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

▪ The Observer’s boys high school basketball preview in Cabarrus County:

Teams to watch

Cannon School: The Cougars return three starters from a team that won 28 games and a CISAA conference title, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCISAA 4A state playoffs. This season, Cannon School has one of the best backcourt trios in the state: senior shooting guard Austin Swartz (23 ppg, 7 apg, Miami, FL, commit), juniors Isaiah Henry (18 ppg) and Jaylen Claggett. The Cougars will need some post players like 6-9 senior Max Murash (Division III recruit) to step up if they are going to repeat as conference champions and be a legitimate state contender.

Central Cabarrus: The defending 3A state champions have won 62 of their past 63 games, including a perfect 32-0 season a year ago. This year, Central Cabarrus returns three starters, including senior twin brothers and Carson Daniel (10.1 ppg, 6.7 apg, 3.6 spg) and Chase Daniel (13.6 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.6 spg). But 6-5 senior forward Desmond Kent (12.3 ppg, 5 rpg), a rising Division I recruit, and 6-9 senior Woodside High (VA) transfer Joshua Dalton will play big roles in the Vikings quest to get back to their third straight 3A state championship game (2023 state champions, 2022 state runner-up).

Concord Academy: The Eagles return only one starter, junior shooting guard Jake Benham (5.5 ppg), from a team that won 31 games and was NCISAA 3A state runner-up last year. However, Concord Academy has plenty of size and talent coming in with Cannon School transfer Sean Birmingham, a 6-7 Indiana State commit, 6-8 junior, Icare Bakadisula (Kinshasa, Congo) and 6-10 Alek Kornacki (Poland).

Cox Mill: The Chargers have been consistent winners, averaging 21 wins over the past five years. This season, Cox Mill will feature a dynamic backcourt duo — 6-3 senior Langston Boyd (19.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.6 apg) and junior Sean Dunn (14.4 ppg, 4.2 apg).

Jay M. Robinson: The Bulldogs return to the South Piedmont 3A conference after winning the past two Yadkin Valley 1A/2A conference titles, going 50-10 overall, including 24-0 in league play. This season, Robinson will lean on an experienced backcourt with senior Londen Roseman (12.2 ppg), junior point guard Brian Rowe (8.9 ppg, 3 apg, 5 rpg) and classmate David Frasier (8 ppg, 6 rpg).

Players to watch

Sean Birmingham, Concord Academy: The 6-7 senior Indiana State commit, a Cannon School transfer, will play a key role for the Eagles.

Langston Boyd, Cox Mill: The 6-3 Georgia Southern University commit (19.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists per game) can make plays for himself or his teammates.

Carson and Chase Daniel, Central Cabarrus: The 6-1 senior twin brothers set the tone for the Vikings on both sides of the floor, averaging a combined 24 points, nine rebounds, 11 assists and seven steals per game last season.

Jordan Gonder, Northwest Cabarrus: The 6-4 senior (18 ppg, 6 rpg) is a two-time, all-SPC selection.

Caden Haywood, Hickory Ridge: The 6-6 senior forward (8 ppg, 9.4 rpg) is the leading the returning scorer and rebounder for the Ragin’ Bulls, a Western Carolina baseball commit.

Isaiah Henry, Cannon School: The 6-6 junior forward (18 ppg) is top 75 national recruit, according to Cannon School coach Che Roth.

Jeremiah Howard, Concord: The 6-7 senior forward (10 ppg, 9 rpg) nearly averaged a double-double as a junior.

Londen Roseman, Jay M. Robinson: The 6-3 senior shooting guard (12.2 ppg, 4 apg, 4 rpg) back to lead the way for the Bulldogs.

Austin Swartz, Cannon School: The 6-5 Miami (FL) commit, all-state pick and CISAA conference player of the year, can fill it up averaging 23 points, seven assists and 5.5 rebounds per game as a junior.

Gianni Vines, West Cabarrus: The 6-3 senior is a versatile playmaker (13.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3 apg) for the Wolverines.

Players on the rise

Bo Barbee, Mount Pleasant: The 5-9 senior point guard (9 ppg, 4 apg) is the lone returning starter for the Tigers.

Joshua Dalton, Central Cabarrus: The 6-9 senior transfer from Woodside (VA) High gives the Vikings some size inside to complement their wealth of talent on the perimeter.

Sean Dunn, Cox Mill: The 5-11 junior (14.4 ppg) looks to build on a breakout sophomore season when he earned all-Greater Metro 4A conference honors.

Nazir Reaves, A.L. Brown: The 6-5 senior forward (14.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg) gives the Wonders a dynamic one-two punch in the backcourt with classmate, Xavier Chambers (13.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg).

D’Nas White, Jay M. Robinson: The 6-6 senior is a major Division I college football prospect and gives the Bulldogs size and toughness inside on the basketball court.

Travien Williams, Hickory Ridge: The 6-1 freshman should have an immediate impact. He’s the son of former Wake Forest standout Eric Williams and nephew of Charlotte Hornets’ guard Ish Smith.

Preseason All-Cabarrus County team

• Sean Birmingham, Concord Academy, 6-7, Sr.

• Langston Boyd, Cox Mill, 6-3, Sr.

• Carson Daniel, Central Cabarrus, 6-1, Sr.

• Chase Daniel, Central Cabarrus, 6-1, Sr.

• Jordan Gonder, Northwest Cabarrus, 6-4, Sr.

• Caden Haywood, Hickory Ridge, 6-6, Sr.

• Isaiah Henry, Cannon School, 6-6, Jr.

• Jeremiah Howard, Concord, 6-7, Sr.

• Londen Roseman, Jay M. Robinson, 6-3, Sr.

• Austin Swartz, Cannon School, 6-5, Sr.

• Gianni Vines, West Cabarrus, 6-3, Sr.

Preseason player of the year: Austin Swartz, Cannon School, 6-5, Sr., SG

Notes

• Central Cabarrus basketball coach Jim Baker has 445 career wins, including 101 victories at Central Cabarrus, and 344 wins as the head coach at Catawba College.

• The Mount Pleasant basketball team is looking to win its first conference title since 1966.

• The Mount Pleasant basketball team has three sets of brothers on the varsity roster — Ethan and Eli Dempsey, Kaleb and Braylon Cheek and Cooper, Mason and Ryan Perkins.

• The West Cabarrus basketball team has had two winning seasons in its three years as a program under coach Jabarr Adams.

Conference predictions

Catawba Shores 1A/2A Conference

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

CISAA Conference

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

Greater Metro 4A Conference

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

Metrolina Athletic Conference

1. Concord Academy; 2. Gaston Christian; 3. Northside Christian; 4. Westminster Catawba; 5. Gaston Day; 6. SouthLake Christian; 7. Metrolina Christian; 8. Hickory Grove.

South Piedmont 3A Conference

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

Yadkin Valley 1A/2A Conference

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