Around the State: 2024-25 4A South Meck Conference Preview

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at the teams and prospects to keep an eye on in the NCHSAA 4A South Meck Conference with another season of high school hoops quickly approaching!</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>USE CODE<strong> anderson30</strong> for 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION!</em> <a href="http://www.prephoops.com/subscribe">Subscribe</a> today!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Myers Park High in rebuild/reload mode, things are wide open for the rest of the teams in the South Meck to make a move. South Mecklenburg and Ardrey Kell are the first two teams to come to mind when it comes to conference contenders. Take a look at some of the early conference favorites.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Early Favorites</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">South Mecklenburg</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sabres went 7-3 in conference action this past season, 21-6 overall, before falling to North Mecklenburg in the NCHSAA State Playoffs. They should be stronger than ever still with their backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2464040' first='Ben' last='Houpt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2055664' first='Jim' last='Gatehouse']. Gatehouse is a prospect who's shown improvement in his ability to shoot the ball on the wing as well attack the rim where he can finish with authority. As he showcases his athleticism, he's a name to keep a close eye on. Houpt is a guard prospect who's shown he can control the pace with his ability to distribute as well and attack on the perimeter. He dished out 3.0 assists per game as a sophomore on varsity as he continues trending upward. 6-foot-5 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2375678' first='Myles' last='Howard'] has a lot to prove as well in the frontcourt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ardrey Kell</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1508752' first='Brett' last='Freeman'] looks to take over as the main option for the Knights after posting 15.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a junior and [player_tooltip player_id='2631772' first='Bryceton' last='Thomas'] is an unsigned senior name to get to know as is 2026 prospect Matthew Craft. Thomas averaging 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest while Craft produced 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest. After going 6-4 in the South Meck Conference in 2023-24, they'll certainly be a squad with more to prove after finishing 20-9 on the year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Myers Park</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2348003' first='Josh' last='Hines'] is a 2026 prospect to get to know on both the football field and hardwood at Myers Park and [player_tooltip player_id='2173857' first='Mack' last='Walters'] remains waiting in the rafters in the rotation as a prospect to get to know with the Mustangs. It's tough to repeat what the Mustangs did in 2023-24, going 10-0 and making it to the Elite Eight of the NCHSAA 4A State Playoffs. They'll certainly look to keep up their pedigree as top dog in the SMC though, they'll need a new face to step in right away to pick up where they left off. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->