2022-2023 Teams of the Season

Randy Marion will recognize one female and one male team each season for the 2022 – 2023 School Year!

Fall 2022

Male Team of the Season: West Iredell (MS) Football Team

Our 2022 football season began with a dedicated group of young men that began summer workouts the first week of August and worked extremely hard to get ready for the upcoming season. This year’s upperclassmen lead the way by pushing their fellow teammates to show up and give it their best every single practice.

As a coach, I have always pushed my players to have a winner’s mentality and use every practice to get better than the day before. This group has lived up to that expectation by finding a way to rise above some of the challenging situations we faced throughout the season. This extremely talented group of players were able to take one game at a time and get better each game.

It has been a lot of fun to watch these young men finish the season undefeated (7-0) and see the joy and love of the game on their faces all season. I have always tried to teach my players the importance of having good character and making good grades as well; it is not all about football. This group of players has made me very proud by how well they have represented their school, families and community. This team has worked hard on and off the field to earn the top spot in the Super Tuesday Championship game!

Female Team of the Season: North Iredell (HS) Girl's Varsity Volleyball Team

The Raiders from North Iredell survived a back-and-forth affair with J.H. Rose to win the 2022 3A State Championship in five sets. The victory was North Iredell’s third state title and first since defeating Chapel Hill in the 2017 edition.

Months prior to the win, Coach Dave Markland wrote the following about his team: “In 2021, the North Iredell Volleyball Team walked off the court in Reynolds Coliseum on the campus of N C State University with the Runner Up Trophy in the NCHSAA 3A State Championship Match. Nine months later, all starters from this 2021 squad began the 2022 season with a renewed commitment, dedication and determination to return to Raleigh and make amends for the loss.

Included in this group are 6 very talented and very close seniors, 5 of which began their volleyball career together at the club level prior to coming to North. Once at North, they not only made the varsity squad, but became starters as sophomores and continued to play together on one of the top club programs in the Southeast. However, this year’s squad is not just about the seniors.

Currently, 2 freshmen, 2 sophomores and a junior are in the 11 player rotation North uses each match and they also compete in club ball in the off season (as do all team members at North Iredell). The tremendous amount of time and hard work these young ladies have devoted to their training over the years, coupled with their genuine love for the sport and each other will give them a chance at winning the state championship.”

And Coach was right as this North Iredell team proved they had the winning combination to win the 2022 3A Volleyball State Championship!

North Iredell holds off J.H. Rose in five set thriller
North Iredell (33-0) 25 16 25 23 15
J.H. Rose (28-2) 20 25 20 25 9

Winter 2023

Team of the Season: Lake Norman (HS) Girl's Basketball Team

Our Women’s Basketball team played in the 4A State Champions on March 11. Our team went 31-1, the best season in school history and their only loss was to Panther Creek in the State Championship game.

The Wildcats won the 4A Western Regional to make the first appearance in a State Championship Game in program history. The Wildcats were unbeaten in conference play, winning the Greater Metro 4A regular season and conference tournament.

They will only lose one senior after this year.

A 2023 NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award for the 4A Women’s Basketball Championship was given to Kirsten Lewis-Williams from Lake Norman.

Team of the Season: North Iredell (HS) Men's Wrestling Team

At the 3A Individual Wrestling State Championships, North Iredell finished strong with a team score of 70. Two North Iredell wrestlers took home gold while another advanced to the championship round.

3A 138 lbs Championship: Bray Trivette (North Iredell) dec. Shayden Edwards (East Rowan), 14-8.

3A 220 Championship: Edison Flores (North Iredell) dec. Landon Sargent (Cape Fear), 6-3. Sixth: Nicholas Martinez (Hickory).

3A 182 lbs Championship: Nicholas Mascolino (Union Pines) pinned Brixon Burgess (North Iredell), 2:49.

In the 4A State Championships, Eli Murray of Lake Norman advanced to the Championship round in the 132 lb class while teammate Tiaj Thao finished fifth (113 lb).

The 2A State Championship saw a top finish from Elias Martinez of Jay M Robinson who finished fourth in the 170 lb class.

Spring 2023

Team of the Season: The Brawley School Girl's Soccer Team

The girls soccer team went undefeated during the regular season. Through tough work and dedication by both the players and the coaches the team persevered. The team had to travel for every game this season as our facility is not equipped with a soccer field.

Most of the ladies on this time participate in sports all year long from cross county, to basketball. They all keep their grades high and are role models within the school. The season began in February and the ladies have been attending practices daily since then. They practice on half days, some Saturdays and even teacher work days. They have played an undefeated regular season only letting in ONE goal all season.

Team of the Season: North Iredell (HS) Boy's Baseball Team

These guys have fought hard all year long. Have beaten West Iredell, South Iredell, Statesville and Lake Norman this year. We have won our school’s first baseball playoff game, first ever home playoff game, and first ever 3rd round playoff game. Playing in 4th round of playoffs on Friday (May 19). Very Proud of all our players as one individual does not stand out. They have all contributed in some way and couldn’t have done it without them.