The Union Academy boys’ basketball program has named Mason Sledge as their new boys head coach. Sledge, a former Monroe standout who won a state basketball title as a sophomore (2010) replaces Darius Copeland after a 7-19 season. Sledge will be the Cardinals third head coach in the past three seasons. The Cardinals will return two of their top three leading scores from 2022-23. Junior guards Jaqwon Harrell and Aiden Scruitsky Harrell was the 2nd leading scorer at 9.7 ppg and Scruitsky (9.4 ppg) was the 3rd leading scorer in 2022-23. Congrats Coach Sledge!

The Cuthbertson Cavaliers have named Josh Stein as the new boys head coach. Stein replaces Chris Caputi, who stepped down in June. Caputi Caputi took over as the Cavs boys head coach before the 2020-21 season and leaves with a 22-41 over all and 10-26 in the SCC over his 3 years at Cuthbertson.

The Cavs announced the hire via their Twitter account, "Cuthbertson Athletics is excited to welcome COach Josh Stein as our new Head men's Basketball Coach. With 20 years of experience including high schoola dn collegiate level. Coach Stein brings a tremendous reputation for developing his players and the program. Welcome to Cavs Nation Coach!"

Coach Stein was previously the Head Boys Coach at Davidson Day and an assistant coach at Charlotte Latin HS. Welcome to Union Co. Coach!

Porter Ridge's rising junior Sidney Blackwell has committed to continue her academic and basketball career at Tennessee-Martin. Blackwell announced her intentions via twitter, "I would like to thank God for blessing me with the passion and ability to play the sport I love. He has always guided me and kept me on the right path to reach my goals. I want to thank my parents for everything. Taking me to every game, every workout, and every practice. They've always got me where I needed to go. Their love and support has got me where I am today. I would like to thank all the coaches and trainers who have helped me get to this point. Coach Tim, Coach Drew, Coach Brittany, Coach Lyn, Coach Jordan, Coach Mo, Coach Ben and everyone else who has helped me along this journey. I want to thank the coaches at UT Martin for believing in me and with that being said, I will be committing to The University of Tennessee-Martin. Go Skyhawks!"

Blackwell was named 2nd team All-UCHoops & All-SCC as a sophomore after averaging 16.3 ppg and shooting 42% from 3 while leading the Pirates to the 2nd round of the state playoffs. As a Freshman Syd "The Kid" was named to the All-Newcomer team afer putting up 11.1 ppg and 31% from 3. Congratulations Sidney!

The Sun Valley Spartans have made another change in hoops with Matt Bair taking over as the varsity girls head coach. Bair takes over from Ross Parker after one season of going 12-14 last season under Parker. Bair was the lead boy assistant at Piedmont for the past three seasons under current Spartan boys HC Brett Jensen. The Spartans return rising senior guard Tyra Robinson (12.0 ppg/3.7 rpg/2.5 asp/2.5 spg), senior forward Ari Meaders (10.6 ppg/7.2 rpg/2.2 spg & 1.2 bpg) and junior guard Jordan Vaugh (8.3 ppg/4.1 rpg/2.9 spg). The Spartans should challenge for the SCC championship this season. Congrats Coach Bair!!

Pakrwood head coach and Union Co. legend Mike Helms has stepped down as boys head coach to focus on being the Parkwood Athletic Director. Pakrwood assistant Chance' Williams will be taking over for Coach Helms. Williams has been on the Parkwood staff the past four seasons. Helms took over the Wolf Pack prior to teh 2020-21 season replacing Don Mather. Helms was 35-34 in the past 3 seasons, winning the Rocky River regular season last season (20-7 & 8-2) and the Wolf Pack made the State Playoffs. The Wolf Pack have seniors Cam McKinney and Greg Vinson to build around for the 2023-24 season.

