) is back to lead the Cougars with classmates, 5-9 guard Janaviah Dillard (6.8 ppg) and 6-3 senior center June Wallace. Wallace has offers from Winston-Salem State and Virginia Union, according to Chambers’ coach, Jorvewe Gibson.

Emily Johnson, Corvian Charter, Sr.: The 5-11 senior (8 ppg) is back to lead the Cardinals.

Aubrey McCormick, Community School of Davidson: The 5-7 junior shooting guard (7 ppg) is the Spartans’ leading returning scorer.

Karsen Young, Jackson Day: The 6-1 sophomore guard/forward (5 ppg) will be key for the Mariners, along with senior Mya Young (4 ppg).

Preseason all-county team

Kiara Anderson, Mallard Creek, 5-6, Sr.

NyKira Arrington, South Mecklenburg, 6-1, Sr.

Amani Barner, Myers Park, 5-10, Jr.

K.B. Brown, South Mecklenburg, 5-5, Jr.

Emma Fuller, Providence, 6-4, So.

Camri Hobbs, Mallard Creek, 6-2, Sr.

Chaya James, Olympic, 6-3, Jr.

Lenise Joseph, North Mecklenburg, 6-2, Jr.

Reece Long, Lake Norman Charter, 5-8, Sr.

Layla Mapp, Ardrey Kell, 5-7, Sr.

Hannah Moss, Butler, 5-9, Sr.

Preseason player of the year: Joseph, North Mecklenburg

What else to know

• Former Julius Chambers’ girls’ basketball coach, Donnell Rhyne, who led the Cougars to three straight 4A state titles, expects Jackson Day to contend for Catawba River 1A/2A/3A conference title in his second year in charge of the program.

• Mallard Creek girls’ basketball coach, Karlyn Dixon is 11 wins from earning her 100th career victory with the Mavericks in just four seasons at the helm.

• North Mecklenburg freshmen forward Autumn Lacy already has offers from multiple Division I programs, including Appalachian State, Charlotte, UNC Wilmington and Virginia Tech, before playing in her first high school game, according to Vikings’ basketball coach Jennifer Baker. North Mecklenburg freshman guard Kaitlyn Trotter also has an Appalachian State offer.

• Providence is one of the youngest teams in the county with four sophomores in the starting lineup: Avery Detenber, Anna Fillnow, Emma Fuller and Elliott Stafford. Each of them started as freshmen last season.

Conference predictions

Catawba Shores 1A/2A Conference

1. Lincoln Charter; 2. Christ the King; 3. Lake Norman Charter; 4. Community School of Davidson; 5. Bradford Prep; 6. Pine Lake Prep; 7. Corvian Charter; 8. Langtree Charter.

Catawba River 1A/2A/3A Conference

1. Queens Grant; 2. Jackson Day; 3. Thomas Jefferson Academy; 4. Piedmont Charter; 5. Mountain Island Charter; 6. Carolina International; 7. Sugar Creek Charter; 8. N.C. School of Math and Science; 9. Bonnie Cone Academy.

Greater Charlotte 7A/8A Conference

1. South Mecklenburg; 2. Myers Park; 3. Hough; 4. Hopewell; 5. Garinger; 6. West Mecklenburg.

Greater Metro 6A/7A Conference

1. Hickory Ridge; 2. West Cabarrus; 3. Cox Mill; 4. Central Cabarrus; 5. A.L. Brown; 6. Olympic; 7. Harding; 8. Berry.

Meck Power 6, 7A/8A Conference

1. Mallard Creek; 2. North Mecklenburg; 3. Julius Chambers; 4. Butler; 5. West Charlotte; 6. Independence.

Southern Carolinas’ 6A/7A Conference

1. Marvin Ridge; 2. Porter Ridge; 3. Cuthbertson; 4. Charlotte Catholic; 5. Weddington; 6. Piedmont; 7. Sun Valley.

Southwestern 7A/8A Conference

1. Ardrey Kell; 2. Providence; 3. Rocky River; 4. Palisades; 5. Ballantyne Ridge; 6. East Mecklenburg.