Greetings HS hoops junkies from across the hall-decking Piedmont! The Sadster is back for another exciting season of HS hoops and The Ol’ Cubic Zirconia Ball (can’t afford crystal) is primed and ready to go. Last season gave us many memories as always and we said farewell to some outstanding talent including, but not limited to, Isaiah Evans, Quay Watson and Maurio Hanson. North Meck posted their 3rd state title overall and 2nd in five years (’20 & ’24). The Vikings also said goodbye to longtime assistant Charles Blackwood who retired after helping Coach Lewis for some 25 seasons. The state championship game was his 500th and final game on the scorebook, but served in other areas for another 100+ games since Lewis took over for another North Meck legend, Leroy Holden, in the ’98-’99 campaign. It won’t be the same not seeing him at the North Meck scorers’ table. However, the Vikings, like the rest of the conference, are moving forward to a new season that promises to be as exciting as ever. This season, The Great One senses a changing of the guard atop the QC standings and the return to competitiveness for a couple of other QC teams. Without further delay, we will now get into the meat and potatoes of how the conference will finish, and why. The team that The Sadster thinks will come out on top is…….
1. CHAMBERS
The pressure is now on Coach Brian Frasier as the Cougars boast two of the best talents in the state in 6’7 JR W Markus Kerr and 6’7 JR W Tarris Bouie who are bonafide three-level scorers. Both are capable on defense and rebound well. They will need help in the interior that was vacated by Hanson. Candidates to step up on the boards are 6’4 JR F Cameron Thompson who is a Swiss army knife and 6’6 JR F Quamari Felder. PG will be in the capable hands of 5’10 Malik McCotter who can shoot the three as well as distribute the rock. Other backcourt contributors will be 6’2 SO G Zyon White and 6’0 SR G Desmond Martin. The Cougars are a sexy pick to make the regionals and are talented but they need to defend and rebound well consistently to finish first and stay ahead of nemesis……………..
2. NORTH MECK
Isaiah Evans and Trey Maxwell are gone. Those are holes in which no single player can fill but the Vikings have ways of filling holes by committee. A good place to start is 6’3 SR G Chadlyn Traylor who is an accomplished three-level scorer himself. Another key piece is 6’3 JR G Ashton Pierce who continues to get better. 6’3 SR W Carson Evans, 6’3 SR W Zion Williams, 6’1 SR G Greg Murray and 6’3 JR W Alex White will figure prominently into perimeter duties. 6’2 SR jumping jack Kyce Matthews will help out 6’4 JR F,C Exzavier Young on the boards. Young’s athleticism is often overlooked but he outplayed 6’8 4* Sadiq White of Myers Park last season in the state Elite Eight. The Norsemen would also love to get solid minutes out of 6’6 JR Aidan Jones. Coach Duane Lewis has plenty of shooters but must replace the rebounding and leadership of Evans and Maxwell if they are to win another regular season title, keep their regional finals appearance streak alive and stay ahead of………..
3. HOUGH (TIE)
Second-year Head Coach Dan Larkin seeks to return the Huskies to the state playoffs. 6’4 SR G Evan Otto is a good backcourt piece to build around along with two experienced senior guards in 6’0 Landon Love and 6’0 Nick Bellofatto, and 5’10 JR G Beck Spear. Add to that two talented senior twin transfer wings in 6’4 Jadah and Judah Freeman that fell out of the sky and the Huskies are primed to stir things up in the conference race. The frontcourt, which also is seasoned with experience, will be anchored by 6’7 JR C John Slusher. Hough has the size and talent to be a factor but absolutely must rebound well if they are to have a chance to move up and stay with the other predicted 3rd place team……
3. HOPEWELL (TIE)
The era of Quay Watson is over but the cupboard isn’t bare. If JaRon Goodson’s troops are to march back to states in late February veteran guards like 6’0 SR Kamari Cooke and 6’0 SR Mike Brown must show the necessary leadership. They will be helped out on the perimeter by 6’5 SO W Braylon Curry and 6’0 JR G Tre Gatlin. The Titans could find basketball salvation by the emergence of 6’6 SR F,C Messiah Cage as a much-needed force on the glass. He will be aided by 6’5 JR F Khaden Clark and 6’4 SR F Shaquan Rice. The Titans have experienced lettermen but must get consistent paint play if they are to stay with Hough, and ahead of………….
5. WEST CHARLOTTE
The Lions, along with Charlotte Catholic, boast the tallest HS teams in recent memory but last year was a disappointing conference finish for WC. This season Coach Jacoby Davis is determined to “Restore the Roar” behind a pair of senior guards in 6’3 Chase Bryson and 6’2 R.A. Pressley. The prayer for help in the backcourt could be answered in the form of 6’4 SO G Amen Pressley and young gun 6’1 FR G Cha Cho Womack. The post will be anchored by 6’8 SO C,F Chase Williams. He will have 6’6 SR F Barona Kone, 6’5 SR F Riley Faison and 6’7 SR F D.J. Williams helping out. WC plays in the 3A class and could do some damage in states come March but must shoot the three well if they are to have a shot at moving up and staying ahead of……….
6. MALLARD CREEK
The Mavericks were competitive at times last season but an untimely transfer injured chances of consistency. Head Coach Michael McNeil is counting on the experience guard play of 6’1 SR W Chris Johnson, 6’2 SR G Cam Higgins, 6’2 SR G Jordyn Washington and 6’0 JR PG Ahmed Savage. The Mavericks do have 6’6 JR W Lajalin Overton to roam the baseline and should play a four-out system since they aren’t blessed with size. The Creek will flow the ball up the court and be able to shoot but they must solve the rebounding equation if they are to have a shot at moving up and staying ahead of…………
7. HARDING
Corey Baker is at the helm for the Rams and has a goal to return to states like yesteryear. Leading the effort will be SR F Dayton Ross and SR G Lonnie Walker. SR G Nate Decker will also help on the perimeter along with promising FR G Kaharri Coleman. Another hopeful contributor will be fellow FR W Tebrien Cornelius. The Rams must find consistency on the defensive end and on the boards of they are to have a chance to move up and stay ahead of rival………..
8. WEST MECK
Ryan McQueen’s squad is coming of age and is due to post some dubs this season. A big piece of that happening could be 6’0 SR G Amari Turner. 6’0 JR G Chase McDonald will help out along with 6’5 JR Josiah Pratt who needs to post big efforts in the paint if the Hawks are to have a shot at moving up.
There you have it folks! The dye is cast and all that remains is sitting back and watching it all unfold this winter. It should be another thrilling season and memories will be made. Make sure and check out The Great One every Monday as his weekly Furious 5 rankings will be posted. Stay tuned!!!!!
SAD SAM – HS HOOPS GENIUS