Queen’s Grant, all underclassmen, wins Observer Sweet 16 after historic state title
In his first year as basketball coach at Queen’s Grant Charter School, Joe Badgett led the Stallions to their first NCHSAA Western Regional championship game.
In his second, Badgett led Queen’s Grant — which doesn’t start a senior — to its first state title.
Today, the Stallions win their first Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 championship and will receive a large banner to hang in the school’s gym, currently under construction and set to open later this year.
The Sweet 16, which began in the 1984-85 school year, ranks the top teams in The Observer’s coverage area, which currently includes teams in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union counties.
The poll, compiled by longtime N.C. basketball expert Rick Lewis, ranks teams based on performance, strength of schedule and strength of classification. It does not consider how teams might fare against each other unless they actually meet.
Queen’s Grant, from Mint Hill, is the first 2A Sweet 16 champion in 17 years. The Stallions finished the season 35-3 after a 77-43 win over Warren County in the NCHSAA state championship game. Queen’s Grant ended the season on a 31-game win streak and didn’t lose a game when at full strength.
The Stallions beat NC 8A state champion West Charlotte, NCISAA 4A state semifinalist Carmel Christian, Combine Academy’s national team as well as Georgia powerhouse North Oconee and S.C. 4A state semifinalist Lancaster.
And by winning its first state championship, Queen’s Grant felt it got some redemption after losing in the 2025 state semifinals, 75-44, to eventual state champion Corvian Community Charter of Charlotte.
“Last year, we lost by (31),” said sophomore forward Chase Smith. “That was really bad. It hurt. Weeks and weeks after the game, I just wasn’t in a good mood. Waking up, I just kept thinking about the game. So, definitely coming back (this) year, only losing three games, dominating the state championship and all that we overcame this year, that’s a great feeling.”
Final 2025-26 boys’ basketball rankings
1. Queen’s Grant (35-3), 1
2. Hunter Huss (26-2), 2
3. West Charlotte (23-6), 4
4. Mooresville (27-3), 3
5. Concord Academy (29-3), 5
6. North Mecklenburg (24-5), 6
7. Providence Day (23-7), 7
8. Gaston Christian (27-7), 8
9. Charlotte Catholic (25-5), 9
10. Davidson Day (23-12), 10
11. Jay M. Robinson (25-4), 11
12. Marvin Ridge (21-6), 12
13. East Lincoln (22-5), 13
14. Hickory Ridge (23-6), 14
15. Ardrey Kell (20-8), 15
16. West Mecklenburg (18-10), 16
Previous Charlotte Observer boys’ basketball Sweet 16 champions
2024-25: North Mecklenburg
2023-24: North Mecklenburg
2022-23: Myers Park
2021-22: Weddington
2020-21: Cannon School
2019-20: North Mecklenburg
2018-19: Carmel Christian
2017-18: Independence
2016-17: Cox Mill
2015-16: Providence Day
2014-15: Ardrey Kell
2013-14: Freedom
2012-13: Olympic
2011-12: West Charlotte
2010-11: West Charlotte
2009-10: Lake Norman
2008-09: Shelby
2007-08: East Mecklenburg
2006-07: Victory Christian
2005-06: Rock Hill
2004-05: North Mecklenburg
2003-04: Garinger
2002-03: West Rowan
2001-02: West Rowan
2000-01: Charlotte Christian
1999-00: Central Cabarrus
1998-99: West Charlotte
1997-98: Freedom
1996-97: Independence
1995-96: Great Falls (SC)
1994-95: Irmo (SC)
1993-94: Charlotte Latin
1992-93: South Mecklenburg
1991-92: West Charlotte
1990-91: West Charlotte
1989-90: Eau Claire (SC)
1988-89: Garinger
1987-88: Lower Richland (SC)
1986-87: Salisbury
1985-86: West Charlotte
1984-85: Cherryville
1983-84: West Caldwell