The Weddington boys’ basketball program has a familiar face back at the helm. The Warriors have named Gary Ellington as the "new" head coach. Ellington stepped away after the 2021-22 season that concluded with a 31-0 season and a 4A state title. Warrior assistant Rich Carsner was named the successor and after one season has stepped down from the position. In Carsner’s only season at the helm the Warriors were 13-12 overall and 6-4 in the SCC and lost in the 1st round of the 4A state playoffs to Lake Norman. The Warriors will return 3 of their top 5 leading scores from 2022-23. Senior guards Grant Hamilton (15.7 ppg/4.7 rpg), Jack Ellyson (10.7 ppg/3.9 rpg) along with junior wing KJ Younger (6.6 ppg/4.4 rpg) should all be coming back. Welcome back Coach Ellington!

Piedmont has named their new boys head coach in Alex Moe. Moe replaces Brett Jensen who accepted the head coaching position at Sun Valley in April. Moe has 6 years of college basketball coaching experience including Huntingdon College, Schreiner Univeristy and Pfeiffer and Catawba College. Coach Moe is a graduate of Brevard College, in Brevard North Carolina. Coach Moe was a 4-year scholarship athlete who was among the Top 5 in school history in almost every statistical category when he left. Coach Moe will take over a Panther program that is coming off their best season in school history after winning their 1st conference title ever. The Panthers will return guards Miles Leaks and Fred Little. Leaks was 1st Team All-UCHoops and All-SCC as a sophomore after a 14.5 ppg/7.4 rpg/4.2 apg and 1.8 apg season. Little game off the bench and provided a spark with 4.4 ppg & 2.1 apg as a junior. The Panthers reached the 2nd round of the state playoffs before falling to Chambers at home. Welcome to Union Co. Coach Moe!.

The Cuthbertson Cavaliers are looking for a new boy’s head basketball coach after Chris Caputi stepped down as boys head coach after three seasons of leading the Cavaliers. Caputi took over as the Cavs boys head coach before the 2020-21 season replacing Mike Helms after 11 seasons. Caputi was 22-41 over all and 10-26 in the SCC over his 3 years at the helm.

The UnionCountyHoops.com’s Player of the Year Jamyah Blakeney will stay close to home to continue her academic and basketball career after signing with Johnson & Wales. Blakeney was outstanding as a senior leading Union Co. in scoring with a 27.6 average along with 6.7 rpg and 2.7 spg as a senior. Blakeney set the school record with a 46-pt game vs. CATA which broke the previous record of 40 held by Jennifer Hailey. Blakeney score 40+ points in a game four times in 2022-23. Jamyah set the Forest Hills school record for points in a season with 691 points again surpassing Jennifer Hailey’s record. Blakeney finishes her 4-year career with 1877 career points and that total ranks 4th all-time in Union Co. history! Blakeney was named 1st team All-UCHOOPs and All-Rocky River as a senior. Congratulations Jamyah!

The UnionCountyHoops.com’s Player of the Year Kyler Harris will be playing college hoops. Porter Ridge’s Kyler Harris announced via his twitter account that he has committed to Cape Fear Community College. Harris, 6’0 ft guard led Union Co. in scoring with a 25.1 average while averaging 6.4 rebounds per game, 4.2 assists per game and 2.8 steals per game. Kyler set the Porter Ridge school record for points in a game with 44 points in a 74-62 win over Forest Hills. Harris scored in double figures in every game this season including 40 in a win over Marvin Ridge. Harris was named UCHOOPS 1st team along with being named All-SCC and SCC Player of the Year. Kyler joined the 1000-point club this season and became the 2nd Porter Ridge boy’s player ever to score 1000 points in a career. Kyler didn’t stop there, in the 1st round of the state playoffs became Porter Ridge’s all-time leading scorer finishing his Pirate career with 1073 pts. CONGRATS KYLER!!

Sun Valley has found their new head coach in Brett Jensen. Jensen comes over from Piedmont where he led the Panthers to a 19-8 record, their 1st conference title in school history and into the 2nd round of the state playoffs last season. Jensen was named 2022-23 UCHoops Coach of the Year. Jensen replaces long time Spartan head coach Keith Mason who stepped down in March to focus on being the Sun Valley Athletic Director after 16 seasons. Jensen leaves Piedmont with a 28-23 record. The Spartans will have rising senior guard Nate Tavares (9.2 ppg/3.0 apg) and rising senior wing Cam Cabble (3.7 rpg) to build around for the 2023-24 season. Good luck Coach!.

