Here’s The Observer’s look at boys’ high school basketball at schools in Gaston County ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Teams to watch

Ashbrook: The Green Wave made one of the most dramatic turnarounds in the state, winning 22 games last season after going 5-21 in the 2022-23 season. Down four players this season, Ashbrook has a chance to compete for the Big South conference title (joint-runner-up last season). Green Wave greats Isaac Byers Jr. He will look to his dynamic backcourt led by forwards (20 points) and Jamari Smith (15 points). Ashbrook is also solid inside with 6-foot-4 senior forward Jamarion Patton (9 points, 5 rebounds) and 6-4 junior forward Ayron Jackson (8 points, 4 rebounds).

Gaston Christian: The Eagles won 19 games and advanced to the NCISAA 3A state championship (3A state runner-up) in coach Chris Duhon (former Duke basketball standout)’s first year in charge of the program. This season, all-state point guard Cameron Newman (16 points, 5 assists) returns to the starting lineup along with 6-5 senior Dario Williams and 5-11 junior guard Kendall Southern. 6-foot-10 sophomore guard Jeremy Duhon (son of Chris) should also play a key role. Gaston Christian will need some young players to step up, but will need to have the experience and talent to compete for the Metrolina Athletic conference (MAC) title and make another deep playoff run.

Gaston Day: The Spartans return three starters from an 18-win team, including junior guards DeShawn Coulter (15 points, 4 assists) and Braylen Todd (13 points, 3 assists) and junior forward Griffen Simpson (8 points, 4 assists). . South Point transfers 6-5 sophomore Dylan Bradley and 6-4 freshman Hunter Gerould should also provide depth. Gaston Day grew quickly last year without any returning starters, they have the experience to be a major factor in the MAC race this season.

Avcı Hus: The Huskies finished 15-13 overall last season but won the Big South conference tournament. This season, Hunter Huss, junior Zamarius Gladden (11.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists) and sophomore Zaiyir “Zii” Phillips (12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 3 assists) He will lean into his backcourt with 1 steal). hands early and often. Hunter Huss will also get significant contributions from juniors Antonio Griggs and Antonio Worthy and 6-1 freshman Jaleel Smith. The Huskies have the firepower on a fast-playing, guard-heavy team to compete for the Big South conference title and more well into the postseason.

Players to watch

Isaac Byers, Jr., Ashbrook, Sr.: The 6-foot-5 senior (20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 spg) gives the Green Wave a dynamic one-two punch in the backcourt with fellow 6-1 classmate Jamari Smith (15 points, 4 assists, 2 shooting). doing. .

Markell Carothers, North Gaston, Senior: The 5-10 senior point guard can quickly fill up the stat sheet, averaging 18 points, 4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game at a young age.

DeShawn Coulter, Gaston Day, Jr.: The 5-11 year old combo guard aims to break out in his second season, where he averages 15 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists per game.

Zamarius Gladden, Hunter Huss, Jr.: The Big South conference junior player for ages 5-11 (11.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists) is trying to help Hunter Huss compete for the league title.

Tristen Gordon, Bessemer City, Jr.: The junior point guard, who is 5-6 all-conference, leads the Yellow Jackets as the leading returning scorer (12.6 points) and point guard (5.2 assists).

Alex Helton, Forestview, Senior: The 6-1, Big South conference senior (15.6 ppg) leads Forestview in seniority, which has nine seniors on the roster.

Christian Jones, Mountain Island Charter, So.: The 6-foot-10 sophomore point guard averaged 21.4 points per game, ranking third in the state for a freshman.

Cameron Newman, Gaston Christian, Jr.: The 6-foot-5 junior, all-state guard (16 points, 5 assists) is one of the area’s best playmakers, whether he’s scoring or setting up teammates.

Zaiyir “Zii” Phillips, Hunter Huss, So.: The 5-11 sophomore point guard looks to build on his breakout freshman season, which saw the Big South conference player average 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.1 steals per game.

Elijah Sherrill, Highland Tech, Senior: The 6-1 senior point guard returns to lead the Rams after averaging 20 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.8 steals per game last season.

Players on the rise

Dylan Bradley, Gaston Day, So.: The South Point transfer of the 6-5 sophomore forward should have an immediate impact on the Spartans.

Gavin Jordan, Stuart Cramer, So.: The 5-11 sophomore will star for the Storm after averaging eight points and three assists per game as a freshman.

Raheem McClure, City of Bessemer, France: The 6-1 freshman should make an immediate impact after leading the Grier Middle School team to the city title as the leading scorer in Gaston County (middle schools) last season.

Sajuka Riley, East Gaston, Senior: The 6-foot-9 senior small forward (7.4 ppg) is the Warriors’ only starter returning from a 20-win team.

Rayshawn Sewell, Cherryville, Sr.: The 5-8 senior point guard (9.8 points, 3 assists) will team up with forward Andron Patterson (7 points, 4.8 rebounds), giving the Ironmen an overall younger roster experience.

Jaishawn Woods, South Point, Jr.: The 6-2 junior (7.2 ppg) is the returning leading scorer on a Red Raiders team that will have to reload after losing all five starters a year ago.

Pre-season all-county team

• Isaac Byers, Jr., Ashbrook, 6-0, Senior.

• Markell Carothers, North Gaston, 5-10, Senior.

• DeShawn Coulter, Gaston Day, 5-11, Jr.

• Zamarius Gladden, Hunter Huss, 5-11, Jr.

• Alex Helton, Forestview, 6-1, Senior.

• Christian Jones, Mountain Island Charter, 6-0, So.

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

• Zaiyir “Zii” Phillips, Hunter Huss, 5-11, So.

• Elijah Sherrill, Highland Tech, 6-1, Senior.

• Jamari Smith, Ashbrook, 6-1, Senior.

Preparation player of the year: Cameron Newman, Gaston Christian, 6-0, Jr., PG/SG.

Notes

• Gaston County has only one new head coach in South Point’s Jordan Phillips, but Bessemer City’s Marcus Barnette, Cherryville’s Antonio Griggs, East Gaston’s David Rutledge, Gaston Christian’s Chris Duhon, Gaston Day’s There are six second-year head coaches, including Troy from LaShawn Coulter and Hunter Huss. Phillips.

• Hunter Huss sophomore point guard Zaiyir “Zii” Phillips is the son of Huskies basketball coach Troy Phillips and, like his father (a Hunter Huss graduate), wears jersey No. 55.

Conference predictions

Big South 3A Conference

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

Catawba Shores’ 1A/2A Conference

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

Metrolina Athletic Conference

1. Concord Academy; 2. Gaston is a Christian; 3. Gaston Day; 4. Westminster Catawba; 5. South Lake Christian; 6. Metrolina Christian; 7. Hickory Grove.

Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference

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