College basketball set to begin: Several former Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln county products will coach or play in 2020-21

By Richard Walker

College basketball has begun all across the country and several former standouts from Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties are playing and coaching.

That includes two with the Elon’s women’s basketball program that opens its season on Wednesday at Gardner-Webb.

Charlotte Smith, a 1991 Shelby High graduate, begins her 10th season as head coach and Evonna McGill (Ashbrook 2018) is a junior center who is eligible after transferring from UNC-Asheville.

Here’s a look at other local college basketball coaches and players:

Anderson: Jeff Brookman (Belmont Abbey 1998) began his sixth season as Trojans head coach last Saturday.

Appalachian State: Adrian Delph (Kings Mountain 2018) is a junior guard and former East Gaston and Gaston Day standout James Lewis, Jr., a junior forward for the Mountaineers, who open Wednesday at South Carolina State.

Augusta: Former Belmont Abbey head coach Dip Metress (Belmont Abbey 1988) begins his 17th year as Jaguars head coach on Dec. 2 at home against Lander.

Belmont Abbey women: Cameron Sealey (Easte Gaston 2008) begins her first season as an assistant coach on Dec. 5 at home against Lander.

Brevard: Tyrese Jefferies (Cramer 2020) is a freshman guard and John Martin (Forestview 2020) a freshman forward for the Tornados, who opened their season on Nov. 12.

Bluefield women: Tierra Huntsman (Gardner-Webb 2018) began her second season as an assistant coach on Nov. 3.

Bridgewater women: Diamond Huskey (Hunter Huss 2018) is a junior forward for the Eagles, who open their season Jan. 23 at Lynchburg.

Carson-Newman: Caleb Bridgewater (East Gaston 2018) is a sophomore guard for the Eagles, who opened last Saturday.

Catawba women: Jada Davie (Ashbrook 2018) is a junior guard and Emry Tsitouris (Belmont Abbey 2018) is a first-year assistant coach for the Indians, who opened last Saturday.

Charleston Southern: Barclay Radebaugh (Lincolnton 1983) begins his 16th year as Buccaneers head coach on Wednesday at N.C. State.

Charlotte women: Nicole Woods (Hunter Huss 2002, Belmont Abbey 2006) begins her eighth year as a 49ers assistant coach on Wednesday at Appalachian State.

College of Charleston: Eric Wilson (Lincolnton 2004) begins his second year as a Cougars assistant coach on Wednesday at North Carolina.

Connecticut: Former Ashbrook standout Isaiah Whaley is a senior forward for the Huskies, who begin their season at home on Dec. 11 against St. John’s.

Davidson County Community College: Marley Gordon (Gaston Christian 2020) is a freshman guard and Eli Paysour (Kings Mountain 2019) a sophoor guard for the Storm, who open Jan. 20 at home against Denmark Tech.

Fayetteville State: Cress Worthy (Hunter Huss 2017) is a junior guard for the Broncos, who open Jan. 9 at Shaw.

Ferrum women: Kelsey Long (Belmont Abbey 2014) begins her third year as a Panthers assistant coach on Jan. 23 at Randolph-Macon.

Florida State: Leonard Hamilton (Highland 1966) begins his 19th year as Seminoles head coach on Friday at home against Gardner-Webb.

Indiana State: Former Lincolnton standout Brett Carey begins his fourth season as a Sycamores assistant coach on Dec. 6 at home against Indianapolis.

Lees-McRae: Sidney Dollar (East Lincoln 2019) is a sophomore guard, Quay Kimble (Shelby 2017) a senior guard and London England (Lincoln Charter 2018) a junior forward for the Bobcats, who open Jan. 13 at home against Southern Wesleyan.

Lees-McRae women: Destiny Johnson (East LIncoln 2018) is a junior guard, Olivia King (Gaston Day 2019) a sophomore forward and Jaterra Hurst (Belmont Abbey 2014) a fourth-year assistant coach for the Bobcats, who open Jan. 13 at home against Southern Wesleyan.

Mars Hill: Lane Harrill (Cherryville 2020) is a freshman guard for the Lions, who open their season on Tuesday at home against Catawba.

Milligan: Jackson Gabriel (Lincoln Charter 2019) and Levontae Knox (Lincoln Charter 2019) are junior guards for the Buffaloes, who opened their season Nov. 3.

Montreat: Samuel Brown (East Gaston 2017) is a junior forward, Tyler Strange (Gardner-Webb 2015) a third-year assistant and Ty Goodson (Burns 2020) and Davis Grooms (Lincolnton 2020) are junior varsity players for the Cavaliers, who opened their season Oct. 29.

Montreat women: Lila Moutelos (Lincoln Charter 2020) is a freshman forward for the Cavaliers, who opened their season Oct. 24.

Newberry: Logan Botts (Forestview 2020) is a freshman guard and Jakai Belton (Gaston Day 2019) a sophomore guard for the Wolves, who opened last Saturday.

Ohio State: Former Gardner-Webb head coach Chris Holtman begins his fourth year as Buckeyes head coach on Wednesday at home against Illinois State.

Queens: Quan McCluney (Gaston Day 2018) is a junior guard for the Royals, who open their season on Wednesday at Belmont Abbey.

Roanoke College: Justin Kuthan (East Lincoln 2020) is a freshman forward for the Maroons, who begin their season Jan. 23 at home against Hampden-Sydney.

Salem women: Sydney Bowen (Forestview 2018) is a junior guard for the Spirits, who opened their season Nov. 3.

Suwanee: John Crump (Gaston Day 2019) is a sophomore guard for the Tigers, who opened their season Nov. 8.

Tennessee: Catherine Greene (Huss 2004) begins her second year as Volunteers director of basketball of operations on Friday at home against Florida A&M.

UNC-Wilmington: Takayo Siddle (Gardner-Webb 2009) begins his first season as Seahawks head coach on Wednesday at home against UNC-Asheville.