2021 high school basketball preview: A look at Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties teams
By Richard Walker
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced changes in virtually all of the area’s sports schedules and high school basketball is no different.
While N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association schools began their seasons in November, N.C. High School Athletic Association teams will begin their seasons on Tuesday.
Each school locally in the Big South 3A, Southwestern 2A, South Fork 2A, Southern Piedmont 1A and PAC 7 1A conferences are allowed to play 14 regular season games before the playoffs begin in late February.
Here’s a look at how each of the local teams in those conferences stack up in boys basketball entering the season:
Big South 3A
Ashbrook
Head coach: Darin Dellinger (1st year)
Last season: 9-17 overall, 5-7 conference
Assistant coaches: Darius James, Von Heavner, Peter Barney, Tom Urig
Returning players: Senior forward Ben Carpenter, Senior guard Malachi Davis
Top newcomers: Senior guard Nash Heavner, senior forward Jordan Robertson
Comment: Dellinger becomes 9th coach in school history as school looks to extend its consecutive state playoff streak to 18 years.
Cramer
Head coach: Brad Sloan (8th year 47-120)
Last season: 12-14 overall, 3-9 conference
Assistant coach: Jon Putnam
Returning players: Senior center Michael Downey, Senior forward Drew Wofford, Sophomore guard Justin Rocquemore, Senior guard Myles Graham
Top newcomers: Senior forward Eja Brice, Sophomore forward John Hill, Junior forward Mason Craig, Junior guard Frankie Verdezas, Sophomore guard Jacob Joyner, Senior guard Blake Moore, Senior forward Jackson Mamanno, Senior guard Hassan Bartee
Comment: One starter returns from Storm’s first state playoff team in history.
Crest
Head coach: Brad Levine (2nd year at Crest 16-10, 33rd year overall 587-242)
Last season: 16-10 overall, 8-4 conference
Assistant coaches: Jon Moore, Marshall Leslie, Andre Bess
Returning players: Junior guard Mari Adams, Senior guard Caleb Barnes, Senior forward Jadin Merritt, Junior wing Ray Hall, Junior center Eli Hall
Top newcomers: Junior forward Grant Dalton, junior forward Jonathan Peeler
Comment: Crest returns all five starters as has hopes of winning school’s first league title since 2015.
Forestview
Head coach: Chris Rayfield (6th year 39-89)
Last season: 17-11 overall, 7-5 conference
Assistant coaches: Kevin Baker, Pierce Guffey
Returning players: Senior guard Jamarian Dawkins, Senior guard Travian Neely, Junior Christian Williams, Junior Jaycob Neely, Senior River Unsworth
Top newcomers: Junior Camury Reid, Sophomore Nate Aguilar, Sophomore Daris Byers
Comment: Jaguars made state playoffs for first time since 2014 last year and will look for defense to help them make a return.
Huss
Head coach: Walt Wallace (10th year 177-71)
Last season: 26-5 overall, 11-1 conference
Assistant coaches: no information submitted
Returning players: no information submitted
Top newcomers: no information submitted
Comment: Wallace enters the season just five coaching wins shy of Huskies’ all-time winner G.C. Harrill, who went 182-97 from 1980 to 1991.
Kings Mountain
Head coach: Grayson Pierce (10th year 144-99)
Last season: 12-15 overall, 7-5 conference
Assistant coaches: Randy Drennan, Matt Carpenter, Matt Bradley, D.J. Byrd
Returning players: Junior guard Isaiah Tate, Junior guard Zeke Cannady, Senior forward Orlando Odums
Top newcomer: Freshman forward Curtis Simpson
Comment: With three league titles in last five years, Mountaineers will seek eighth straight state playoff appearance.
North Gaston
Head coach: Jason Tant (2nd year 3-22)
Last season: 3-22 overall, 1-11 conference
Assistant coaches: Zach Rakoczy, Clay Julen, Ashleyn Thomason, Cole Young
Returning players: Senior guard Dylan Stewart, Senior guard Bryson Walker, Junior guard Mason Mackey, Senior center Jordan Hochman, Senior forward Santiago Ormaza
Top newcomers: Senior forward Alex Quinn, Sophomore forward Ashton Miller, Sophomore guard Jandres Gerena
Comment: Second-year head coach has some returning players in hopes of rebuilding a program that has one winning record in last 15 years.
