Mecklenburg County Boys Basketball Preview

TEAMS TO WATCH

West Charlotte: The Lions have a loaded team back – led by three seniors: guards Isiah Blackmon and Malik Massey and center Simeon Carter – from a 22-win squad that advanced to the 4A state quarterfinals and believes it can contend for a state title this season.

Northside Christian: Coach Byron Dinkins and his defending NCISAA 2A state champion Knights (28-2 last season) have another talented roster, led by seniors Rayjon Tucker (Florida Gulf Coast commit) and Devin Cooper (Ardrey Kell transfer, Radford commit) and sophomore Ty-Shon Alexander (Concord transfer).

North Mecklenburg: Coach Duane Lewis always seem to have one of the top teams in the area, and this season is no different as the Vikings are loaded with guards Davion Mintz, Taj Middleton and C.J. Bryce and East Meck transfer forward Jaylen McManus giving them a roster that should contend for a MECKA 4A and state title.

Ardrey Kell: The Knights were a Lake Norman buzzer-beat away from going to the 4A state semifinals (24-7 last season), and coach Michael Craft always makes the most of his team and has the talent led by senior guard Steven Santa Ana.

Hough: The Huskies not only have one of the best players in the state in 6-foot-8 forward Luke Maye, but also one of the better and more experienced coaches in the area in Jason Grube. If a few role players emerge as consistent scorers around Maye and the Huskies can survive a brutal MECKA 4A, Hough should be a factor in February and maybe even March.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Luke Maye, Hough, 6-8, Sr., F: One of the top players in the country, according to multiple publications (No. 25 in senior class, according to ESPN), Maye, a UNC commit, is back after averaging 19 points, 15 rebounds and three assists per game.

C.J. Bryce, North Mecklenburg, 6-5, Sr., G: UNC Wilmington commit, who averaged 20 points and eight rebounds per game as a junior, leads a Vikings team looking to contend for MECKA 4A and state bragging rights.

Grant Williams, Providence Day, 6-7, Jr., F: All-CISAA pick (13 ppg, 7 rpg last season) established himself as one of top big men in the area. He leads a Chargers team that went 23-4 last season and has a loaded frontcourt with 6-8 forwards Josh Howard (11 ppg) and Issac Johnson.

Ebuka Izundu, Victory Christian, 6-10, Sr., F/C: Kings’ center (17 ppg, 9 rpg, 4 bpg last season) committed to Charlotte 49ers and will team with point guard Ty Gadsden, a United Faith transfer, who is a Division I recruit.

Steven Santa Ana, Ardrey Kell, 6-3, Sr., G: William & Mary commit (18 ppg) has been a rare four-year standout for Knights and looks to help make his team a postseason contender again.

NOTES

Following in their footsteps: Each year, some of the best players in the area are the sons or daughters of former college or professional stars in North Carolina.

This year is no different.

Luke Maye’s father, Mark Maye, was a three-sport star at Independence before playing quarterback for the University of North Carolina.

Charlotte Christian all-state guard Trey Phills (Yale commit) is the son of former Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills.

Providence Day forward Josh Howard is the son of former Michigan standout and longtime NBA star Juwan Howard (who played for the Charlotte Bobcats in 2008-09).

Best team: The best team in Mecklenburg County is not clear cut. West Charlotte, North Mecklenburg and Hough – all in the same conference (MECKA 4A) – are capable of contending for a state title in class 4A.

Among private schools, Northside Christian, Victory Christian and Providence Day have championship potential.

Coaching carousel: Basketball coaches seem to come and go, but occasionally a big move within the Charlotte area makes you think twice.

This year, that has to be Jason Grube’s moving from East Mecklenburg (where he won the 4A state title in 2008) to Hough, where he takes over a team that won 22 games last season.

Under the radar: 6-10 Carmel Christian center Mac Brydon (15 ppg, 14 rpg last season). Brydon has recruiting interest from several Colonial Athletic Association and Ivy League coaches.

CONFERENCE PREDICTIONS

Southwestern 4A

1. Myers Park; 2. Rocky River; 3. Butler; 4. Porter Ridge; 5. Independence; 6. East Mecklenburg; 7. Garinger.

SoMeck8

1. Ardrey Kell; 2. Berry; 3. Olympic; 4. Harding; 5. South Mecklenburg; 6. Charlotte Catholic; 7. Providence; 8. West Mecklenburg.

MECKA 4A

1. West Charlotte; 2. North Mecklenburg; 3. Hough; 4. Jay M. Robinson; 5. Vance; 6. Hopewell; 7. Mallard Creek; 8. A.L. Brown.

CISAA

1. Providence Day; 2. Cannon School; 3. Charlotte Christian; 4. Charlotte Latin; 5. Covenant Day; 6. Charlotte Country Day.

Metrolina Athletic

1. Northside Christian; 2. Concord First Assembly; 3. SouthLake Christian; 4. Metrolina Christian; 5. Gaston Day; 6. Hickory Grove; 7. Gaston Christian; 8. Westminster Catawba.

NCISAA Southern Piedmont

1. United Faith; 2. Victory Christian; 3. Hickory Christian; 4. Statesville Christian; 5. Carmel Christian; 6. Woodlawn.

Mecklenburg County preseason player of the year: Luke Maye, Hough.

Jay Edwards

This story was originally published November 15, 2014 at 5:41 PM with the headline "Mecklenburg County Boys Basketball Preview."