Cabarrus County 2023 Players to Watch
The Concord-Kannapolis area may be a portion of North Carolina that gets plenty of attention for its racing history, but Cabarrus County is still in a state where basketball might as well be its primary pastime. The litany of talent…
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Continue ReadingThe Concord-Kannapolis area may be a portion of North Carolina that gets plenty of attention for its racing history, but Cabarrus County is still in a state where basketball might as well be its primary pastime.
The litany of talent that comprises the suburban Metrolina county is certainly a reflection of that fact. Whether at the 4A level with Cox Mill and Hickory Ridge, the 3A realm with Central Cabarrus, the 2A classification with Jay M. Robinson or independently with Concord Academy and Cannon School, the talent is overflowing in Cabarrus County.
The rising seniors are no exception to the rule. Here are seven to keep an eye on as we close in on the 2022-23 season.
Virginia Tech is getting one of the great ones across the Hoop State as Suffren announced she has committed to the Hokies. In 28 games for the Cougars, she averaged 17.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.5 steals. Suffren led the Cougars to a 21-7 record and a 10-0 conference mark. The 5-foot-8 point guard previously hooped for Mallard Creek before sporting Cannon’s signature maroon colors. Suffren has also participated in track and field throughout her athletic career. She runs on the grassroots circuit with Team Curry 17U and is poised to end her high school career on a high note.
The Ragin’ Bulls girls basketball program has become accustomed to winning basketball – and Lewis continued that last season in Harrisburg. She is coming off a stellar AAU season where she hooped on the grassroots circuit with Team United Calhoun 17U. Her ball handling abilities are complimented by her knack for putting points on the board via the 3-pointer in addition to penetrating to the basket. Lewis averaged 14 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.4 steals for the 4A Ragin’ Bulls in 2021-22 en route to a 19-9 record and a 10-2 mark in its conference.
When one is coached by Tolonda Simmons, that is a tell-tale sign that one is primed for success. Cabarrus County’s newest school and girls basketball program has encountered early growing pains but Clowney stands as the class of the budding 4A program. Clowney is also a dual-sport athlete as she runs track and field at the Wolverines in addition to hoops and the attributes she acquires from track and field translate well to the basketball court. She will put plenty of points on the board and creates extra possessions for her team with her stellar defense.
Foul play does not sound too appealing but Fowl play has been extremely so for both the Cougars and for her Lady Attack Elite 2023 team where she ran AAU with. With the laundry list of upperclassman talent that will comprise the 2022-23 rendition of the Cougars, this season has the potential to be one to remember at Cannon. Fowler has displayed an ability to play as either a guard or a wing and will knock down her free throws. The 5-foot-9 standout is also a skilled rebounder. Fowler averaged 9.7 points per game in addition to 3.6 rebounds last season. She has offers from Coker in South Carolina as well as Johnson and Wales.
Mathis is another of the many seniors that will comprise what will be a very veteran-laden Cougars bunch in 2022-23. She has participated on the grassroots circuit with Team United 17U. Mathis stands at 5-foot-10 and will drain plenty of 3-point shots in addition to coming through on the defensive end of the floor as a ball hawk and a shot blocker. She plays as either a forward or a wing and will also score near the basket. Mathis had a resurgent 2021-22 after being sidelined the previous season due to injury and one can expect more of that with one more high school season left to play.
It was not long ago when the basketball court at Cox Mill got a facelift. The program itself has also underwent a makeover as the boys’ Chargers team is no longer the only Cox Mill bunch getting in the win column. What she does with the ball in her hands enables her to find her way around defenders. Perry is also a gifted rebounder and has no problems accepting tough defensive assignments. She stands at 8-foot-8 and plays primarily as a point guard. Chargers fans can be prepared for one more season of Perry hours at the house of teal and purple.
The artists formerly known as cfa Academy have seen a wealth of success under coach Bill Middlebrooks – including a 2021 state championship. Ward herself has been on the radars of several college programs including Detroit, UMES and Coppin State. She has participated in grassroots ball with CP3 Flames EYBL Morris. Ward is a combo guard with a knack for shot selection. Ward is also versatile in the sense that she can operate as either a guard or forward. Her being six feet gives her a height advantage that compliments her overall game. Ward averaged 15.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals for the Eagles in 2021-22 en route to a 22-10 record (13-0 NCISAA Metrolina).