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

Jay Edwards
·6 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

The Observer’s preview for girls’ basketball in Cabarrus County:

Teams to watch

Cannon School: The defending NCISAA 4A state runner-up returns only one starter, in 5-foot-9 junior Maya McCorkle, from a team that won 24 games. But the Cougars should be a threat again, led by senior Kierra Morrow (7 ppg, 5 rpg, Elon University commit), junior Khloe Thompson (5 ppg) and promising freshmen Brooke Busby and Madison Drayton (North Carolina A&T offer).

Hickory Ridge: The Ragin’ Bulls’ return three starters from a team that won 19 games for a second straight season, finishing runner-up in the conference to 4A state runner-up Lake Norman. This season, Hickory Ridge will feature a veteran backcourt featuring junior Amya Leathers (8 ppg, 4 rpg), sophomore Ma-Kaela Gidney (8.6 ppg, 5.2) and senior twins Chloe and Katie Woodard. Sheree Gidney (9.2 ppg, 7 rpg), a 5-11 senior power forward, is the go-to player inside.

Concord Academy: The defending NCISAA 3A state champions will have to reload and has a new head coach, DeAngelo Alexander. But the Eagles have talent, like senior guards Janiya Byrd (5.5 ppg), Sam Meyers (5.2 ppg) and eighth-graders Justice Alexander (8.7 ppg, all-conference) and Aaliyah Mack to keep a team that averages 22 wins per season over the past five years. New to the team is Central Cabarrus transfer, sophomore Taylor Smith (8.6 ppg, 4.9 apg, 4.1 spg).

Jay M. Robinson: The Bulldogs return only two starters: seniors Li’Ara Batts (14.6 ppg 5 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg) and Regiya Smith (8.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg). However, Robinson has added with 6-4 Ohio State commit, senior Ella Hobbs, and her sister Camri, a 6-3 wing who is the top-ranked sophomore in North Carolina.

Northwest Cabarrus: The Trojans return all five starters from a team that went 16-8 overall and finished second in the South Piedmont conference to West Rowan last year. This season, Northwest Cabarrus has a balanced attack, led by the senior trio of Re’ale Walton (13 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg, 4 spg), A’Lanah Moore (9 ppg), and Kennedy Hilsenroth (12 ppg, 11 rpg). Mackenzie Ortschied, a 5-10 sophomore, will also be a key player.

Players to watch

Justice Alexander, Concord Academy: The 6-1, eighth-grader earned all-conference honors as a seventh-grader averaging 8.7 points and three rebounds per game.

Li’Ara Batts, Jay M. Robinson: The 5-8 senior point guard (14.6 ppg, 3.1 apg, 5 rpg, 3 spg) will play a lead role on a much more talented team with Camri and Ella Hobbs in the lineup.

Lauren Farrell, Cox Mill: The 5-11 junior forward (10.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg) looks to build on a breakout sophomore campaign as the Charger go-to player.

Sheree Gidney, Hickory Ridge: The Ragin’ Bulls’ 5-11 forward (9.2 ppg, 7 rpg) is a tough matchup in the paint.

Ella Hobbs, Jay M. Robinson: The 6-4 senior center, an Ohio State commit, returns to the Robinson lineup. She has always attended the school but played basketball for Charlotte Hornets’ star LaMelo Ball’s 1-of-1 Academy last season.

Kyra Lewis, Central Cabarrus: The 5-7 senior (13.3 ppg, 8 rpg) is a two-time, all-South Piedmont Conference pick for the Vikings.

Maya McCorkle, Cannon School: The Cougars’ 5-9 junior (9 ppg, 2 apg, 4 rpg) gives Cannon School a versatile duo with 5-10 senior, Kierra Morrow (Elon University commit), leading a younger overall team.

Rayana Minard, West Cabarrus: The 5-6 sophomore guard (15 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.1 spg, 2.7 apg) looks to build on her breakout freshman season, where she established herself as one of team’s primary playmakers.

Re’ale Walton, Northwest Cabarrus: The Trojans’ senior point guard (13 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg, 4 spg) gives Northwest Cabarrus a dynamic inside-outside punch with 6-foot classmate, Kennedy Hilsenroth (12 ppg, 11 rpg).

Players on the rise

Brooke Busby/Madison Drayton, Cannon School: The Cougars’ freshman duo both should have an immediate impact for Cannon School. Dayton, 5-11, already has an offer from North Carolina A&T, according to Cougars coach Kelvin Drakeford.

Sadie Faulkner, A.L. Brown: The Wonders’ junior (9.4 ppg) headlines an experienced backcourt with senior Ayanni Flood (7 ppg).

Audrey Gormon, Christ the King: The Crusaders’ 5-11 junior (7 ppg, 3 apg) will play a lead role this season.

Maci Harwood, Mount Pleasant: The Tigers’ senior gives Mount Pleasant an experienced one-two punch in the backcourt with classmate and point guard K.K. Herring.

Camri Hobbs, Jay M. Robinson: The 6-3 sophomore is the No. 1 player in the class of 2026, according to multiple publications.

Preseason All-Cabarrus County team

  • Justice Alexander, Concord Academy, Eighth-grader.

  • Li’Ara Batts, Jay M. Robinson, 5-8, Sr.

  • Sheree Gidney, Hickory Ridge, 5-11, Sr.

  • Kennedy Hilsenroth, Northwest Cabarrus, 6-0, Sr.

  • Ella Hobbs, Jay M. Robinson, 6-4, Sr.

  • Kyra Lewis, Central Cabarrus, 5-7, Sr.

  • Maya McCorkle, Cannon School, 5-9, Jr.

  • Rayana Minard, West Cabarrus, 5-6, So.

  • Kierra Morrow, Cannon School, 5-10, Sr.

  • Re’ale Walton, Northwest Cabarrus, 5-4, Sr.

Preseason player of the year: Ella Hobbs, Jay M. Robinson, 6-4, Sr. Center.

Notes

  • Cabarrus County features several new head coaches, including De’Angelo Alexander at Concord Academy, Kayla Crayton at A.L. Brown and Jason Dawson at Christ the King

  • Robinson basketball coach Lavar Batts is again pulling double-duty as the Bulldogs’ varsity boys and girls’ basketball coach. He’ll coach his daughter on the girls’ team.

  • Northwest Cabarrus basketball coach Jarmaine Spruill will have a good chance to earn his 100th career victory this season. He is 84-182 in his career and has led his team to four straight winning seasons.

Conference predictions

Catawba Shores’ 1A/2A Conference

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

CISAA Conference

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

Greater Metro 4A Conference

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

Metrolina Athletic Conference (MAC)

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

South Piedmont 3A Conference

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

Yadkin Valley 1A/2A Conference

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