Welcome the Kings. Victory Christian joins The Observer’s Sweet 16 basketball rankings
After a busy post-Christmas tournament slate, there isn’t much change to The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll.
As most teams get into the thick of conference play this week, Cannon School’s girls (12-3) and Lake Norman’s boys (11-1) hold onto the top spots.
There is one new team, however.
Welcome Victory Christian to the boys’ rankings.
The Sweet 16, which began in the 1984-85 school year, ranks the top teams in the media company’s coverage zone, which now includes Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union counties.
The winner of the weekly poll will receive a large banner to hang in the school’s gym.
Victory Christian’s Kings, No. 14 in this week’s poll, beat Queen’s Grant in the championship game of the Phenom Hoops New Year’s Bash at Marvin Ridge last week. Queen’s Grant fell three spots to No. 15.
The Kings (11-6) beat Elevation Prep, 92-30, on Saturday and are led by junior guard Justyn Whitfield, who is averaging 22 points, 3.6 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. Whitfield and Victory Christian have a seven-game win streak and play at Raleigh’s Word of God (11-6) Tuesday.
Girls’ Sweet 16 rankings
| Rk | School | Rec. | Prvs. |
| 1 | Cannon School | 12-3 | 1 |
| 2 | Lake Norman | 9-1 | 2 |
| 3 | Mallard Creek | 8-1 | 3 |
| 4 | North Mecklenburg | 6-1 | 4 |
| 5 | Marvin Ridge | 8-1 | 5 |
| 6 | South Mecklenburg | 9-2 | 6 |
| 7 | Concord Academy | 12-5 | 7 |
| 8 | Butler | 9-1 | 8 |
| 9 | North Lincoln | 10-1 | 10 |
| 10 | Cramer | 11-1 | 11 |
| 11 | Hough | 9-3 | 9 |
| 12 | Hickory Ridge | 9-4 | 12 |
| 13 | East Lincoln | 9-3 | 15 |
| 14 | Porter Ridge | 12-2 | 14 |
| 15 | Robinson | 9-4 | 13 |
| 16 | Victory Christian | 4-3 | 16 |
Boys’ Sweet 16 rankings
| Rk. | School | Rec. | Prvs. |
| 1 | Lake Norman | 11-1 | 1 |
| 2 | Concord Academy | 18-2 | 3 |
| 3 | Providence Day | 13-4 | 2 |
| 4 | North Mecklenburg | 9-2 | 4 |
| 5 | Ardrey Kell | 11-1 | 6 |
| 6 | Gaston Christian | 15-4 | 7 |
| 7 | Davidson Day | 14-10 | 5 |
| 8 | Mooresville | 12-2 | 9 |
| 9 | Independence | 11-2 | 10 |
| 10 | J.L. Chambers | 7-5 | 13 |
| 11 | Hopewell | 11-1 | 8 |
| 12 | Charlotte Catholic | 11-3 | 11 |
| 13 | Carmel Christian | 11-5 | 14 |
| 14 | Victory Christian | 10-6 | NR |
| 15 | Queen’s Grant | 12-6 | 12 |
| 16 | Weddington | 9-4 | 15 |