Southwestern 2A
Burns
Head coach: no information submitted
Last season: 8-15 overall, 5-7 conference
Assistant coaches: no information submitted
Returning players: no information submitted
Top newcomers: no information submitted
Comment: Bulldogs seek first playoff appearance since 2012.
East Gaston
Head coach: Eugene Farrar (9th year 80-117)
Last season: 1-23 overall, 0-12 conference
Assistant coaches: no information submitted
Returning players: no information submitted
Top newcomers: no information submitted
Comment: Last season was worst record in 48-year history of the school.
Shelby
Head coach: Aubrey Hollifield (15th year 302-89)
Last season: 26-3 overall, 12-0 conference
Assistant coaches: Ryan Hollifield, Miles Lawrence
Returning players: Senior guard Elijah Border, Senior guard Tyler Arrington, Senior forward Jack Hollifield
Top newcomers: Freshman forward Jaden Pierce, Freshman guard Drew Hollifield, Sophomore guard JaKeith Hamilton
Comment: Eight seniors return from a team that was state co-champion a year ago after coronavirus cancelled title game a year ago when they set county record with 24th straight playoff appearance.
South Point
Head coach: Kody Kubbs (10th year 109-114)
Last season: 18-10 overall, 8-4 conference
Assistant coaches: Taylor Williams, Devon Lowery
Returning players: Senior guard Ayden Baker, Junior guard Cooper Ray, Junior guard Ashton Harris, Sophomore forward Sully Absher
Top newcomers: Senior guard Colby Feezel, Sophomore guard Jaquis Rumph, Sophomore guard Garret Hunt, Sophomore guard Sean Gore, Sophomore forward Parker Natale, Sophomore forward Jackson Blee
Comment: Winningest coach in school’s boys basketball history will seek to tie school for consecutive state playoffs with five this year.
South Fork 2A
East Lincoln
Head coach: Jon Hancock (4th year at East Lincoln 78-14, 25th year overall 402-247)
Last season: 24-5 overall, 12-2 conference
Assistant coaches: Chip Ashley, Andrew Fann, Reggie Perry, Billy Howell
Returning players: Junior guard Evan Montanari, Junior guard Jeremiah Jones, Junior guard Drew Bean, Junior guard Logan Craig
Top newcomers: Junior forward Roman Hawk, Junior guard Nyckolas Clarke
Comment: Mustangs have two returning starters and will look to extend their county record of consecutive playoff appearances to 17 years.
Lincolnton
Head coach: John Cloninger (3rd year 21-30)
Last season: 11-15 overall, 6-8 conference
Assistant coach: Dave Vanderberg
Returning players: Senior forward Connor Williams, Senior forward Gavin Queen, Senior guard Amontre Finger, Senior guard Tylan McLain
Top newcomer: Sophomore guard Reed King
Comment: Three returning starters has the Wolves optimistic of returning to the state playoffs for a seventh straight season.
North Lincoln
Head coach: Dennis Frye (2nd year 17-9)
Last season: 17-9 overall, 10-4 conference
Assistant coaches: Brian Thompson, Sawyer Frye
Returning players: Senior guard Jack Carter, Senior guard Cole Seagle, Senior forward Dan Carter, Senior forward Samari Collins, Junior guard Jack Waggoner
Top newcomers: Sophomore guard Connor Carson, Junior guard Jake Dedmon, Senior center Seth Whitley
Comment: With three returning starters off school’s first playoff team since 2013 has the Knights eager to compete for a league title.
West Lincoln
Head coach: Jamaal Brown (1st year)
Last season: 0-25 overall, 0-14 conference
Assistant coaches: Harry Huddleston, Jeff Newsome
Returning players: Junior Holiday Hopper, Junior Chevy Short, Senior Austin Flowers
Top newcomers: Sophomore Jordan Truesdale, Junior Trent Goins, Junior Noah Huss
Comment: The new coach will seek to snap a 70-game losing streak and the school’s first league win since February 2017.
