Three new teams join The Observer’s Sweet 16 regional basketball poll

Three new teams join The Charlotte Observer’s Sweet 16 high school basketball polls this week.

The rankings, which began in the 1984-85 school year, rank the top teams in the media company’s coverage area. That coverage zone currently includes NCHSAA and NCISAA teams in 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, who are regular guests on The Observer’s Talking Preps streaming show.

This week, all the changes are on the boys’ side, where East Mecklenburg, Jay. M. Robinson and North Lincoln join the rankings.

North Lincoln (15-3) has won nine of its past 10 games, only losing to No. 12 East Lincoln during that stretch.

Robinson (13-3) has won two straight games and is in a two-way tie for second place its conference, two games behind Carson (17-1, 8-0).

East Mecklenburg (14-7) has won five in a row and has a big game scheduled for Tuesday at Providence. East Meck (6-0 league play) is one game ahead of the Panthers (11-8, 5-1).

Boys’ Sweet 16 rankings

Rk., School, Rec, Prvs.

1. Concord Academy (24-2), 1

2. Queens Grant (22-3), 2

3. Hunter Huss (18-2), 4

4. Gaston Christian (23-5), 5

5. North Mecklenburg (16-3), 9

6. Providence Day (18-5), 6

7. West Charlotte (15-3), 3

8. Davidson Day (17-11), 10

9. Charlotte Catholic (17-3), 11

10. Mooresville (15-2), 13

11. Myers Park (13-6), 14

12. East Lincoln (16-3), 16

13. Marvin Ridge (15-4), 12

14. Jay M. Robinson (13-3), NR

15. East Mecklenburg (14-7), NR

16. North Lincoln (15-3), NR

Girls’ Sweet 16 rankings

Rk, School, Rec., Prvs.

1. Lake Norman (13-1), 1

2. North Mecklenburg (16-2), 2

3. Queens Grant (20-3), 5

4. Mallard Creek (15-5), 3

5. Marvin Ridge (17-3), 4

6. Porter Ridge (16-3), 7

7. Cannon School (18-6), 11

8. Stuart Cramer (19-1), 8

9. Providence Day (19-4), 6

10. North Lincoln (15-4), 9

11. Ardrey Kell (17-3), 10

12. Concord Academy (20-7), 12

13. South Meck (15-4), 13

14. Gaston Christian (17-4), 14

15. East Lincoln (15-4), 15

16. Myers Park (14-5), 16

Langston Wertz Jr.

The Charlotte Observer

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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