Big changes to NC high school basketball rankings as eight new teams join the polls

After a week of big upsets and big games, there are lots of changes to the N.C. statewide high school basketball polls this week.

The rankings are sponsored by The Charlotte Observer and the News & Observer of Raleigh. They are compiled by longtime N.C. high school basketball experts Alex Bass and Rick Lewis, co-hosts of The Observer’s “Talking Preps” streaming show.

Let’s start with the girls’ rankings:

▪ In the NCISAA poll, Crossroads Christian is new this week. The Warriors (11-2) are 6-1 in their past seven games and led by senior Elyssa Phillips, who is averaging 20 points, seven steals, five rebounds and 3.6 assists. Also, Grace Christian jumps two spots to No. 1 after Providence Day upset Cannon School last week. Cannon had been No. 1 all season.

▪ There are three new teams in the NCHSAA 4A public school poll: Raleigh’s Wakefield High (15-3), Apex Friendship (16-3) and Harrisburg’s Hickory Ridge (15-5) are all new to the poll. Wakefield (15-3) has won seven straight. The team has balanced scoring with no player averaging more than senior Jaya Hamilton’s 10.1 points per game.

Hickory Ridge, which plays No. 1 Lake Norman on Tuesday, has won five straight games. Ma-Kaela Gidney leads her team with 16 points per game. And Apex Friendship has won five in a row.

▪ There is one new team in the 1A rankings: Neuse Charter (18-5), which is on a four game-win streak. The Cougars are led by two freshmen. Yedidia Tsolenyanu (17.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.4 bpg, 2.3 spg) and Lily Temple (16.3 ppg, 5.0 spg, 4.9 apg, 4.2 rgp) are both having strong seasons.

Changes to the boys’ polls

There are three new teams in the boys’ rankings this week:

▪ Gaston Christian, a 3A private school coached by former Duke star Chris Duhon, is 20-7 and has won three straight games, including an 88-41 win over 4A private school power Carmel Christian last week.

▪ In the 4A poll, Green Level fell eight spots to No. 10 after being upset, 72-69, by Cary last week. That loss allowed North Mecklenburg to move up to No. 2.

One new team joins the rankings. Ardrey Kell (17-3) has won five straight games and returns to the top 10.

▪ Finally, longtime state power Kinston joins the 2A poll. The Vikings (13-3) have won six straight games and have only lost once since Dec. 14, when they dropped a 74-63 decision to Farmville Central.

Girls’ rankings

NCISAA

NCHSAA 4A

NCHSAA 3A

NCHSAA 2A

NCHSAA 1A

Boys’ rankings

NCISAA

NCHSAA 4A

NCHSAA 3A

NCHSAA 2A

NCHSAA 1A

Langston Wertz Jr.

The Charlotte Observer

704-358-5133

Langston Wertz Jr. is an award-winning sports journalist who has worked at the Observer since 1988. He’s covered everything from Final Fours and NFL to video games and Britney Spears. Wertz -- a West Charlotte High and UNC grad -- is the rare person who can answer “Charlotte,” when you ask, “What city are you from.” Support my work with a digital subscription