Southern Piedmont 1A
Bessemer City
Head coach: Danny McDowell (11th year at Bessemer City 147-107, 16th year overall 222-166)
Last season: 18-7 overall, 8-4 conference
Assistant coaches: Billy James, Jarrod Holmes, Marcus Barnett
Returning players: Sophomore guard Randall Pettus, Sophomore forward Keyshawn Adams, Sophomore forward Jameer Holmes, Senior forward Timmy Spakehouser
Top newcomers: Freshman guard Marshall Tucker, Sophomore guard Hansel Hughley, Junior guard Zevion Wilson, Sophomore guard Terrance Smith, Sophomore guard Ryker Nunley, Junior forward Justice Cooper, Sophomore forward Dalton Watson, Sophomore forward Jamarion Young, Sophomore forward Matthew Detter
Comment: Yellow Jackets are seeking to extend school record consecutive playoff streak to 14 years.
Cherryville
Head coach: Scott Harrill
Last season: 17-11 overall, 5-7 conference
Assistant coaches: Dennis Tate, Bud Black, Antonio Griggs
Returning players: Senior guard Lavonte Hughes, Senior forward Austin Thompson
Top newcomers: Sophomore guard Carson Kelly, Junior guard Jack Mulvey
Comment: With 375 wins, Harrill is tied for second-winningest in county history and only four wins shy of the record of 379 (Marty Hatchell).
Highland Tech
Head coach: Forshee Blair (5th year 28-66)
Last season: 7-18 overall, 5-7 conference
Assistant coaches: no information submitted
Returning players: no information submitted
Top newcomers: no information submitted
Comment: Rams will seek to make a third straight playoff appearance.
Lincoln Charter
Head coach: Brad Gabriel (9th year 195-46)
Last season: 27-3 overall, 12-0 conference
Assistant coaches: Jamie Seitz, James Burnette, Carl Lykes
Returning players: Junior guard Sam Gogan, Senior forward Carter Seitz, Senior guard Troy Fulton, Sophomore guard Elijah Burnette
Top newcomers: Junior guard Marcus “Boom” Farley, Senior forward Elijah Fowler, Sophomre guard Palmer Critchton, Junior forward Andrew Baich, Junior guard Sam Bruce, Junior guard Shiven Patel, Senior forward Hunter Cooke, Freshman guard Kalen Flowers, Freshman guard Kasey Hudson
Comment: The December COVID-19 death of assistant coach Seitz will motivate Eagles, who seek seventh straight league championship and eighth straight state playoff berth.
Piedmont Community Charter
Head coach: Dwayne Prioleau (10th year 92-109)
Last season: 7-18 overall, 0-12 conference
Assistant coaches: no information submitted
Returning players: no information submitted
Top newcomers: no information submitted
Comment: Patriots seek first playoff appearance since 2018.
PAC 7 1A
Mountain Island Charter
Head coach: Robert Price (3rd year 40-14)
Last season: 23-6 overall, 14-0 conference
Assistant coach: Vidal Nesbitt
Returning players: Senior forward Marquis Williams, Senior forward Gabe Stephens, Senior guard-forward Najee Steward, Senior guard Ezra Ali, Senior guard Nyzir Steward, Sophomore forward O’marion Ferguson, Sophomore forward Jake Barber
Top newcomers: Junior center Brock Haynes
Comment: Coming off Raptors’ first conference title, an experienced team will seek its sixth straight state playoff appearance.
Here’s a look at how each of the local teams in those conferences stack up in girls basketball entering the season:
Big South 3A
Ashbrook
Head coach: Tremayne Booker (1st year)
Last season: 21-5 overall, 12-0 conference
Assistant coaches: ky’Asia Stansford
Returning players: Sophomore guard Kennette Bess, Sophomore forward Aaliyah El, Sophomore guard Madison Cole, Senior guard Shay Portee, Junior guard Zariah Mason
Top newcomers: Senior guard Queen Jones
Comment: Booker replaces coach Juan Smith after he guided Green Wave to 256-175 record and 13 straight state playoff berths.
Cramer
Head coach: Carey Pohlman (8th year 69-98)
Last season: 4-21 overall, 0-12 conference
Assistant coaches: none
Returning players: Senior guard Ranija Hamilton, Senior guard Dasia Harris, Senior guard Reece Wolfe, Senior center Meghan Kimbirl
Top newcomers: Freshman forward Madison Lee
Comment: Four veteran seniors will look to get Storm in state playoffs for first time since 2017.
