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

jay edwards
·6 min read
High school basketball season is set to open in the Charlotte area.

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

Teams to watch

Ashbrook: The Green Wave made one of the most dramatic turnarounds in the state last season winning 22 games, after going 5-21 in the 2022-23 campaign. This season, with four starters back, Ashbrook has a chance to contend for the Big South conference title (co-runner-up last season). The Green Wave will look to their dynamic backcourt with seniors, Isaac Byers, Jr. (20 ppg) and Jamari Smith (15 ppg) leading the way. Ashbrook is also solid inside with 6-foot-2 senior forward Jamarion Patton (9 ppg, 5 rpg) and 6-4 junior forward Ayron Jackson (8 ppg, 4 rpg).

Gaston Christian: The Eagles won 19 games and advanced all the way to the NCISAA 3A state championship (3A state runner-up) in coach Chris Duhon’s (former Duke basketball standout) first year in charge of the program. This season, all-state point guard Cameron Newman (16 ppg, 5 apg) is back to run the show with 6-5 senior Dario Williams, and 5-11 junior guard Kendall Southern also back in the starting lineup. 6-foot sophomore guar, Jeremy Duhon (Chris’ son) should also play a key role. Gaston Christian will need some youngers players to step up but have the experience and talent to contend for Metrolina Athletic conference (MAC) title and make another deep playoff.

Gaston Day: The Spartans return three starters from an 18-win team, including junior guards DeShawn Coulter (15 ppg, 4 apg) and Braylen Todd (13 ppg, 3 apg), and junior forward Griffen Simpson (8 ppg, 4 rpg). South Point transfers, 6-5 sophomore, Dylan Bradley and 6-4 freshman, Hunter Gerould, should also provide depth. Gaston Day grew up quickly last year without any returning starters, this season they have the experience to be a major factor in the MAC race.

Hunter Huss: The Huskies were up and down last season finishing 15-13 overall, but won the Big South conference tournament. This season, Hunter Huss will lean on its backcourt with junior Zamarius Gladden (11.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.2 apg), and sophomore Zaiyir “Zii” Phillips (12.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.8 apg, 3.1 spg) having the ball in their hands early and often. Hunter Huss will also get key contributions from juniors Antonio Griggs and Antonio Worthy and 6-1 freshman, Jaleel Smith. The Huskies have the firepower on a guard-heavy team that play fast to contend for the Big South conference title and more into the postseason.

Players to watch

Isaac Byers, Jr., Ashbrook, Sr.: The 6-foot senior (20 ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg, 4 spg) gives the Green Wave a dynamic one-two punch in the backcourt with 6-1 classmate Jamari Smith (15 ppg 4 rpg, 4 apg, 2 spg).

Markell Carothers, North Gaston, Sr.: The 5-10 senior point guard can fill up the stat sheet in a hurry averaging 18 points, four rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game as a junior.

DeShawn Coulter, Gaston Day, Jr.: The 5-11 junior, combo guard looks to build on a breakout sophomore season where he averaged 15 points, four rebounds and four assists per game.

Zamarius Gladden, Hunter Huss, Jr.: The 5-11 junior, all-Big South conference performer (11.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.2 apg) looks to help Hunter Huss contend for a league title.

Tristen Gordon, Bessemer City, Jr.: The 5-6 junior, all-conference point guard back to lead the Yellow Jackets as leading returning scorer (12.6 ppg) and playmaker (5.2 apg).

Alex Helton, Forestview, Sr.: The 6-1, all-Big South conference senior (15.6 ppg) leads a veteran Forestview that boast nine seniors on the roster.

Christian Jones, Mountain Island Charter, So.: The 6-foot sophomore point guard was third in the state in scoring for a freshman, averaging 21.4 points per game.

Cameron Newman, Gaston Christian, Jr.: The 6-foot junior, all-state guard (16 ppg, 5 apg) one of the county’s top playmakers, whether he is scoring or setting up his teammates.

Zaiyir “Zii” Phillips, Hunter Huss, So.: The 5-11 sophomore point guard looking to build on a breakout freshman season, where the all-Big South conference performer averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.1 steals per game.

Elijah Sherrill, Highland Tech, Sr.: The 6-1 senior point guard is back to lead the Rams after averaging 20 points, 6.6 rebounds, three assists and 1.8 steals per game last season.

Players on the rise

Dylan Bradley, Gaston Day, So.: The 6-5 sophomore forward, South Point transfer should have an immediate impact inside for the Spartans.

Gavin Jordan, Stuart Cramer, So.: The 5-11 sophomore will play a lead role for the Storm after averaging eight points and three assists per game as a freshman.

Raheem McClure, Bessemer City, Fr.: The 6-1 freshman should make an immediate impact after leading the Grier Middle School team to a city championship as the leading scorer in Gaston County (middle schools) last season.

Sajuka Riley, East Gaston, Sr.: The 6-foot senior, small forward (7.4 ppg) is the Warriors’ lone returning starter from a 20-win team.

Rayshawn Sewell, Cherryville, Sr.: The 5-8 senior point guard (9.8 ppg, 3 apg) will team with forward Andron Patterson (7 ppg, 4.8 rpg) to give the Ironmen experience on a overall, younger roster.

Jaishawn Woods, South Point, Jr.: The 6-2 junior (7.2 ppg) is leading returning scorer for a Red Raiders’ team that will have to reload after losing all five starters from a year ago.

Preseason all-county team

  • Isaac Byers, Jr., Ashbrook, 6-0, Sr.

  • Markell Carothers, North Gaston, 5-10, Sr.

  • DeShawn Coulter, Gaston Day, 5-11, Jr.

  • Zamarius Gladden, Hunter Huss, 5-11, Jr.

  • Alex Helton, Forestview, 6-1, Sr.

  • Christian Jones, Mountain Island Charter, 6-0, So.

  • Cameron Newman, Gaston Christian, 6-0, Jr.

  • Zaiyir “Zii” Phillips, Hunter Huss, 5-11, So.

  • Elijah Sherrill, Highland Tech, 6-1, Sr.

  • Jamari Smith, Ashbrook, 6-1, Sr.

Preseason player of the year: Cameron Newman, Gaston Christian, 6-0, Jr., PG/SG.

Notes

  • Gaston County has only one new head coach in South Point’s Jordan Phillips but has six second-year head coaches including Bessemer City’s Marcus Barnette, Cherryville’s Antonio Griggs, East Gaston’s David Rutledge, Gaston Christian’s Chris Duhon, Gaston Day’s LaShawn Coulter and Hunter Huss’ Troy Phillips.

  • Hunter Huss sophomore point guard, Zaiyir “Zii” Phillips is the son of Huskies basketball coach Troy Phillips and, like his father, (a Hunter Huss graduate) wears the No. 55 jersey.

Conference predictions

Big South 3A Conference

  1. Hunter Huss; 2. Ashbrook; 3. Crest; 4. Kings Mountain; 5. Forestview; 6. South Point; 7. Stuart Cramer; 8. North Gaston.

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.

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 1A/2A Conference

  1. Shelby; 2. Burns; 3. East Gaston; 4. Highland Tech; 5. Thomas Jefferson Academy; 6. Bessemer City; 7. Cherryville.