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

Jay Edwards
·4 min read

The Observer’s preview for high school boys’ basketball in Gaston County:

Teams to watch

Gaston Christian: The Eagles return three starters from a team that went 23-10 overall, won the Metrolina Athletic conference and made it to the NCISAA 3A state semifinals. This year, former Duke standout and NBA player Chris Duhon takes over as head coach. Gaston Christian will feature point guard Cameron Newman (15.5 ppg, 4 apg), shooting guard Joe Rhyne (13 ppg) and 6-11 center, Makoi Marier (12.7 ppg, 10 rpg, 3 bpg).

Hunter Huss: The Huskies return three starters from an 18-win team that was Big South conference runner-up last year. This season, Hunter Huss will lean on its trio of seniors: Trimell Dunlap (12 ppg, 6.2 rpg), Jordan Fells (7.2 ppg) and Zamarius “Z-Man” Gladden (9.7 ppg, 3.8 apg, 2.9 spg).

South Point: The defending Big South 3A conference champions look to build on a 25-win season from a year ago. The Red Raiders return both backcourt starters — senior Greyson Kines (14.2 ppg) and sophomore Dylan Bradley (8 ppg) along with 6-8 senior Graham Williams (5.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg). South Point has enjoyed seven straight winning seasons. That should continue this season.

Players to watch

Trimell Dunlap, Hunter Huss: The 6-1 senior forward was an all-Big South conference performer averaging 12 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.3 steals as a junior.

Darian Floyd, Cherryville: The Ironmen senior guard will play a lead role as the lone returning starter for Cherryville.

Kenneth Greene, Ashbrook: The 6-3 senior wing (11.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.7 spg) is an impact player on both sides of the floor for the Green Wave.

Greyson Kines, South Point: The 6-1 senior guard (14.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.6 spg) looks to help South Point repeat as Big South 3A conference champions.

Makoi Marier, Gaston Christian: The 6-11 senior center (12.7 ppg, 10 rpg, 3 bpg) is on the radar of college coaches.

Cameron Newman, Gaston Christian: The 6-foot point guard (15.4 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg) looks to build on his breakout season from a year ago.

Elijah Sherrill, Highland Tech: The 6-1 junior (12.8 ppg, 3.2 apg) gives the Rams a solid one-two punch in the backcourt with senior Elijah Whitted (11.5 ppg).

Trenton Sherrill, East Gaston: The 6-5 senior forward (16 ppg, 6.9 rpg) will be a force in the paint as the Warriors look to defend their South Piedmont 1A/2A conference title.

Players on the rise

DeShawn Coulter, Gaston Day: The 5-11 sophomore (averaged double figures as a starter) gives the Spartans a solid core returning with seniors Kurt Hunter (5.7 ppg) and Chase Owens (6 ppg).

Deviyus Harris-Byrd, Forestview: The 5-11 junior guard (5.3 ppg) is the Jaguars’ leading returning scorer.

Max Huggins, North Gaston: The 6-2 senior (3 ppg, 3 rpg) is the top returning starter for North Gaston team in rebuilding mode.

Caleb Nesbitt, Mountain Island Charter: The 6-3 senior forward (7.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg) will b a go-to guy as the only starter back in the lineup for the Raptors.

Taelan Whitley, Stuart Cramer: The 6-3 senior forward (4 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 bpg) will have to play a bigger role as the Storm’s only returning starter.

Preseason All-Gaston County team

  • Trimell Dunlap, Hunter Huss, 6-1, Sr.

  • Kenneth Greene, Ashbrook, 6-3, Sr.

  • Greyson Kines, South Point, 6-1, Sr.

  • Makoi Marier, Gaston Christina, 6-11, Sr.

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

  • Trenton Sherrill, East Gaston, 6-5, Sr.

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

Notes

  • Gaston Christian has an international roster with three players from Africa and one player from Italy.

  • New head coaches are all over Gaston County this season, including Marcus Barnette at Bessemer City, Antonio Griggs at Cherryville, Steven Bartlett at Forestview, Chris Duhon at Gaston Christian, Lashawn Coulter at Gaston Day, Aman Seltun at Highland Tech, Troy Phillips at Hunter Huss

  • North Gaston basketball coach Wes Hepler is back in charge of the Wildcats’ boys’ basketball team after a previous stint in the same role from 2016-19. Hepler was also both the boys’ and girls’ head basketball coach at Myers Park.

Conference Predictions

Big South 3A Conference

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

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.

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 1A/2A Conference

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