Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 girls basketball countdown: Myers Park Mustangs

Note: the Observer is revealing teams in its preseason Sweet 16 poll, but not the order. The order will be revealed in Saturday’s print editions

MYERS PARK MUSTANGS

Head Coach: Barbara Nelson (5th year as Myers Park girls’ basketball coach)

Coaching Career Record: 547-185 (as high school coach); 101-51 (as college head coach).

2015-16 Record: 22-5 (12-0 in the Southwestern 4A conference)

Returning Starters: McKenna Haire, Sr., SG (5-10); Kianna Funderburk, Sr., PG (5-10); Caroline Owens, Sr., F (5-11).

Key Newcomers: N/A.

Outlook: When a 22-win season, including another SW4A conference title, is a bit of a disappointing season, you know just how good your program has been. Myers Park, who has won 120 games (and a 4A state title) in the last four years under Coach Barbara Nelson, won’t change their standards. While the Mustangs aren’t as loaded as usual, they have plenty of talent, starting with the dynamic backcourt of McKenna Haire (Princeton commit) and Kianna Funderburk (University of Vermont commit) to help them contend for another SW4A title. Just how far they can go in the playoffs will depend on who can emerge in a younger Mustang frontcourt. But, no one will surprised if Nelson and company are again a factor deep into the postseason.

--JAY EDWARDS

This story was originally published November 9, 2016 at 6:50 PM with the headline "Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 girls basketball countdown: Myers Park Mustangs."