Charlotte prep hoops: Midseason Sweet 16, surprises, stat leaders, all-stars
As we come back from the holiday break and high school basketball teams hit the teeth of their season, conference play, here’s a look at trends and stat leaders in the area, including a midseason All-Observer team and games to watch this week.
Biggest surprises
Ballantyne Ridge: After going 2-23 last season, the Wolves are 7-5 heading into Tuesday’s game at East Meck (7-6), led by seniors Jimmy Neubauer (18 ppg, 12 rpg) and Ayden Sanner (16 ppg, 5.0 rpg).
Charlotte Latin girls: The Hawks have had four straight winning seasons but are on pace to top the best single-season wins output in that run (18 wins in the 2021-22 season). Latin (13-2) has won four straight and 10 of its past 11 games. Seniors Lanie Edwards (18.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and Charlotte Tune (11.7 ppg, 3.6 apg) lead the team.
Harding: The Rams (5-4) lost perhaps their best player when Kaharri Coleman transferred to West Charlotte. Coleman is the state’s top-ranked sophomore. Harding suffered through a three-game losing streak, before kicking off a three-game win streak heading into Saturday’s matchup. Senior Kingston Henry is averaging 22 points per game on 51% shooting.
West Mecklenburg: The Hawks, who are 7-6 , were 0-25 last season and have gone through 14 straight losing seasons. Right now, West Mecklenburg has tied for the most wins in a single-season in six years. Credit new coach Chris Ewell for turning around the program so quickly.
Who’s hot
Ardrey Kell girls: After starting the season 3-2, the Knights have gone 7-1, only losing to reigning N.C. 4A state champion Lake Norman, 65-63, on Dec. 13. The Knights, who went 3-0 in their holiday tournament, carry a four-game win streak into Tuesday’s home game with Palisades.
Ardrey Kell boys: The Knights jumped into The Sweet 16 this week, at No. 10, after winning their Christmas tournament. Ardrey Kell, which beat St. Stephens 71-32 Saturday, has won nine straight games to improve to 11-2.
Concord Academy: The Eagles (16-2) have won three straight and six of their last seven games, led by seniors Lincoln Raper (13.8 ppg) and Jonas Agyeman (11.1 ppg on 59% shooting). They are No. 1 in The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll.
Gaston County girls’ scoring: The top three scorers in the state — Victory Christian (Gastonia) star Simiya Smith, Stuart Cramer’s Oshauna Holland and North Gaston’s Jaleila Littlejohn — are all from the same county.
Jackson Day girls: The Mariners (10-1) have won five straight since losing to state power Queen’s Grant, 52-35, on Dec. 2. Senior Jade White leads the team at 13.8 points per game. Teammate Ahylia White averages a double-double (13.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg).
Queen’s Grant: The Stallions (15-3, 5-0 Catawba River) have won 11 straight, heading into Tuesday’s game at Thomas Jefferson (5-5, 3-2). Queen’s Grant has no seniors and four players averaging double figures: sophomore Chase Smith (16.0), sophomore Mekhi Allen (14.3), sophomore Bobby Montgomery III (13.1) and junior Preston Scott (10.8).
Porter Ridge girls: The Pirates (11-2, 3-0 Southern Carolina) have won five of their past six games, led by junior Ashanti Taylor (17.2 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 4.1 apg) and senior Miley Malcolm (14.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.4 apg). They play at rival Marvin Ridge (10-3, 2-0) Tuesday in a battle of conference unbeatens.
Providence Day boys: Interim coach Jonathan McIntyre has the Chargers looking like an NCISAA state title contender. Providence Day started 0-4 against a very difficult schedule, but has won three in a row and 10 of its past 11 games, including beating Shelby at Shelby in the championship game of its holiday event.
Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 polls
BOYS
Rk., School, Rec, Prvs.
1. Concord Academy (16-2), 1
2. Queen’s Grant (15-3), 4
3. North Mecklenburg (10-2), 3
4. West Charlotte (8-2), 5
5. Marvin Ridge (11-2), 15
6. Hunter Huss (11-2), 12
7. Gaston Christian (17-4), 2
8. Davidson Day (13-7), 6
9. Providence Day (11-5), 8
10. Ardrey Kell (11-2), NR
11. Jay M. Robinson (9-1), 11
12. Butler (11-2), 9
13. Mooresville (10-2), 7
14. Charlotte Catholic (11-2), 13
15. East Lincoln (11-1), NR
16. Myers Park (7-5), 16
GIRLS
Rk., School, Rec, Prvs.
