Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 poll faces shakeup as key area basketball games loom
There are two new teams in this week’s Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 high school basketball polls, and plenty of ranked teams — and rivals — are meeting this week.
One of the new teams is in the boys’ rankings, as Butler (13-5) moves back into the poll. Butler snapped a three-game losing streak — to No. 2 Queen’s Grant, No. 3 West Charlotte and No. 7 North Meck — with a 68-59 win at Mallard Creek last week.
There is also one new team in the girls’ poll, as Myers Park (13-5) joins.
The Mustangs have won five straight games, including Friday’s 46-35 win over Hough. Myers Park plays at rival South Mecklenburg (14-4, 4-0) in a big game Friday. The Sabres are No. 13 in the girls’ poll.
Myers Park-South Meck is just one of several big games this week, including several matching ranked teams:
No. 15 Butler (13-5, 2-2) at Independence (10-7, 2-2) Tuesday: The Mint Hill/Matthews rivals are tied behind North Meck (14-3, 4-0) and West Charlotte (10-7, 2-2) for second place.
No. 7 North Meck (14-3, 4-0) at No. 3 West Charlotte (14-2, 4-0) Tuesday: Is this the game of the year so far in the greater Charlotte-area? The winner of one of Mecklenburg’s longest and most intense rivalries gets the early conference lead.
No. 11 Cannon girls (15-6, 3-0) at No. 6 Providence Day (17-3. 3-0) Thursday: This could be a state championship preview. The game was postponed last week after Providence Day fought a flu bug.
No. 3 Mallard Creek girls (14-4, 4-0) at No. 2 North Meck (16-3, 3-1), Friday: North Meck’s won five straight; Mallard Creek four. The Mavericks, who beat North Meck at home earlier this season, could likely lock up league title win a road win.
Note: The Sweet 16 rankings, which began in the 1984-85 school year, rank the top teams in The Observer’s coverage area, which currently includes teams from Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union counties. The rankings are compiled by Randall Clark, co-host of The Observer’s long-running Talking Preps streaming show.
Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 polls
BOYS’ RANKINGS
Rank, School, Rec, Prvs.
1. Concord Academy (20-2), 1
2. Queen’s Grant (22-3), 2
3. West Charlotte (14-2), 3
4. Hunter Huss (16-2), 4
5. Gaston Christian (22-5), 5
6. Providence Day (16-5), 6
7. North Mecklenburg (14-3), 9
8. Davidson Day (16-11), 10
9. Ardrey Kell (15-3), 7
10. Charlotte Catholic (16-3), 11
11. Marvin Ridge (15-3), 12
12. Mooresville (15-2), 13
13. Myers Park (12-6), 14
14. Hough (13-4), 8
15. Butler (13-5), NR
16. East Lincoln (16-3), 16
GIRLS’ RANKINGS
Rank, School, Rec, Prvs.
1. Lake Norman (13-1), 1
2. North Mecklenburg (16-2), 2
3. Mallard Creek (13-4), 4
4. Marvin Ridge (16-3), 3
5. Queen’s Grant (20-3), 6
6. Providence Day (16-3), 5
7. Porter Ridge (14-3), 7’
8. Stuart Cramer (17-1), 10
9. North Lincoln (15-4), 8
10. Ardrey Kell (15-3), 16
11. Cannon School (15-6), 9
12. Concord Academy (16-7), 15
13. South Meck (14-4), 11
14. Gaston Christian (16-4), 13
15. East Lincoln (15-4), 12
16. Myers Park (13-5), NR
