Major Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 shakeup: two new teams, two new No. 1s
There are two new No. 1 teams in the Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 poll this week.
In the boys poll, new NCISAA 4A state champion Carmel Christian moves to the top spot after beating nationally ranked Greensboro Day in the championship game.
Greensboro Day has been ranked in most of the national polls this year and has been in the top 10 in some of them. Nationally ranked Weddington, ranked No. 16 in the Ball is Life poll, moves down one spot to No. 2. The Warriors have won 46 straight games and will host Chambers in a 4A public school regional semifinal Tuesday.
In the girls poll, two-time state champion Chambers returns to the top spot. Chambers will play unbeaten Northern Guilford (28-0) in Tuesday’s regional semifinals on the road. Northern Guilford is the No. 1 ranked team in the Charlotte Observer/News & Observer’s “All-NC” rankings of the state’s top teams.
▪ There is one new team in the boys poll. After playing arguably the toughest schedule in North Carolina, Concord Academy (17-16) won the N.C. 3A Independent Schools state championship Saturday. It joins the poll at No. 10.
▪ There is one new teams are in the girls poll.
Parkwood (23-6), from Union County, has won three straight and 13 of its last 14 games. Senior Shimiya Taylor (15.6 ppg, 10.7 rpg) and junior Jade Washington (12.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.8 apg) lead the team.
Boys Sweet 16
| Rk. | School | Class | Rec. | Prvs. |
| 1 | Carmel Christian | IND | 26-3 | 2 |
| 2 | Weddington | 4A | 28-0 | 1 |
| 3 | North Mecklenburg | 4A | 26-4 | 3 |
| 4 | J.L. Chambers | 4A | 22-6 | 4 |
| 5 | Central Cabarrus | 3A | 29-0 | 5 |
| 6 | Richmond County | 4A | 26-1 | 7 |
| 7 | Myers Park | 4A | 17-8 | 13 |
| 8 | West Charlotte | 3A | 19-9 | 14 |
| 9 | United Faith | IND | 19-7 | 16 |
| 10 | Concord Academy | IND | 17-16 | NR |
| 11 | Charlotte Latin | 4A | 23-4 | 8 |
| 12 | Gaston Day | 2A | 27-4 | 9 |
| 13 | Providence Day | 4A | 22-6 | 6 |
| 14 | Robinson | 2A | 25-3 | 15 |
| 15 | Ardrey Kell | 4A | 17-6 | 11 |
| 16 | Northside Christian | 2A | 23-9 | 12 |
Dropped Out: Harding (4A, 18-10)
Girls Sweet 16
| Rk. | School | Cl. | Rec. | Prvs. |
| 1. | Chambers | 4A | 21-6 | 3 |
| 2. | Charlotte Catholic | 4A | 27-2 | 8 |
| 3. | Cannon School | IND | 21-7 | 1 |
| 4. | Salisbury | 2A | 25-1 | 6 |
| 5. | Shelby | 2A | 21-2 | 7 |
| 6. | Lake Norman | 4A | 24-3 | 10 |
| 7. | Carson | 3A | 25-3 | 12 |
| 8. | Providence Day | IND | 21-3 | 2 |
| 9. | North Mecklenburg | 4A | 24-4 | 9 |
| 10. | Myers Park | 4A | 21-7 | 5 |
| 11. | South Mecklenburg | 4A | 21-4 | 4 |
| 12. | Parkwood | 3A | 23-6 | NR |
| 13. | East Rutherford | 2A | 27-1 | 11 |
| 14. | Watauga | 4A | 24-4 | 13 |
| 15. | Newton-Conover | 2A | 24-3 | 15 |
| 16. | Alexander Central | 4A | 23-5 | 14 |
Dropped Out: East LIncoln (3A, 28-2)
This story was originally published February 28, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
