Three new teams join topsy-turvy Observer Sweet 16 poll
Three new teams join the Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 basketball polls this week.
In the boys poll, Hickory (10-1) and unbeaten West Caldwell (10-0) are in. No. 1 North Mecklenburg holds onto its spot despite a close loss to nationally ranked Mountain Brook (AL) in the championship game of the Arby’s Classic,
In the girls poll, Mallard Creek remains No. 1. The one team new team in is unbeaten Shelby (7-0).
Boys Sweet 16
| Rk. | School (Cl.) | Rec. | Prvs |
| 1. | North Mecklenburg (4A) | 12-1 | 1 |
| 2. | Davidson Day (IND) | 15-1 | 4 |
| 3. | First Assembly (IND) | 18-3 | 5 |
| 4. | Carmel Christian (IND) | 16-3 | 3 |
| 5. | Vance (4A) | 11-1 | 2 |
| 6. | Cannon School (IND) | 14-5 | 8 |
| 7. | Freedom (3A) | 13-0 | 10 |
| 8. | Hunter Huss (3A) | 10-1 | 11 |
| 9. | Forest Hills (2A) | 12-0 | 9 |
| 10. | Ardrey Kell (4A) | 11-3 | 6 |
| 11. | Olympic (4A) | 8-4 | 7 |
| 12. | Cox Mill (3A) | 11-2 | 12 |
| 13. | Hickory (3A) | 10-1 | NR |
| 14. | West Caldwell (2A) | 10-0 | NR |
| 15. | Hough (4A) | 11-2 | 14 |
| 16. | Westminster Catawba (IND) | 13-2 | 15 |
Dropped out: Myers Park (4A, 8-3); Charlotte Catholic (3A, 9-3). Also receiving consideration: Hickory Ridge (4A, 9-3); AL Brown (3A, 10-2); Hibriten (2A, 9-1); Thomas Jefferson (1A, 10-1); Lincoln Charter (1A, 9-2); Charlotte Latin (IND, 11-4)
Girls Sweet 16
| Rk. | School (Cl.) | Rec. | Prvs |
| 1. | Mallard Creek (4A) | 10-1 | 1 |
| 2. | Freedom (3A) | 13-0 | 2 |
| 3. | Cuthbertson (3A) | 13-1 | 5 |
| 4. | South Pointe (4A) | 10-0 | 7 |
| 5. | East Rowan (3A) | 10-0 | 6 |
| 6. | Providence (4A) | 12-1 | 3 |
| 7. | Vance (4A) | 9-4 | 4 |
| 8. | West Rowan (3A) | 8-0 | 11 |
| 9. | Hopewell (4A) | 10-3 | 9 |
| 10. | North Mecklenburg (4A) | 10-2 | 12 |
| 11. | East Burke (2A) | 10-3 | 8 |
| 12. | Independence (4A) | 10-2 | 10 |
| 13. | Carson (3A) | 11-2 | 13 |
| 14. | Lake Norman (4A) | 10-0 | 15 |
| 15. | Shelby (2A) | 7-0 | NR |
| 16. | Salisbury (2A) | 10-1 | 16 |
Dropped out: South Caldwell (4A, 7-3). Also receiving consideration: Charlotte Catholic (3A, 8-3); North Lincoln (2A, 9-1); Newton-Conover (2A, 9-2); Langtree Charter (1A, 13-1); Community School of Davidson (1A, 8-1); Gray Stone Day (1A, 7-0); Victory Christian (IND, 11-4); Charlotte Country Day (IND, 12-3).
