Hough coach Beau Maye, young Huskies’ team, join Observer Sweet 16 after upset
After upsetting then-No. 3 North Mecklenburg last week, Hough’s Huskies join The Charlotte Observer’s Sweet 16 poll.
The Sweet 16, which began in the 1984-85 school year, ranks the best teams in media company’s coverage zone, which currently includes NCHSAA and NCISAA teams from Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union counties.
The rankings are compiled by longtime N.C. high school basketball experts Rick Lewis and Randall Clark, co-hosts of The Observer’s streaming Talking Preps show.
Hough (12-3) started the season 0-2 under first-year coach Beau Maye, who is the brother of New England Patriots’ QB Drake Maye. Beau Maye played at Hough. The Huskies are 12-1 since.
Friday, Maye’s team beat North Meck, 58-56, handing the Vikings their first home loss since the 2022-23 season. Hough’s Justin Funderburk made two free throws in the final seconds for the winning margin
The other new team in the boys’ poll is Hickory Ridge (12-4). The Ragin’ Bulls have won four straight, led by midseason All-Observer performer Travien Williams.
In the girls’ poll, Lake Norman stayed at No. 1 for the second straight week. Unbeaten Lake Norman Charter joined the rankings.
New Talking Preps episode
Girls’ Sweet 16 poll
1 Lake Norman (11-1), 1
2 North Mecklenburg (13-2), 2
3 Marvin Ridge (14-3), 3
4 Mallard Creek (12-4), 4
5 Providence Day (16-3), 4
6 Queens Grant (17-3), 6
7 Porter Ridge (12-3), 3
8 Cannon School (14-5), 9
9 Stuart Cramer (14-1), 10
10 South Meck (12-3), 11
11 North Lincoln (13-4), 8
12 Gaston Christian (15-3), 13
13 Ardrey Kell (13-3), 16
14 East Lincoln (14-3), 12
15 Concord Academy (16-7), 15
16 Lake Norman Charter (15-0), NR
Boys’ Sweet 16 poll
Rk., School, Rec, Prvs.
1 Concord Academy (20-2), 1
2 Queens Grant (20-3), 2
3 West Charlotte (12-2), 4
4 Hunter Huss (14-2), 5
5 Gaston Christian (21-4), 6
6 Providence Day (14-5), 8
7 Ardrey Kell (14-2), 9
8 Hough (12-3), NR
9 North Mecklenburg (12-3), 3
10 Davidson Day (14-10), 7
11 Charlotte Catholic (14-3), 11
12 Marvin Ridge (13-3), 12
13 Mooresville (13-2), 13
14 Myers Park (11-5), 15
15 Hickory Ridge (12-4), NR
16 East Lincoln (15-2), 14
This story was originally published January 19, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