1. North Mecklenburg (11-1), 1
2. Lake Norman (8-1), 3
3. Porter Ridge (7-1), 4
4. Providence Day (12-1), 7
5. Queen’s Grant (13-2), 5
6. Marvin Ridge (10-3), 6
7. North Lincoln (10-3), 15
8. Mallard Creek (11-4), 2
9. Cannon School (8-3), 9
10. Stuart Cramer (10-1), 8
11. Gaston Christian (11-1), 5
12. Northwest Cabarrus (9-2), 12
13. Hough (7-3), 13
14. South Mecklenburg (8-3), NR
15. East Lincoln (9-2), NR
16. Concord Academy (12-7), NR
Note: The Sweet 16 rankings and the midseason teams were selected by longtime N.C. high school basketball experts Randall Clark and Rick Lewis, co-hosts of The Observer’s Talking Preps show.
The midseason All-Observer girls’ basketball team
North Mecklenburg’s Lenise Joseph and Ardrey Kell coach La’Tavia Dixon headline the midseason All-Observer girls’ basketball team.
Dixon has led the Knights to a 10-3 record, heading into Tuesday’s home game with Palisades (6-5). The Knights have won four straight on a pace to challenge for a league title. Ardrey Kell has not finished below .500 in a season since 2008-09, when they were 10-14.
Joseph, a 6-foot-1 junior center, has led the Vikings to a No. 1 ranking in The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll and an 11-1 overall record. Joseph is averaging 17.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.5 blocks per game, while shooting nearly 60% from the field.
First Team
Janiyah Boyd, Monroe
Oshauna Holland, Stuart Cramer
Za’Miya Bynum, Queens Grant
Ashanti Taylor, Porter Ridge
Rayana Minard, Lake Norman
Lenise Joseph, North Meck (midseason POY)
Second Team
Kiara Anderson, Mallard Creek
Justice Alexander, Concord Academy
Ally Smith, North Lincoln
Miley Malcolm, Porter Ridge
Kelsey Rhyne, Lake Norman
The midseason All-Observer boys’ basketball team
Hunter Huss guard Jaleel Smith and Concord Academy coach Frank Cantadore headline the midseason All-Observer boys’ basketball team.
Smith, a 6-foot sophomore, is one of the nation’s leading scorers, averaging 29 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.3 steals and 5.1 assists per game. He’s helped Huss to an 11-2 record heading into Tuesday’s game at South Point (3-7).
Cantadore has led Concord Academy to a 16-2 overall record and a No. 1 spot in The Observer’s Sweet 16. Concord Academy plays at Metrolina Christian Tuesday.
FIRST TEAM
Jaleel Smith, Hunter Huss
Kaharri Coleman, West Charlotte
Chase Smith, Queen’s Grant
Ashton Pierce, North Meck
Cameron Newman, Gaston Christian
SECOND TEAM
Chacho Womack, West Charlotte
Thomas Vickery, Myers Park
Travien Williams, Hickory Ridge
Jaxon Dollar, East Lincoln
Jack Siegel, Charlotte Catholic
Boys’ stat leaders
SCORING
1. Jazon Reynolds, Union Day (Weddington), 29.4
2. Jaleel Smith, Hunter Huss, 29.0
3. MJ Gladden, Statesville, 26.4
4. Josiah Guyton, Lincolnton, 24.6
5. Bryan Little, Piedmont, 23.8
REBOUNDING
1. Cam Smith, Lincolnton, 12.8
2. Jaxon Dollar, East Lincoln, 11.5
3. Carlos Marshall, Victory Christian, 10.7
4. Nick Whitener, North Lincoln, 10.6
5. Max Muteb, Weddington, 10.6
ASSISTS
1. Beckett Rinkus, North Lincoln, 8.0
2. Bennett Church, Piedmont, 7.4
3. Jaxon Dollar, East Lincoln, 7.0
4. Preston Scott, Queen’s Grant, 6.7
5. Malik McCotter, Phoenix Montessori, 6.7
Girls’ stat leaders
SCORING
1. Simiya Smith, Victory Christian Gastonia, 32.1
2. Oshauna Holland, Stuart Cramer, 31.9
3. Jaleila Littlejohn, North Gaston, 31.7
4. Jade Bell, Rocky River, 26.6
5. Reece Long, Lake Norman Charter, 23.8
REBOUNDING
1. SaRyah McCorkle, Hunter Huss, 19.3
2. Myajah Nix, Central Cabarrus, 14.7
3. Nyla Rae Bailey, Highland Tech, 14.3
4. Chaya James, Olympic, 14.0
5. Jaleila Littlejohn, North Gaston, 13.6
ASSISTS
1. Lucy Gorman, Christ the King, 7.1
1. Abby Courtney, Lake Norman Charter, 7.1
3. Oshauna Holland, Stuart Cramer, 6.9
4. Shemiah McCoy, Hunter Huss, 6.7
4. Avery Houseton, Covenant Day, 6.7
This week’s key games
Hickory Ridge at Berry Tuesday: Berry (5-4, 2-0 Greater Metro) hasn’t had a winning season since 2018-19, but the Cardinals are in a new Cabarrus County-heavy conference, away from the Mecklenburg County heavyweights they’ve faced in the past. Berry, Hickory Ridge (8-4, 2-0) and Harding are tied for first place in the conference. Berry plays at Harding Friday.
