Five new teams join The Charlotte Observer’s Sweet 16 poll, and one is younger than most
Five new teams, from four different counties, join The Charlotte Observer’s Sweet 16 regional basketball polls this week.
Four are on the boys side.
Private Gaston Christian, one of the younger teams in the area, headlines the new boys teams. Gaston Christian (14-7) has won two straight games, led by freshman Cameron Newman (16.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.9 apg) and junior Joe Rhyne (14.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.3 apg).
Also new this are Richmond Senior (12-2), which includes junior Paul McNeil, a 6-6 junior ranked in the top 35 nationally in his class; Butler’s Bulldogs (9-4), who have won four straight; and Hough (11-5), which has won two straight and recently added Providence Day transfer Trey Horton, a Division I recruit signed to Texas El-Paso.
▪ Hibriten is the one new team on the girls side. Hibriten (15-1) had won 10 straight before Thursday’s scheduled game with at No. 10 Watauga.
▪ NOTE: Records are through Wednesday’s games.
Boys Sweet 16
| Rk | School | Rec | Prvs |
| 1 | Myers Park | 12-3 | 1 |
| 2 | Carmel Christian | 20-3 | 2 |
| 3 | Central Cabarrus | 16-0 | 3 |
| 4 | North Mecklenburg | 15-1 | 4 |
| 5 | Cannon | 19-5 | 5 |
| 6 | United Faith | 18-2 | 7 |
| 7 | Olympic | 17-0 | 8 |
| 8 | Concord Academy | 20-4 | 6 |
| 9 | J.L. Chambers | 12-4 | 9 |
| 10 | Hickory | 13-1 | 13 |
| 11 | Charlotte Catholic | 13-4 | 10 |
| 12 | East Mecklenburg | 12-3 | 12 |
| 13 | Gaston Christian | 14-7 | NR |
| 14 | Richmond County | 12-2 | NR |
| 15 | Butler | 9-4 | NR |
| 16 | Hough | 11-5 | NR |
Dropped Out: Charlotte Country Day (IND, 15-7); West Charlotte (3A, 9-5); Robinson (2A, 9-5); Gaston Day (IND, 9-4). Also receiving consideration: Hopewell (4A, 10-6); Crest (3A, 12-2); Lake Norman (4A, 11-5)
Girls’ Sweet 16
| Rk. | Team | Class | Rec. | Prvs. |
| 1. | Lake Norman | 4A | 16-0 | 1 |
| 2. | North Mecklenburg | 4A | 16-1 | 2 |
| 3. | Independence | 4A | 15-2 | 3 |
| 4. | Mallard Creek | 4A | 13-2 | 4 |
| 5. | Charlotte Catholic | 4A | 11-3 | 5 |
| 6. | East Lincoln | 3A | 15-0 | 6 |
| 7. | Shelby | 2A | 11-1 | 7 |
| 8. | Providence Day | IND | 12-3 | 9 |
| 9. | Salisbury | 2A | 12-3 | 8 |
| 10. | Watauga | 4A | 12-4 | 11 |
| 11. | Cannon School | IND | 12-5 | 12 |
| 12. | South Mecklenburg | 4A | 13-4 | 14 |
| 13. | Myers Park | 4A | 11-4 | 13 |
| 14. | Victory Christian | IND | 14-1 | 16 |
| 15. | Alexander Central | 4A | 12-2 | 10 |
| 16. | Hibriten | 3A | 15-1 | NR |
Dropped Out: East Rutherford (2A, 13-2). Also receiving consideration: Hickory Ridge (4A, 11-3); West Rowan (3A, 12-0); Marvin Ridge (4A, 13-4); East Burke (2A, 11-1); Newton-Conover (2A, 12-3)
This story was originally published January 13, 2023 at 6:05 AM.