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

Langston Wertz Jr.
·4 min read

The Observer’s high school girls’ basketball in Iredell County

Teams to watch

Lake Norman: The Wildcats’ only loss came to Panther Creek in the 4A state title game last season. Lake Norman returns four starters: sophomore Kelsey Rhyne (12.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg), junior twin sisters Alexis (11.7 ppg) and Sam Shehan (14.7 ppg) and junior point guard Addison Sirianni (Greater Metro 4A conference defensive player of the year). Lake Norman only has one senior, but has young players with experience.

Langtree Charter: The Lions will have a varsity team after not having a squad last year. This season, Langtree Charter will be led by the backcourt duo of junior Myonna Butler, and freshman Madalyne Westmoreland.

North Iredell: The Raiders look to build on a 17-win season from a year ago. Coach Brandon Jolly returns two starters in junior Tatum Bradford (6 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg) and senior Lucy Wittenmeyer (3 ppg, 3 rpg), who will have to play bigger roles for North Iredell to stay in the top half of the Western Foothills’ conference and return to the playoffs.

Pine Lake Prep: The Pride have a chance to one of the more improved teams in the area with four starters back from a team that went 9-16 a year ago. Pine Lake Prep will be led by seniors — point guard Nikki Mullen (16 ppg, 10 rpg), Audrey House (6 ppg, 6 rpg) and Mariah Reed (5 ppg, 4 apg) along with junior Avery Garrett (8 ppg).

Players to watch

Tatum Bradford, North Iredell: The 5-8 junior wing (6 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg) makes an impact on both sides of the floor for the Raiders.

Janiya Johnson, Statesville: The 5-9 senior led the Greyhounds, averaging 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds last season as a junior.

Kayden Johnson, South Iredell: The 5-9 senior averaged a double-double last year scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds per contest.

Nikki Mullen, Pine Lake Prep: The 5-8 senior point guard (16 ppg, 10 rpg) will play a lead role for the Pride as she looks to build on her all-conference junior season.

Kelsey Rhyne, Lake Norman: The 5-10 sophomore guard (12.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3 apg) is one of top college recruits in the class of 2026, and will play an ever bigger role for the Wildcats as a sophomore.

Alexis and Sam Shehan, Lake Norman: The Wildcats’ junior twin sisters combined to average 26 points, nine rebounds, and four assists last season.

Players on the rise

Myonna Butler, Langtree Charter: The Lions’ junior guard will play a lead role on a Langtree Charter looking to get back on track as a varsity program.

Avery Garrett, Pine Lake Prep: The 5-6 junior guard (8 ppg, 4 rpg last season) is also an all-state soccer player for the Pride.

Finn Green, West Iredell: The 6-1 senior center is one of two starters back with classmate and 5-7 forward Kaitlyn Stroud.

Jeta North, Lake Norman: The 6-2 sophomore gives the Wildcats a post presence. She already has an offer from Appalachian State, according to coach McKenzie Graham.

Preseason All-Iredell County team

  • Tatum Bradford, North Iredell, 5-8, Jr.

  • Janiya Johnson, Statesville, 5-9, Sr.

  • Kayden Johnson, South Iredell, 5-9, Sr.

  • Nikki Mullen, Pine Lake Prep, 5-8, Sr.

  • Kelsey Rhyne, Lake Norman, 5-10, So.

  • Alexis Shehan, Lake Norman, 5-11, Jr.

  • Sam Shehan, Lake Norman, 5-11, Jr.

Preseason player of the year: Kelsey Rhyne, Lake Norman, 5-10, So., SG.

Notes

  • North Iredell basketball coach Brandon Jolly is just three wins from earning the 200th victory of his career. Jolly has 197 wins in 12 years.

  • West Iredell basketball coach David Parsons returns to the bench for the Warriors after battling lung cancer.

Iredell County 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.

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.

Western Foothills Athletic 3A Conference

  1. East Lincoln; 2. St. Stephen’s; 3. Hickory; 4. North Lincoln; 5. North Iredell; 6. Statesville; 7. Fred T. Foard; 8. West Iredell.

NOTE: The Observer did not receive preseason information from Mooresville or Statesville Christian.