Crest
Head coach: Jessica Brunson (5th year 18-77)
Last season: 4-20 overall, 3-9 conference
Assistant coaches: Tyree Downs
Returning players: Senior forward Vaniyah Petty, Senior guard Nya Downs, Junior guard Zyiaa Hamrick
Top newcomers: Senior guard Alexis Marshall
Comment: Four returning starters give Chargers hope of returning to state playoffs for first time since 2015.
Forestview
Head coach: Kevin Gurganus (10th year 150-88)
Last season: 19-9 overall, 9-3 conference
Assistant coaches: None
Returning players: Senior center Jimena Vazquez, Senior forward Kianna Robinson, Sophomore guard Payton Jacobs
Top newcomers: Freshman guard Myla Hoover, Freshman guard Kendall Manning, Freshman forward Blair Riley
Comment: Youthful team (seven freshman, two sophomore) is youngest in school history but will seek a fifth straight playoff berth.
Huss
Head coach: Bobby Lipscomb (7th year 37-95)
Last season: 5-17 overall, 3-9 conference
Assistant coaches: Kelly Hawkins, Tyree Taylor
Returning player: Senior guard-forward Jamya Daniels
Top newcomer: Freshman guard Savanni Harris
Comment: Huskies look for their first state playoff appearance since 2018.
Kings Mountain
Head coach: Nicholas Inman (3rd year 33-21)
Last season: 10-16 overall, 8-4 conference
Assistant coaches: Darrel Wilson, Haley Blanton
Returning players: Junior guard Saniya Wilson, Sophomore guard Khalia King, Senior center Kennedy Barnes
Top newcomers: Junior guard Brooke Ferree, Sophomore center Tyasya Bell, Junior guard Monica Head
Comment: Combination of veterans and newcomers give team hope for fifth state playoff berth in seven years.
North Gaston
Head coach: Wes Hepler (1st year at North Gaston, 9th year overall 124-91)
Last season: 13-13 overall, 7-5 conference
Assistant coach: Cole Young
Returning players: Junior guard Bailey Perry, Sophomore guard Megan Towery, Sophomore guard Sydnee Walls, Sophomore forward Aniyah Porter, Senior guard Anastazia Rodriguez
Top newcomers: Freshman center Whitney Brown, Freshman forward Allison Gardner
Comment: Only player (Perry) returns with much previous team but young team will seek to get back into playoffs.
Southwestern 2A
Burns
Head coach: Mark Parker (2nd year 11-12)
Last season: 11-12 overall, 6-6 conference
Assistant coaches: Shannon Ross, Caitlin Brown, Jasmine McGuire
Returning players: Junior forward Tishiona Strong, Sophomore guard Mya Crosby, Sophomore guard Ma’Kaiyah Ross
Top newcomers: Freshman guard Esynce Howze, Freshman guard Robin Whitworth, Freshman guard Maggie Earl
Comment: Two returning starters could help Bulldogs make first playoff appearance since 2017.
East Gaston
Head coach: no information submitted
Last season: 14-12 overall, 7-5 conference
Assistant coaches: no information submitted
Returning players: no information submitted
Top newcomers: no information submitted
Comment: Warriors seek third straight state playoff berth.
Shelby
Head coach: Scooter Lawrence (2nd year 23-2)
Last season: 23-2 overall, 11-1 conference
Assistant coaches: no information submitted
Returning players: no information submitted
Top newcomers: no information submitted
Comment: Golden Lions advanced to third round of state playoffs last season.
South Point
Head coach: Grace Lyles (1st year)
Last season: 4-17 overall, 2-10 conference
Assistant coach: Erin Huff
Returning players: Senior guard Kamryn Shipman, Junior forward-center Lilly Gregory, Junior forward-center Elyssa Brown, Junior forward Kira Jarrell
Top newcomers: Senior guard Rickaija Collins, Freshman guard-forward Lexi Birtwhistle, Freshman forward Gabby Tracy, Freshman guard-forward Tinsley Lathe, Junior forward-center Courtney Leach, Sophomore forward Emma Wanner
Comment: With a mixture of veterans and newcomers, team will seek first playoff appearance since 2014.