Sun Valley junior guard Tyree White will be leaving Sun Valley and transferring out of Union Co. and will reclassify for the glass of 2025. White, a 6’1 guard who was named 1st team All-UCHoops 3 years in a row announced his intentions via twitter, “I’d like to announce that I will be transferring to Covenant Day School and reclassifying to the class of 2025. Thank you, Sun Valley, for the endless memories. Let’s get it Lions! ❤️ #preparetowin #NewBeginnings @TheCoachLaney @CovenantDayBB”.

White led Union Co. in scoring (18.4 ppg) as a sophomore and led the Spartans into the 2nd round of the playoffs this season. The Spartans, who are looking for a head coach as well will return senior guard Nate Tavares and senior wing Cam Cabble to build around for the 2023-24 season.

Piedmont senior forward Hunter Hinson has announced his commitment to continue his academic and basketball career with Pfeiffer University. Hinson announced his decision via Twitter, "Excited to announce I have committed to Pfeiffer University to continue my academic & basketball career. I thank God, my family, coaches & friends,w/o them this wouldn't be possible. Go Falcons!” Hinson, a 6’8 forward 2nd Team All-UCHoops and All-SCC as a senior averaging 12.4 ppg & 6.1 rpg and 1.0 bpg and helped bring the Piedmont Panthers their 1st conference title in school history and into the 2nd round of the state playoffs. Hinson ends his Piedmont career with 569 points and 301 rebounds and 45 blocks. Congratulations Hunter we will be watching!!

Forest Hills senior guard outstanding career ends high atop the Forest Hills record book. Blakeney, the 5’10 guard finished her career as Forest Hills by rewriting the school record book. Blakeney will leave Forest Hills as the school’s all-time leader for points scored in a game, a season, and a career. Blakeney was outstanding as a senior leading Union Co. in scoring with a 27.6 average. Blakeney set the school record with a 46-pt game vs. CATA which broke the previous record of 40 held by Jennifer Hailey. Blakeney score 40+ points in a game four times in 2022-23. Jamyah set the school record for points in a season with 691 points again surpassing Jennifer Hailey’s record. Blakeney’s season total is 2nd all-time in Union Co. history as well. Blakeney finishes her 4-year career with 1877 career points which breaks another Jennifer Hailey record and that total ranks 4th all-time in Union Co. history! Blakeney was named 1st team All-UCHOOPs and All-Rocky River as a senior. Congratulations Jamyah!

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Cuthbertson’s senior forward Amanda Sacoto has announced her commitment to continue her academic and basketball career with UNC-Pembroke. Ms. Sacoto announced her move via Twitter, "I want to firstly thank God for giving the opportunity to be able to play basketball, also my parents, siblings, and friends for always supporting me through this journey of my life. Thank you to all the coaches that have challenged and helped me to become the player I am today. I'm absolutely thrilled to continue my academic and athletic career at UNCP, and I know there's more to come with this new chapter of my life. A last thank you to Coach Haskin & Donald for the chance to play for their team." Sacoto, a 6’1 forward 1st Team All-UCHoops and All-SCC as a senior averaging 16.1 ppg & 9.8 rpg and shot 54% from the floor for Cavs Head Coach Jeff Buseick. Sacoto finishes her career with 899 points and 772 rebounds which is good for 15th in Union County history for career rebounds. Congratulations Amanda!

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Sun Valley’s long time boys head coach Keith Mason has stepped down from that position and will focus on being the Sun Valley Athletic Director after 16 seasons. Mason announced the change via twitter, Mason took over the Spartan program prior to the 07-08 season replacing Quinton Toxey and leaves the Spartan men’s program with a 233-171 record. As head coach at Sun Valley the Spartans won the SCC title outright or shared it two times. The Spartans will have seniors Tyree White, Nate Tavares and Cam Cabble to build around for the 2023-24 season.

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