The Observer’s 2024 Cabarrus County boys’ high school basketball preview

Here is The Observer’s look at boys’ high school basketball in Cabarrus County’s schools ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Teams to watch

Central Cabarrus: A new era of Central Cabarrus basketball begins under coach Gerald Smith (taking over for Jim Baker) after the Vikings went 95-1 during the past three years, including winning back-to-back, 3A states the past two seasons. Central Cabarrus does not return any starters, but will look to reload with senior guard Cayden Smith and Kevonta’ Martin as well juniors Dexter Montague and Julius Pickett. Coach Smith says the Vikings will still play their frenetic, full-court pace, with the goal to win a fifth straight, South Piedmont 3A conference (SPC) title.

Concord: The Spiders return four starters from an 18-win team that was co-SPC runner-up last year, including seniors Jaden Reid (9.5 ppg, 7 rpg) and Ty Rushmeyer (8 ppg), and juniors Jayden Brown (7.5 ppg) and Kyzen Coleman (7.5, 37.5 percent from the three-point line). Concord has firepower to win the SPC after finishing as runner-up to Central Cabarrus the past four years.

Concord Academy: The Eagles return three senior starters from a 20-win team that was co-Metrolina Athletic conference (MAC) champions and advanced to the NCISAA 3A state semifinals. Concord Academy will look to the senior trio of 6-foot-3, all-state guard Jake Benham (12 ppg), 6-8 forward Icare Bakadisula (10 ppg) and 6-11 center Alek Kornacki, to lead the team. However, the Eagles will go 10-deep with senior Gray Madeira, junior Lincoln Raper, and sophomore James Mineland, also playing key roles. Concord Academy has the experience and talent to repeat as MAC champions and be a legitimate state title contender.

Hickory Ridge: The Ragin’ Bulls return their entire backcourt, including junior, Tyzhir Dyer (7 ppg), Parker Watkins (11 ppg) and Travien Williams (10 ppg) from a team that won 20 games a year ago. Hickory Ridge will also look to juniors in Ezekiel Kelly and forwards Rodney Gidney and Jace McCallum, to provide depth. Hickory Ridge is a guard-heavy team, but ha the talent to finish in the top half of the Greater Metro 4A conference and put emselves in favorable playoff position.

Jay M. Robinson: The Bulldogs return three starters from 19-win team that was co-SPC runner-up. Jay M. Robinson has a veteran core with seniors, Brian Rowe (13.2 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg) and David Frasier (8 ppg, 6 rpg) and junior, Damontre Harlee (9 ppg, 6 rpg). Coach Lavar Batts and company, who have 68 wins in the last three years, have the experience to win 20-plus games and contend for conference title, again this season.

Players to watch

Icare Bakadisula, Concord Academy, Sr.: The 6-8 senior forward (10 ppg, 5 rpg) “is back in full health,” according to Concord Academy coach Frank Cantadore, and should have an even more productive senior season, with heavy interest from schools like Brown and Harvard.

Jake Benham, Concord Academy, Sr.: The 6-3, all-state senior (12 ppg, 5 rpg) gives the Eagles an experienced lineup

James Carswell, Cox Mill, Sr.: The 6-5 senior (14.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg) part of a dynamic trio returning for Cox Mill, also including sophomores in guard Cruz Miller (13.7 ppg), and forward Teeshon Smith (14.8 ppg).

Sean Nix, Cannon School, So.: Cannon School coach Jim Baker expects the 6-2 sophomore guard to be “one of the CISAA’s top players,” this season.

Cooper Perkins, Mount Pleasant, So.: The 6-3 sophomore guard (17 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg) will team with junior Ethan Dempsey (14 ppg, 8 rpg), to give the Tigers one of the county’s best backcourts.

Jaden Reid, Concord, Sr.: The 6-3 senior forward (9.5 points, 5 rpg) is an efficient player inside making 57 percent of his shots last season.

Brian Rowe, Jay M. Robinson, Sr.: The 6-foot-2 senior point guard (13.2 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg, University of South Carolina football commit) part of a veteran squad with senior David Frasier (8 ppg, 6 rpg) and Damontre Hardee (9 ppg, 6 rpg) also playing big roles.

Landon Rowe, Northwest Cabarrus, Sr.: The 6-4 senior (11 ppg, 5.8 rpg) is the leading returning scorer and rebounder for the Trojans.

