Four new teams join the Observer’s Sweet 16 high school basketball polls
There are four new teams in this week’s Sweet 16 polls, including three in the girls’ rankings.
In the boys poll, Weddington remains No. 1 and Chambers moves up one spot -- and knocked North Meck down one spot -- after the Cougars beat the Vikings 84-74 in the game-of-the-week Friday.
Chambers is now No. 3. North Meck is No. 4.
▪ Three new teams join the girls poll this week: 3A Northwest Cabarrus beat previous No. 14 Carson and is off to an 8-1 start; 2A East Rutherford is 12-0, allowing only 32 points per game; and 4A Providence has won four in a row including last week’s win over previously ranked Independence.
Boys Sweet 16
| Rk. | School | Cl. | Rec. | Prvs. |
| 1 | Weddington | 4A | 14-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Carmel Christian | 4A | 16-2 | 2 |
| 3 | J.L. Chambers | 4A | 10-5 | 4 |
| 4 | North Mecklenburg | 4A | 13-2 | 3 |
| 5 | Central Cabarrus | 3A | 15-0 | 5 |
| 6 | Charlotte Latin | 4A | 14-1 | 6 |
| 7 | Providence Day | 4A | 13-4 | 9 |
| 8 | Gaston Day | 2A | 15-1 | 10 |
| 9 | West Charlotte | 3A | 10-4 | 12 |
| 10 | Ardrey Kell | 4A | 10-3 | 7 |
| 11 | Myers Park | 4A | 7-5 | 13 |
| 12 | Covenant Day | 4A | 12-5 | 14 |
| 13 | Northside Christian | 2A | 12-6 | 8 |
| 14 | Mooresville | 4A | 11-1 | 16 |
| 15 | United Faith | 1A | 10-5 | 11 |
| 16 | Cox Mill | 4A | 9-5 | NR |
Dropped out: Lake Norman (4A, 11-3). Also receiving consideration: Harding (4A, 10-5); Stuart Cramer (3A, 11-0); Robinson (2A, 11-2); Hickory (3A, 13-1)
Girls Sweet 16
| Rk. | School | Class | Rec. | Prvs. |
| 1. | Charlotte Catholic | 4A | 14-0 | 1 |
| 2. | Myers Park | 4A | 9-5 | 2 |
| 3. | Chambers | 4A | 9-4 | 3 |
| 4. | South Mecklenburg | 4A | 11-1 | 4 |
| 5. | Cannon School | IND | 10-6 | 5 |
| 6. | Salisbury | 2A | 10-1 | 6 |
| 7. | Providence Day | IND | 12-1 | 7 |
| 8. | Shelby | 2A | 6-2 | 8 |
| 9. | North Mecklenburg | 4A | 12-2 | 9 |
| 10. | Freedom | 3A | 11-1 | 10 |
| 11. | Watauga | 4A | 12-1 | 11 |
| 12. | Lake Norman | 4A | 9-3 | 13 |
| 13. | Alexander Central | 4A | 12-1 | 16 |
| 14. | Northwest Cabarrus | 3A | 8-1 | NR |
| 15. | East Rutherford | 2A | 12-0 | NR |
| 16. | Providence | 4A | 8-4 | NR |
Dropped Out: Newton-Conover (2A, 11-2); Carson (3A, 9-3); Independence (4A, 9-3). Also receiving consideration: South Caldwell (4A, 8-1); Charlotte Latin (IND, 11-3); Cox Mill (3A, 10-3)
