Charlotte Catholic is No. 1 in The Observer’s girls preseason Sweet 16 basketball poll
After reaching the N.C. 4A Western Regional championship game last season, Charlotte Catholic’s Cougars start No. 1 in The Charlotte Observer’s Sweet 16 girls basketball poll.
Catholic, which was 28-3 last season, returns four of its five starters, including national top 20 recruit Blanca Thomas, a 6-5 junior center who averaged 14.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks last season. Joining Thomas are 6-1 junior Gracyn Gough (9.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg), an all-conference player, and 5-8 junior Kate McArdle and 5-9 junior Olivia Fava.
Joining the team this year is Olympic transfer Aniyah Scales, a 5-10 guard who averaged 12.1 points and 5.8 rebounds last season.
| Rk. | Team | Class | 2021-22 Record |
| 1. | Charlotte Catholic | 4A | 28-3 |
| 2. | North Mecklenburg | 4A | 24-4 |
| 3. | Cannon School | IND | 21-7 |
| 4. | Mallard Creek | 4A | 14-10 |
| 5. | Myers Park | 4A | 21-7 |
| 6. | Lake Norman | 4A | 24-4 |
| 7. | South Mecklenburg | 4A | 21-4 |
| 8. | Salisbury | 2A | 28-1 |
| 9. | Providence Day | IND | 21-4 |
| 10. | Watauga | 4A | 24-4 |
| 11. | Shelby | 2A | 22-3 |
| 12. | Ashbrook | 3A | 20-9 |
| 13. | Concord Academy | IND | 22-8 |
| 14. | East Lincoln | 3A | 28-2 |
| 15. | Newton-Conover | 2A | 24-3 |
| 16. | Independence | 4A | 19-7 |
Also receiving consideration: Albemarle (1A, 19-8); Hickory Ridge (4A, 19-9); Marvin Ridge (4A, 22-6); Parkwood (3A, 23-7).
This story was originally published October 30, 2022 at 6:10 AM.
