Yahoo Sports The Observer’s 2024 Lincoln County boys’ high school basketball preview
Here is The Observer’s look at boys’ high school basketball in Lincoln County’s schools ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Teams to watch
East Lincoln: The Mustangs return four starters from a team that was up and down at 15-12 last year. This season, coach Jon Hancock, looks to help his team move back up the Western Foothills’ Athletic 3A conference standings. East Lincoln will have a balanced with junior point guard Christian Atkins (5.7 ppg, 3 apg) and senior Davis Hill (9.1 ppg) in the backcourt, while 6-foot-7 senior Jackson Fannon (21.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and 6-4 junior Grant Lawless (9.5 ppg, 7 rpg) give the Mustangs a solid frontcourt. Jaxon Dollar, a 6-4 sophomore who played varsity as a freshman, could be the wildcard as player with “great potential,” according to Hancock. East Lincoln is used to winning, with five or its past six seasons producing 20-plus wins. This year, the Mustangs must improve their defense to be a factor in the conference race and into the postseason.
Lincoln Charter: The Eagles return four starters from a team that won at least 20 games for third consecutive season. This year, Lincoln Charter will have a balanced attack with seniors Krishtan Flowers (11 ppg), David Reed (14 ppg) and Tyler Perryman (3 ppg) as well as sophomore McKennon Showers (9 ppg) giving the Eagles multiple options on the perimeter. If Lincoln Charter can find consistent production inside, they will have a great chance to win 20-plus games again, and contend in the Catawba Shores’ 1A/2A conference.
Lincolnton: The Wolves won 20 games last season, enjoying their best season since the 2017-18 campaign. This year, Lincolnton will rely on its backcourt with senior Tyler McClain (12.3 ppg) and sophomore L.J. Smith (32.2 ppg), giving the team two reliable scorers. The Wolves should have options up front 6-5 junior Cameron Smith and two transfers in 6-7 junior Charlie Foster (Kings Mountain transfer) and 6-3 sophomore Jaylathan Mayfield (Fred T. Foard transfer). Coach Jalen Littlejohn and company believe they contend for the Catawba Valley Athletic conference (CVAC) title and will be a dangerous, playoff matchup with Smith’s ability to put up big-time numbers.
North Lincoln: The Knights return a veteran roster from a team that won 22 games a year ago. North Lincoln will rely on an experienced frontcourt that will play at a fast pace and shoot the three with seniors Kellen Karr (17.3 ppg, 9.4 rpg, Western Foothills’ Athletic conference player of the year) and Ty Sanders (15 ppg) and sophomore Ben Heavner (9.7 ppg) leading the charge. But coach Dennis Frye has plenty of depth with seniors Tyler Cline and Caleb Kidd, as well as sophomore Ty Chandler, also figuring in the rotation. North Lincoln has the experience to win the Western Foothills’ 3A Athletic conference and go deep into the state playoffs.
Players to watch
Gideon Allen, West Lincoln, Sr.: The 6-3 guard (14.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 3.1 apg) leads a senior backcourt trio with Mikalister Anderson (15.9 ppg) and Bryce Beddingfield (9.6 ppg) that should help West Lincoln be a much improved team after a 3-22 record last season.
Jackson Fannon, East Lincoln, Sr.: The 6-7 senior is back to lead the Mustangs after averaging 21.6 points and 7.6 rebounds, shooting 44 percent from the 3-point line as a junior.
Kellen Karr, North Lincoln, Sr.: The 6-6 senior can fill it up quickly averaging 17.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.7 steals per game last season, and is a Coastal Carolina baseball commit.
David Reed, Jr., Lincoln Charter, Sr.: The 6-5 senior is the leading returning scorer (14 ppg) and rebounder (5 rpg) for the Eagles.
Ty Sanders, North Lincoln, Sr.: The 6-4 senior point guard (15 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.8 apg) gives the Knights another playmaker in the backcourt with junior Ben Heavner (9.7 ppg) sophomore Ty Chandler and seniors in Karr and Tyler Cline.
L.J. Smith, Lincolnton, So.: The 6-4 sophomore exploded onto the scene last season, averaging 32.2 points (led the state), 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game as a freshman.
Players on the rise
Tyler Cline, North Lincoln, Sr.: The 6-2 senior point guard gives the Knights another playmaker in a senior-heavy lineup.
Jaxon Dollar, East Lincoln, So.: The 6-4 sophomore show promise as a freshman (3.2 ppg) and looks to follow in the footsteps of his older brothers, Cameron and Sidney Dollar, who both were both standout players at East Lincoln.
Charlie Foster, Lincolnton, Jr.: The 6-7 junior forward, Kings Mountain transfer gives the Wolves an inside presence.
Jayce Rowe, West Lincoln, Sr.: The 5-10 senior, East Gaston transfer will provide instant offense for West Lincoln this season.
Preseason all-county team
Gideon Allen, West Lincoln, 6-3, Sr.
Jackson Fannon, East Lincoln, 6-7, Sr.
Kellen Karr, North Lincoln, 6-6, Sr.
David Reed, Jr., Lincoln Charter, 6-5, Sr.
Ty Sanders, North Lincoln, 6-4, Sr.
L.J. Smith, Lincolnton, 6-4, So.
Preseason Player of the Year: L.J. Smith, Lincolnton, 6-4, So., SG
Notes
East Lincoln coach Jon Hancock has 471 career victories, including 147 wins in his six-year tenure at East Lincoln.
North Lincoln coach Dennis Frye should notch is 100th career victory for the Knights’ program as he is 89-39 coming into this season.
West Lincoln senior Gideon Allen and East Lincoln junior Grant Lawless are both the starting quarterbacks on their respective high school teams.
Conference predictions
Catawba Shores’ 1A/2A Conference
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.
Catawba Valley Athletic 2A Conference
Lincolnton; 2. Maiden; 3. West Caldwell; 4. Bandys; 5. Newton Conover; 6. Bunker Hill; 7. West Lincoln; 8. East Burke.
Western Foothills Athletic 3A Conference
North Lincoln; 2. Hickory; 3. East Lincoln; 4. Statesville; 5. St. Stephen’s; 6. North Iredell; 7. West Iredell; 8. Fred T. Foard.
