Two former NC state champions join The Observer’s Sweet 16 as postseason gets underway
Two former state champions join The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll this week.
The Sweet 16, which began in the 1984-85 school year, ranks the top teams in The Observer’s coverage area, which includes schools in the following counties: Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union. The champions, named at the end of the season, receive a banner to hang in their gyms.
The polls are compiled by longtime N.C. basketball experts Alex Bass and Rick Lewis, co-hosts of The Observer’s streaming “Talking Preps” show.
This will be the final poll until the end of the season next month when a champion is named. And making that final ranking are:
▪ Myers Park, fresh off an upset over South Mecklenburg, join the girls’ poll this week. The Mustangs (12-12) beat the Sabres at South Mecklenburg to win their third straight game and grab a share of the Southwestern 4A championship.
Myers Park, Ardrey Kell and South Mecklenburg all shared the crown. South Meck dropped out of The Sweet 16 this week. Ardrey Kell remained at No. 14.
▪ Carmel Christian rejoins the boys’ poll. The Cougars (17-8) beat Raleigh’s Ravenscroft School 56-53 in the N.C. Independent Schools’ state quarterfinals last week. Carmel Christian, No. 15 in this week’s rankings, will host No. 2 Providence Day in a state semifinal Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Girls’ rankings
| Rk | School | Rec. | Prvs. |
| 1 | Lake Norman | 22-1 | 1 |
| 2 | North Mecklenburg | 21-2 | 2 |
| 3 | Providence Day | 25-7 | 3 |
| 4 | Cannon School | 24-7 | 4 |
| 5 | Concord Academy | 25-6 | 5 |
| 6 | Butler | 21-2 | 6 |
| 7 | North Lincoln | 22-1 | 7 |
| 8 | Mallard Creek | 21-3 | 8 |
| 9 | Charlotte Catholic | 15-9 | 10 |
| 10 | Marvin Ridge | 17-5 | 11 |
| 11 | Hickory Ridge | 15-7 | 9 |
| 12 | J.M. Robinson | 20-4 | 12 |
| 13 | Myers Park | 12-12 | NR |
| 14 | Ardrey Kell | 16-8 | 14 |
| 15 | Hough | 18-6 | 16 |
| 16 | East Lincoln | 19-5 | 15 |
Boys’ rankings
| Rk | School | Rec. | Prvs. |
| 1 | Lake Norman | 23-1 | 1 |
| 2 | Providence Day | 27-4 | 2 |
| 3 | North Mecklenburg | 22-2 | 3 |
| 4 | Concord Academy | 30-3 | 4 |
| 5 | Davidson Day | 22-12 | 5 |
| 6 | Gaston Christian | 25-7 | 7 |
| 7 | Independence | 19-5 | 8 |
| 8 | Mooresville | 20-4 | 6 |
| 9 | Hopewell | 18-6 | 9 |
| 10 | Queens Grant | 21-7 | 10 |
| 11 | Charlotte Catholic | 19-5 | 11 |
| 12 | Weddington | 19-5 | 12 |
| 13 | Victory Christian | 19-10 | 14 |
| 14 | Crest | 19-2 | 15 |
| 15 | Carmel Christian | 17-8 | NR |
| 16 | J.L. Chambers | 16-8 | 16 |
