High School Sports

North Mecklenburg’s Vikings ascend to top of Sweet 16 boys basketball poll

North Meck junior point guardVaud Worthy has led the Vikings to an unbeaten start and a No. 1 ranking in the Observer’s Sweet 16 boys basketball poll
North Meck junior point guardVaud Worthy has led the Vikings to an unbeaten start and a No. 1 ranking in the Observer’s Sweet 16 boys basketball poll jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

There’s a new No. 1 team in the Observer’s Sweet 16 boys basketball poll.

Duane Lewis’ North Mecklenburg Vikings have moved up a spot to take over at No. 1. North Mecklenburg had wins over West Mecklenburg (79-30) and Community School of Davidson (72-35) to start the year. Lewis’ team is quite young, depending on junior point guard Vaud Worthy to get the ball to a bevy of underclassmen like sophomore post Jae’Lyn Withers and freshman Tristan Maxwell.

The Vikings jumped to No. 1 after preseason No. 1 Cannon School out of Concord began the season 2-2, but the two losses are to nationally ranked teams -- state power Greensboro Day and reigning DICKS’ Nationals defending champion Oak Hill. Cannon fell to No. 3 this week.

North Mecklenburg, scheduled to play Garinger Monday night, has won 11 straight regular-season games dating to last season.

Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 Boys Basketball Poll

Rk.

School (Class)

Rec.

Prvs.

1.

North Mecklenburg (4A)

2-0

2

2.

Concord Robinson (3A)

0-0

3

3.

Cannon School (IND)

2-2

3

4.

Providence Day (IND)

2-1

4

5.

Charlotte Christian (IND)

1-0

5

6.

Butler (4A)

1-0

6

7.

Independence (4A)

0-0

7

8.

Lincolnton (2A)

0-0

8

9.

Ardrey Kell (4A)

1-0

9

10.

Cox Mill (3A)

1-0

10

11.

Weddington (3A)

0-1

11

12.

Lake Norman Charter (2A)

0-0

14

13.

Lincoln Charter (1A)

1-0

13

14.

Hough (4A)

1-0

16

15.

Forest Hills (2A)

0-0

15

16.

Rocky River (4A)

2-0

16

Dropped out: Sun Valley (3A, 1-1). Also receiving consideration: Charlotte Catholic (4A, 1-0); West Charlotte (4A, 1-0); Vance (4A, 2-0)

This story was originally published November 21, 2016 at 2:44 PM with the headline "North Mecklenburg’s Vikings ascend to top of Sweet 16 boys basketball poll."

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