Cayden Smith, Central Cabarrus, Sr.: The 6-2 senior (4.9 ppg) joins classmate, Kevonta’ Martin, as two rotation players returning from back-to-back, 3A state championship teams.

Travien Williams, Hickory Ridge, So.: The 6-2 sophomore guard (10 ppg, 5 rpg) part of a backcourt on the rise with classmate Parker Watkins (11 ppg) and junior Tyzhir Dyer (7 ppg, lockdown defender) both also back in the starting lineup.

Players on the rise

Marcus Hurley, West Cabarrus, Sr.: The 6-4 senior (5 ppg, 3 rpg) is be a key player inside for the Wolverines.

Ezekiel Kelly, Hickory Ridge, Jr.: The 5-11 junior guard (5 ppg) will play a bigger role this season after serving as the Ragin’ Bulls’ sixth-man for the past two years.

Anderson Lee, Northwest Cabarrus, Sr.: The 6-foot senior (10.6 ppg) adds another scoring punch for the Trojans.

Sherod McCormick, Cox Mill, Fr.: The 5-11 freshman point is a “high level point guard,” for his Team CP3 squad and “will bring excitement to the floor,” according to Cox Mill coach Davis Absher.

Drew Reimels, Christ the King, Sr.: The 6-2 senior forward (12 ppg) is a sharpshooter for the Crusaders, making 38 percent from the 3-point line last season.

Larenz Stevenson, A.L. Brown, Sr.: The 6-7 senior forward joins classmate, 6-4, Caleb Ford, as the two returning starters that give the Wonders size inside.

Preseason all-county team

• Icare Bakadisula, Concord Academy, 6-8, Sr.

• Jake Benham, Concord Academy, 6-3, Sr.

• James Carswell, Cox Mill, 6-5, Sr.

• Sean Nix, Cannon School, 6-2, So.

• Cooper Perkins, Mount Pleasant, 6-3, So.

• Brian Rowe, Jay M. Robinson, 6-2, Sr.

• Jaden Reid, Concord, 6-3, Sr.

• Cayden Smith, Central Cabarrus, 6-2, Sr.

• Landon Rowe, Northwest Cabarrus, 6-4, Sr.

• Travien Williams, Hickory Ridge, 6-2, So.

Preseason player of the year: Icare Bakadisula, Concord Academy, 6-8, Sr., PF

Notes

• Former Central Cabarrus basketball coach Jim Baker takes over at Cannon School after going 95-1 in the past three years at Central Cabarrus with back-to-back, 3A state titles. Baker has 478 career victories in his collegiate and high school coaching career.

• New Central Cabarrus head coach Gerald Smith is the brother of former Central Cabarrus star point guard, Wake Forest standout and long-time NBA player Ish Smith.

• Concord Academy coach Frank Cantadore now has 307 career victories in his 13-year coaching career.

• Mount Pleasant junior forward Silas Lowder will play his first year of basketball for the Tigers, but is one of the volleyball recruits in the nation, having been invited to the Team USA Volleyball Training Camps, according to Mount Pleasant coach Graham Pruette.

Conference predictions

Catawba Shores’ 1A/2A Conference

1. Corvian Charter; 2. Lincoln Charter; 3. Pine Lake Prep; 4. Community School of Davidson; 5. Bradford Prep; 6. Christ the King; 7. Mountain Island Charter; 8. Langtree Charter.

CISAA Conference

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

Greater Metro 4A Conference

1. Lake Norman; 2. Mooresville; 3. Hickory Grove; 4. Cox Mill; 5. West Cabarrus; 6. A.L. Brown; 7. South Iredell.

Metrolina Athletic Conference

1. Concord Academy; 2. Gaston Christian; 3. Gaston Day; 4. Westminster Catawba; 5. SouthLake Christian; 6. Metrolina Christian; 7. Hickory Grove.

South Piedmont 3A Conference

1. Jay M. Robinson; 2. Carson; 3. Central Cabarrus; 4. Concord; 5. Northwest Cabarrus; 6. West Rowan; 7. Lake Norman Charter; 8. East Rowan; 9. South Rowan.

Yadkin Valley 1A/2A Conference

1. South Stanly; 2. North Stanly; 3. Mount Pleasant; 4. Union Academy; 5. Albemarle; 6. Gray Stone Day.