Four new teams, all past state champions, in Observer Sweet 16 poll this week
There’s four new teams in this week’s Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 basketball polls.
On the boys’ side, North Meck and Davidson Day remained locked in the top two spots. Past state champions Independence and Charlotte Catholic are back in the poll after strong performances recently.
After a 2-4 start, Independence has won eight of nine games and looks like a serious contender to win the Southwestern 4A conference. Charlotte Catholic has won four straight games to improve to 11-3.
▪ The girls’ poll features the largest amount of shuffle we’ve seen this season. Salisbury, for instance, jumped eight spots to No. 8. Carson rose four spots to No. 9.
Two new and familiar teams joined the poll: past Sweet 16 champions South Mecklenburg (No. 15) and Victory Christian (No. 16).
Quick Links
Friday’s Basketball Rewind: Stars, scores, Sweet 16
Thursday’s Basketball Rewind: Stars, scores, Sweet 16
Boys’ Sweet 16
| Rk. | School (Cl) | Rec | Prvs. |
| 1. | North Mecklenburg (4A) | 14-1 | 1 |
| 2. | Davidson Day (IND) | 16-1 | 2 |
| 3. | First Assembly (IND) | 21-3 | 3 |
| 4. | Vance (4A) | 13-1 | 5 |
| 5. | Carmel Christian (IND) | 17-4 | 4 |
| 6. | Cannon School (IND) | 16-5 | 6 |
| 7. | Forest Hills (2A) | 14-0 | 9 |
| 8. | Ardrey Kell (4A) | 13-3 | 10 |
| 9. | Freedom (3A) | 13-1 | 7 |
| 10. | Cox Mill (3A) | 12-2 | 12 |
| 11. | West Caldwell (2A) | 13-0 | 14 |
| 12. | Hunter Huss (2A) | 12-2 | 8 |
| 13. | Olympic (4A) | 9-5 | 11 |
| 14. | Westminster Catawba (IND) | 15-2 | 16 |
| 15. | Independence (4A) | 10-5 | NR |
| 16. | Charlotte Catholic (3A) | 11-3 | NR |
Dropped Out: Hickory (3A, 10-3); Hough (4A, 11-3). Also Receiving Votes: Statesville (3A, 9-3); Hibriten (2A, 10-1); Shelby (2A, 8-2); East Lincoln (2A, 10-3); Lincoln Charter (1A, 12-2); North Rowan (1A, 9-3); Charlotte Latin (IND, 13-5).
Girls’ Sweet 16
| Rk. | School (Cl) | Rec | Prvs. |
| 1. | Mallard Creek (4A) | 12-1 | 1 |
| 2. | Freedom (3A) | 14-0 | 2 |
| 3. | Cuthbertson (3A) | 15-1 | 3 |
| 4. | Vance (4A) | 11-4 | 7 |
| 5. | West Rowan (3A) | 12-0 | 8 |
| 6. | South Pointe (4A) | 13-1 | 4 |
| 7. | East Burke (2A) | 12-3 | 11 |
| 8. | Salisbury (2A) | 12-1 | 16 |
| 9. | Carson (3A) | 12-2 | 13 |
| 10. | Providence (4A) | 13-2 | 6 |
| 11. | North Mecklenburg (4A) | 11-3 | 10 |
| 12. | Independence (4A) | 12-3 | 12 |
| 13. | Shelby (2A) | 8-0 | 15 |
| 14. | East Rowan (3A) | 12-2 | 5 |
| 15. | South Mecklenburg (4A) | 11-3 | NR |
| 16. | Victory Christian (IND) | 14-4 | NR |
Dropped out: Hopewell (4A, 10-5); Lake Norman (4A, 11-2). Also Receiving Votes: Olympic (4A, 11-3); Ashbrook (3A, 9-2); Hickory (3A, 11-3); Charlotte Catholic (3A, 10-3); Newton-Conover (2A, 11-2); Gray Stone Day (1A, 9-0); First Assembly (IND, 15-4); Gaston Day (IND, 12-4); Clover (5A, 15-1); Rock Hill (4A, 11-4)
Note: Records through Friday’s games.
