The Observer’s 2025-26 Mecklenburg County boys’ private school basketball preview
N.C. boys’ basketball for some private schools began last week, but most teams will get underway this week.
Here’s a preview for Mecklenburg County boys’ private school basketball.
Teams to watch
Carmel Christian: The Cougars return only two players from last year’s NCISAA 4A state runner-up: 5-foot-9 junior Jayden Griffin (3 ppg) and 6-3 senior Braden Miller. However, Carmel Christian will welcome a host of transfers that will have to jell, but have the talent to make an immediate impact on a team that essentially “has 12 players that could start,” according to coach Tamar Slay. The Cougars will feature a wealth of seniors, including 6-9 forward Jordan Buzzard (East Mecklenburg transfer, 12 ppg), 6-foot guard Noah Noch (Charlotte Catholic transfer, 3.5 apg) and 6-5 shooting guard Logan Johnson (Ambassador Christian transfer). Additionally, 6-2 junior Jeshua Gutierrez (Ambassador Christian transfer) and 6-3 junior Myles Vick (Weddington transfer) will also play key roles.
Davidson Day: The Patriots will boast one of the state’s biggest frontcourts with 6-11 senior center William Stevens (11.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.7 bpg, Clemson commit) and two highly rated players in 6-11 senior Cody Peck and 6-10 Xavier Hall, who both ranked in the top 80 nationally in their respective classes. Add in 5-10 senior guard Nick Arnold (15 ppg, Lake Norman transfer) and Davidson Day has the roster to be a legitimate NCISAA 3A state contender.
Providence Day: The Chargers don’t return any starters from last year’s 27-5 NCISAA 4A state semifinalist. But Providence has some pieces to build with, including 6-9 senior forward Deuce Haynes (8 ppg, 5 rpg), 6-4 senior guard Aidan Scruitsky (5 ppg) and 6-7 junior Zeke Battier (6 ppg, 4 rpg). The Chargers will also lean on a trio of junior transfers, including 6-5 guard Dylan Bradley (Gaston Day), 6-2 guard Columbus Parker (Lancaster, SC, transfer), and 6-7 forward John Stokes III (Combine Academy transfer). No one will be surprised to see Providence Day repeat as CISAA conference champs and go deep into the playoffs, despite having a primarily new roster.
Victory Christian: The two-time defending NCISAA 1A state champions have plenty of experience back with 6-6 junior forward Carlos Marshall (13 ppg, 10 rpg) and 6-2 senior guard Landon Johnson (8 ppg) returning. Two transfers could play big roles: 5-11 senior guard DeShawn Coulter (12 ppg, Gaston Day transfer), and 6-4 junior forward Ron Rank (10 ppg, Spartanburg Day transfer). In addition, 6-8 sophomore Lecine Keita (from Ivory Coast) could also play a key role. Victory Christian has the pieces to make a run at a three-peat in NCISAA 1A.
Players to watch
Alex Dauska, Charlotte Latin: The 6-3 all-CISAA conference guard (9 ppg) will team with 5-10 freshman Emory Chaney and 5-10 junior Noah Diaz to give the Hawks three returning starters in the backcourt.
Dillon Mason, Southlake Christian: The 6-5 junior guard (20 ppg) is an explosive scorer with four 30-plus-point performances last season, including 41 points against Hickory Grove and 37 points against Hough.
Marshall Nicholson, Charlotte Christian: The Knights’ 6-3 junior guard/forward (11.9 ppg) is part of a sharpshooting backcourt with 6-1 junior Matty Carroll (10.8 ppg) and 6-foot senior Jack Shonberg (10 ppg).
Players on the rise
Micah Huffman, Covenant Day: The 6-3 senior guard is the Lions’ leading returning scorer at eight points per game last season.
Tristan Nelson, Hickory Grove: The 5-7 junior guard (11.1 ppg) plus 6-foot sophomore Micah Bradley (10.6 ppg) and 6-5 junior Gavin Kiser (10.2 ppg) give the Lions a solid foundation in the starting lineup.
Jojo Youakim, Charlotte Country Day: The Buccaneers’ 6-foot senior point guard (8.6 ppg, 4 apg) is the team’s leader, with sophomore Braylon Clark (also a major football prospect, 8 ppg, 5 rpg) also returning.
Preseason all-county team
Zeke Battier, Providence Day, 6-7, Jr.
Xavier Hall, Davidson Day, 6-10, So.
Jordan Buzzard, Carmel Christian, 6-9, Sr.
Deuce Haynes, Providence Day, 6-9, Sr.
Carlos Marshall, Victory Christian, 6-6, Jr.
Dillon Mason, SouthLake Christian, 6-5, Jr.
Cody Peck, Davidson Day, 6-11, Sr.
William Stevens, Davidson Day, 6-11, Sr.
Preseason player of the year: William Stevens, Davidson Day
Notes
— Charlotte Country Day basketball coach David Carrier has 505 wins in his 35 years of coaching.
— Longtime Charlotte Christian assistant coach Luke Boythe now takes over the Knights’ program from Shonn Brown. Boythe also played basketball at Charlotte Christian under former coach Bobby Jones, and was a part of the 1997 state championship team.
— Victory Christian sophomore forward Lecine Keita, who is from Ivory Coast, was a national taekwondo champion.
— Longtime Providence Day assistant coach Jonathan McIntyre takes over as the interim head coach with Ron Johnson on personal leave. McIntyre (19 years as Chargers’ assistant) will have an experienced staff that includes former Providence Day head Brian Field and former Duke and NBA standout Shane Battier.
Conference predictions
CISAA
1. Providence Day; 2. Cannon School; 3. Charlotte Latin; 4. Covenant Day; 5. Charlotte Country Day; 6. Charlotte Christian.
Metrolina Athletic
1. Concord Academy; 2. Gaston Christian; 3. Gaston Day; 4. Westminster Catawba; 5. Southlake Christian; 6. Hickory Grove; 7. Metrolina Christian.
This story was originally published November 10, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
