A pair of 2-time state champions return to the Observer’s Sweet 16 poll
Independence High School, which has won six straight games, returns to the Sweet 16 boys basketball poll this week.
The Patriots beat Myers Park on Friday to win a share of the Southwestern 4A championship. That loss knocked Myers Park out of the poll. Independence, a two-time N.C. 4A state champion, returns at No. 13, one spot behind Hickory Ridge, which beat Porter Ridge Friday to win a share of the league title.
On the girls side, former two-time state champion Myers Park returns to the poll after beating Independence on Friday for a share of the Southwestern 4A championship with Butler. The Mustangs have won four straight games heading into the Southwestern 4A conference tournament.
Boys Sweet 16
| Rk. | School (Cl) | Rec | Prvs. |
| 1. | North Mecklenburg (4A) | 23-1 | 1 |
| 2. | Davidson Day (IND) | 26-1 | 2 |
| 3. | First Assembly (IND) | 31-3 | 3 |
| 4. | Cannon School (IND) | 24-6 | 4 |
| 5. | Carmel Christian (IND) | 21-5 | 5 |
| 6. | Freedom (3A) | 22-1 | 6 |
| 7. | Forest Hills (2A) | 23-0 | 7 |
| 8. | Olympic (4A) | 18-5 | 8 |
| 9. | Charlotte Catholic (3A) | 19-3 | 9 |
| 10. | Cox Mill (3A) | 21-3 | 10 |
| 11. | Shelby (2A) | 19-3 | 11 |
| 12. | Hickory Ridge (4A) | 20-4 | 13 |
| 13. | Independence (4A) | 17-7 | NR |
| 14. | Vance (4A) | 19-5 | 12 |
| 15. | Ardrey Kell (4A) | 18-6 | 15 |
| 16. | Lincoln Charter (1A) | 22-2 | 16 |
Dropped out: Myers Park (4A, 17-7). Also receiving consideration: Hunter Huss (3A, 20-4); Hickory (3A, 19-4); Statesville (3A, 17-5); Weddington (3A, 18-6); Hibriten (2A, 21-2); East Lincoln (2A, 20-4); Lake Norman Charter (2A, 18-5); South Stanly (1A, 19-5); Mountain Island Charter (1A, 17-5); Bessemer City (1A, 16-5); Charlotte Latin (IND, 20-7)
Girls Sweet 16
| Rk. | School (Cl) | Rec | Prvs. |
| 1. | Freedom (3A) | 23-0 | 1 |
| 2. | Vance (4A) | 20-4 | 2 |
| 3. | Mallard Creek (4A) | 21-2 | 3 |
| 4. | East Burke (2A) | 21-3 | 4 |
| 5. | Salisbury (2A) | 22-1 | 5 |
| 6. | Providence (4A) | 21-2 | 6 |
| 7. | Cuthbertson (3A) | 22-2 | 7 |
| 8. | Shelby (2A) | 19-1 | 8 |
| 9. | Carson (3A) | 21-3 | 9 |
| 10. | South Mecklenburg (4A) | 17-4 | 11 |
| 11. | Charlotte Catholic (3A) | 18-4 | 12 |
| 12. | Providence Day (IND) | 21-6 | 14 |
| 13. | Newton-Conover (2A) | 21-2 | 13 |
| 14. | North Mecklenburg (4A) | 18-6 | 10 |
| 15. | Butler (4A) | 17-7 | 16 |
| 16. | Myers Park | 17-7 | NR |
Dropped Out: West Rowan (3A, 19-4). Also receiving consideration: Independence (4A, 18-6); Ashbrook (3A, 18-4); Central Cabarrus (3A, 19-5); East Rowan (3A, 19-5); Hickory (3A, 18-5); Bandys (2A, 18-5); Bunker Hill (2A, 18-6); Gray Stone Day (1A, 20-1); Langtree Charter (1A, 23-3); Charlotte Country Day (IND, 20-7); First Assembly (IND, 25-6)
Note: Records are through games played Friday, Feb. 14, 2020
This story was originally published February 15, 2020 at 1:28 PM.
