West Meck, 0-25 a year ago, is one of two new teams in Observer Sweet 16 rankings
Two Charlotte high schools join The Observer’s Sweet 16 polls this week, including a West Mecklenburg team that went 0-25 a year ago.
The poll, sponsored by The Charlotte Observer since 1984, ranks the top teams in the media company’s coverage area, which currently includes NCHSAA and NCISAA schools from Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union counties.
The boys’ and girls’ champions, named at the end of the season, will get a large banner to hang in their gymnasiums.
The rankings are compiled by longtime N.C. basketball experts Rick Lewis and Randall Clark, who are regular guests on The Observer’s Talking Preps streaming show.
This week, there isn’t much change in the girls’ poll, but there are two new teams in the boys’ rankings: Ardrey Kell returns to the rankings, and West Mecklenburg is in for the first time.
Ardrey Kell (17-5) has bounced back with two straight wins after a three-game losing streak saw the Knights drop out of the poll.
West Mecklenburg (13-8) comes in at No. 15 after upsetting Myers Park on the road Friday.
The Mustangs fell out of the poll this week.
West Meck, winless last season, has won six straight games and can win at least a share of the Greater Charlotte 7A/8A conference championship with wins this week against Hopewell (6-13), South Mecklenburg (9-12) and Garinger (4-13).
The Observer’s Sweet 16 polls
BOYS’ SWEET 16
Rk., School, Rec, Prvs.
1. Concord Academy (25-2), 1
2. Queens Grant (23-3), 2
3. Hunter Huss (19-2), 3
4. Gaston Christian (24-5), 4
5. North Mecklenburg (18-3), 5
6. Davidson Day (18-11), 8
7. West Charlotte (16-4), 7
8. Providence Day (19-6), 6
9. Mooresville (16-2), 10
10. Marvin Ridge (16-4), 13
11. Charlotte Catholic (18-4), 9
12. Jay M. Robinson (14-3), 14
13. Ardrey Kell (17-5), NR
14. North Lincoln (15-3), 16
15. West Mecklenburg (13-8), NR
16. East Lincoln (16-4), 12
GIRLS’ SWEET 16
(Rk, School, Rec, Prvs.)
1. Lake Norman (14-1), 1
2. North Mecklenburg (19-2), 2
3. Queens Grant (21-3), 3
4. Mallard Creek (16-5), 4
5. Marvin Ridge (18-3), 5
6. Porter Ridge (17-3), 6
7. Cannon School (20-6), 7
8. Stuart Cramer (21-1), 8
9. North Lincoln (15-4), 9
10. Ardrey Kell (19-3), 11
11. Concord Academy (21-7), 12
12. South Meck (17-4), 13
13. Gaston Christian (18-4), 14
14. Providence Day (20-5), 9
15. East Lincoln (16-4), 15
16. Myers Park (15-6), 16