Independence at West Charlotte Tuesday: Independence (8-3) will try to win its third straight game against a young but strong Lions team (8-2). West Charlotte’s losses are to N.C. small-school power Queen’s Grant and national power Oak Hill (VA). This is the Meck Power 6 conference opener for both teams.
North Mecklenburg girls at Mallard Creek Tuesday: It’s the girls game of the year so far in Mecklenburg County and a game between rivals who have battled for the conference title for the past several years. North Meck (11-1), a 7A team, lost two of three matchups against the Mavericks (10-4) last season, including in the conference tournament championship. The average margin of victory in those three meetings? Six points per game.
Porter Ridge girls at Marvin Ridge Tuesday: It’s a big week for Porter Ridge (11-2, 3-0), currently alone in first place in the Southern Carolina conference. Tuesday, the Pirates visit second place Marvin Ridge (10-3, 2-0). Friday they’re at third place Weddington (7-8, 2-1).
West Mecklenburg at Hough Tuesday: The surprising Hawks (7-6) visit Hough (7-3) in a game matching first-year coaches: West Meck’s Ewell and Hough’s Beau Maye, one of the youngest head coaches in North Carolina. Since only Myers Park (7-5) has a winning record among the conference’s remaining teams, this game could help position the winner for a league title run.
North Mecklenburg at Butler Friday: The Vikings (10-2) lost in the fifth-place game at The Classic at Tennessee High School, one of the nation’s top post-Christmas events, and returns to league play this week. The Vikings play at Mallard Creek Tuesday and then play Butler in a game that matches two teams that are legitimate contenders to reach the 7A Western Regionals.
This week’s schedule
Tuesday
Greater Charlotte 6A/7A
Garinger at Myers Park
South Mecklenburg at Hopewell
West Mecklenburg at Hough
Meck Power Six 7A/8A
Butler at Chambers
Independence at West Charlotte
North Mecklenburg at Mallard Creek
Southwestern 7A/8A
Ballantyne Ridge at East Mecklenburg
Palisades at Ardrey Kell
Rocky River at Providence
Greater Metro 6A/7A
Central Cabarrus at Cox Mill
Harding at West Cabarrus
Hickory Ridge at Berry Academy
Olympic at A.L. Brown
Southern Carolina 6A/7A
Porter Ridge at Marvin Ridge
Sun Valley at Charlotte Catholic
Weddington at Cuthbertson
Big South 5A/6A
Ashbrook at North Gaston
Forestview at Crest
Hunter Huss at South Point
Rocky River 4A/5A
Forest Hills at West Stanly
Monroe at Anson County (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Mount Pleasant at Central Academy (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
South Piedmont 4A/5A
Concord at Northwest Cabarrus
East Rowan at Jesse Carson
South Rowan at Salisbury
West Rowan at Jay M. Robinson
Western Foothills 4A/5A
Bandys at North Lincoln
Bunker Hill at Newton-Conover
Fred T. Foard at East Lincoln
Hickory at West Iredell
Metrolina Athletic
Concord Academy at Metrolina Christian (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Westminster Catawba at Gaston Christian (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A
Bradford Prep at Christ the King
Corvian Community at Community School of Davidson
Linhcoln Charter at Langtree Charter
Pine Lake Prep at Lake Norman Charter
Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A
Burns at Highland Tech
Cherryville at Stuart Cramer
East Gaston at West Lincoln
Shelby at Bessemer City
Yadkin Valley 2A/3A/4A
North Rowan at Gray Stone Day
South Stanly at Albemarle
Union Academy at North Stanly
Catawba River 1A/2A/3A
Jackson Day at Carolina International (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Piedmont Community Charter at Sugar Creek Charter (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Queen’s Grant Charter at Thomas Jefferson Academy
Nonconference
Ambassador Christian at Caldwell Academy (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Arborbrook Christian at Union Day (boys), 4:30 p.m.
Charlotte Country Day at High Point Wesleyan (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Charlotte Lab Christian at Providence Classical (boys), 6:30 p.m.
Elevation Prep at North Hills Christian (boys), 7 p.m.
Kings Mountain at Lincolnton
Liberty Prep at Cabarrus Stallions
Parkwood at Buford (SC)
South Guilford High School at South Charlotte Thunder
South Iredell at Alexander Central
Statesville Christian at Legacy Athletic
Winston-Salem Christian at Covenant Day (girls, 5 p.m.; boys, 6:30 p.m.)
