Yahoo Sports The Observer’s 2024 Union County boys’ high school basketball preview
Here is The Observer’s look at boys’ high school basketball in Union County’s schools ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Teams to watch
Forest Hills: Former Porter Ridge coach and Forest Hills assistant Garrett Malone now returns to take over a traditionally strong Yellow Jackets program that has struggled of late with three straight losing seasons. Forest Hills will employ their usual, frenetic, full-court pace, play fast on both sides of the court led by the junior duo of Amari Melton (15.3 ppg, 5 rpg) and Jamarion Mingo (11 ppg). Junior Cammeron Winnegan, sophomore Larry Parker, and freshmen Landon Blakeney and Mahki Massey, all are expected to play key roles. Malone expects his team to get back above .500 and compete for a Rocky River conference title.
Marvin Ridge: The Mavericks return three starters from a team that won 17 games a year ago. Senior point guard Brady Dunn (10.1 ppg) and juniors Marshall Payne (5.8 ppg) and Henry Smith (9.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg) give new coach Patrick McCarthy experience in the starting lineup to go for their third straight winning season and be a factor in the Southern Carolinas’ conference (SCC) race.
Weddington: The Warriors didn’t miss a beat in Coach Gary Ellington’s return as head coach going 27-2, including a perfect 8-0 to win the SCC title. This season, will be a little tougher to repeat with three starters back. However, Weddington can lean on its three senior starters, led by 6-foot-5 all-state point guard K.J Younger (23 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 apg, UNC Greensboro commit), who is a matchup nightmare for most teams. Younger has help with senior shooting guard Mason Zepp (5 ppg) and senior forward Jaden Nnaji (3 ppg, 3 rpg) both ready to step into bigger roles. The Warriors expect to win and no one will be surprised to see them at the top of the SCC standings in February, ready for a playoff run.
Players to watch
Kaleel Benjamin, Sun Valley, Jr.: The 6-foot-4 junior (10.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg) is the go-to guy for the Spartans this season.
Keegan Chambers, Monroe, Sr.: The 6-foot-1 senior (11.2 ppg, 2.8 apg) a leader for the Redhawks on the court and football field, where he’s Monroe’s starting quarterback.
Jacob Conroy, Porter Ridge, Sr.: The 5-foot-11 senior guard is the Pirates’ leading scorer at 8.8 points per contest.
Brady Dunn, Marvin Ridge, Sr.: The 5-foot-11 senior point guard (10.1 ppg, 2.5 apg, 3.1 rpg) helps set the tone for the Mavericks’ offense.
Amari Melton, Forest Hills, Jr.: The 6-foot-1 junior guard (15.3 ppg, 5 rpg) pairs with classmate, Jahmarion Mingo (11 ppg) to give the Yellow Jackets a dynamic backcourt.
K.J. Younger, Weddington, Sr.: The 6-foot-5, all-state senior, UNC Greensboro commit is the county’s leading returning scorer (23 ppg) to go with eight rebounds and three assists per game.
Players on the rise
Reid Johannes, Porter Ridge, Jr.: The 6-foot-8 junior forward grew inches and then returned to the Porter Ridge team.
Bryan Little, Piedmont, Sr.: The 6-foot-4 junior forward (8 ppg, 7 rpg) gives the Panthers a reliable option inside.
Miles McGinnis, Union Academy, Sr.: The 6-foot-2, all-conference senior (6 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg, 2 spg) will play a big role for the Cardinals this season.
Luke Nelson, Cutbertson, Sr.: The 6-foot-3 senior (8.3 ppg) teams with classmate Daylen Davis and junior Grady Webb (7. 5 ppg) to give the Cavaliers experience in the backcourt.
Deangelo Walker, Metrolina Christian, 6-0, Sr.: The 6-foot senior point guard (8 ppg, 3 apg) is the leading returning scorer and playmaker for the Warriors.
Mason Zepp, Weddington, Sr.: The 6-foot-3 senior shooting guard (5 ppg, 3 apg) will play a bigger role in the Warriors’ offense this season as one of three returning starters.
Preseason all-county team
▪ Kaleel Benjamin, Sun Valley, 6-4, Jr.
▪ Keegan Chambers, Monroe, 6-1, Sr.
▪ Jacob Conroy, Porter Ridge, 5-11, Sr.
▪ Brady Dunn, Marvin Ridge, 5-11, Sr.
▪ Amari Melton, Forest Hills, 6-1, Jr.
▪ Jahmarion Mingo, Forest Hills, 6-2, Jr.
▪ K.J. Younger, Weddington, 6-5, Sr.
Preseason player of the year: K.J. Younger, Weddington, 6-5, Sr., PG.
Notes
▪ Arborbrook Christian will not have a boys’ varsity basketball team this season.
▪ Monroe basketball coach Johnny Sowell, who has spent his entire 34 years at Monroe, has 531 wins in that span.
▪ Forest Hills’ head coach Garrett Malone returns to the Yellow Jackets after serving as the Porter Ridge head coach. Malone was a former, Forest Hills’ assistant coach, including for the 2018, 2A state championship team.
▪ 6-foot-8 Piedmont senior forward Lorenzo Defendi, a newcomer is from Italy, should have an immediate impact for the Panthers with his size on both sides of the court.
▪ Weddington basketball coach Gary Ellington is just four wins from his 300th career victory in 20-year coaching career.
Conference predictions
Metrolina Athletic Conference
Concord Academy; 2. Gaston Christian; 3. Gaston Day; 4. Westminster Catawba; 5. SouthLake Christian; 6. Metrolina Christian; 7. Hickory Grove.
Rocky River Conference
Forest Hills; 2. Monroe; 3. Piedmont; 4. Anson County; 5. Parkwood; 6. West Stanly; 7. Central Academy.
Southern Carolinas’ Conference
Weddington; 2. Marvin Ridge; 3. Sun Valley; 4. Porter Ridge; 5. Cuthbertson.
Yadkin Valley 1A/2A Conference
South Stanly; 2. North Stanly; 3. Mount Pleasant; 4. Union Academy; 5. Albemarle; 6. Gray Stone Day.
