Two new teams, both football powerhouses, in this week’s Sweet 16 basketball.

Two new boys teams are in this week’s Sweet 16 poll.

Myers Park is back in after winning their seventh straight game Friday, at rival Butler. The Mustangs, a N.C. 4A football power, are 15-5 and making the same type of late push they did last year that resulted in a berth in the N.C. 3A Western Regional semifinals.

Also new this week is Shelby. The state champion football school is enjoying a good basketball season. The Golden Lions (15-3) have won five straight and have not lost to a 2A team all season.

Sweet 16 poll below

Tuesday’s big games

Hough (15-5, 7-3 I-MECK 4A) at No. 1 North Mecklenburg (19-1, 10-0), 7:30 p.m.: North Mecklenburg has won seven in a row but will be playing without starting point guard Trayden Williams. The Vikings struggled to beat Hopewell (5-15, 1-9) without Williams last week. Hough looks for a fourth straight win and an upset that would tighten the league title race considerably.

No. 12 Ardrey Kell (16-5, 7-2 SoMECK) at No. 9 Olympic (15-5, 7-2), 7:30: Olympic has won six straight games and looks to get first place alone with a home win. Ardrey Kell can also get ahold of first with a win. South Meck (10-9, 6-3) is also still in the title race. The Sabres play at Harding (14-6, 4-4)

Independence girls (16-4, 8-2 Southwestern 4A) at Butler (13-7, 9-1), 6: Butler will retire the jersey of former McDonald’s All-American Cierra Burdick on what’s sure to be an emotional night. Butler and Myers Park are tied for first place, one game ahead of Independence.

▪ In the boys game, Independence (13-7, 8-2) is tied with Hickory RIdge (16-4, 8-2) and Myers Park (15-5, 8-2). Myers Park plays at Hickory Ridge Tuesday. Butler (10-10, 6-4) hunts an upset at home against their rivals from Independence.

TUESDAY, FEB. 4

I-Meck 4A

Hough at North Mecklenburg

Mallard Creek at Hopewell

Mooresville at Lake Norman

Vance at West Charlotte

SoMeck 7 4A

Ardrey Kell at Olympic

South Mecklenburg at Harding

West Mecklenburg at Berry Academy

Southwestern 4A

Garinger at Porter Ridge

Independence at Butler

Myers Park at Hickory Ridge

Rocky River at East Mecklenburg

CISAA

Charlotte Christian at Providence Day

Charlotte Latin at Charlotte Country Day

Covenant Day at Cannon School

Sandhills 4A

Hoke County at Richmond Senior

Pinecrest at Lumberton

Purnell Swett at Fayetteville Britt

Scotland County at Fayetteville 71st

Northwestern 3A-4A

Freedom at South Caldwell

McDowell at Alexander Central

Watauga at St. Stephens

Big South 3A

Ashbrook at Kings Mountain

Crest at Hunter Huss

Stuart Cramer at North Gaston

North Piedmont 3A

East Rowan at Jesse Carson

North Iredell at Statesville

West Rowan at South Iredell

South Piedmont 3A

Central Cabarrus at Concord

Jay M. Robinson at Cox Mill

Northwest Cabarrus at A.L. Brown

Southern Carolina 3A

Charlotte Catholic at Sun Valley

Cuthbertson at Monroe

Marvin Ridge at Weddington

Piedmont at Parkwood

Metrolina Athletic Conference

(tournament, at Hickory Grove Christian)

first-round games

Foothills Athletic Conference

Statesville Christian at Hickory Christian

Southern Piedmont Athletic Association

Victory Christian at North Hills Christian

Woodlawn School at United Faith Christian

Rocky River 2A-3A

Central Academy at Anson County

Forest Hills at Mount Pleasant

West Stanly at Montgomery Central

Central Carolina 2A

East Davidson at Central Davidson

Ledford at Salisbury

Lexington at North Davidson

South Rowan at Thomasville

West Davidson at Oak Grove

Foothills 2A

Bunker Hill at West Caldwell

East Burke at Draughn

Patton at Hibriten

West Iredell at Fred T. Foard

South Fork 2A

East Lincoln at Bandys

Lake Norman Charter at Newton-Conover

North Lincoln at Maiden

West Lincoln at Lincolnton

Southwestern 2A

East Gaston at Chase

Shelby at Burns

South Point at East Rutherford

Mountain Valley 1A-2A

Alleghany at East Wilkes

Elkin at Ashe County

North Wilkes at West Wilkes

Starmount at Wilkes Central

Western Highlands 1A-2A

C.D. Owen at Avery County

Mitchell County at Polk County

Mountain Heritage at Madison County

PAC 1A

Carolina International at Queens Grant Charter

Community School of Davidson at Langtree Charter

Mountain Island Charter at Bradford Prep

Pine Lake Prep at Union Academy

Southern Piedmont 1A

Bessemer City at Christ the King

Cherryville at Piedmont Community Charter

Thomas Jefferson Academy at Highland Tech

Yadkin Valley 1A

Albemarle at Gray Stone Day

North Rowan at Chatham Central

South Stanly at North Stanly

Uwharrie Charter at North Moore

Nonconference

Covenant Classical at Phoenix Montessori

Davidson Day at High Point Wesleyan

Sheets Memorial Christian at South Davidson

Sweet 16 Boys

Dropped Out: Northside Christian (IND, 20-7); West Caldwell (2A, 19-1). Also receiving consideration: Patton (2A, 14-5); Hickory Ridge (4A, 15-4); Hough (4A, 15-5); Harding (4A, 14-6); Hickory (3A, 15-4); Hibriten (2A, 17-2); East Lincoln (2A, 16-4); Patton (2A, 14-5); Westminster Catawba (IND, 19-4)

Sweet 16 Girls

Dropped Out: None. Also receiving consideration: Independence (4A, 16-4); Lake Norman (4A, 14-5); Butler (4A, 13-7); Ashbrook (3A, 13-4); Central Cabarrus (3A, 15-5); Gray Stone Day (1A, 15-0); Community School of Davidson (1A, 17-2); Langtree Charter (1A, 19-3)

This story was originally published February 1, 2020 at 2:07 PM.

Langston Wertz Jr.

The Charlotte Observer

704-358-5133

Langston Wertz Jr. is an award-winning sports journalist who has worked at the Observer since 1988. He’s covered everything from Final Fours and NFL to video games and Britney Spears. Wertz -- a West Charlotte High and UNC grad -- is the rare person who can answer “Charlotte,” when you ask, “What city are you from.” Support my work with a digital subscription