Four new teams — from Meck, Gaston, Union Counties — join The Observer’s Sweet 16
Four new teams join The Observer’s Sweet 16 high school basketball poll this week.
On the boys side, Gaston Christian and Gaston Day join the poll. Gaston Christian, a relatively young team, has won three in a row including Tuesday’s 49-47 upset of NCISAA 3A power Concord Academy. Concord Academy fell three spots to No. 13 this week.
Gaston Day, which beat Gaston Christian 45-37 last month, has won five of its past six games. The team is led by 6-10 center Callum Richard, who signed with East Tennessee State on Wednesday.
On the girls side, NCISAA power Providence Day returns to the poll and Union County’s Marvin Ridge is in for the first time. The Mavericks have won 11 straight games.
Boys Sweet 16
| Rk | School | Rec | Prvs |
| 1 | Carmel Christian | 24-3 | 1 |
| 2 | Myers Park | 17-4 | 2 |
| 3 | Central Cabarrus | 21-0 | 3 |
| 4 | North Mecklenburg | 20-1 | 4 |
| 5 | United Faith | 27-2 | 5 |
| 6 | Olympic | 20-1 | 6 |
| 7 | Cannon | 25-6 | 7 |
| 8 | J.L. Chambers | 16-5 | 8 |
| 9 | Hickory | 20-1 | 9 |
| 10 | Richmond County | 18-2 | 11 |
| 11 | Gaston Christian | 19-8 | NR |
| 12 | Charlotte Catholic | 18-4 | 12 |
| 13 | Concord Academy | 26-6 | 10 |
| 14 | Lake Norman | 15-6 | 16 |
| 15 | East Mecklenburg | 16-5 | 13 |
| 16 | Gaston Day | 15-7 | NR |
Dropped Out: Butler (4A, 15-5); Charlotte Latin (IND, 12-9). Also receiving consideration: Northside Christian (IND, 17-12); Hopewell (4A, 11-7); Crest (3A, 15-3)
Girls’ Sweet 16
| Rk. | Team | Class | Rec. | Prvs. |
| 1. | Lake Norman | 4A | 21-0 | 1 |
| 2. | North Mecklenburg | 4A | 20-1 | 2 |
| 3. | Independence | 4A | 19-2 | 3 |
| 4. | East Lincoln | 3A | 21-0 | 4 |
| 5. | Shelby | 2A | 18-1 | 5 |
| 6. | Cannon | IND | 19-5 | 6 |
| 7. | Mallard Creek | 4A | 17-4 | 7 |
| 8. | Salisbury | 2A | 17-3 | 8 |
| 9. | South Mecklenburg | 4A | 17-4 | 10 |
| 10. | Charlotte Catholic | 4A | 16-6 | 9 |
| 11. | Myers Park | 4A | 17-4 | 11 |
| 12. | East Rutherford | 2A | 20-2 | 13 |
| 13. | West Rowan | 3A | 20-0 | 14 |
| 14. | East Burke | 2A | 18-1 | 15 |
| 15. | Providence Day | IND | 18-5 | NR |
| 16. | Marvin Ridge | 4A | 18-4 | NR |
Dropped Out: Alexander Central (4A, 17-4); Hibriten (3A, 18-3). Also receiving consideration: Hickory Ridge (4A, 15-4); Concord First Assembly (IND, 18-7); Newton-Conover (2A, 17-4)
Note: records are through games played Wednesday, Feb. 1
This story was originally published February 3, 2023 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Four new teams — from Meck, Gaston, Union Counties — join The Observer’s Sweet 16."