Which are the top prep basketball teams in the Charlotte region? Our latest Sweet 16 polls
There is just one new high school basketball team to join The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll this week as most teams head into holiday tournament action.
▪ Cannon School’s girls have lost two straight games to nationally-ranked teams, but maintain their grip on the top spot over Lake Norman (7-0).
One new team joins the girls’ rankings — private school power Victory Christian. The Kings are 3-3 and have won two in a row.
▪ Seven of the boys’ teams, or nearly half the field, have three of more losses already. That speaks to a level of parity on the boys’ side, and — in some cases — some generally stronger scheduling than we’ve seen in recent years.
Lake Norman (8-0) remains the No. 1 ranked team. Providence Day (10-3) moved up one spot to No. 2 after beating Concord Academy in the game of the week Saturday. Concord Academy (14-1) is No. 3 this week.
Sweet 16 girls’ poll
| Rk | School | Rec. | Prvs. |
| 1 | Cannon School | 10-3 | 1 |
| 2 | Lake Norman | 7-0 | 2 |
| 3 | Mallard Creek | 6-1 | 3 |
| 4 | North Mecklenburg | 5-0 | 5 |
| 5 | Marvin Ridge | 6-1 | 6 |
| 6 | South Mecklenburg | 8-2 | 4 |
| 7 | Concord Academy | 11-3 | 7 |
| 8 | Butler | 7-0 | 8 |
| 9 | Hough | 5-0 | 9 |
| 10 | North Lincoln | 5-1 | 11 |
| 11 | Cramer | 7-1 | 16 |
| 12 | Hickory Ridge | 6-2 | 13 |
| 13 | Robinson | 4-3 | 12 |
| 14 | Porter Ridge | 8-1 | 14 |
| 15 | East Lincoln | 4-3 | 10 |
| 16 | Victory Christian | 3-3 | NR |
Sweet 16 boys’ poll
| Rk. | Team | Rec. | Prvs. |
| 1 | Lake Norman | 8-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Providence Day | 10-3 | 3 |
| 3 | Concord Academy | 14-1 | 2 |
| 4 | North Mecklenburg | 5-1 | 5 |
| 5 | Davidson Day | 9-8 | 4 |
| 6 | Charlotte Catholic | 8-0 | 6 |
| 7 | J.L. Chambers | 3-4 | 7 |
| 8 | Ardrey Kell | 6-1 | 8 |
| 9 | Gaston Christian | 11-3 | 9 |
| 10 | Hopewell | 6-0 | 11 |
| 11 | Mooresville | 8-2 | 14 |
| 12 | Carmel Christian | 10-3 | 15 |
| 13 | Queens Grant | 9-4 | 13 |
| 14 | Weddington | 7-2 | 16 |
| 15 | Independence | 7-1 | 10 |
| 16 | Butler | 4-3 | 12 |