South Fork 2A
East Lincoln
Head coach: Jason Otey (8th year 84-91)
Last season: 16-11 overall, 9-5 conference
Assistant coaches: Jalen Littlejohn, Alison Huffman
Returning players: Junior guard Taliyah Thomas, Sophomore center Ginny Overbay, Junior forward Raven Ross, Senior guard Marlene Delgado
Top newcomer: Junior guard Kelsey Campo
Comment: With four veteran returnees, Mustangs will seek a second straight state playoff appearance.
Lincolnton
Head coach: Jimmy Carr (14th year 163-150)
Last season: 3-20 overall, 2-12 conference
Assistant coaches: no information submitted
Returning players: no information submitted
Top newcomers: no information submitted
Comment: Wolves seek first playoff berth since 2018.
North Lincoln
Head coach: Brad Mangum (1st year)
Last season: 13-10 overall, 6-8 conference
Assistant coaches: Grace Vinson, Katie Banks
Players: Senior guard Ashlyn White, Senior forward Brianna Broome, senior guard Sadie Hallman, Junior guard Addie Reid, Junior forward Haley Klein, Junior guard Lilly Stump, Junior forward Meghan Dymes, Sophomore guard Julia Frantz, Sophomore guard Aubrie Cada, Sophomore guard Ayanna Gaddy
Comment: Former West Caldwell assistant will look to get Knights into state playoffs for first time since 2013.
West Lincoln
Head coach: Lance Watson (2nd year 5-20)
Last season: 2-21 overall, 1-13 conference
Assistant coaches: Linny Anthony, Rick Mitchem
Returning players: Senior guard Morgan Chapman, Sophomore guard Chloe Norman, Junior forward Rae Watson, Junior forward Brooke Beddingfield, Junior guard-forward Farrah Richardson, Sophomore guard Anna Bieberich
Top newcomers: Sophomore center Ashton Jenkins, Freshman guard-forward Carolina Robinson, Freshman guard Zoey Owenby
Comment: Watson back as head coach after a year away and he’ll seek to get team into playoffs for first time since 2013.
Southern Piedmont 1A
Bessemer City
Head coach: Billy James (6th year 34-82)
Last season: 11-12 overall, 7-5 conference
Assistant coaches: no information submitted
Returning players: no information submitted
Top newcomers: no information submitted
Comment: Yellow Jackets last year made first playoff appearance since 2015.
Cherryville
Head coach: Carrie Dalton (5th year 27-67)
Last season: 1-19 overall, 0-12 conference
Assistant coaches: no information submitted
Returning players: no information submitted
Top newcomers: no information submitted
Comment: Coming off first winless conference record since 1984.
Highland Tech
Head coach: Melanie Weaver (4th year 26-45)
Last season: 2-21 overall, 2-10 conference
Assistant coaches: no information submitted
Returning players: no information submitted
Top newcomers: no information submitted
Comment: Rams seek first playoff berth since 2018.
Lincoln Charter
Head coach: Kim Allen (6th year 86-41)
Last season: 21-6 overall, 12-0 conference
Assistant coach: Charles Mines
Returning players: Junior guard Lauren Horton, forward Maddie Wootton
Top newcomers: Freshman guard Kenzie Ross
Comment: Eagles seek fourth straight league title and eighth straight playoff berth.
Piedmont Community Charter
Head coach: no information submitted
Last season: 12-14 overall, 7-5 conference
Assistant coaches: no information submitted
Returning players: no information submitted
Top newcomers: no information submitted
Comment: Patriots have made playoffs two of last three years.
Other
Mountain Island Charter
Head coach: Troy Whitehurst (1st year)
Last season: 9-11 overall, 7-7 conference
Assistant coaches: Corey Jamison, Darrell Johnson, Asia Washington
Returning players: Senior guard Chloe Hatzopoulos, Senior center Chaunia Deloach, Sophomore guard Kay Decker, Sophomore guard Elle Hatzopoulos, Senior forward Melissa Richie
Top newcomers: Senior guard Ana Sierra, Junior forward Arielle Baker
Comment: Veteran returnees give Raptors expectation of making fifth state playoff appearance in six years.