Wednesday
Metrolina Athletic Conference
Gaston Day at SouthLake Christian (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A
Burns at Cherryville
East Gaston at Shelby
Catawba River 1A/2A/3A
N.C. School of Science & Math/Morganton at Mountain Island Charter (girls, 4:30 p.m.; boys, 6 p.m.)
Nonconference
Highland Tech at Pinnacle Classical
Lake Norman at Hough
Ledford at Statesville
Legion Collegiate (SC) at Monroe
Lincoln Charter at Providence Day (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
South Stanly at Central Academy
West Iredell at North Iredell
Thursday
Nonconference
Charlotte Lab Christian at Hope Academy (boys), 4:30 p.m.
East Surry at Community School of Davidson
Lee Park Prep at Union Academy (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Metrolina Christian at Covenant Day (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Providence at Northwest Cabarrus
Friday
Greater Charlotte 7A/8A
Hopewell at Myers Park
Hough at Garinger
West Mecklenburg at South Mecklenburg
Meck Power Six 7A/8A
Chambers at Independence
North Mecklenburg at Butler
West Charlotte at Mallard Creek
Southwestern 7A/8A
Ballantyne Ridge at Palisades
Providence at East Mecklenburg
Rocky River at Ardrey Kell
Greater Metro 6A/7A
A.L. Brown at Central Cabarrus
Berry Academy at Harding
Hickory Ridge at Cox Mill
West Cabarrus at Olympic
North Piedmont 6A/7A
Davie County at North Iredell
Lake Norman at Statesville
South Iredell at Mooresville
Southern Carolina 6A/7A
Marvin Ridge at Charlotte Catholic
Piedmont at Sun Valley
Porter Ridge at Weddington
Big South 5A/6A
Forestview at Hunter Huss
North Gaston at Kings Mountain
South Point at Crest
Rocky River 4A/5A
Anson County at West Stanly
Forest Hills at Central Academy (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Monroe at Parkwood (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
South Piedmont 4A/5A
Jay M. Robinson at Salisbury
Jesse Carson at West Rowan
Northwest Cabarrus at East Rowan
South Rowan at Concord
Western Foothills 4A/5A
Fred T. Foard at Bunker Hill
Hickory at East Lincoln
Maiden at Bandys
Newton-Conover at West Iredell
Metrolina Athletic
Metrolina Christian at Gaston Day (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
SouthLake Christian at Gaston Christian (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A
Community School of Davidson at Bradford Preparatory
Corvian Community at Christ the King
Lake Norman Charter at Langtree Charter
Pine Lake Prep at Lincoln Charter
Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A
Bessemer City at East Gaston
Highland Tech at Lincolnton
Stuart Cramer at Shelby
West Lincoln at Burns
Yadkin Valley 2A/3A/4A
Albemarle at Union Academy
Gray Stone Day at North Stanly
South Stanly at North Rowan
Catawba River 1A/2A/3A
Carolina International at Bonnie Cone Academy
Mountain Island Charter at Queen’s Grant Charter (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Sugar Creek Charter at N.C. School of Science & Math/Morganton (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Thomas Jefferson Academy at Jackson Day (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Nonconference
Ambassador Christian at Victory Christian (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Burlington Christian at Concord Academy (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Cabarrus Stallions at N.C. Heat
Carmel Christian at Davidson Day (boys), 7 p.m.
Charlotte Latin at Cary Academy (girls, 5 p.m.; boys, 6:30 p.m.)
Cherryville at Piedmont Community Charter
Covenant Day at Asheville Christian (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Durham Academy at Charlotte Country Day (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Lake Norman Christian at Union Prep (boys), 5 p.m.
Legion Collegiate (SC) at Providence Day (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Liberty Prep at Lee Park Prep (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Phoenix Montessori at Cannon School (boys), 6 p.m.
Ravenscroft School at Charlotte Christian
Socrates Academy at Arborbrook Christian (boys), 4:30 p.m.
Saturday
Ambassador Classic (boys)
(at Ambassador Christian)
(partial schedule)
Phoenix Montessori vs. Charlotte Lab Christian, noon
Jackson Day vs. Northwood Temple, 2 p.m.
Cannon School vs. Northwest Guilford, 5 p.m.
West Charlotte vs. Gaston Day, 6:30 p.m.
East Mecklenburg vs. Ambassador Christian, 8 p.m.
Nonconference
Charlotte Latin at St. David’s School (girls, noon; boys, 1:30 p.m.)
Davidson Day vs. Chantilly (VA) Paul VI (boys), in Capitol Hoops Challenge, 1:30 p.m.
Durham Academy at Charlotte Christian (girls noon, boys, 1:30 p.m.)
Elevation Prep at New Life Christian (boys), 3 p.m.
Ravenscroft School at Charlotte Country Day (girls, 11 a.m.; boys, 12:30 p.m.)
South Charlotte Thunder at SouthLake Christian
